A Partridge in a Pantry

The Christmas season is such a wonderful, special time of year.  There is nothing like experiencing it through the eyes of a child.   I can remember watching  Alex when he was a little boy, the wonder in his eyes as he took in all the miracles and surprises the season had to bring.  His excitment carried him through the whole month of December.  He still enjoys Christmas and is blessed by Christ's birth,  but he now sees it through the eyes of an adult.  I must admit I miss those days filled with awe and amazement.  I have written before about Kate and Emma, the sweet girls I babysit during the week, and what blessings they are to me in so many ways.  They encourage me, make me smile and yes even make me laugh out loud with the things they say.  They both see Christmas through a childs eyes and their excitement overflows.  Just yesterday Emma came bouncing up the stairs singing with all her might the 12 days of Christmas.....fiveeeeeee goldennnnnn rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and "A PARTRIDGE IN A PANTRY"  I asked her to repeat what she was singing trying not to giggle.  We sang together the 12 days of Christmas and I truly think she believes the gift on the first day is a partridge in a pantry.  Oh Christmas through a childs eyes---I wish we could all experience it that way.  The awe, amazement and excitement over the miracle of Christ's birth. 

I wanted to share with you all my most favorite Christmas decoration.  It is the nativity scene that once belonged to my Grandmother.  I can remember seeing it under her tree when I was a little girl and then again under my parents tree.  My sister and I together each year would set this little scene up under the family tree.  After Alex and I married, on our first Christmas together, I asked my mom if I would be able to put this treasure under our tree.  It had remained there each year until a curious little puppy came into our family and damaged the manger beyond repair.  It has since been placed in a spot of safety high atop the end table in the livingroom reminding us all of the reason we celebrate this most special time of year. 

I hope you all are truly experiencing the wonders of the season--remembering the true meaning of Christmas.

Love you a Latte........

 I always enjoy my morning cup of coffee but I find this time of year is perfect for enjoying a nice hot mug of something yummy to drink mid-way through my busy day.   When I am out and about running errands,  I usually have my favorite little helper, Emma along.  It has become a tradition with us to stop at the local Starbucks for our mid-day treat.  Her treat of choice--a ricecrispy square and mine---a grande half-caff Gingerbread Latte(light on the whipped cream of course :)  She hears me order my Latte and I always turn to her and say "Emma, guess what? I love you a Latte"  She giggles and we continue on our way.  Who knew that would be my inspiration for these little charms. 

After I completed these little coffe inspired charms, I thought how much  fun it would be to give them as a gift along with a mug all snuggled in a mug cozy.  I got to work and here is the end result........

 

I think I may give a few friends this little combination gift this Christmas.  I hope it will let them know that I Love them a Latte!!!

Making a List and Checking it Twice

At this time of year I find myself making list after list.  Weather it be a "To Do" list, grocery list or a gift list I have them all over my house on scraps of paper, old envelopes and post it notes.  There can be so many lists going at one time I have been known to make a  list of my lists.  On a recent trip to our local Target,  I found the cutest little notebooks.  The great feature about these notebooks is the piece of elastic attached to the bottom securing the cover. The perfect notebook to keep in my purse.   How great I thought to have all my lists in ONE place.  And then the thought struck me...If I make hundreds of lists during this time of year, I am sure there are many busy ladies out there that do the same.  With a little altering, I thought they would  make a fun addition to my shop at SweetPeas.  They came in a variety of colors but I chose the red and green--perfect for all our Christmas lists. 

I had such fun with this project I returned to Target today to purchase more notebooks.  I wonder if Santa keeps all of his lists in cute little notebooks like these. 

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas

Usually on the day after Thanksgiving my mom, Heidi and I wake up early and go on the hunt for all the wonderful "Black Friday" deals.  This year however Heidi was out of town and my mom was visiting my sister who lives about two hours away.  During Thanksgiving dinner, I happened to mention how I was on my own this year when my husband surprisingly said he might want to come along. My response... "Really!! you want to wake up at 5:00am, fight the crowds, in the rain and go shopping with me!!"  Well I thought, this might be fun.  We had talked about purchasing an artificial tree this year and there were so  many GREAT deals out there.  So the plan was set.  I don't want to say we didn't have fun, but I don't think Alex will be coming along next year.  After going to four stores and unsuccessfully finding the perfect tree,  he was ready to go home.  I of course was just getting started.  With a promise of one last store we finally did it...we found the perfect tree.  I don't think Alex was ever so happy to be headed home.  The tree went up with ease and we were all in the Christmas spirit. 

With my beautiful new tree up and twinkling, I was ready to decorate the rest of the house.  I'll just share a few photos with you so that you can experience Christmas at my house.

I hope you enjoyed my little tour.  I have a few more finishing touches to add so stop back soon for a little visit.

A Thankful Heart

As I began this day, I sat for a moment and took time to really  reflect on all of my blessings.  I truely have so many things to be thankful for.  I am grateful beyond measure. 

I wish you all a Blessed Thanksgiving day as you are surrounded by the love of your family and friends. As you carry out all the traditions of the day, I pray that you would remember to thank our loving God who bestows so many blessings to us.

A Happy Thanksgiving Day,

Much Love

Mimi~

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever

1 Chronicles 16:34

Warm Woolen Mittens

Here we are in mid November but with the weather we have been having here in Pittsburgh lately it feels more like September.  I have been able to be out in the yard playing with the puppies in only a T-shirt and jeans--not even a windbreaker required.  Blue skies and sunshine--the perfect Autumn days.  But with only 37 more days until Christmas I having been thinking cold, snow and hot chocolate to get me in the Christmas creating mood. My shop at SweetPeas needs to be packed full with Christmas cheer for their open house next weekend.  I have been  busy as an elf and I have lots to share with you all.  Eventhough there has not been a need for warm woolen mittens outside, I had such fun creating these.......

After finishing this mitten book, I just could not stop.  I thought how cute these little mittens would look as a banner.  I got to work and this is the result........

I must admit after working with these sweet little mittens, I am in the mood for some frosty weather.  I am sure it will be here before I know it.

100 and still counting.........

A few weeks back I wrote about my husband and our decision  for him to undergo gastric bypass surgery.  It was a very difficult decision for us to make as there were so many unknowns.  Several years ago Alex had surgery to repair a hernia which ended in serious complications.  There were several days that I was not sure that he would be able to recover.  With God's protection and wonderful doctors he was able to make a full recovery.  It was very frightening for us to relive that event and our minds turned with all the "what if's".  As Alex went through all the requirments for surgery--meeting with all the specialists and doctors, we continued to quesion our decision. Even as the day of surgery was upon us doubt filled our minds.  I left the final decision up to Alex and told him I would support whatever decision he made. He really thought about it and he knew that he was just not healthy and had not been feeling well for such a long time.  Even after countless attempts to lose weight, it was at the highest it had  ever been at 417 lbs (I checked with him before I shared that bit of information) and he was on many medications for his diabetis and high blood pressure.  Several of the medications had frightening side effects if taken over a long period of time.  After thinking it through again,  he decided to continue on with the surgery.  I wanted to share some before pictures with you all because I am so proud of his progress so far......

 Last year at Christmas.

The morning of surgery.

At the hospital waiting to be taken in for surgery.  Even through his nervousness he maintained his sense of humor.

As he was getting ready to leave for work this morning,  I looked up to kiss him good-bye and was so amazed and proud of his accomplishment I just had to take a picture.  He has lost 104 lbs so far and is feeling terrific.  He is off all of his medication and has more energy than he has had in a long time.  I love you Alex.  I am so proud of you and so thankful for the sacrifice you have made to become healthy for our family.