SHAM...

Lilley-Kate was INTENT on getting the SHAMWOW for Michael for Christmas... so we did... and yes... Lilley-Kate made ABSOLUTELY SURE that is was MADE IN GERMANY (taking heed to BEWARE OF IMITATORS)...

After having INTENTLY read the instructions (at Lilley-Kate's urging) before using... Michael and Lilley-Kate have come to the conclusion...

The SHAM is not so WOW...

Baby It's COLD Inside...

Well... HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

Man... is it just ME... or do the days between Christmas and New Years seem to DRAG ON FOREVER??? I'm glad to be done with the "holidays" and looking FORWARD to the New Year... and warmer weather to come!!!

Back to school today for Lilley-Kate (and back to Dance after a Holiday break)... she was SO EXCITED about going to school this morning... I think she was really starting to miss her classmates and Mrs. Pfeiffer... Nick is still on break... but I think is planning to head back to school on Saturday...

So... we woke up this morning to a CHILLY house... not thinking much of it though... since it's not unusual... we trun the thermostat down during the night (trying to keep 3 levels comfortably warm can be expensive)... but I realized that the house was going from CHILLY to COLD... so I checked the thermostat... yep... 58* and dropping... so I call the "heat guys"... they are SUPER NICE and came right out... replaced a bad FAN BLOWER BOARD... so we are warming up now...

We planted the Narcisuss bulbs about a week ago... kinda an after Christmas Tradition... they had already started sprouting in the box (kinda nervous about that)... HOPEFULLY in about 6 weeks we'll have fragrant paperwhites to enjoy!

I have some "goals" set for 2009... I figure goals are easier than resolutions... We'll see how it goes as the year progresses!

Hope everyone is enjoying the "back to normal" normalcy!!!

I'm SO EXCITED... and so is SHE!!!...

For a while now I have been TRYING to get Lilley-Kate to let me paint her fingernails... she seems genuinely "delightfully interested" whenever one of her girlie friends are sporting painted nails... "Oh Mommy... I LOOOOOOOOOVED Kylee's sparklie nails"... and I would always ask her if SHE wanted sparklie nails... "Oh no... I wouldn't love MY nails sparklie... but I LOVE Kylee's nails sparklie"... whenever we were in the vacinity of the nailpolish/nail care stuff I would TRY to get her interested... but no luck... then TODAY...

As soon as she saw the nail polish display and a package of "nail gems"... the "bug" bit her... "Mommy.. can you paint my nails and put these sparklie things on them?"... I couldn't buy the stuff fast enough (I had to be super quick before she CHANGED HER MIND right???)... so... she (we) chose a soft frosted lilac polish... and a package of "nail gems"... as SOON as we got home (thinking my window of opportunity could close at any minute) I sat her down and we played "nail salon"...

She was THRILLED with the results and couldn't wait to show Nick and Daddy when they got home... she's already talking about getting PINK SPARKLIE POLISH the next time we go shopping!!!

Totally Addictive...

Nick's girlfriend Samantha came for a "post-holiday" visit for a few days... It's always nice to see her (and Lilley-Kate LOVES her)... she's super sweet... and gives Nick an intellectual run for his money... Well... shortly after she arrived on Friday she got a hold of Lilley-Kate's FIND IT tube (a gift from SANTA... at the suggestion of a VERY FABULOUS ELF!!!)... and then found Nick's FIND IT tube...


I think every chance she got... she had one of them in her hands... searching for the HIDDEN ITEMS... thinking maybe I'll be purchasing another one as a "belated Holiday" gift!!!

I must say though... FIND IT Tubes are TOTALLY ADDICTIVE!!!

Here's Your Sign...

OK... so yesterday I had had just about enough "Holiday Cheer"... WHY is it the days between Christmas and New Years seem to go on FOREVER???... anyway... I went to a not so local shopping center to see what I could see... came out to find that the HOLIDAY WREATH that I had on my van had been STOLEN!!! OMG... WHO the HELL steals a wreath off of a van??? Well... I took it as a "sign" of sorts... so TODAY (instead of on January 1st as traditionally) the Christmas decorations are COMING DOWN...

I'm not mad at the THIEF who stole my wreath (I mean... it was just a little $2.50 thing)... Maybe... just maybe... "Post-Holiday" insanity possessed them... and seeing that Holiday wreath on my car sent them over the edge... and instead of screaming out in pure frustration (which would've been kinda weird in the middle of a parking lot)... they decided to quietly remove the wreath from my van... Hey... I can TOTALLY RELATE to that (although I probably would've just done the screaming in frustration thing)... or MAYBE... just maybe... they needed a wreath for THEIR car...

Either way... I took it as a "sign"

A Handy Daddy...

We had made the decision earlier in the year that THIS YEAR would be Lilley-Kate's year to receive her (first) American Girl Doll(s)... I started "covertly" asking her every time a new catalog would arrive "Who are your favorite girls?"... and she would always answer the same way "I love Julie and Ruthie"... try as I might... I could NOT get her to love KIT (my personal crush)... decision made... order placed in plenty of time for Christmas...

Once the Girls arrived (and might I say in a VERY inconspicuous box... YIPEE) the anticipation for Christmas started to build... I consulted an American Girl "expert" (a FAB FRIEND of mine who's daughter has MULTIPLE girls)... how to "take care" of them... what would be some fun "accessories"... well... DADDY definitely knew what HIS contribution would be... the Girls were going to need a place to sleep right???

So the wood was purchased... and pattern found... He worked secretly in the garage after Lilley-Kate had gone to bed...



And built a bed for RUTHIE...

And Julie too...

I made the "bedclothes" (sheets, pillow cases and "quilts")...

I'm happy to report that both Ruthie and Julie have totally loved their comfy beds...

*Added at Michael's request is that the wood for this project cost approximately $12.00 for each bed...

Next project... Wardrobes based on Simplicity 3936...

A Christmas Wish...

From ME to YOU... MERRY CHRISTMAS to EVERYONE!!! I hope you all have SAFE and HAPPY celebrations!!!

Christmas Countdown...

Last night we decided to take a bit of a "road trip" to a (not so) local nursery to visit "Santa's Lane"... this has become a yearly tradition... the trees (there are about 100 in all) are beautifully decorated and there are LOTS of holiday ornaments and decoration to see...

Lilley-Kate was THRILLED that Nick agreed to come with us...

The PINK pointsettias were a FAV of both ME and Lilley-Kate (I think it was the glitter on all the petals that we loved the most!)...

LOTS and LOTS of beautifully decorated trees... I think I have come to LOVE the "very decorated" look... (I got lots of good ideas too of things that can be ADDED to trees... other than traditional ornaments)...

A big "trend" was the Colored trees... Lilley-Kate and I particularly like this PURPLE tree... they also had PINK, ROYAL BLUE, WHITE, RED and even a BLACK tree...

The most favorite tree of all of course had to be the BALLERINA TREE...

I hope everyone is getting their last minute things done!!! Tonight we will be popping popcorn and taking a ride around our nieghborhood to see all the Christmas lights!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!!!

Merry MISH-MASH...

I've been working through my "GET DONE" list... and am finally making a bit of progress...
1. More ornaments for Lilley-Kate's "Very Mary" tree...


2. Cookies baked... packaged... and delivered to friends and neighbors...

3. Holiday "Thank You's" to Lilley-Kate's teachers (at school and dance)...

4. Finishing up the dance year with parties in both TAP and BALLET...

WHEW... is it January YET??? It seems like Christmas "snuck up" on me this year... too much to do (or too much I WANT to do...) and not enough time... I only have a couple more things on my list to get done... before the 25th...

"Holiday" Crafting...

Today I had the opportunity to visit Lilley-Kate's class and spend some time with the kids making a "Holiday" craft... I needed something "easy" and "quick"... and these chenille stem candy canes fit the bill perfectly!!!

The kids had a fun time crafting... and we even "snuck in" some Christmas (I mean "Holiday") songs after we were done making the candycanes!!!

On The Road...

Well... today is "the day"... our "family" Christmas celebration with Michael's family...

Let's just hope the BIG PINK ELEPHANT in the room is wearing a festive Christmas outift...

Student of the Month...

Lilley-Kate was so excited on WEDNESDAY... she had been chosen STUDENT OF THE MONTH (for December) by her Reading Teacher... so all the SOM got to have a PIZZA PARTY in the library with their teachers and parents... each child got a certificate and we got to owrk on a craft together...


Each of the kids (and their parents) got to decorate a painters cap... the kids were allowed to wear them to school on Friday...

It was exciting to have lunch with Lilley-Kate's Reading teacher... all the kids were so proud of themselves... and we were SO PROUD of our FAVORITE GIRL!

WAY TO GO LILLEY-KATE!!!

One of Five... and Ornament Love...

I had always dreamed of someday having a tree in each room of the house... SLOWLY we are accomplishing that... this year we have 5 trees up (actually 6 if you count the little lighted tree in Nick's room)... we "graduated" Lilley-Kate to a full size (6') tree this year and decorated it in "very Mary fashion"...

I made the felt Scotties (in black and white and a cherry print)... SUPER EASY!!!

I bought the wooden Ladybugs at JoAnn's (they were already pre-painted)... just added a ribbon for hanging...

I've always LOVED snowflakes... and these really helped fill in the trees in the Living Room and Dining Room... they are SUPER GLITTERY (which looks magical at night with the lights lit)... Found at the DOLLAR STORE (12 in a pack... I have over 100 snowflakes all together on the two trees)...

Ever since I was a little girl I have LOVED this ornament on my parents tree... My Mother made it the first year she was married... there is a set of 4 bells... she gave one to my sister and one to me last year... it's one of my most treasured ornaments...

Hope everyone is finding time to enjoy the holiday season!

A Confession...

On "Black Friday" I went with my SIL (the FENCERIDER)... her Mother (the SPARKLIE ONE) and my 14 YEAR OLD NEPHEW (don't ask WHY a 14 yo BOY would want to spend the day shopping with 3 women... b/c I kept asking myself that all day and couldn't figure it out...) ANYWAY... about 3/4 through the day we stop at a "local java hut" (14 yo just HAD to have a HOT CHOCOLATE... again... WHY was he with us???)...

We all get hot chocolate... and FENCERIDER goes into the restroom... and comes out all huffity puffity... "Why didn't ANYONE tell me I had a big BOOGER hanging out of my nostril?" she asks red-faced... well... 14 yo says "Good thing you saw it"... SPARKLIE ONE says "Oh Honey... it's no big deal"... What do I say (very innocently)??? "I didn't even notice it..."

THE CONFESSION... Yea... I SO NOTICED IT... don't worry though... I would tell YOU if YOU had a big BOOGER hangin' out of YOUR nose!!!

Nutcrackers and Gingerbread Houses...

This weekend was fun-filled and FRIGID (our high this weekend was on Saturday... 27*)... One of our Holiday Traditions is to go and see the Nutcracker Ballet put on by our local Regional Ballet company... it's such a fun afternoon...


We also had our "2nd Annual Gingerbread House Party" with The Hardts... This year Mrs. Hardt and I decorated our own houses (can I tell you I TOTALLY enjoyed that!)... the girls had a fun time... the house smelled like a candy shop!

Give-Away Time x2 !!!!

My DEAR FRIEND JENN is having a GIVE-AWAY!!! Just visit her ETSY SHOP... pick which headband you like... then leave a comment with your choice on her BLOG... you have until FRIDAY... so get on over there and enter!!!

ALSO...

AMY over at MOMMY and BEYOND is having a GIVE-AWAY with some FABULOUS things to choose from (I'm secretly hoping for the zipper pouch or bracelet and earrings! )... You have until MONDAY to enter... just leave a comment!

Give-Aways are always such FUN!!!

YUMMY GOOD!!!

When I find something we (and I personally) like, I tend to tell EVERYONE I know (and even those I don't... LOL)... Well... we LOVE this popcorn!!! It's sold by the BOYSCOUTS yearly (but you can order it year round from HERE... a portion (70% on average) goes towards supporting Scouting in your local area... that is a good thing... both for the Scouts in your area... and your TUMMY!!!

SUCCESS!!!!

I FINALLY found a pair of boots that met ALL the requirements... I'm SO EXCITED ( NOT excited enough though to go run out in the snow and play though!) !!!

Wishing you All...

I hope EVERYONE has a WONDERFUL day!!!

A Little Baking and a Little Sewing...

Nothing says "Fall" to me more than GINGER SNAPS... I got the recipe for these YEARS ago from the VALENTINE MUSEUM in RICHMOND, VA... they have become quite popular among the neighbors...

They will be packaged up and delivered to our neighbors along with a mini-loaf of this YUMMY PUMPKIN BREAD that Kristin was nice enough to blog about (and share the recipe!)... I added the pecan topping... between the ginger snaps and pumpkin bread the house smelled FABULOUS!

A friend of Lilley-Kate's is turning 7 on Thanksgiving Day... so I made her a comfy little LOUNGE SET...

One of my favorite "chores" to do is IRON... yes... honestly... I LOVE to iron... it's relaxing... and really a "no brainer" kinda activity... well... my ironing board cover had seen better days...

So thanks to JONA'S FABULOUS EASY PEASY IRONING BOARD COVER TUTORIAL I made a NEW ONE... and will be making an ironing board cover "wardrobe" so I can change it whenver the mood strikes me! How FUN it is to have a "customized" cover... I got the fabric from FABRICTOPIA (Jona's Fabric Shop)... go check it out as she is having a GREAT SALE right now!

Hope everyone has a great Holiday!

Sometimes...

I really WISH people would realize I am NOT really the person they THINK I am... that I won't necessarily react the way they THINK I will (I mean... give me some credit... I have LEARNED as I have gotten older)... that maybe the "unapproachability" (inflexability, "coldness") that people seem to THINK I posess, is actually a shield... and that the things that they THINK won't hurt... hurt the most...

Cheery Cherries and FRIGID Wind...

I got these wooden CHERRIE cutouts at HOBBY LOBBY back in the Spring... KNOWING full well that they would be going on Lilley-Kate's CHERRY themed Christmas tree this Christmas... I'll be digging out some of my ME items for the tree too... I painted them and they are now ready for hanging...

We continue to be under a WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY in our area... the WIND is FRIGID... our high temp today has hit 28*... the snow continues to fall about every 30 minutes as our lake effect squalls move through... thankfully we are seeing peeks of the sun in between the snowfalling...

Snow forcasted through Saturday evening... so we'll be staying warm and cozy INSIDE this weekend...

Hope everyone has a WONDERFUL weekend!

It CAN be PRETTY...

After a night of steady snowfall we woke up this morning to right around 4" of the white stuff...

Although I am NOT a fan of SNOW... it does have it's appeal (from INSIDE a warm cozy house!)... I love how the snow looks clinging to all the tree limbs... and some unexpected morning sunshine made everything sparkle like glitter...

The streets have cleared... no school delays or cancellations... we'll have 5 minutes of intense sunshine... and in the next 5 minutes it is snowing like crazy... gotta love that "lake effect"...

Lilley-Kate was VERY EXCITED today... as she got to wear her BOOTS to school!


I'm just hoping (against hope) that Lilley-Kate doesn't want to go out and play in this... it's COLD... and I am SO NOT a "lets go out and play in the snow kinda Mommy" (I know... not something you would typically admit... but hey... I'm HONEST)...



Plus... I haven't gotten my BOOTS yet!

Happy TUESDAY everyone!!!

And So IT Begins...

This will be our FOURTH "Northern Winter"...

I don't think I'll ever REALLY get use to it... at least I HOPE I don't...

I've learned something living in our area... IF you want to know the weather forecast... just look out the window... we are forecasted for the WHITE STUFF for the next THREE DAYS!!!

HOLY COW... or QUILT... What a Give-Away!!!!...

Head on over to THE OLD RED BARN for one of the most FABULOUS... and FABULOUSLY GENEROUS Give-Aways EVER!!! Who wouldn't LOVE one of these BEAUTIFUL quilts???