Duke's First Annual Polar Express Party

A couple of days ago, prior to suddenly asking my sister and her family over for dinner, and just before the impromptu Christmas Dinner party (at which 28 people crammed into my home, more than half of them being under the age of 13!) I had suddenly decided to host a Polar Express party.

Initially, I was just feelin' jealous of parents I know with fewer than 4 kiddos who can just drive up to Colorado and buy a few tickets for the Polar Express train ride. Then I read an article about how we try so hard, as adults, to grasp the magic of Christmas. The excitement we felt as we went to bed Christmas Eve. The joy and surprise when we opened our present. The warm yumminess of traditions and objects that would become nostalgic to us later. The article's author discussed how it may be hard to catch that feeling as adults but that really Christmas is about creating that magic for the children in our lives. And so thus the grand idea of the Duke’s First Annual Polar Express Party began.

We played "Guess How Many Bells are in the Jar," drank cocoa (complete with a mini cocoa/marshmallow/peppermint bar), sang carols, played heads up 7 up, gave a bunch of mom's and dad's an hour off, and listened to the Conductor (my very awesome theatrically trained husband) read Polar Express to us! It was by far the BEST evening I’ve had all
December!!!

daily december (14)

gingerbread cookie recipe

me and e on dec 14

I didnt start the day in this outfit. I was completely dressed in straight legged gray slacks, a geometric patterned blouse with a black undershirt and coordinated necklace. I just needed to slip my shoes on and grab a sweater.

However, I began to feel the pinch of the waistband around my middle and decided a bit too many cookies this month (+ a couple of sodas and a bucket load of cocoas with donuts sprinkled here and there) meant that I would need to pull out my most favorite comfy jeans. I've had them for about 5 years, they stretch more and more as the day goes on. The hems are frayed beyond recognition and in my skinny days these are too big for my bum... perfect! Especially since I planned on making (and eating) gingerbread cookies later ;)

E found me in the bathroom standing on the toilet (as usual) and wanted in on this picture thing. She had on the perfect mixed outfit too! Her t-shirt is a hand me down from a friend (belonging to our miss b)and the tutu is from Target last Christmas. It sparkles and twirls and both girls still fit into them. They wore them yesterday to church. E wore hers with stockings and her brothers Gap navy blue sweater with a big snowflake on the front that he wore 5 years ago! Both my littles have gotten away with wearing it and looking adorable!

On me:

my old reliable jeans

shirt: thrifted $5

purple t: Target

Cardigan: Target

ring: www.smallthingsdesigns.com

enjoying
my new Env3 with unlimited text and data plan
Coffeemate's Peppermint mocha creamer in plain ol' walmart cocoa
Christmas Classic station on Pandora
this gingerbread cookie recipe
Lain's 5 easy handmade gifts
oh and then there's this:

December Daily December 10

dec 4

Had such a busy day. So many errands. Too many kids (parent teacher conferences this week.)

After talking about my daily chosen clothes and saying something about putting more effort into what I wear... not the ordinary jeans and T, I suddenly had a craving for jeans and a T. I had a photoshoot with my nieces so I wanted to wear something comfy and functional. I dressed it up with my gap cardigan you havent seen yet, a hand knit navy blue scarf, straight legged jeans and some plaid tennies. I bought both tops at Walmart last year. I really really really try to stay far away from walmart clothes purchases because typically the quality isnt that great, walmart is an evil giant, sweatshops, etc. but this blue t is an organic one I picked up for $5! Could you pass up organic cotton for $5? I dare you! The red and white striped one underneath was a happy find. I hunted everywhere last winter for a red and white striped t after falling in love with one in the Boden catalog. I couldn't find anything under $30!!! Then happened across this one while picking up dog food for only $8. I am told I like to justify things often... oh well, I look cute ;)

December 3

So this is the ornament I made for Life in the Lyon's Den ornament swap. I hand crafted each paper house and used gumball machine containers for the domes. pretty nifty, huh?

And apparently getting dressed with the intention of wearing something nice (rather than the lounge pants or jeans and a tee, or mafia style jogging suit... well anyway, it's becoming a habit and a way to keep me on task through out the day.

This outfit is one of my favorite pairs of very straight legged baggy pants (reminds me of womens 1940s pants), a striped Old Navy T-shirt that my sis gave me after she accidentally ordered 2, a thrifted cardigan (about $6?) and a refurbished necklace made from a thrifted necklace and a big red bead from one of my other sistas.

This picture is a reminder to me to
a) clean my bathroom mirrors
b) get a pedi some time this winter
see ya tomorrow, I got to get back to posting a client gallery.

december 2

If you have a Macy's and kiddos in your care, stop by and drop a note to Santa... I almost did ;)

P.S. Couldnt find my copy of "It's a Wonderful Life" and really wanted to watch it tonight. You can watch it here

December 1: Peppermint chip cookies, sould food for the tired soul

Recipe can be found here

Digital December Daily

If you read my blog you probably know about Ali Edwards and her December Daily... just because I am crafty, ad you probably are so I assume you know what I am talking about. I am tooooo lazy this early morning to go and find a link for you so go ahead and google it if you need to... go ahead... I'll wait ;)

Last year I made an awesome book for my December Daily, but alas, scrapping in December (printing out the pics assembling pages etc) was too much for me and even though I took pictures every day I did fail to scrap the last 10 days or so. But I KNOW I can do this digitally. I LOVE doing digital scrapping... no mess to clean up, no supplies to buy, etc.

So all I have to do is make a list of things I definitely want to get to with my family and take the darn pictures!

On my list:
cookie making
one day of a big secret santa project run by a friend of mine
PJ pants to be sewn
cocoa to be drunk
parties to attend
but firstly get the tree up and finish the ornaments for Amy's swap(and send tomorrow!)

A Give Away at Cardigan Cake

Posted a give away on Cardigan Cake

I'm in

Last year I made these:

I THINK I know what I'll do this year???

It's November... time to blog every day ;)

With 2 other blogs going on I am bound to cross post once in a while... this will be one of those times ;)

I found a huge stack of Corelle plates at Savers that I will be using when I host Thanksgiving at my house this month. I haven't quite decided on what to do for center pieces... maybe spray paint gourds in matching colors? make little velvet pumpkins? Do you have any ideas?

I have Christmas on the brain already, but with my business keeping me busy with Holiday Family Sessions I have to be in that mode mentally. I think I may need to construct some sort of Holiday planner soon! You know I'll share! maybe even make 2 for a give away???

Mommy, Why are they putting up Christmas stuff up already?

I wish you could hear how this question is asked (every time we are at a craft store)Maybe you have little of your own asking this questions. Miss B asks it with a tone of "those silly gooses, dont they know it's HallowING?" And T-bone asks it like "What's wrong with the world today?!"

My answer is something like "They need to get ready early so they can get everything done by Christmas."

Well I have officially joined "they" when I drove all over town looking for some neat-o paper and spent the afternoon cutting taping, and stapling, I am almost done assembling my Ali Edward's December daily album!!! Here's a little sneaky peek:

refurbished vintage book cover spattered with gold paint and embellished with vintage santa image

And a little freebie if you want it. I made a sheet of my own number tags. I didn't use all of them for my album and there is no "25." Click on the images to go to the larger jpg to download, However, they are not for commercial use: