Where Did December Go?

It's the 17th and I'm wondering how in the world this month flew by so fast.  Normally I have my Christmas cards mailed out on the 1st (I do them over Thanksgiving weekend), and have also been working on a variety of craft projects.  Now I'm worrying when am I going to get my chex mix made, how about the fudge?  I usually make my own containers to give away goodies in now I'm forced to use the ones at the store.  Truly I shouldn't sweat this stupid stuff. 

I'm totally enjoying the radio station that play Christmas music all day long and I try very hard to dress festively for work each day.  Most people who know me know that I'm a freak for all things Christmas, I can assume it's because the holiday was made special by my family.  One of my favorite songs this year and last year was The Bare Naked Ladies version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.  Just fantastic I tell you.  Cheers!  

December Wonderland

Just a little taste of the weather we've been experiencing here. Thanksgiving week brought lots of snow/ice/sleet and brrrr cold. I got the boys outside to snap some pics for our Christmas card. I actually got 3 very good versions. Don't mess with mama when it comes to picture time, thems the rules boys. The middle picture at left is the hood of our truck with 11 inches of fluffy white goodness on it. So pretty but not practical to get around in. I haven't blogged much this month, I'm so sorry. Holidays, life and oh yeah I'm also a Pampered Chef consultant now. As you may know we are paying off bills and I'd like it to go a little faster. Since I like to cook it made sense to me. I'm listening to James Taylor's version of the Christmas Song right now on the radio. I listen to Christmas music every chance I get this time of year. My family doesn't complain much anymore, just listen and enjoy. I'm dreaming of what goodies I'm going to make this year. My thoughts so far are my amazing 2-Step Microwave fudge, homemade marshmallows, chex mix. What are yours? Cheers!

Christmas Mug Thrifting

I decided I wanted to be a little festive and get some Christmas coffee mugs. My absolute love is the mug in the upper left corner. It's a Corningware milk glass mug. It reminds me of Ralph's dad, these are the coffee mugs he always had (gold flower pattern). I went cruising my local Goodwill and found some cute mugs, all Christmas none of them match and that's totally okay with me. I picked up the red transferware teacup in September. The Mrs. Claus plate was $1 and I'm going to put fudge or other goodies for gift giving. You would be amazed at the Christmas stuff at the thrift stores. This Christmas doesn't have to be expensive or budget killing. This is my second year making cookies and candies to give away for gifts. I know my family always enjoys and is thankful when someone gives us treats at the holidays. Enjoy this week and the Thanksgiving holiday. Cheers!

THE THINGS WE DO FOR OUR KIDS

The list is probably so long it would end up being blog infinity.  On Tuesday I got to accompany my oldest son and his friends to a rock concert.  Not just any rock concert, it's called the Nothing & Everything tour.  It consisted of 4 modern day Christian metal/screamo bands.  One of them is called Head, the lead singer is Brian "Head" Welch who is the former lead guitarist from Korn.  His story is amazing, he had hit bottom, found Christ and left his old band.  His first book is entitled "Save Me From Myself", my oldest read it and really enjoyed it.  This is not the music I normally listen to but it truly wasn't that bad.  I wish they had put the lyrics up on a big screen for us parents who had no idea what was being said.  I did catch the words father, love, God, amazing, thank goodness it was a Christian concert.  I have some pictures of the boys with some of the band members, I will post them later because I don't know how to get them off of my phone to the computer yet.  Sometimes we need to do things for our kids that take us out of our parent comfort zone.  Maybe one day my boys will remember the night their mom took them to a heavy metal concert.  Cheers!

A Quick Hello

Just wanted to touch base with a few quick updates.  Things have been so crazy this past week and I haven't had much of a chance to blog myself or keep up on all of my favorite blogs that I follow.  Here's short (or not so short) list of goings on and random thoughts.

1. Ryan got the rest of his braces on and is somewhat miserable.  You can only eat so much applesauce.
2. I had a headache last week that lasted 4 days and finally went away on Thursday.  Not so fun.
3. Wes' tuxedo job is ending this week, he will be out looking for other employment.
4. I'm thinking of going super blonde at my next hair appt.
5. I have some exciting news to share with you next week (p.s. it has to do with cooking)
6. I was checking out the Christmas ornaments at Fred Meyer, oh how I love thee.

Cheers!

Speed Bumps

I rarely blog about things in my life that I am struggling with etc.  However today I am, I can't be the only one who feels horribly overwhelmed with daily life at times right?  I'm frustrated that it is taking so long to pay off our bills so that we can buy a house.  I wanted to pay off a credit card this week but the boy just announced he is going to homecoming.  We are so excited for him, not so excited about the expenses that come with it.  The pitfalls (and blessing) of being an uber planner is that I'm always thinking months ahead.  The Las Vegas lacrosse tournament is coming in November, followed by Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Thankfully the plane and hotel are paid for.  I just want to cry.  Why didn't I get a degree at college so that I would have a career that paid better than what i do now?  Oh, Lord give me strength today because frankly I just don't have any. 

Thrifty McLovin

As I scoured my garage finding items to donate for our lacrosse team fundraiser garage sale, it only made sense to buy more stuff to fill those empty spots.  Just kidding, these are some new finds from my thrift store expeditions starting from upper right: wood fall potpourri $2 came with pumpkin basket that I'm currently trying to spray paint white.  I already owned the orange glass purse vase .90 on clearance at Michaels'.  Red/white/blue checked Pier One tablecloth $4, Restoration Hardware sugar canister $2 (for my powdered sugar), small green transferware plate $1 & center two shallow glass plates $1 each.  I got these for the good o'l cream cheese with jalapeno jelly on top appetizer.  My good friend Julie gave me some home grown peppers this weekend and I chopped them up and they are ready to go into a jelly recipe.  The thrift stores are starting to put out their holiday items, you should go check it out.  I found myself getting rid of holiday items I bought and never used and finding items that I always wanted but maybe couldn't afford at full price are a bargain now.  Fall might be on it's way now, not sure yet we got fooled last week.  Cheers!