Texas DID get snow!

See what ends up happening when you don't expect it? I'm referring to snow in Texas. I really didn't think we would have a white Christmas. Not many people did around here. But, we got one! And for some of my coworkers it was their very first white Christmas ever. It was fun to see that expression of wonderment in their eyes and smiles.

My house on Christmas Eve

And now for our trip to New Mexico, where we expect their to be snow.... well, we don't know if skiing and snowboarding will be an option because of the lack of snow there. All of the major winter storms have missed where we are headed, but that's ok. If we get there and back with no weather delays (or terrorist encounters) I'll be one happy traveler.

I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season full of family and friend interaction! I'll be back in 2010 with news of a new Etsy shop and pictures of our holiday adventures! See you all soon!

A finished gift...

One of my weekend Christmas present projects is now complete!

It began as this...And ended up looking like this...

This is a gift for my step-brother's three year old daughter. She has a sweet little girl's kitchen at my mom's house to play with when she visits, so now she'll have a precious apron to prance around in while she cooks!

I'm very proud of how it turned out.

Now I just have two more presents to make.... more pics to come soon!

Looking for Snow

Currently we have no forecast for snow in North Texas, however I am looking forward to heading to New Mexico after Christmas. Perhaps you'll catch me doing this....

Ok, not really quite like that... I'm too big of a chicken. However, my family will be trying to learn to snowboard in just a couple of weeks in New Mexico.

Stay tuned for Christmas lights pictures! I went out to take them last night and the darn timer had already shut everything down. It wasn't even ten o'clock! Looks like I need to do a bit of resetting. And, you know what else we realized last night? Someone stole our star we had hanging on our front porch; it was painted like the Texas flag. Stupid thieves. That was a souvenir from our familycamping trip in June/July... I hope whoever took it doesn't have a very merry Christmas.

Fun & Frivolity

Well, folks... this weekend was a great one. I was able to enjoy some serious 'friend' time. Friday night was dinner with some great friends who live a bit too far away for me to hang out with them all the time. Here is a sampling of our dessert at a second stop we made... Flan and Hot Chocolate, with a drizzling of raspberry sauce to swirl each bite through. Top that off with great conversation and lots of laughter and one lovely evening was had by all.


Saturday night was more frivolity and fun, with the same group of friends from Friday night, at a Christmas party. Mingling, dancing and silliness was rampant. Other faces I don't get to see often were there, so lots of catching took place.

Me trying to be a Christmas Tree with a Star topper on my head, but you
should've seen Hubby doing the Robotron Dance!

Tonight The Little Guy comes home and we'll be hanging our lights on the outside of the house. I know, I know... only two weeks until Christmas, but I know you can relate to how busy things have been. Better late than never, right? It should be lots of fun!

Great State Quilt

Danielle at The Starving Art Journal has put together a great project to benefit a local children's hospital and she needs your help. She is coordinating the making of a quilt that includes squares from around the entire United States. She needs one or two representatives from each state to make a 5" quilt square on a square of linen that she is providing. Read about the project here. Then, click on this link to see what states she still needs help from and see if you are able to sign up.

Here is a summary of the guidelines to help you see if this project is for you...

The Guidelines: The quilt will have 50 squares, each square will represent a different state. If there are too many volunteers I will make a second quilt incorporating those squares and donate it to the Children’s Hospital as well. Other than that it is my hope that each square will have personal vision of the state the person is representing. I also hope to have a way of distinguishing each state (ie the name of the state embroidered onto the square, or the state’s shape somewhere on the fabric. ) The only real rule is that the square must be capable of being sewn to the larger quilt, and should incorporate only fabric supplies. (I have been asked about paper, and other delicate materials, but it needs to be sturdy just in case the Hospital allows the children to touch it.) Also, any items that could pose choking hazards (gems, sequins and beads) are not allowed. (This is so that the Hospital has the option to display the work in whatever ward they see fit, and will allow the children to touch it.)

The Squares: Each square is 5 inches and is made of cotton linen. It’s great for embroidery, and fabric arts. Every person will receive one square and will be asked to return it by February 15^th. If at that time we do not have enough squares to complete the quilt, I will ask for more volunteers, since this quilt cannot be finished until we have all 50 States represented. Once all 50 States are assembled then my mother and I will sew the quilt and will contact the Hospital once it is finished. My hope is that it will be completed by April and ready for the Children’s hospital.

If you like to sew, please consider participating. This is only a 5" square, will have until February to complete it, and it will be a beautiful distraction for children suffering in a hospital. We are all proud of our states so share your creativity!

Happy Friday, friends!

Ornament Love

Our Christmas tree blessed with a few new sparkly baubles this year
alongside some favorites...

Mr. Reindeer was trying to fly... sorry about that!

The one to the left is a hand-blown glass heart from Hubby years ago... and the one on the right is hand-made by me.

Mr. Frosty Glassman is a newby.

A fuzzy little treat for an elf from Pier 1 Imports.

Hey, Mr. D.J. Santa! I love this new one from Pier 1 Imports.

Part of our ornament make-over.

We love how it's all coming together!

UGG!

Ok, Ladies & Gents... It's time for UGGs in North Texas, and I'm totally diggin' it! I've got mine on at work today, believe it or not. This warrants lots of chuckles and crude remarks from coworkers but I was mentally prepared for it when I walked in the door. My thinking is this... I'm a commuter. If weather gets bad there is chance I'll be on the side of the road and need to be warm. Therefore, winter boots with warm fuzzy interiors are necessary.

We had snow flurries on Wednesday and we have a chance for more tonight! I'm not sure snow will actually fall in my part of town but I'm crossing my fingers and wishing hard. How wonderful would it be to get home this evening as we are putting up our Christmas Tree, to have the Christmas tunes a'playin' and have snow falling outside the windows?

In the meantime, Elvis is singing sweet carols to me from my iTunes radio on my computer and I'm humming along. When the whistle blows I'll be out the door ready for some serious decorating with Hubby and The Little Guy. I smell apple cider and hot chocolate in our future! And perhaps some home-baked cookies...

Happy Friday to you, my friends!

Feeling Kreativ!

I would like to start today off with a big thank you to Terra at The World Is Ours for a very sweet award....
I appreciate your kind words and that you thought of me when passing this along. The rules are that I must Share 7 things that you don't already know about me, Name 7 other blogs to receive this award, Leave a comment on each of the blogs I nominated, Thank the person who gave you the award.

But, I'm naturally a rule-breaker, so I'm going to change it up just a bit. Anyone who wants to play along who reads my blog is welcome to snag the award and link back to their blog or just post your seven things in the comments. Frankly, I find all of the blogs that I read very "Kreativ" and would love to know more about all of you guys, so please join in the fun.

Now on to seven things that you didn't know about me, and I'll try my best to surprise you!

1. I'm a big coffee lover! There was a time last year and the year before when I was trying to just drink hot tea, but I craved coffee secretly. I love the flavored stuff, I love Coffee Mate, and I love to make it sweet like a little drinkable dessert. I look so forward to my mornings with my mug o' coffee, especially on the weekends when I can sip on it without rushing to get ready for work.
2. I want to learn to knit! I asked my sis for some sort of learn-to-knit-kit for Christmas, so we'll see if I get one. I actually learned to cast on and make rows when I was about 11 years old, but I put what I made in a baggie and never picked it up again. I think it ended up in a garage sale at some point during my growing up years, and I can't remember how in the world to start again.
   
3. I have a secret desire to learn to make very tailored garments for myself. That would probably require a dress form in my size, which I've asked for but haven't ever gotten one, so I haven't truly challenged myself to get started. I imagine wearing lots of beautiful button-down shirts & high-waist skirts with little pleats and tucks here and there, and lots of beautiful adornments which will spur envious stares from all who pass by.
4. I would love to be able to speak proficiently on world issues and political concerns, pulling archived data from my brain from when I was a Political Science student more well-versed in legal and government jargon. I often think about pulling out my old text books and refreshing my knowledge, but it's one of things I keep procrastinating about.
5. I long to be featured as a "Blog of Note"..... (hint, hint)
6. I look forward to experiencing my 50th wedding anniversary with Hubby. Since we're only on our 5th anniversary I've got quite a ways to go!
7. And, something that pops into my head almost every day of every week.... I believe in ghosts! I always wonder if there are any floating around with me, especially in my house when the lights flicker or something electronic stops working. Hubby thinks I'm a goon, but as Donkey from Shrek would sing, "I believe, I believe, I believe, I believe!!!!!"

Ok, now I want to hear your seven things. List away!!!