Christmas 2014

Finally getting around to sharing photos of my Christmas tree and mantel for 2014.

Took only a couple photos of the kids and they are all blurry.  Epic fail on Christmas photos this year.  Hoping Cait will send me a few.

Happy New Year everyone.

Holiday Mantel…First Look

I've been an absent blogger for about a month now.  I can only blame getting ready for 40 people at Thanksgiving for so long, before I have to own up to my own lack of focus or laziness.  Not sure which, maybe a little of both.

I just finished up with a little project for my mantel.  I saw it in a magazine somewhere and just fell in love with it, so I made my own version.

It's basically an blanket or shawl for your mantel.  In the magazine, they actually used an plaid blanket with fringe, that they cut up to fit.  I wasn't going to waste a whole blanket.  I went to Joann's and found this plaid flannel, bought two yards and cut my own 3 inch fringe.

It just makes me so happy.

When I get it all done, I'll post the finished version.  Still making the final decoration which should be ready tomorrow.

As for the tree…the new house has lower ceilings so I'm learning to adjust to a much smaller tree, but I clearly have too many ornaments and I just can't resist hanging all my favorites.

I'm not sure if it's a Charlie Brown tree or not.  I'll have to take another photo in the daytime, so I don't have to adjust the saturation as much….but it does look like one of those old timey photos from my childhood.

More cheer to come.  Promise.

Christmas Mantel

I posted my fall mantel a few weeks ago, so I thought I better post my Christmas mantel, especially since I'm about to start the annual de-Christmasing process.

All of my children and grandchildren have their own stockings, so "my cup runneth over" so to speak.  (If you know what movie used this line to perfection...I will reward you in some way.)

Here is my tree with the creche built by my father.  The tree base actually sits on top of the creche (manger).  It is a very special memory for me.

Due to my current unemployment status, I opted to make as many gifts as I could.  This included 11 infinity scarves.

This photo basically sucks, but it gives you the hint of what I created.

I also made this peppermint chocolate bark for Rick.  The recipe was in the December edition of Food Network magazine and it's meant to mimic the Williams Sonoma version.  It was fun to make and he said it was delicious.

And finally...this is my favorite Christmas photo.  Uncle Mike and Luke chillin' on Christmas morning. He was pleased as punch to have Uncle Mike all to himself.

Time to start de-Christmasing.

Fall Mantel

I wanted to share my finished Fall Mantel before it gets replaced by the Christmas version.

I added a few little things this year to help fill it up.  A couple of them were from the Target discount section.  You know, that little area right when you walk in with all the $1, $2 & $3 goodies.  (Try and tell me you don't love that little section.)

This is a close up of the left side.  The pumpkin on the end is a new addition to my Mod Podged pumpkins.  I got this pumpkin at Joann's for 70% off and applied layers of elegant tissue paper.  The little lantern next to it was one of my Target specials.  I think it was $1.99.  The picture next to that was purchased last year at Arts & Apples.  I have a thing for doors and windows.  The pitcher is one of my collection given to me by my dear sister.

Here is the right side close up.  I added more wheat to my tall square vase this year. Next are the three Mod Podged pumpkins from last year.  The simple wreath and star are from Target and finally another pitcher from my collection.

That's it.  Now on to the Christmas mantel.

Hope your Thanksgiving was warm and wonderful.

Halloween 2012 Photos

Here are some photos from Halloween.

Krissy and family were all the characters from Adventure Time.  I think I know all the names.  Jason was the Ice King.  Krissy was the Pink Princess (not sure on that one), Breslyn was LSP or Lumpy Space Princess.  Austin was Jake and Ryan was Finn.

Caity and family were Alvin Simon and Theodore.

And Logan came as "Dr. Logan".  I think he was originally supposed to be Dave Seville, but it was just a lot easier to put this cute little doctor's outfit on him.   And anyway...how do you dress up as Dave Seville.

Here are the cousins getting ready to go trick or treating.

And finally, here are the little cousins interacting for the first time.

I can't help feeling that Logan's got years of being bossed around by his slightly older cousin.  And he is going to love every minute of it.

Hope you all had memorable Halloweens with lots of great photos.

Halloween 2012

It's time for our annual Halloween at Krissy's.  This year her family is dressing up as the characters from Adventure Time.  I think it's on Nick.  Or maybe it's Cartoon Network.   I don't really "get" the show, but it's a favorite of Ryan and Austin.

Here are the characters:

Ryan is the middle character with the white ears.  Aus is the dog like character.  I'm guessing Krissy is the Princess thing and Jay is the King guy.  Breslyn is the purple blob thing.

Please note that the purple thing has a star on it's forehead.  My task was to make the star for Breslyn's costume.  Here is the finished result.

Maybe tonight I'll remember all the character's names.

Happy Halloween everyone and I hope all the children on the East Coast can find a way to enjoy the day.

A Very Family 4th

We ended up having a very special family 4th of July.  This was in part due to the storms that passed through town on July 3rd, leaving Kristen and Jay's house and my house...without power.  In the scorching heat, we all ended up at Cait and Rick's house for the holiday.

We started in the morning with Grandpa Bob's very special pancakes and then I made fish kabobs and ribs for dinner.  I'd also bought a small blow-up pool for the boys and this was a big hit.

And Baby "B" had a great day too.

I have to admit that the pool was enjoyed by more than just the kids.  It was amazing how good it felt to put my feet in that cold pool.  Ahhhhh!

It's All in the Details

Easter was very special the year.  We got the families together this year to celebrate Easter and also Luke's 2nd Birthday.

Caity hosted the party and she made it very special with little touches that only she can do.  First off, she made these:

She did it with balloons, embroidery thread and glue.  So cute.

And this was how she did the flowers:

What a great way to use peeps.

Here was Luke's Birthday cake:

She had this made by "That's Just Delish".  Adorable isn't it.

And than my personal favorite.  Raspberry and peach trifle.  Thank you for making this Cait.  It was sooooo good.

And family events are always made more special by these monkeys:

"Please note daddy has to hold my hands down or I would so be grabbing this cake."

Good Intentions

I've been "Pinning" all sorts of Spring and Easter wreaths, with every intention of making one.  But by the time I checked out all the goodies at Michael's and Joann's, I kind of gave up.

Trying to figure out all the supplies I would need (I am not a regular wreath maker) and add that to the high probability that it wouldn't turn out how I envisioned it, I opted for a pre-made wreath that was 40% off at Joann's.

Lame...absolutely.  Done...yep!

Kid in the Box

Isn't this the truth....

Merry Merry Everyone!

Happy Christmas Eve

The tree is trimmed and has been for a few weeks.  I still have a bunch of presents to wrap and I'm out of boxes.  How did a let that happen?

On the upside, the Cherry Pie is done.  I need someone to help me figure out how to get my crust to roll out in a round shape.  Mine keep coming out as a rectangle.

And the cut out cookies are done.  (Hey little bro...know that I'm thinking of you.)

I made our usual frosting, but added more milk to thin it a bit so I could dip the cookies.  It was actually much easier than the spreading method.  Will try to remember that for next year.  (I'll have write it down otherwise, all is lost.)

I've also got the shrimp cooked (used Ina's roasting method. Super easy) and the cocktail sauce is ready (used Mom's tried and true recipe).  I also blanched some asparagus to be used with an Asian dipping sauce.  I found this recipe in the Delta magazine on my last trip to Atlanta.  Hope it's good.

Off to get a few more presents wrapped before Christmas Eve dinner with BW's family.

Have a wonderful Christmas Eve.  Hope you are surrounded by family and friends.

Christmas Candles

I'm a big fan of Carol over at The Answer is Chocolate.  She is a crafting wizard and I love to see what's she's come up with.  At some point...and I think it was last year, she decorated some Dollar Store candles and I just loved them.

I finally got a chance to try some myself.  After some trial and error (error meaning scraping off the previous attempt and starting over), I made a few that I really liked.  They are not nearly as wonderful as Carol's, but I'm still happy with them.

Here's my final versions:

This was a fun Christmas project.  My next project entails me pulling out the sewing machine the girls got me last Christmas.  I'm a little nervous, but excited by the possibilities.

Merry and Bright

This is now my screen saver.  Thank you Jena for taking such magnificent photos of the boys.  They are so lucky to have such a talented Aunt.

To follow her work you can "like" her on Facebook at McShane Photography.  Besides wonderful photos my grandsons,  she does some great and interesting work.

Musings on Thanksgiving

What a whirlwind week-end that was.  It was wonderful to be surrounded by my family and friends for two days in a row.

There was, of course...plenty of turkey.  BW did a great job carving it up.

And lots of family

I actually got Stinky to smile and look at the camera.  Normally he runs when I try and take a photo.  Please note that the funky growth around his chin is temporary.  It's part of his annual "no shave November" which he's done for the past couple years.  Last year he just had "chops" but this year it has blossomed all the way to his chin.  He did have to put up with lots of Amish jokes all week-end. (Deservedly so!)

And the boys were here as well.

No idea what Aus is doing, but I've got a whole bunch of these "faces".

RJ is plugged in as usual.  This photo was taken while I was saying his name over and over, trying to get him to look as me.  No luck.

Thanksgiving Prep

The stuffing is made

The table is set

About to get the Turkey in the oven.  All is well in the world.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.