Finishing up 2009

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. I appreciate all the emails asking if I had gotten lost. lol
Thought I would post a few pics of things that are bringing 2009 to a close.

This is the lantern that I got for Christmas( plus, new snow tires on my Explorer).
Thanks to my family! I can't imagine life without them.



Nut rolls we made for Christmas. This was my very FIRST attempt at ever making them. I got to tell you, they turned out great!


I bet no one else had a holiday wreath like this. :) This was "Charcoal". She and her two brothers, "Fuzzle" and "Spook" were born about 8-10 weeks ago. Their mother was abandoned by our ex neighbor. I can't imagine moving and leaving animals behind. I don't understand what goes through people's minds. All 3 babies are now in a new home and remain all together. :)

I have lots of ideas going through my head of things I would like to do in 2010. I am not even going to list weight loss as #1. I figure, I know I need to eat healthy and when I don't , I get more bummed out and then I give up.
Anyways, there are other things that I want to be at the top of my list. Some are just minor , but still things that to me will make a difference in my life.

finish some incomplete projects
get a pattern or two into PDF files.
paint my front door
do a major declutter
do or say something nice to someone everyday. even if its to compliment someone on their blog.
plant something totally new in the garden
go on some day trips
learn to rug hook
do something nice for myself more often
continue to use coupons
be happy living within my means

I am sure there are many more, but thats enough for now. I have been keeping a small jourmal to write things in for the last couple months; its almost full of ideas, thoughts and words that give me inspiration. I think it will keep me more focused on whats important to me.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

Christmas Q & A

I was reading through some blogs and seen this over at Anne's. I think its a great idea.


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?

gift bags, as much as possible!

2. Real tree or Artificial?

Artificial


3. When do you put up the tree?

usually right after Thanksgiving, I was a few days late this year.


4. When do you take the tree down?

Usually a day or two after Christmas
I like to start the new year without all the clutter.
cluttered house = cluttered mind.

5. Do you like eggnog?

sure do!!!

6. Favorite gift received as a child?

microscope/lab kit


7. Hardest person to buy for?

my mom


8. Easiest person to buy for?

my sister, Karla


9. Do You have a nativity scene?

no. I wish I did


10.Mail or email Christmas cards?

not this year.......


11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?

a white turtle neck with HUGE lime green and orange musical notes ALL over it.


12. Favorite Christmas Movie?

Rudolph
charlie brown christmas, it reminds me of when my sister , brother and I were all with my mom


13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?

I hate christmas shopping! Is that what the season is suposed to be about really???
A week or two before. when do I finish? usually the 23rd. :)


14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?

yes


15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?

nut rolls
my mom's calorie ridden fruit salad


16. Lights on the tree?

white/clear



17.Travel at Christmas or stay home?

travel to my mom's about 10-15 min. away :)


18. Open Presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning?

I used to let the girls open theirs on Christmas eve. I always made sure they had new pajamas to wear for Santa.
Now, they are both on their own and there won't be anyone here to open them.



W e are expecting snow tonight and tomorrow.
Today I mixed up dough for nut rolls and its in the refrig.
Tonight's supper was sausage stuffed portobello mushrooms.

Want to see what I got?

I have got to show you what I got from the Gettysburg Homestead Create A Christmas 2009 Swap.
My partner was Mary at Gettysburg Homestead, herself!! :)
This was not the usual swap, it was a "create a swap". I actually participated in two similar Christmas swaps like this; they were soo much fun! In both swaps we had to take something and "redo" it.
The first part of Mary's swap was to send a yard of fabric in early November to our partner. They were to use it in a project and then send it back with the rest of the swap goodies.
Mary made me a very primitive bonnet and the 'ol stack pillows that you see below.
I also got a shelf( for the redo part) a hand towel, osanburg pillow sham and a candle. :)

Thank you so much, Mary! I love everything!!


I do hope that we get to do more swaps like this,(hint to Mary AND Char). :)

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!

Good morning!
I hope you are staying warm on this chilly morning.
We woke up to a few snow flurries and 10 degree weather; will definitely be bundling up to go outside. :)
I thought I would post a few pics of our Christmas decorating. We kept it simple. Lots of things were boxed back up and returned to storage.




I still need to get some pictures of the pine boughs outside. :)

Do you like my curtains- with the topper in the middle?
I seen curtains put up like that in a 1977 issue of Early American Life.
These were in the top of my closet, still attached together with a yard sale tag. I had enough to use in all the kitchen and living room windows- cost $4.00. :)


p.s
Did you see the wonderful, primitive Advent box over at
The Taylor Farmhouse? I just ordered two from The Artists Club. :)
The boxes are on clearance for $12.49.

Look at what I got in the mail!

Look at what I got in the mail!! Woohoo!

Karen was my partner in the old fashioned christmas swap.

Thank you, karen!! I love everything!!!!

Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum

It's wayyy past bedtime but thought I would come on and post.
These are the drummer boy ornies(ornaments) that I made for a swap on the P & R boards. Char posted a pic of the one I sent her with her holiday decorations. :)
This is the first time I have made my own pattern.
Whatcha think? :)

We spent the day running to the store, adding ornamants to the tree and putting up some pine boughs outdoors.
I made some cabbage rolls and mashed potatoes for supper.

What are your plans for the weekend?

Kitchen Redo

Thought I would post the before and after pics of the kitchen. It is done and I am soooo happy!!
We are going to Ollie's on Sunday to get new stools for around the island.
Now, I can get my Christmas tree up. :)