The Wall of Christmas Art Past

Hubba Bubba




I just wanna kiss him.

 

Christmas Tree is Up!

Craft Show Goodies

I went to the craft show for the first time in several years.  I'm on a mission to buy local for Christmas presents this year.  I'm pretty sure most of the people I bought for tonight don't even know I have a blog so I feel safe showing these. 

I bought a couple things for myself...

I told the guy who made this tree that I couldn't leave the show without it! 



Why. Why? Why!!!!

Why at almost 40 years of age, is my face breaking out like a teenager?  Why do I feel like I don't belong?  Why haven't I become more secure with myself?  Why oh why can't I seem to get a firm grip on my diet and exercise?

These are the random thoughts I'm pondering tonight.  It's silly, really.  These thoughts that keep me from getting a good night's sleep and cause black circles under my eyes in the morning. 

Thinking of Grama Marg

My Grama Marg's frame with an old Christmas card in it.  Sparkly just like her.

Holiday Projects



Ode to Thanksgiving.





My new wreath for Christmas/winter.  Found the wreath at Goodwill and the rest was on sale at Michael's.  Total cost was no more than $5.00



My Weekly TV Girl Woody

Jax Teller (Charlie Hunnam) from, "Sons of Anarchy."  My eye candy on Tuesday nights. 

...and here he is with no clothes on.  Even better.

Jack Porter (Nick Wechsler) from, "Revenge". He's my eye candy on Wednesday nights. There's another good looking dude on this show but he's a little too pretty for my taste. Jack is a little more rough and tumble. Mmmmruff!

So my random thought of the night is apparently I like characters with facial hair and the name Jack (Jax if you're a real bad ass).

On Our Hike Through the Woods Today.

What to Do With My Burlap Garland?

I added it to this wood leaf decoration I have on my front door.  I like it better now.

Just The Way I Feel Tonight

Tonight I'm feeling insecure and moody and grumpy...and not sure why. 

Ick!  Hate that. 

Easy Caramel Rolls

Easy caramel rolls?  Shut your whore mouth!  Yes, indeed, my blogging friends.  That's what I said.  I thought my Sunday morning couldn't get any better with the sunshine and some coffee and all.  And then I took these babies out of the oven...

If you are baking challenged or need to impress your in-laws when they pay a visit or you just love a sticky sweet breakfast on Sunday, this is your recipe.

Easy Caramel Rolls
2 loaves frozen bead dough
1/2 cup pecans, fine chopped (optional)
1/2 cup margarine or butter (1 stick)
1 cup brown sugar
2 packages (3 oz.) Vanilla cook-n-serve pudding (not the instant mix)
1 tsp cinnamon
3 tbsp milk

Thaw bread in refrigerator acccording to the directions.  Cut bread into walnut size pieces (about 24).  Grease a 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle nuts into the pan.  Evenly distribute dough pieces in pan.  In a bowl, melt margarine then add brown sugar, pudding mix, cinnamon, and milk.  Stir and pour over dough.  Refrigerate overnight.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.  Allow to sit a few minutes then flip onto a wax paper covered board.


Thank you to Amy, one of our student employees at the office, for giving us this recipe.  You're getting a high-five when I see you next...and if I ever meet your boyfriend's mother, she's getting one too!  Just sayin.

Grama

It's been three months since my grama died from liver cancer.  The news that she had cancer came so quick and just as quickly she was gone.  It's such an eerie and empty feeling when you realize that the grandmother who's been there your whole life is now gone.  She was truly the matriarch of the family.  Always planning, always organizing, never forgetting anyone.  I'm ashamed to admit that I sometimes forgot her.  Letting my busy schedule keep me from making a little more time for her.  I depended on her to call and leave a message reminding me that it had been months since I visited.  It's really true when they say don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today...

I am fortunate to have grandparents in my life.  They have supported me and taught me in ways my parents either couldn't or didn't.  No disrespect to my parents.  I just mean grandparents are from a different generation and they introduce a different way of thinking and doing things to their grandkids. 

My grama was always thrifty, always creative, always resourceful.  She was recycling way before it was such a politically and socially correct thing to do.  She taught me cooking and cleaning and prayer and kindness.  Ask all of us grandkids and we will all tell you she was the best back tickler.  Whenever we were sick or couldn't sleep, she would run her fingers across our backs to soothe us to sleep.  She made the best homemade applesauce and spaghetti and stuffing.  Her house was spotless.  She worked her ass off.  She was devoted to her church and to the Lord.  I don't worry about her now because I know she's in heaven where she always believed she would go.  We joke that upon walking through the gates, she was probably already planning a party. 

She was always friendly and had a hard time saying anything negative about anyone.  She was forever putting the needs and wants (and sometimes demands) of others ahead of her own.  Family was most important to her.  Even in her last days, she was more concerned about my grampa's well-being than her's.  More concerned about whether or not my son wanted ice cream than the pain she was feeling.  She was one hell of a person here on earth.  She was definitely the glue that held all of us together.  Our lives have been enriched because of her and will be very different without her.  I think of her almost every day.  Lots of things I do remind of her.  She is a testament to the influence one person has on a whole bunch of others.  She will be missed.  Love you gram.  

Trick or Treat 2011

Pallet Sofa

So, my friend sent me a link to a fabulous blog, http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/.  She uses old stuff to make new stuff which I think is great!  Anyway, we were drooling over the pallet sofa she just made.

I did my typical wouldn't-that-be-great-to-make-someday routine.  I'm good for that.  Always someday.  Always all talk.  Never enough doing.  Well, don't we get an email that day at work saying there were stacks of pallets that the warehouse wanted to give away! 

It was a sign...

A sign from the DIY gods saying, "Quit being a DIY pussy and get to work on this project!"

Before I talked myself out of it and with a little encouraging from my friend, we headed down and loaded up my car with pallets.  The next day, my friend lended me a saw and that weekend I began my project.  

Here I am wondering what the hell had I just started!

Here's my workbench.  Thank God for those extra pallets that got shoved in my car!

Here's my sofa ends.  You can't believe how excited I was just to get those together!

The frame!!!!

AND THE FINALE, BABY!

I can't believe I did it.  I still have some finishing touches to work on but the main parts are done and I can sit on it without it collapsing (so far).  This winter I will work on making the pillows.  I made the sofa to fit under my window on the front porch but I may keep it in the backyard under the trees.  It would be a great place to nap. 

I'm dedicating this project to my friend...Cindi.  Every day you show me things I can do myself to beautify my home.  You grab life by the horns and inspire me to do the same.  Thanks, friend...

Halloween Projects

Got this idea off of a blog, of course.  I think it was Diary of a Craftaholic.  Anyway, love these mummies!  Some wood, white paint, google eyes, cheesecloth, brown Sharpie, and a glue gun. 



I had materials left over so I used some glass jars and made some candle holders too! 

Random Thought

Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.  That's what runs through my mind this weekend. 

Bathroom Project

What is it about your mother coming to visit that kicks you in the butt and  makes you finish projects that  you started (in your head) a long time ago?  Anyways, this is what my bathroom has looked like since we moved in...over a year ago.  Blah!

Got those lights, by the way, a while ago at Menards on super clearance.  Moving on.  I wanted a spa look.  White and maybe a light green or aqua.  My daughter protested and said we already have enough turquoise.  WHAT!  There is never enough turquoise.  That's why it's great to have two bathrooms.  I will do my bathroom upstairs that color next.  My daughter suggested yellow so I said ok.  I wanted a pale yellow.  She said that looks too much like the cream color we have in the living room.  So I taped a bunch of shades of yellow to the wall and everyone voted.  Surprisingly we all chose the same one!  (I wish supper was that easy).  I was worried that the yellow was too rich but with the black and gray touches, I'm digging it.  Here's the result...

This is a more accurate sample of the color.  The one below makes it look lighter.

Got these hooks on clearance at Target for $1.48.  Score!  I may buy some yellow fabric paint and paint some of the leaves with it.  I will also add a yellow rug and towels soon.

What Was I Thinking!

So I wanted to grill some tater tots.  We have never done it before.  I figured my little glass casserole dish would do the trick.  It goes into high heat in the oven, right?  Wrong!!!

The minute I brought it in and set it on the stove, the whole thing exploded.  Glass shot everywhere.  Thank God no one else was in the room at the time except me.  I felt glass hit my stomach but no injury.  Again, what was I thinking?!

First Day of School - 2011

My little Garret is still willing to get his picture taken on the first day of school...

My little Kalen....not so much!

That'll Teach Ya.

Yeah, I put this back in the freezer for her to find.  She ate most of it the night before when the rest of us were sleeping.  We only got a spoonful or two the next night after supper while she was at a friend's house.  Well, at least I got a good laugh out of it.