Tuesday, January 12, 2010

New Year, New Look

I will now be posting here. I have wanted to change my blog for a while. I have high hopes of putting the last few years into a hard copy. I've added that to my growing to-do list. Happy belated New Year!

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

A Funk

I think this weather has put me in a funk. It's too early in the winter and the year for a funk! I just feel blah. My early morning Y partner and I have agreed to start meeting again tomorrow morning. Maybe that will help. I'm still working on cleaning, organizing and a long list of projects. Crossing things off my list may help too. It's just one of those days.

Friday, January 01, 2010

One of My Favorite Pastimes - DECORATING!

I love to look at decorating magazines, read blogs about decorating, and try new ideas in my home. I love our home being our place to get away from the craziness of life and relax and have fun as a family. I am thoroughly enjoying having the room to entertain and decorate our new home. I was a little slow getting the Christmas decorations up. Next year will be a piece of cake now that I have done it once. I wanted to particpate in the Nester's tour of homes but wasn't done in time. Some of these ideas are mine, others I have seen somewhere else. Either way, I love to do it!


Our family room - I used mesh in the greenery. I used to always use ribbon. I LOVE the mesh!


The mirror in our entry - I had peacock feathers and decided to try them in the tree in my music room. I love them with some turquoise, brown, and beige ornaments against the red wall. I used the turquoise and red in our entry.


I also used the peacock feathers, turquoise and red on the banister.


My music room tree - I felt like I was really stepping out on a limb to get this black tree but I love it!


I found this photo holder at Pier One for $5. It works great to display our Christmas Cards.


The little village I inherited from my mom.


The tree in our family room. I have always done a great big bow on the top of the tree with ribbon woven throughout the tree. I was trying to get away from the "country look" this year with our move. I used picks and feathers in the top of our tree.


The top of the hutch - sorry it's a little blurry.


Another picture of our family room with a cozy fire and Craig asleep on the couch :)


The chandelier over the dining table - I'm not crazy about the ornaments hanging - I need to work on this for next year.


Our table for Christmas dinner. I had the flu for a couple days before Christmas and still didn't really feel that great on Christmas Day. The table isn't at all what I had envisioned. I wanted to make a table cloth out of leopard print but didn't get it done. I have Craig's grandma's red glass dishes. I love them and they are really pretty mixed with so many different colors.


Chair swags tied with leopard ribbon.


Christmas plates on the counter. I also like to use colored balls in bowls and vases to add Christmas color all around the house.

Ornaments


Each year I want to give my piano students Christmas gifts, and I'm ashamed to say, I haven't always gotten it done. It is difficult to think of something worth giving without spending a fortune when I have 20+ students. These ornaments were fairly inexpensive and easy to make. They turned out pretty cute. I think they would be really cute if you filled them with the brown or tan shredded paper and used leopard print ribbon with lime green or orange letters for monograms.

First Play In The Snow This Year



Santa




Even though, we emphasize Jesus' birth being the reason we celebrate Christmas, we don't ignore Santa for now. Jack wanted to go see him. He was really excited the entire time we waited in line. As soon as he got to Santa's lap, he froze. Santa asked him what he wanted, and Jack shrugged his shoulders. There was an elementary age boy taking the pictures. Santa was trying to talk to Jack and Jack was more interested in the boy. He pointed to the boy and said "what kind of camera is that?" Yes, Jack loves electronics and any kind of gagdet. Maybe Santa got the idea even though Jack was too nervous to talk to him.

Happy Birthday Jesus





We have talked a lot about how Christmas is Jesus' birthday the last few weeks. Jack wanted to make him a cake. He also wanted to use his #3 candle from his last cake for Jesus' cake. He helped me make the cake, frost it and put sprinkles on it. We also had to sing and Jack blew out the candle. I think the frosting is his favorite part :)

Christmas 2009

"Yeah! Games for my Leapster!"


Tinker Toys


Trying the remote control car with Daddy


Seeing what's in the stocking


A remote controlled car


Cap guns


New jammies


We had our last family gathering for Christmas today. Jack has had so much fun. We have too! Now that he is old enough to anticipate and get so excited, it has been fun for us to watch him. I am ready to put away Christmas for another year and clean and organize. I have a LONG list of projects for the new year. Most are just a continuation of settling and organizing our home since moving. I have a lot of pictures, so I'm not patient enough tonight to wait on our computer. I'm going to leave the red-eye for now. :)