Oops...

I guess posting every day in November caused a burn out in blogging for me. I would think about writing a new post from time to time, but felt there wasn't much to talk about in December. I was missing home even more than usual due to the holidays and my birthday. I did manage to have moments of Christmas joy... even if I was 2,000 miles away from home!

I cannot get over how cute these guys are. I've been keeping them fat with peanuts!

Our Christmas Self Portrait ;)

On the outside, looking in

I made lots and lots of sugar cookies for a Christmas party

Mike and I were twinsies for Christmas dinner @ a family friend's house

My Grinch of a hubby even made a snowman that waves to people as they drive by our house!

I am used to driving in the snow now. Technically, I don't drive in the snow since I wait it out until the snow plow comes to clear it and salt the roads ;p It was snowing on the way home from Christmas dinner and our car slid 3 times! It was scary, but I am glad Mike was driving because he handled it very well and managed to keep us safe.

We're looking forward to going to Chicago to celebrate NYE. I'm not sure what the exact plans are, but it should be fun if Mike is planning it. I am also counting down the days until my trip to California (10 more days)! I've been trying to plan how I am going to be able to see everyone in 3 different cities in just 2 weeks. There will be lots of running around, but it will be worth it!

Christmas-y Things

The Grinch (aka: my husband) says there will be no Christmas decorating before Thanksgiving. While I am a bit disappointed, I suppose he has to draw the line somewhere. If he doesn't set boundaries, I am likely to set up my Christmas decor in the middle of June. While I wait (not so) patiently for Thanksgiving to come and go, here are a few things that are holding me over...

*Finding, buying, and wearing my Christmas pj's for this year. Super warm slippers and a cute kitty to cuddle are an added bonus:


*A new festive mug from which I can enjoy many servings of hot cocoa.


*Starting the process of making my Christmas cards. I could not decide on one design, so the plan is to make 5 different types & making 10 of each type. 50 cards is my limit... I'll have no mercy if there is a 51st person I remember last minute ;p

*Making Christmas surprises for my family since I cannot be with them during the actual holiday

Less than a week before my house becomes a Winter Wonderland!!!

46 Days 'til Christmas!

I feel a bit like an elf at the North Pole lately. I’ve been in my little shop o’ crafts working away. I’ve been putting together some surprise gifts for my family and I just finished the cards my dear friend, Susan, ordered from me (yay for Etsy love)! The cards were technically finished over the weekend, but I kept going over them to scan for imperfections and to trim ribbon for the third time. I don’t know what it is about making something for someone close to me. I get a little stressed out and want it to be perfect.

The cards were really fun to make, though. All I had to do was follow the idea that Susan got here. It was a large order, so I set up an assembly line when I put the cards together. It makes everything go so much faster and I felt more efficient. I love picking up new ideas or tricks while completing new projects (ie: when trimming paper, you get a cleaner line if you turn the paper as you cut. Maybe that’s something that’s already well known, but I never gave it much thought until I was cutting out numerous ornament shapes). I’m off to the post office to send Susan her cards today. I hope she likes them :)