TIime off . . .

 

We have been off work for over a week . . . I think we are even starting to forget what day of the week it is.  :)  I guess that is a sign that we are relaxing and enjoying our time off.  I love days when nothing is special and everything is special . . .

candles & pop rocks . . .



I sewed up some simple "Winter Warmers" today.  I cut the fabric

10 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches - sewed simple bags and them filled them with long grain rice and then finished sewing them shut.  I also added some whole cloves so they smell nice when you heat them up.  I added little tags just because.  You heat them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.  They are perfect for warming up your bed or for soothing sore muscles. 

I usually don't drink anything like this . . . I am a girl that likes her beer, but when I found out the glass was rimmed with Pop Rocks . . . I had to try it.  It is called a Pollasky Popper.  It was invented by a young man who works at the Italian restaurant we go to - and we happened to see him making this drink for someone yesterday.  I believe he won a local contest with it.  A little too sweet for me and I rarely drink mixed drinks . . . but really a fun drink . . . Pop Rocks - what a great idea.

Surprise Package . . .

I received a very special package in the mail yesterday . . . from Lorraine.  I have been following her blog for sometime.  One of the best things about blogging is meeting people . . . and making new friends.  Thank you Lorraine for these wonderful gifts, inspiration, and your kindness . . .

 origami crane necklace and earrings . . .

 . . . glass vegetable beads - (I have ideas for a Shabby Charlotte doll already.)  I love the little eggplant and cucumber . . .

 Lorraine also made this beautiful card . . . the photo does not do it justice. 

. . . and a unique bracelet knitted out of paper yarn. 

 

I have been enjoying my vacation . . . trying to stay motivated and get some things done, but I am finding that I am easily distracted - and can drop everything just to go out and do something fun.  I am thinking that is a very good thing. 

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."

                            - Robert Brault

 



Christmas gifts . . .

We had a wonderful Christmas . . . having little ones around again make it so much fun.  Richard made Charlotte a baby cradle - and I sewed a little mattress, quilt, and pillow for it.   We took the big frame that we used for her birthday party . . . and turned it into a magnet board for her.  She loves the magnets on the refrigerator . . . thought this would be a fun way for her to play with her magnets when she isn't underfoot in the kitchen.  

tennis racquet to beer sampler . . .

 



Richard turned this old tennis racquet into a beer sampler . . . complete with a bowl for peanuts or pretzels.  We love how this one turned out . . . it is Christmas gift for a friend.

He also made these earlier in the week as a gift for some other friends. 

Tis the season . . .

 

we bought socks . . . .

We were out finishing up our Christmas shopping today . . . and for some reason I had to have these socks.  It doesn't take much for me to get Richard to do things like this . . . but I did ask him why he goes along with me and lets me take pictures on top of it.  He answer . . . "because I 'sockin' love you."  I think he is just as weird as I am.  I am so wearing these to play tennis.  :)

"Don't worry about a thing,
'Cause every little thing gonna be all right."

                      ~ Bob Marley

Aleena's 1st Christmas

I have posted a couple of times about Aleena.  She was born premature - between 24 and 25 weeks.  She is truly a little miracle.  We refer to her as a million dollar baby (not kidding . . . there was a mix up with the insurance company and her parents actually received a bill for just over a million dollars.)  I work with her mother . . . and today we were blessed with a visit from this little elf.  Our office is a good place to be today. 

Merry Christmas!

Sweet Charlotte . . .

All dressed up for her Santa picture . . . but looking quite serious.  Poor little thing isn't feeling well.  I am looking forward to some Grandma time the next two weeks. 

 

I love these little people; and it is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us.

~Charles Dickens, The Old Curiosity Shop

Last Day!

Here I go again . . . I love where I work! 

Bring on the vacation!

Santa and his reindeer . . .

 

I love the people I work with!

Happy Thursday!

Good Morning . . .

Coffee . . . complete with whipped cream, brown sugar, and sprinkles.

World's Greatest Crossing Guards!

 

 

They are dressing up each day this week . . .

They have had such great feedback from people who drive by our school each morning.  When I walk out to take their picture - there are always people waving and honking their horns.  One woman even stopped and gave them Starbuck's gift cards.  She told them that she was in a very bad moon one morning and when she drove by and saw them dressed up for whatever holiday it was . . . she actually laughed out loud - and it changed her whole day.  You never know what kind of an impact you my have on another person . . .

 

Funny Things . . .

 Today's elf photo - at the tennis court . . .

. . . and a great ostrich hand puppet that I ordered for Charlotte for Christmas. 

“From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere!”

                                  ~ Dr. Seuss

good night . . .

“How did it get so late so soon?”  
                                   ~ Dr. Seuss

Good Night!



PINK . . .

I have a thing for PINK today . . .

It's that kind of day.

Bleachy Christmas Trees

I found this idea to bleach these bottle brush Christmas trees on this wonderful blog - A Fanciful Twist.  So I thought I would give it a try.  I bought a package of the Christmas trees at Michael's (I had a hard time finding them and was told they didn't have any, but finally located them in the section where they sell the Christmas village pieces.)  I love how they turned out!  You can also dye them after you bleach them - pink ones would be cute.  Or you can add glitter (which I might do tonight) . . . as well as find fun places to set them.
Happy Monday!

re-purposed croquet ball . . .

We found this croquet ball in an antique store the other day and had the idea to make it into a candle holder.  Richard simply drilled a hole the size to fit a tea light candle . . . and sanded the other side of the ball flat so it would stand up.  I love re-purposing things like this . . . 

Shabby Charlotte doll . . . Noella

It has been awhile since I have made a Shabby Charlotte doll . . . at least I will get one done for Christmas.  Meet Noella.

Noella is full of Christmas Spirit all year long.  She loves Christmas and all the things that go along with it . . . cookies, hot chocolate, Christmas Carols . . . you name it.  She especially likes vintage Christmas ornaments, glitter, and snowflakes.  She carries her own magic snowflake in her bag, along with a jingle bell to remind her of Christmas all year.  She loves to sit in Christmas trees surrounded by lights and ornaments – it makes her feel pretty and magical.  She is a wise little doll and realizes the real magic of Christmas is about spending it with the people you love.   

Now I want to make more.  After finishing her last night - my head was full of ideas.  I do have one that I hope to make for a gift this week - another red head.  I had intentions of getting more listed on Etsy for the holidays . . . but I don't always get done what I intend to get done, but who know what will happen this week. 

Saturday . . .

 Richard found this idea online and wanted to try it.  He simply unrolled the packaged cinnamon rolls - then rerolled them after putting in a slice of bacon . . . then bake according to the directions on the cinnamon roll package.  They actually were pretty good - but we talked about if we did it again we would fry the bacon a little bit before rolling it into the cinnamon roll . . . it would then be a little crispier.  They tasted great though . . . especially with the eggs on top.

 

 We were downtown again today . . . walking through antique stores.  I'm not sure why we decided to do that - but ended up down there.  I always like Raggedys . . . although this one looks sort of like a zombie - I guess I should like that too.  :)

 

 

I saw tons of cute things . . . but didn't end up buying anything.  We were looking for some old wood tennis racquets, but didn't see any - Richard has an idea for a Christmas gift he wants to make for a friend . . . we will have to keep looking.