Just a little peek...

...at how I spent most of my Monday!  ...DECORATING for Christmas!!  Eeeeeee!!  I know I said I was going to wait until after Thanksgiving, but I just couldn't help myself!  I mentioned yesterday that this year I wanted a glam Christmas with lots of sparkle, so here is my take on that:

...more to come! :)

Four Things Currently Rockin' My World!

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a great weekend!!  I sure did!  Honestly, I am just giddy!  This time of year makes me insanely happy!  Family, gift-giving, parties, baked goodies...ahhhh...I just love it all!  With all that in mind, here are four things I am loving right now:

1. My family! :) I know I say how much I love them, but this photo was from last week and we were having the best day!  We went to the zoo during the week, no one was really there, the weather was beautiful, and it was a perfect day!  Too bad Connor was looking down!...this is perfect though, because I can never seem to get a photo of him.  He is always on the move.

2.  This tealight snow bell candle holder from Gold Canyon!  I went to my first Gold Canyon party this weekend and I think I may have found my new addiction!  I cannot wait for my items to arrive, so I can start continue decorating for Christmas!  This year, I am going glam...lots of glitter and sparkle!  :)

3.  Our filled shoe box that shipped yesterday!  Shoe box for what?...Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse.  I don't think I have ever spoken about religion here, but this is just one of the fantastic organizations our church supports.  Their mission: "Samaritan's Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world."  You can read more about Operation Christmas Child, here!

4.  I made the cookies I posted about last week!!  They were definitely great!  I still do not think I have found THE perfect cookie, but this recipe will be kept and used again for sure!

Have a great week!!...eek!!  It is almost Thanksgiving!  YAY!

Happy Weekend!

I plan to spend the weekend in the kitchen perfecting some recipes for Thanksgiving!  In my dream world, this would be my kitchen:

image source

The layout of this kitchen is really similar to mine, so this is now the inspiration I need to convince my husband that we either need to refinish, paint, or rip out our butt-ugly cabinets!...and while we're at it, buy all new appliances too...oh, and new lighting.  :)  I am going to pretend that this is my kitchen for the weekend and see how it feels.  I don't need anything super fancy...this one will do just fine.

Have a lovely weekend!!

Feeling crafty...

Can you guess how these were used?

As much as I wanted to hold off thinking about Christmas until at least after Thanksgiving, I am suddenly feeling crafty and want to do a few fun projects!  I have to think about them now because I need to have them finished in enough time to enjoy them for the entire month of December.  :)

I have fallen in love with the first project on my list and can't wait to organize my thoughts, gather my coupons, shop for supplies, and get started!!  Here we go:

1.  Make an Advent calendar.  We had a large one (made of felt, I think) on the inside of our front door growing up (I wonder if my parents still have it!  I may need to steal it if this project doesn't work out).  There was a large Christmas tree and a calendar underneath with tiny felt ornaments in each day's pocket.  Each day the ornament was placed on the tree.  I remember the ornament for December 24th was Santa Claus and that was my favorite one.  I remember being so excited each day as we got closer and closer to that Santa!  Since I am crazy about traditions, I want to start something similar for my son and any possible future children.

I have had this tutorial from The Purl Bee bookmarked for nearly two years and think I finally have the courage to attempt it!  Since I already have one sewing project under my belt, I think I am ready to at least give it a shot!  I can only hope mine will look even remotely as good as this one from The Purl Bee :

the finished product

the materials

a close-up

Looking at the finished product, I feel confident that I can do it, but I have to admit that the step-by-step instructions are a tad intimidating.  I am hoping I can do it...or at least an acceptable version of it!!  This one is filled with sewing, quilting, and knitting supplies to be given to someone crafty.  I would obviously adapt this for our family...not quite sure how yet, but I will figure something out...some sort of small gift for each day.  We'll see.  Wish me luck!  Ha ha.

As soon as I get moving with this project, I will show more of my list!  :)