Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas...to you, from us.

These are our Christmas cards...that were printed, but have not been mailed. (I blacked out our address, but should have left it in case anyone wanted to locate us to help fix up this gem.) Good news is we are NEVER moving again and hopefully by next Christmas, I'll have my act together.

Hope yours is a merry one!

Gift for Mama to Be..

I crafted.  Yes, I did.  Not much, but something! 

A gift for a mama to be.  Cinnamon ornaments (I used Family Fun's recipe)...a heart and a moon...with a tag that says "I love you to the moon and back".  Paired with the book where that quote comes from "Guess How Much I Love You", and it's (hopefully) a great gift for an expecting mama.

Quilt 77

 

Quilt 77-Twin Size-2003

Quil

Progress?

I keep telling myself that I'm making progress...but the to-do projects totally are outweighing accomplishments, so it seems. Especially since just about every appliance we own, as well as our water, have all retired in the last 6 months.  I almost threw a tantrum this morning when the toaster wasn't working (just tripped the breaker, phew!). I know I need to give myself some slack, but I want it all done yesterday.  I decided to grab the camera and show you my piles.  Totally owning this chaos here and going to try to put a positive spin on the mess...

Much to do in the bathroom...but I did strip the wall paper (didn't want those loud orange/yellow flowers showing through).

These two 'new to me' chairs need refinishing...I was looking for chairs to go with this little found table I have.

 I look at these knobs and counter-tops and want them gone....but we have a new refrigerator that actually works, the luxury!  No more storing everything in the wood shed.

There's curtain rods to hang, much painting to be done....but we did accomplish one floor (I need to show you the rest of this room, don't I?).

 

Many days, I'm cleaning up breakfast when it's time to make dinner....but I did get some bread made.

 I still haven't filled vases in the house with fresh greenery like I had planned....but we are still eating.

 There's gifts to finish... but at least they've been started.

 The nursery looks like this...which fortunately is more tidy than it was a couple weeks ago.

 There's more projects in need of painting on our porch...thankful we have a space to keep them out of the way.

Everytime I think something is clean, I turn around and there's a bigger mess...but at least their toys are no longer packed. 
 


 You know how many days I've declared to be 'pajama days'?  Not because it's a fun thing to do, but because by the time I'm finished unpacking, unloading, fixing up, catching leaks, finding drips, changing addresses, etc, it's just been a pajama day before I've had a chance to make it otherwise.

But you know?  Pajama days are quite fun. Tossed with a sweater or hat or boots...it's all good.

 We'll get there when we get there.  The journey is much more important than the destination. 

There's nothing....

There's nothing more handsome to me than catching my husband being the awesome dad he is.   Guys doing the kid thing...come on now...doesn't that make you smile too?

Justin...you're the world best dad and read these books to our kids like none other.  You're a rock star and loved to pieces. Even when you eat all our chocolate chips...we love you unconditionally. 

There, now I've told my other half how fab he is.  Your turn to go ahead and tell yours. 

We're decked.

I  was going to keep things simple this year and not get all decked out.  But then I thought we *just* needed our tree.  And then I saw the advent calendar.  It's not Christmas without that. And then I saw the photos of us throughout the years.  Needed to put those up.  And then other homemades called my name.  We can't have Christmas without our stockings.  So we're decked, not on purpose, but I couldn't help it. I did take the easy way out and we used our fake tree.  Much prefer real, but given we're not fully moved in, it will suffice for this year.

Here's a link to the advent calendar. And here's all about our tradition with every Christmas framed.  As a side note, I only bought 10 of these frames when I first met my husband...and this is our 9th Christmas together.  If any of you see similar frames while you're out and about shopping, please let me know.  I need to buy more!

Does this count as a recent crafty project?  I found this frame for free this summer.  I strung clothes line rope and pinned pictures and our Christmas cards on it.  Not sure if I'll keep it like this permanently, but it's good for now.

 Our blue and silver "good enough" tree.

 And blooming Christmas cactus...given to us as a housewarming gift from our neighbors.  It's a clipping from the one the woman who lived here grew.  Very special indeed.

 And my garland.

 And our Christmas stockings, that I was supposed to embroider by this year.  Maybe next year.

 And our two perfect presents under the tree.

Lastly,
If there's a 'fire' in your tree, I have a firefighter who can help you.


Hope you're decked for the holidays too.

Snow

Snow.  Bundling up.  "Helping dada".  Making paths in the snow for our little guy to follow.  Watching the "show" from the cozy warm inside with a snuggly baby.  I do love Maine.  And I do love this family of mine.