I Want to Wish You A

We are settling into winter break and the kids are enjoying the few inches of snow that arrived yesterday.  I have a lot to do before Christmas.  I have not wrapped one gift and I have a sewing project that I have not even started!!! The house is clean and the baking is done so I am not stressing too much.  

Have a wonderful Christmas!!! 

Remembering Newtown Today

Today at 9:30 am I will take a moment of silence for the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting.  My continued prayers for the survivors.

Our Elf on the Shelf

This year we adopted an elf. His name is Steve.  Steve has done some funny things for the last couple of weeks and he sometimes leaves treats or crafts for the kids.  Last night Steve took liberties with the photo booth app.

Photo props courtesy of Living Locurto.

Trio of Wreaths

I thought that I was done decorating for Christmas, but I had a hard time passing on these 70% off wreaths and ribbon.  I love the look of wreaths on windows.  

Here is my inspiration from hi sugarplum!

For a little less than thirteen dollars I was able to recreate this look.  I love this little touch on this large window.  It is my favorite feature of the living room.  I recently replaced the  outdated cream roman shades with clean, white, non-fussy shades.  The ribbons are pulled through the top of the shade and tied into a bow on the wreath. No hardware required!

I am officially done decorating for the holidays!  

Now it is baking time... yummy!

Praying

I can not articulate my feelings about the Connecticut shootings.  I was thankful that my husband was off this weekend and that we could grieve together.  The only thing I can do is pray.  Pray without ceasing.  Pray for those precious families, pray for our teachers, pray for our schools, pray for safety, pray for a miracle.  I never imagined that the world would become this evil.  We need Jesus more than ever!  In my opinion that is the ultimate solution and until then I will pray. 

Comic Christmas Cards

2010

I love the holidays! It brings out the nutty in everyone, especially my brother Michael and his wife Amanda.  They love sporting ugly Christmas sweaters and sending "serious" Christmas cards to friends, family, and co-workers. Cooper is not left out and this year he is the star of their e-card.  I fear to think what they will do to my future niece or nephew.  Check out these comic cards of Christmas past and present.

2011

2012 print version

2012 e-version

So what do you think?  Are you funny or serious?  

Christmas Family Room

Our family room is the hub of the home and that is where our Christmas tree and stockings are located.  We like sitting on the couch and gazing at the tree. Doesn't everyone?  Our tree is an "everything goes" tree. There is little rhyme or reason, we are going for the eclectic look.  This year Rudolph got a snazzy collar and silver bell and looks right at home with the deer head prints.

I love the new fireplace tile!  We still have not moved the cable outlet hence the annoying cord. 

2011

2012

Here is my favorite ornament that my sister-in-law gave us last Christmas.

And this corner of the room got a little refresher.  The table needed repainted and I decided to use my Benjamin Moore sample that I had purchased for the cabinets.  I did not sand or prime and I used a brush, but surprisingly no brush strokes because I added some Flotrol (my new BFF) to the paint.  

Little black table

Little gray table

So that is my family room! Every Christmas my side of the family gathers here to celebrate and this room easily accommodates us all.  I am a little sad that we will be five short this Christmas. My sister and her family currently live in Malta as missionaries and they will be sorely missed!