Friday, November 21

Get inspired



Every time this season comes around, I like to plan out how my Christmas decorating scheme will all come together. I don't like to do exactly the same tree every year, although I do use most of the same ornaments. I just like to switch it up a bit and get a different look. Tai Pan Trading is a great place to get tree inspiration; they always decorate them in the most inventive and fabulous way. I got some great ideas there this year, along with a few ornaments. I also plan to do some things the same this year as last year- Wreaths on the windows and outer doors, tea lights in the windows and twinkle lights on the house outside, Nativity scene on the piano, and possibly put up my Christmas village. I still haven't decided whether or not I want Tyson to have the chance to destroy it. :)

For the past few days I have been searching online, in magazines, and in stores for new inspiration. Fun, festive ideas of how to decorate, create, and just make the holidays more.... holiday-ish. After lots of perusing, I thought I'd share some of my favorites. I don't know if I'll do most or any of them, but I loved them.

Found this here. I thought it would fun to put a miniature version of a Christmas Village in a glass jar like this somehow. Maybe rocks or marbles on the bottom like snow.



Here I found a great table centerpiece. I really liked the monochromatic combination of ornaments and fruit.



On this website I got the idea for gift tags. I was thinking of doing a more formal version with the initial stamped in gold on cream paper. Something like that.



Another great idea from M.S. - picture a dark velvet ribbon holding up the hoop. I might paint the hoop gold or white, same with the clothespins. I've been needed a use for my mini pins left over from years ago.



In addition to these ideas, I was thinking of putting up trees in the bedrooms, to spread the Christmas cheer around. I've never done it before. Also I've been thinking of putting up wreaths in random places like on the bathroom door, or above the washer and dryer. Could be fun.

In between Christmas moments, I've been watching seasons of F.R.I.E.N.D.S., and laughing my head off. I really was in tears yesterday. I'd forgotten how funny Ross and Chandler were.

Also, I would love the recommend the new Disney/Pixar movie Tinkerbell.
It's actually really cute, and feels good, and nobody is sarcastic or mean which I appreciate in a movie geared for kids. It didn't hurt either that one of my favorite musicians, Loreena Mckennitt was the narrator and singer in the beginning and end of the movie. I loved how she lent her poetic and celtic voice to the film.

Wednesday, November 19

Evidence to myself that I am actually living life :)

Saw this on this girl's blog, and as I was reading through I was surprised how many things on the list I had actually done. Just thought I'd share.

Everything bolded are things that I have done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band ....at school
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland /world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelos David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Wednesday, November 12

A few favorites,

pictures and people.

Some are from Halloween, and some from my trip to see my family. I have a really great photo of my college-age sisters in their costumes, but they threatened death if I posted something they hadn't cleared first. :) Better to be safe than sorry. I don't think they would ever let me post it.

Dusty wasn't anything in particular. Just in one of his conglomerated outfits. I'll let you decided who or what he is for yourselves. Tyson was a scarecrow. I add this because I realize that it needs a bit of clarification. We love homemade costumes here, but sometimes others can't quite see what we see. He did have straw sticking out everywhere, but with a toddler, that lasted about 2 minutes.

I had a fabulous time seeing my and Dusty's parents and family. The time always passes too quickly. Richard took Tyson out to look for golf-balls in the freezing twilight. We chatted and watched the elections together. My mom and I cooked, shared, and enjoyed each other. We stopped at our favorite little corner bookstore and spent time soaking in the ambiance. I went to lunch with Kathi, and took Tyson to visit her at work where he preceded to chase her around the furniture for an hour. I think the kid is going to be a marathon runner. My mom and I swapped recipes, and I got to see my sister as Frenchy in the HS musical of Grease. Because I visited during the weekdays, I didn't get to see much of my Dad or siblings. But this visit was mostly for my Mom anyway. Love you.

As always I didn't get nearly as many photos as I would have liked.