A welcome site

It has taken me a few days to get back on track after having been gone for the weekend.  The weather has been pretty crazy in these parts too. 

This blue sky was a welcome site this afternoon.

The kids have been begging to do some Christmas decorating.  I tend to drag my feet a bit because I am not one for clutter.  Usually by the 26th I have everything boxed up and put away (don't get me wrong, I love Christmas- but the decorations can be a bit overstimulating at times!) Alas, I couldn't hold them off any longer. Emma started stringing cranberries.

We  I drug out the big tree last night (it was tucked in the back of a fairly, ahem, disorganized closet.)  It was fun to see the girls rediscover all their decorations from years past. 

 

Hannah was so excited.  At one point I came into the room and she was wearing the tree skirt around her waist and spinning about.  I have to work up to the Christmas Tree thing.  Clean house, dishes done, lights low, music playing, yummy treats nearby.

It has to be an event you know.  Not some haphazard happening.  There is quite a bit of control to give up however, as the girls go clumping placing the ornaments on the tree.  I bit my tongue and let the top 1/3 of the tree go bare (because they couldn't reach).  And, I confess, I did a bit of rearranging after they went to bed :)

The decorations are a bit wonky this year.  I am transitioning over to bright pinks and greens from traditional red and green (yawn).  It's funny to see how your tastes change.  What I liked last year is not my favorite this year.

Pink, we are going pink this year.  Who needs rustic pine cones, or boughs of fir garland? Let's talk about shiny tinsel and fabulously bright colors.

Come back tomorrow for a "no fail" and super easy fudge recipe!

It's hard to say...

...what I liked best about my weekend.

It could've been all the beautiful things that I saw while shopping. (Pottery Barn above, REI below)

Everything was all glittery and sparkly!

The "laughing until you snort, pee, or quit breathing" was good too!

Or perhaps the thing I like best about this weekend was that I got approx. 95% of my shopping done. Don't be fooled, still lots to make- but the buying is mostly done.

We all did pretty well, can't you tell?  Not sure if we would've been able to fit one more bag into the Xterra we were driving. (what am I saying?  there is always room for more bags! jenny was perfectly comfortable riding that way home)

Dinner was definitely a highlight. A little wine and WAAAAYY too much food. Never fear, there is always room for Burnt Cream.

As good as dinner was, the company was even better. This was most likely the best part!

(we all have a dinner mint tucked in our cheeks)

A lovely weekend, it was all the best...especially returning back home to my favorite faces and lots of small (and big) arms wrapped around me.  It's good to be missed.

Hope your week is off to a great start.  Thank you for all the advent garland love!

not going to make it...

Well, I have come to accept the reality that my advent garland will not be totally complete by tomorrow.  I have mittens 1-12 finished, there is no way that I will get to the other 13 by the end of the day.  Oh well, I guess it will just be a "get- it- done- as- I- go- along" kind of project. 

I have all kinds of filler for it.  Three tiny little trinkets or treats will be stuffed inside each mitten. This was the really fun part (did you know that 3 things for 3 girls for 25 days equals 75 things- eek!) My Grannie (who is a feeling a bit sick...hi Grannie) gave me her old craft box.  Inside I found all kinds of vintage figurines that were used in cake decorating. I also threw in some peppermint sticks, suckers and tons of other little thrifted doodads. Next year I think I will stuff them with ornaments -much easier.

I am headed out tomorrow for an overnight shopping trip with my Tante and my cousin.  Looking forward to some girl time...have a great weekend!