Advent

Despite our Southern Baptist background, we are big fans of Advent. I'm not sure why Baptists aren't more into celebrating the entire Christmas season. We spend half an hour every night with Bible readings, changing the day on the pocket calendar and opening the little doors on our other two advent calendars. We started this tradition 3 years ago when my husband's sister sent us a wreath and candle holders.




Our favorite Christmas book is Tasha Tudor's, A Book of Christmas. My aunt gave it to me one year and every year I loved peeking in the doors of the little Christmas village. Unfortunately the book is now out of print, but I'm sure it's on half.com or somewhere similar. It's worth it if you can ever get your hands on a copy.



This time we spend together every night has become the most important part of the day for our family. We are hoping it grows into a quiet time once Christmas has passed. Our children have really enjoyed anticipating the coming of Christ with all of our little reminders. I know it's important to discuss the entire life of Jesus (birth to the cross) but at Christmas I like to marvel in the wonder of His being a baby. And how He came so humbly. There's such a sweetness about this time of year. Maybe it has something to do with having my own sweet little lovelies. Or maybe it's just the incredible story of how God sent His only Son down to earth to ultimately pay for our sins. And He came humbly as a little baby.

When I don't have anything to wear.....

I make it! There's a red sweater I've been eyeing at a local store, but have waited to buy. Our Sunday School Christmas party was last night and I thought it would be the perfect thing to wear. Unfortunately my girls were still asleep and I knew we weren't going to make it to the store before the party. (Plus we've shopped A LOT lately and the thought of dragging them out at 430 didn't sound like a good idea either).

So I looked around at my basket of fabric (ok-it's not a basket-it's a tote and and basket) and racked my brain for what I could make.

Several months ago I bought a cute necklace from Joy's Hope. I love it but it's very summery. So I looked it over and figured out how to make it. And I had all of the supplies I needed. AND it was naptime. Perfect.



I talked to a good friend last night about crafting. She said it must be nice because at the end of the day you actually have something you produced. Other than just cleaning the kitchen. I totally agree with her on this. It does feel good to make something.

But I was also reminded this morning when I crawled into bed with my youngest. And she wrapped her arm around my neck and said, "I love you." So it wasn't just a craft I made yesterday, but a sweet heart, too.

MOPS Christmas Party

I have a fantastic group of MOPS friends. MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers. Our group has been through some tremendous trials this year, but we've held together in love and encouragement. I'm so proud to call these ladies my friends.

We played Dirty Santa....




Ate lots of ridiculously good food....




And I was finally able to get a few of us together for a group photo. Of course, after 75% of our ladies had scooted out the door.




Merry Christmas to my dear sweet friends!

Saint Nicholas Day

In the spirit of Saint Nicholas, yesterday I concocted a secret plan. To create a gift for an European friend who now lives stateside. She has also not been feeling well and I wanted a way to cheer her up. While our kiddos took their naps, I made Nigella Lawson's Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies.




They were super easy to make using my mixer (for nearly the first 4 years of our married life, this most beloved appliance sat unused; for the last 3 years, it has been my best friend).




The cookies were pretty even uncooked (I will not divulge IF they tasted good uncooked, but I think you know).



I then covered an old formula can with Christmas paper and voila, I had a festive cookie tin to hold both the cookies and this scarf that I made for her.

(don't you wish YOU had 1970's (irreplaceable) parquet???

Once the children were up, I had them each color a Saint Nicholas boot for the sides of the tin.

Now full disclosure, I did take credit for the gift, unlike the real Saint Nicholas. Because I think it's creepy to deliver food without telling who you are. I know I wouldn't eat it unclaimed.

Santa has really taken a hold of our little one's minds this year. And while a little Santa is ok, we're attempting to incorporate a little Saint Nicholas into our Christmas as well. And I think this project is a good start!

Sick sick sick

I'm off my game today. Sunday night after making dinner for my inlaws, I noticed I was really thirsty. And then it hit me. I have a cold. Boo......

And today is the ONE day that I actually hold responsibility for our Bible study group. It's craft day. I am THE craft PERSON. But not today. Today I am the craft supplies person. A dear friend picked up the bag from my front porch swing, thus ending my portion of the tutorial.

We (they) are making these today. As long as someone else brings their glue gun. Mine is hiding somewhere around my house....

As for my cold, it really hit yesterday and my eldest child made me a bed (complete with a soft friend) on the couch so I could sleep while they watched cartoons. Sweet little dear....

Unattractive people craft

Someday I will tell you of my love affair for Kai Ryssdal. Not with, but FOR.



In any case, as I was listening to Marketplace yesterday afternoon whilst cooking THIS, I heard a brief interview with Amy Sedaris. It is worth listening to ESPECIALLY if you like to craft.

I can't wait to make my rusty nail wind chime!

Cheap Heat and Workout Videos

In an effort to be better people, we are attempting to rise at a crazy hour (5am) to exercise and spend time with God. Well, 5 hasn't happened yet (530 has!) but I've at least laid some of the ground work for eventually getting there. I have a short devo book I like to study and it's perfect for the morning, not too light, but certainly not too heavy. I like to chill on the couch in the living room while my husband does his quiet time in the office/den.

Post devotional time, it's workout time! Let's be honest here, I struggle with morning exercise. I'm cold and tired and usually still wearing my glasses. And I usually can't part with my bathrobe and slippers. Enter in my two favorite workout dvds that do not require me to give up either!

MTV Pilates.




I have had this dvd since the dawn of time. Seven years ago. I ordered it for myself shortly after we got married. And the pounds started to pack on. At the time we lived in this adorable (cramped) apartment that had a balcony. I would open the glass door, put my yoga mat outside and workout through the screen. At the time the complex was mostly full of old people, so even if someone saw me, they probably wouldn't have actually "seen" me. Right?

I was skeptical of the MTV association, but this dvd rocks the house. I don't sweat with it, can still wear my bathrobe AND it's a huge core workout. Awesome. It's the one dvd I recommend for anyone.




And my second fav for AM exercise, is the Denise Austin Fat Burning Dance Mix. Yes, Denise can get a bit perky for 5am. But the dance dvd isn't too bad and it gets your heart going. And she certainly doesn't leave you behind if you're a terrible dancer. Like me. Southern Baptist all of my life (except for that brief stint as a Presbyterian....).

Those are just a few of the MANY exercise tapes in my collection. I have a penchant for gimmicky workouts. I have an exercise ball, a boot camp dvd, P90x (we got it free and in my opinion, it sucks) and even a Jillian Michaels one (seriously, she's just too mean). But these two are tried and true and my favorites.

We're only 2 days into this early arising thing. But I feel a new trend coming on.

FEAR THE BEARD

A few months ago, on our trip to San Francisco, we went to a Giants game. And fell in love. The stadium was awesome, the fans incredible and the team was just quirky. We had no idea the team we saw then, would crush the Rangers in a 4-1 World Series.

While the Giants were battling it out for the NLCS, I fell in love with Brian Wilson and his beard, as did the rest of San Francisco. I am partial to facial hair (Moustache March), so this was right up my alley.

I wanted to order this shirt but it was really expensive and would not have made it hear before the end of the series.

So, what's a girl to do? But to make her own instead!

I found an AP photo of BW, and did a bit of photoshop....

Searched endlessly for an orange long sleeved shirt (who knew the week before Halloween would be the WORST time to find one?) (finally found one at JCP).

And came up with this awesomeness.

You know you want one.




Let's go Giants and Fear the Beard!

Quick and Easy Monogrammed Initial Bag

About a year ago, I discovered our oldest daughter could finally pack her own vacation bag (you know, at the tender age of 3 3/4). At that point in her development, she became very aware of ownership. Especially when you have a handsy younger sister. To make her feel special before one of our beach vacations, I created a super quick and easy personalized bag for our sweetie.

I bought a bag on sale at Hobby Lobby. Very plain and simple.

And then purchased stick on monogrammed letters, ribbon and matching fabric.

I've made the fabric flowers for a few years now and was VERY tempted to make a matching headband to go along with the bag. But, yeah. We were about to go on vacation and I was already pushing it with the bag.

With a little hot glue, fabric glue and elbow grease, I was able to make a sew-free travel bag! Complete with initials (letters that she is very familiar with for obvious reasons!) and flowers!

One Craft Away from a Clean House

I am always telling my husband that I'm one craft away from a clean house. I'll often work really hard over the weekend to catch back up. And usually I get REALLY close. But then I walk in my craft closet and begin to drool on myself. And think, OH, that would ONLY take a few minutes to start. I could TOTALLY finish THAT before the evening ends. And then I start the project and it gets neatly (or not) packed back into that closet of mine. Or, I find something totally great to spray paint at Hobby Lobby. Or tshirts on sale at the Big Red Ball store (what we call Target) that I could embellish for the girls.

As you can tell, I really am just one craft away from a clean house....