Snow

 Admiring the first snow of the season before church

After church, lunch, and a nap, we bundled up and headed out.  Charlie immedietly face planted, but bounced back with minimal whining.

Grandpa came out to join in the fun.

Charlie started to enjoy herself, even if she didn't quite understand what was happening.  PS - look at her mittens.  So cute.

 Snuggles

10 on 10

A little greeting in Charlie's room...along with a cluster of Christmas trees

We started the day with coffee (for me), milk (for her), and a little Frosty

Reindeer kisses

Her favorite Charlie Brown Christmas musical book and a little ornament collection inherited from my grandma

Santa...not such a big hit with Charlie...along with a family shot with the big guy from when I was about two, and some colorful blocks

Big cheesy grins...too big to keep your eyes open for

Reading up on the flu vaccine she had no idea she was about to get

My beautiful nativity

Another of Grandma's Christmas ornaments...probably at least 50 years old

A goodnight kiss for her penguin ornament

Ten on 10...er...11

Yeah, I haven't been looking at the calendar lately...so here we are a day late.

Ten on 10 Etsy edition
Click each picture to view the shop where the item is from

Anthropologie Wishlist

I received my Anthropologie catalog in the mail yesterday, and entertained myself for awhile redecorating my home in my head. Here's some of the things I would love to have if money were no object:

In the kitchen:

Owl cookie jars:

This little bird and grapefruit sugar bowl:

This awesome milk jug/measuring cup combo:

All the while, wearing this pretty dress...I mean apron:

In Charlie's Room:

I'm in love with this mushroom pouf:

Which we would sit on while reading these beautiful children's classics:

On me:

A pretty one piece to cover up excess belly and C-section scars? Yes please!:

A sweet dress just in time for Easter:

Around the house in places yet to be determined:
These adorable poppy hooks...maybe in the kitchen to hold aprons, maybe in the doorway for coats or keys:

This beautiful pendant light. Probably in our living room to replace our current "boob" light that came with the house.

What are your favorite Anthropological finds?

Valentine's Day Revisited

A glimpse at our Valentine's day:

Quick and easy construction paper decor

Charlie's Valentine's present from Nana and Papa

(He tells you that he "Wufs you" and his ears waggle)

Enjoying handmade cards from friends

Wearing red shoes - any excuse

Drinking red wine - any excuse

Snuggling my Sweets


What a wonderful Valentine's Day

The Weekend...

our weekend will be spent relaxing and playing board games (Monoply has made a come back in this house.) And, of course lots of snuggling will be done with this beauty. Tim has a potentially life changing job interview on Monday, so we'll also be spending time prepping and praying and probably day dreaming. How will you be spending your weekend?

Made by Me Mondays

The day before Charlie was born was my last day of work. Tim and I knew that when we started our family, we wanted, more than anything, for me to be able to stay home. My passion and desire is to be with Charlie as much as possible, to teach her, to learn from her, to love her and dote on her, to do everything I can for her.

To be able to do this, we've had to make a lot of sacrifices. Tim has to work two jobs, we've had to cut all extras out of our budget and live the leanest we've ever lived. Worth it? Absolutely.

So, when Christmas time rolled around, I was faced with the biggest challenge I've experienced in this lean time...no buying presents for people, something I love to do. Thankfully, there is a never ending amount of crafting to be done, so in our need for creative gift giving, I was able to make, among other things (jewelry, mounds of cookies, etc...):

Yarn Wreaths with Felt Flowers:

I found a tutorial on this a few weeks before Christmas and made one for my Grandma in traditional Christmas colors:

It took me awhile to decide if I liked it, but eventually I determined I did.

(Bonus shot, Grandma with her great grandkids on Christmas Eve)

Once I decided I liked it, I made another in less traditional colors for my sweet friend Laura. I was even more uncertain of this one, so much so that I didn't initially give it to her, giving her only the jewelry portion at first. Later I decided I was being stupid, "slyly" asked her if she was familiar with the yarn wreath fad, and eventually presented her with the wreath, assuring her that she didn't have to like it. She did though, and happily hung it up right then.

What do you think of yarn wreaths? Is this something you'd buy in an Etsy shop? What would you expect to pay, and what color combos would you like to see? Any input it welcome!