holiday haze

I am still breaking down boxes, untwisting toys from their store housing and tinkering with wonderful gifts of all kinds. Ahhhhh, Christmas! It seems to be the one time of year that things on the outside, the fast paced lives we lead and the everyday routine seems to vanish and all good things stand still to linger and enjoy.

The Christmas cookies, fudge and pecan pie make me smile. I enjoy every moment of the wonderful church programs spreading good tidings and great cheer of our Saviours birth. The smell of the winter cold wind is refreshing but yet stinging at the same time. The look of the white snow dusting the ground and the tops of houses was a pleasant southern Christmas surprise. There is just no sweeter sound than two little girls giddy and full of anticipation dashing to the living room to see what Santa has left for them. Good times!

I hope that each of you enjoyed Christmas and all of it's splendor. I am looking forward to 2011. I am looking for new and exciting things. Out with the old and in with the new. I'm cleaning house physically and emotionally. Sometimes you've just got to replace that picture on the wall with something a little more appealing. Not that the picture was broke, ugly or defective in anyway. It was just that you needed a change of scenery. So, 2011, I welcome you!

Santa Clause is Comin' to Town!

These two little love bugs just can't wait for Santa to arrive! They are getting so excited about the gifts that Santa will bring to them. I love their innocent and imaginative minds that create such wonderful magic about Santa and his elves. I hope that the spirit of Christmas and all of it's magic is swirling and twirling like sugar plums dancing in the heads of your little ones as well.

drum roll

.......Congratulations to Cheri and Kris for winning the "Frosty" giveaway! I love what both of you said about your family traditions. So girls, take a look HERE at these wonderful embellishment goodies and let me know what item you'd like to have. I'll have it shipped right to you! Thanks again for posting such wonderful holiday traditions. Merry Christmas!

messy perfection

It's quite a palace isn't it? This is a work of a labor of love. Despite the sticky fingers, shifting gingerbread and sprinkles galore, this was by far one of my favorites. It's not easy to achieve perfection without getting a little messy. The girls were up to their elbows in icing. Each of them put such thought in exactly where they wanted to place the candy and sprinkles. This my friend, is PERFECTION!

frosty

Brrrrr.....! Are you guys feeling the cold blast from Old Man Winter as well? These below average temps here in the south are fierce! Don't get me wrong, I do love winter, much more so than summer. I love the layered look and it's the only time of year that you can use your breath and your fingers to make silly faces and shapes on glass windows.

So, how many of you can say that you're DONE with your Christmas list? I have bought for everyone except Mr. Roe. He's kind of like Santa. If he wants it, it seems to magically appear or he goes out to his shop and makes it. Sooooo....I am lost on what to do. The kids are getting more and more giddy everyday. Bryar brings me a present form under the tree almost hourly and ask if it's Christmas yet. Poor kid!

Anyone out there still carry on a family tradition? If so, share it with me. I always love to hear how people celebrate Christmas. Hmmmm.....maybe a giveaway is in order. Post a comment and I'll make this fun!

whisper

There is something in this piece of art that speaks to me. The funny thing about it is...hello, my background for my blog is so matchy-matchy with this! That in itself says alot. :)

Check out how Donna made this piece come to life HERE.

holiday goodies

My friends Kris and Kim have got a great Christmas celebration happening over at the DIYdish blog. They are celebrating the 12 days of Christmas with some fun holiday goodies. Be sure to check out what they have posted. Yummy recipes, paper crafts & the basics of how to make a beautiful bow to top your gifts. These two girls know just how to turn simple into sensational!

Love handmade?

If you love handmade goodies, you've gotta come over HERE and see what my dear friend Lisa is up to. She's the most clever gal in all of blog land. She's introducing her new podcast, the All Things Handmade Holiday Show. So, stay tuned over at her blog for the best of the best this Christmas gift giving season!

WWJD

A few years ago there was a very popular saying that led to bags, t-shirts, wrist bands and other items being printed in large quantities and sold by retailers everywhere. The saying was, "What would Jesus do?" or WWJD. As catchy as this phrase was, I decided to use it to ask yet another question. "What would Jackson do?" I know, who/what is Jackson, right? Well, let me give you the scoop...

Jackson is a precious five year old little boy with a smile that will knock you socks off. He's one of Roxy's kindergarten buds. Not only is Jackson full of charm, giggle bugs and a love for Mario Brothers, but his life is filled with lots of other not so fun stuff as well

Take a minute to watch this video and see just how Jackson's day to day life is. Ask yourself, "What would Jackson do...with a cure, without insulin or with failing kidneys? The questions are endless. If possible, please donate to his team. I have done so and I hope that you will do the same.

you

With a full heart and soon to be a full belly, I want to wish each one of you a very happy Thanksgiving. As we give thanks for so many things, don't overlook yourself. Day in and day out, we go about our busy lives and never stop to say thank you to ourselves. I am thankful for my health, my ability to love, the characteristics that make me who I am and the purpose that I have been given to make a difference in life. Without each one of you having similar qualities, you would not be the great wives, mothers and friends that you are.

table talk

Want to get some conversation started around the table? This will do the trick!

You think I can sew up a 1/2 dozen tonight? Nahhh, me either...LOL!

Thanksgiving favorites!

Why is it that there are certain foods that we make at Thanksgiving that we never seem to make any other time of year? I guess that may be part of what makes the Thanksgiving feast so special. I can remember as a child, different dishes that family members would add to the spread on Thanksgiving day. It would make me so excited that my Mom, or one of my aunts or my grandma made that certain dish that I loved so much. It just wouldn't have been the same without it.



I still have a couple of my favorites that I love for others to make and a few of my own that I make for my family. So, when I saw these recipe cards, I knew they would be perfect for a little Thanksgiving gift. If you know of friends and family members that rave about one of your special dishes, fill out one of the recipe cards, make a special dish of it up for them and attach the recipe card to it...an instant Thanksgiving gift!