I made this one with my daughter in mind.
I’ve choosen the word Balance for this year.
Last year I used Simplify…I’m not sure that I really lived up to that one. In fact I’m pretty sure I made things more complicated for myself. That is why Balance is needed.
Did you choose a word for the year? Or make resolutions? I’d love to hear about them…
Finishing out 2013 with T Stands for Tuesday seems just right. It’s hard to believe that time passes so quickly. Was it really 14 years ago that we were all worried that at the stroke of midnight the world as we know it might have ended with the Y2K scare. Mr. G and I were driving home on the freeway at the new year….since the lights didn’t go out we figured we were fine. Good thing too, since I was over 8 months pregnant. :)
I confess that there is no tea in the mug today…in fact, it’s not even mine. Big J gave Little J this mug and a bag of chocolate truffles for her birthday yesterday. I just love that it looks like a knit sweater!
She got a snowboard for Christmas. Her and the neighbor girl have been busy practicing when ever possible.
Since family and friends know my love of tea on a cold winters day…and we’re having quite the streak of those right now….I received some really nice tea related gifts this Christmas.
I also had to show you that the Christmas tree is put away and my lawyers cabinet is back in place. Notice the wine sign…my next door neighbor gave it to me for Christmas! I love it! Makes me smile every time I walk through the room.
Upon closer inspection now that photos have been taken I see some of my treasures in the cabinet toppled over when we moved it. Sorry Elizabeth…your book fell down behind my red treasure box. Isn’t that always the way…you see the crazy stuff after taking a photo. :)
Before someone asks… The carvings on top of the cabinet were done by Mr. G’s late grandma. The one on the left portrays Charles Dickens. The middle one is of her first 3 children. And the last on top is Grandma and Grandpa feeding the birds. Aren’t they wonderful!?!!!
Tonight we’ll be having fondue and a bit off bubbly right here at home. We most likely won’t stay up to ring in the new year but it will be there waiting for us in the morning!
Have a safe and Happy New Year!!
I bought myself a Tattered Angels paint system on clearance a few weeks ago. I had no idea what to expect. Honestly, I think I was trying to get my craft order to qualify for free shipping…not from Amazon.
I painted a base layer with gesso then standard craft paints…wiping a bit back with baby wipes. Then it was time to try out each paint in the set.
I really like the way the green turned out, I was skeptical when I was painting with it. The color is called Dirty Martini….it may be that in itself that makes me love it more. :)
Anyway…lots of experimentation going on here.
These are an annual tradition in our house. It’s awesome since they cost nothing and the kids love them as much as any other gift!!
I found a printable on Pinterest for these. It appears to have disappeared otherwise I’d be happy to give credit where credit is due. Bummer…I even checked my browser history…can’t find it.
I dressed the coupons up with rubber stamping and ribbon.
We usually have a board game night and a movie night each week. The coupon book gives them an extra vote should they choose to turn in that coupon.
I wonder which kid will be the first to redeem a coupon. :)
The turkey is thawed and about to go in the oven. My mom is coming today to celebrate Christmas with us. The house is all decked in Christmas decor so I thought I’d give a little glimpse into my world.
We bought a new tree last year on clearance. It’s taller and thinner than the old tree. I let the kids do the decorating this year. They selected all their special ornaments…mostly ones that they’d made in school. It’s a very homespun tree this year.
The presents are all wrapped and under the tree. Once again I drive the kids crazy by not putting their names on the gifts. I use a new system each year to keep track. This year it involves washi tape. The names will be on the gifts Christmas morning.
Seasonally, I tend change up this side table in our family room game area.
Little J has been hard at work creating mini star books as ornaments for our twig tree. You can see one of my treasured Nisse Dolls in the background. They are basically Norwegian elves.
A little closer look at my part of my tree collection.
And the smallest poinsettia I’ve ever seen. It’s real!! One of my brunch guests last week brought them for each of us. It’s so cute!!
And last but certainly not least is the gingerbread house that I baked up yesterday. I free hand cut the pieces and miraculously they fit pretty good. Nothing so bad that a little royal icing couldn’t handle. Little J and daddy did all the decorating. It looks awesome!!!!!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
