Baylee and the Vet

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This is one scared little dog.  When Baylee gets put in the truck, she always starts shaking because she knows it's usually a trip to the vet.  What's really funny is when the ride is longer than it should be for the vet so she must sense this and starts to simmer down.  For a routine anal sack draining (sorry for the disgusting thought of this), we take her to Tractor Supply where the vet arrives every two weeks.  It is so much cheaper than taking her to our vet because this is such a routine thing.  Apparently, being part beagle, this is a common issue these dogs have.  However, nothing pleasant about it.  It can be dangerous to not get this taken care of.  So, our little Baylee, here, patiently waits for her number.  She is such a good dog.  We can tell when it is time for her to go, and she seems relieved when it's over. 

Merry Christmas

And here it is.  Merry Christmas.  The whole month is staged around this holiday.  The decorating, baking, shopping, wrapping, presents, eating, parties, singing, movies, music on the radio, hopefully church services, and family.  Our Christmas morning we get up and light the fireplace and designate who will pass out the gifts.  Here are just a few pictures of our family morning.


If you watch The Big Bang Theory, you understand this shirt that we gave our son.  Our daughter received the "Soft Kitty, Warm Kitty" t-shirt earlier this year.

The big box is a new bow.  He had outgrown the one he was using so we were able to find a buyer and put that money towards the new one.

 

 

luggage for her 

 

 

 

. . . and a purse

 

 

 

can't forget dad

 

 

 

or the dogs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I know it is a surprise, but I actually received gifts too.  Against my better judgement I'm putting the only picture that was taken on here - just so you know I was really there.

 

 

 

 

Later we went to my sister's house for our Christmas lunch.  We hung around most of the day watching movies while others played Euchre.  It was a very good day. 

 

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas Eve

Every Christmas Eve is at my brother-in-law and sister-in-law's house.  This has been a tradition for us as long as I can remember.  Last Christmas my brother-in-law was in the hospital and we had Christmas there.  I took a small decorated tree for his room, we ordered pizza to take, and also took drinks and dessert.  It was nice to get to be with regardless of where it was.

This year we were back at the house and what a surprise these beautiful blankets were.  We usually open gifts from the youngest to the oldest, but this year my sister-in-law had us open ours all together since the packages were all the same, we would've figured out soon enough that we were all getting the same thing.  She obviously put some thought into this.  Personalized in our favorite colors, how thoughtful.  We love our gift.

Jenga

Friday night, December 20.  So, if you have ever played Jenga you know what a feat this was.  Look at the very bottom of the stack.  One tile left.  My son had a friend over and the two were playing this game.  This is awesome!!!!  It was nice seeing him doing something other than playing a video game.

Christmas is getting closer . . .

White Christmas

Well, since I haven't been punctual on posting, I'm going to post several all of which will be dated for today.  I wish I had posted these on the dates they actually happened, but can't change that now.


December 14, 2013:

So, we went to the Artcraft a second time.  The classical WHITE CHRISTMAS was playing.  Didn't want to miss this on the big screen.

 Here we are waiting in line to get inside.  It was much colder this night than it was when we saw Elf here two weeks prior.

My daughter and niece met us there. 

We already have this DVD as well, but who cares!!!  Going to the Franklin Artcraft is such a treat. 

To our surprise the Whiteland Community High School "Swing" group performed.  They sang several Christmas songs and did a wonderful job.

Prior to the movie actually starting, a couple of volunteers of the Artcraft theatre did their rendition of "Sisters"....

We laughed until we were crying.  This was so flippin' funny.

Twelve Little Snowmen

Well aren't these cute!  I made these for a little Christmas gift for the ladies I work with.  Basically a Hersey bar candy cover embellished with hat and scarf.  They want to look fashionable too.  I think I will make a few extra to have on hand for those last minute gifts.  I'm thinking our mail carrier, my caregivers (with of course some other things I've already purchased). You get the idea.  You think they will like them?

Christmas Greeting Card

So this year I am running extremely behind.  I don't understand how I let this happen.  My usual baking hasn't happened.  My cards aren't sent.  I just found out from most printers that I wouldn't get my cards until Christmas Eve.  So, this year I am sending out cards without my kids pictures.  Boo hoo!  I just took this picture Saturday and have decided to home print just 3-4 for my immediate family and put them in their cards.  I think they turned out pretty well and the printing job on photo paper turned out pretty nice too.

I attempted to make some sugar cut out cookies and managed to mess that up big time.  So, starting from scratch.  I did make a batch of my buckeye's (peanut butter balls) and they turned out great.  That bunch has already disappeared.  The plan is to make a second batch tonight of those and make some Mexican wedding cookies (which I love :) )  I also want to make some chocolate covered pretzels that I put in a mold.  The molds are reindeer, snowman and a Santa.  They look very nice and make great gifts.

We are on about our third or fourth batch of snow.  I love it.  I know most don't, but it will be great to have a white Christmas so if this starts melting, I hope we get some on Christmas Eve.  Then it can melt and I'm good for the rest of this year until next winter. 

Counting down for school to be out.  This is our last week and we go for four days.  I'm looking forward to the break and I know my son is as well.  I will have a few days to finish up these last minute list items.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Okay.  Now it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  Will the snow stay around for a few more days or will it completely be gone by then?  If so, I really hope it snows again.  It's been a few Christmases since there has been snow on the ground.  I love it!  What is Christmas without snow?  I do feel for those who are out traveling and I am always concerned for their safety - but in a lot of cases, accidents wouldn't happen if drivers would just slow down some and leave a little more space between them and the car in front of them. 

Anyhoo, I have some more fun pictures to share.  The snow is just that much more beautiful with all the decorations and lights.

This is the same tree just in two different shots from the yard.

 
 

 
 
 





























        










The lights on the bush just adding to the beauty of the season.  There is scripture that speaks of treasurers in the snow.

Here is our little Baylee. I don't think she really cares to much for her coat I made.  But, she really is cute in it.  It helps to keep her back dry and hopefully warmer.  It's funny.  She loves the outdoors in the summer with the heat where Scottie loves outdoors in the winter and the cooler weather.  His little short legs brings in the snowballs with the way he drags the ground. 

This snowman won't melt like the ones outside.  Three different sizes of spheres, a dial rod with white wire and lights, and add a few buttons and beads, a homemade snowman.  My husband created this (remember the 3 tiered pumpkins from Fall?).  He has made several of these.  Some for gifts and some he sold.

Well, wrapping up this blog.  It's getting late and I wanted to get caught up some.  We had a work Christmas Party today and it was nice.  Plenty of good food, a cookie exchange, and a fun "pass the gift" game.  Each person brings a gift that would like to participate.  A dollar amount is set prior to the party.  Every participating makes a circle as a story is being read about the "Right" family.  When right or left is mentioned in the story, that is the way the gifts travel.  Hopefully you don't end up with the gift you brought.  It is a lot of fun.

.... and to all a good night!

Just A Little Christmas

I can't go very long without sharing my Christmas Décor.  If you look down through my blogs you will see how I decorated for the fall season.  Christmas is even better.  I feel my home speaks great volume of how I love the whole Christmas season.  I hope you too enjoy my pics:

This is our Blue Spruce.  We have put lights on this tree since it was only one foot tall.

I made this Santa half-moon door greeter.  Isn't he adorable and a nice change from a traditional wreath?

This little "all red" tree is just inside our front door entryway.  It actually sits in our dining room.

What are the holidays without a little snow?   This snowman is on our fridge.

I think this wall, in our kitchen, is adorable.  This carries the snowman theme throughout the kitchen.

The mantel is complete with four stockings I made myself.  I entered one of them in the County Fair this last summer.

This handsome Nutcracker sits on the right side of the mantel. I zoomed in on him so he could be seen better.  If you look in the above picture, you can see him on the top right.

I couldn't let the bathroom go without the mention of the season.  This little tree adds an ornament daily counting to Christmas day.

This is also from the same bathroom, showing a ceramic lighted tree.

Of course, the main attraction, is the family living room tree.  This is just to the right of the mantel.   To the left of the tree the lights on the shelve are zoomed in on the picture below.

As mentioned above, just to the left of the tree, this is a snow family that sits on a shelf in one of the towers on either side of our fireplace. 

 










This Precious Moments Miniature Nativity sits in a tower on the left side of the mantel.

This is also in our entryway above the coat closet.  My very creative husband made this church for me several years ago.  We needed to keep it light weight so it is made out of Styrofoam.  Clever.  Inside the door sits an angel.  There is even a wreath on the church.....

And, the staircase just opposite the church.  I love Christmas stockings.  These four are seen as you walk in the front door.

 
 
 
This little tree is in our staircase.  Since the staircase is split, it sits on the first part.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
This is the outside. Due to painting this last summer, we weren't able to get the windows open to put up the lighted wreaths that are usually in each window.  At least we could still put up the candelabras. 
 

I decorated our kitchen table in the snow theme as well.  I really like these plates and usually keep them out through the winter season.   They are snowmen with stocking caps, but the plates themselves have no hint of Christmas.  The cloth napkins have holly berry that can also be used throughout winter.




It all goes to fast.  I have a lot of hours in decorating but I do enjoy it.  I really do not look forward to taking it all down.  Because everything is so festive it's almost sad to put it all away.

I hope you have enjoyed my decorations.

ELF

Last Friday evening we went downtown Franklin, Indiana, to the Historic Artcraft Theatre.  This was a wonderful way to kickoff our Christmas Season.  The weather was great.  We parked just a little distance from the theatre and had a walk in the crisp air.  A little chilly but it was fun waiting in line for the doors to open.  I was so thankful I had purchased our tickets over the phone earlier in the day. 

It doesn't matter that we have the DVD.  Watching any movie in this theatre is a treat.  The ambiance of the theatre just gives nostalgic to the event.  There were door prizes, a concession stand with my favorite soda, coke zero (hard to get at most places), and they had someone dressed up like Elf.  The movie is great and this was a terrific place to see it again. 

Next weekend is already sold out for "A Christmas Story".  It's just great how some folks still enjoy the simple joys of life.

Thanksgiving

The year has flown by and here we just enjoyed Turkey and all the trimmings of a traditional Thanksgiving Day.  Our family get-together was at my niece's house.  I have hosted this many times throughout the years as well as my other two sisters.  Passing the torch is really starting to be enjoyable.  As much as I have always loved entertaining, party planning, and hosting, I'm getting to the point of enjoying being able to walk away and leaving some of this for the younger generation.  It is certainly easier for all the kids to be in their own home, playing with their own toys, trashing their own rooms, causing hysteria in their own house (get the picture??).  The visit was nice.  We played Phase 10 and Euchre.  We actually stayed a lot longer than I thought we would but things were going well.  Sometimes with a family of 20+ crammed into a house can cause a little tension, but it went very well.

 

One major drawback to not being the hosting home is the leftovers.  I do miss not having the "leftovers".  

Where Have I Been?

So have you missed me?  Been a few days, but life has been busy. 

I just attend the 36th Annual Meeting for the Indianapolis Chapter Sewing Guild. It was a luncheon at Primos the first weekend in November.  It was my first luncheon with this group and it was nice.  The food was great, the door prizes were nice, and there was a special speaker.  Her name is Pam Damour.  She is very well known in home décor.  Not only was she very interesting, she was funny and had no problem keeping your attention. 

 

 

 

My friend is the president of our chapter.  She is a great teacher and helper to me.  I've only been sewing for almost two years.  I lack so much knowledge.  Even the simplest of things seem to be difficult for me at times.  She coordinated our registration and this is her at our table.

 

 

I have been busy sewing for Christmas, but can't talk about that right now.  My daughter might get on my blog and I don't want to let the cat out of the bag.

 

 



HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Halloween Night.... love it.  Although this year was a little strange with the weather, Halloween on November 1st was a little odd.  We were only able to pass out candy for about an hour due to previous commitments, but we really enjoy the kids and their costumes. 

Here is a couple pictures of our front porch with the added "Halloween" features.

So what would Halloween be without costumes - right??? So the next three pictures are of my daughter (she wore her costume to work), my son, and can't forget the dogs...

 

 

She is Ariel (the Little Mermaid with legs)

 

Yes, a packer fan is a great costume

 

Our two dogs in their pullovers

 

 

The next picture is of the cutest girls.  There is a little story behind this.  About three years ago these girls came trick-or-treating and I was dressed like snow white.  They loved her so much that each year they come in hopes of seeing her again.  Last year I heard the grandmother telling them "this is the house we wait all year to come to".  I was not dressed up this year and when they arrived, they immediately turned and told their grandmothers "she isn't here".  My heart sank as I knew who "she" was.  I had disappointed these little girls by not dressing up.  I felt horrible.  One of the grandmothers inquired on whether she would be coming.  I assured them that if they could come back in ten minutes I was confident snow white would arrive.  (We had to be somewhere and that is why I hadn't dressed up.  I was afraid the time restraint would not allow enough time for the changing).  I ran upstairs and changed as fast as I could - knowing we had to leave in 15 minutes.  They came back and their little faces lit up when they saw snow white.  The grandmother had the girls go on and stayed behind to tell me that they had been to Disney over the summer and when the princesses came out they said that was nice - but that wasn't the real snow white.  They told them the real snow white was in Indiana.  Yes - isn't that the sweetest story?