The Day After

We like most endured some after Christmas sale shopping and actually got some really great deals. Everyone including our kids love sales. I must admit my oldest son can be a bigger shopper than even me!

Sharing some more around home photos!

Merry Christmas, He's Home!

Today we decided amongst all the festivites to take some pictures outdoors. Yes, I did say outdoors! It was 48 degrees and sunny. No snow here but it was a bit chilly none the less. We really laughed and shivered and laughed some more. We're so thrilled to have Adam (one of our 4 children-Alex, Niki and Brandon we miss you so much!!!) with us for Christmas and as I little surprise for him I put these photos together using "ploppers" from Digital Scrapbooking Place. Most likely he'll be sending these off to his girlfriend in the a.m. :) We're having such a wonderful time, moments like these to treasure.

Break in the Day

Today we shopped all day and got most everything we were looking for. We came home happy and exhausted. We were all hungry so I cooked up a batch of my Grandmother's recipe for sloppy joes and a yummy frito corn salad. This a sure winner and partners well with just about anything-especially sloppy joes!

1 can white kernel corn, drained
1 can yellow kernel corn, drained
1/3 cup green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 cup sweet red onion, chopped
1 cup real mayonnaise
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
5 to 7 oz (to taste) of chili cheese flavor Frito corn chips crushed.

Mix all the ingredients except the chips amd chill.
Add the chips in just before serving.

A Gift and Mine Too

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of every day's

Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love with a passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints, I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.
~Elizabeth Barrett Browing~

I just love this poem and thought it very fitting to convey the feeling I wanted.

I started out with this idea for my bathroom and then decided to make one for my Mom for Christmas too, she'll love it-I just wish I was there to see her open it! And then again framed in a cherry wood frame which set it off perfectly. The finished product came out beautifully even though this wonky photo does not do it justice, poor lighting, green tinge and all. I'm planning a partner piece to go with this, however for my bathroom they'll both be framed in black to match the accent pieces. I'll post that too when I've completed it. My mom and Dad have a victorian home and have a little chihuahua which I thought made this the perfect piece. I finally got it shipped off today, Hooray, I hope it makes it in time for Christmas!

I Can Do This!

Here's to creating my first digital scrapbook page ever! My son at 16 in California showing me what he can do with a skateboard. He has a natural ability when it comes to sports and excels at whatever he sets his mind to do. He's played hockey and travel hockey most of his teen years and is just so smooth on the ice; pure joy to watch! I used Tia Bennett's "Dude Totally" free digital kit seen on 2Peas- I just had to try it. Font-Gloucester MT Extra Condensed.
~TTBF~

More Winter Wonderland

Christmas is my most favorite time of year and I love to decorate for the holidays. This year I actually have my tree up and most of the decorations however I haven't been able to find all the boxes of Dickens villages yet...that's another project. My most amazing husband surprised me last week when I came home from work by putting up all the lights outdoors. It was great timing as we had a warm spell and this week I think it is 15 degrees.

More lovlies... I have a passion for Starbucks lattes and collect their ornaments amongst other things. I loved their Christmas marketing campaign last year and have a piece of everything that they produced I think. Often you'll find me illustrating when I am having coffee at one of the local spots in town.

Winter Wonderland

Lovely aren't they? My mother, the most wonderfully creative and inspiring woman I know, made these many years ago and gave them to me for our Christmas tree. Each year I'm always delighted when I unwrap each one and hang them. They remind me what an amazing woman my mother is and how proud I am of her. She loves to create and surround herself and her family with beautiful things and has always been my inspiration. She is such a caring person and has taught me so much about unconditional love, grace, beauty and dignity. She has always believed in me and what I can do and has taught me to never sell myself short. I love you Mom, you are my hero!