Our Christmas

I have been taking a little break from the blog, due to the non-stop circus that is Christmas.

I hope you all had a great holiday and Santa was good to you - I know I got spoiled! I got everything off my wish list, it totally benefits me that Clifford & budgets aren't bff's. Oh and the kids had a great day to! Maya said it was the Best Christmas Ever - and I have to agree with her:)

Now on to NYE prep, and maybe finding some time to read on my new kobo and knit on my new interchangeable needles!

small tree space + family of 5 = pretty packed looking tree!

bubble bath is so exciting!

> jessi

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Almost Here!

2 more sleeps! I am done all my gifts - and good timing too, because I lost a day to food poisoning. Today 2 out of 3 kids are in school, a perfect day to finish up wrapping. I hope to get pictures of all the handmade gift today, and can post once the surprises won't be spoiled.  

What are your Christmas eve traditions? Those with kids - how do you help the day go by quickly? I feel like tomorrow is going to be the longest day of the year!

Happy Friday and Holiday weekend and safe travels to those who are hitting the road/skies to see family!

> sheep ornament

> bottle brush trees

> pinecone ornament

> Jessi

Green Christmas

Happy Monday! My lack of recent posts is part due to manic present making part due to nasty hangover ...

How goes the Christmas shopping/crafting? My advent calendar is feeling more like a doomsday clock - staring at me from the shelf reminding of how much I don't have done! I managed to finish my sack boys finally and get a little cross stitch done, all that I have left is to finish is my nearly done stack of dishcloths and 2 dolls ... I can do that right??

As for shopping -I may have to run out and buy Maya one of her presents that hasn't arrived yet - Amazon we are at odds this year... we'll have to see how this affects the future of our relationship.

I am also happy to hear that my card from the winter warmer's recipe swap has made it across the ocean to my blog friend Annika, and so on the ball is she - that she made them and blogged about them already! She making me look bad :)

Make sure you check out Creature Comforts blog for tons of great printable tags!

> Jessi

Paint & Glitter

This Christmas we decided that it was high time the kids joined in the stress of making holiday gifts.. so we sweat shop style set them up with ornaments to paint. They found it more fun then work though..maybe they are to something...Christmas crafting should be fun?!

We used a salt dough recipe found here. I added another 1/2 cup of water, and we probably should have baked them longer... I may throw my painted ones back in to harden them up ( can you do that post paint?)

> Jessi

Christmas times a comin'

Anyone else think December is going by way to fast? I am not as far ahead as I would like to be! I have been busy knittign up a storm - and would love to share it, but the recipient actually reads my blog sometimes so I'll have to wait until after Christmas!

How are your to-do lists going? Are you having to narrow down overly ambitious lists, to more realistic and manageable ones?

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> Jessi

Re-Style > Advent Calendar

Clifford has always wanted an advent calendar he could fill with trinkets and chocolate, but never had the time to make one. While garage sailing we found a not so pretty one, but figured for $3 we could paint it and make it pretty :)

BEFORE

 AFTER

> Jessi

Oh Christmas Tree

I mentioned earlier that I caved and put the tree up a week early. For the first few days Lily was constantly re-arranging the ornaments - which cause a lot of breakage, but now she seems over it and the rest of the ornaments can give a sigh of relief :)

This year we got a new tree (I have to have artificial due my allergies) , that is quite a bit bigger than our old one, so I think we may to get a few more things to fill it out. 

Happy TGIF!  

> Jessi

The Countdown Begins!

Today was the start of our advent calendar, this year we made one (I will post pics sooooonnnn!), but usually we just buy the chocolate ones from the store. What are your count  down traditions? Don't have one? How bout crafting up with some of these ideas!

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> Jessi

A Little Holiday Glitter

Hope you all had a great weekend! I caved and we put the tree up Saturday, we also did a  re-style on an advent calendar we bought in the summer at a garage sale..when my batteries are charged I can get some pictures up. 

In the meantime here's a little glittery inspiration to get you in the holiday mood :)

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> Jessi

Christmas Cross Stitching

 Here's a little peak at my cross stitch projects in progress.. 1 down...4 to go :{  ans today is one month till Christmas.... better get to work!

> Jessi

Crafting Begins

I have started making some Christmas presents, I want to try and get a head start so that I can relax and not stress out to much before Christmas.  I have a list of what needs to be made, in order of priority, so hopefully it's manageable. Clifford is not a happy camper when I over extend myself!

And for my boughten gifts, on-line shopping is my new best friend! I can fill a cart with items, and take the time to think about what I actually want to buy with no crowds, line ups or pressure to make a quick decision. 

Do you make or buy most of your gifts?

inspired by a friend's awesome cross stitch pixel people, I decide to try it out to!

> Jessi

A Case of the Monday's

Happy Monday all! How was your weekend?

Our freakish weather continues with +15 weather...I am still using the clothes line - it's kinda crazy, and kinda awesome.

Here's some not so great photos of our annual  family craft we did this year - we always just kind of wing it - that's what happens now I am in charge of picking :) When my aunt's did it, it was way more organized!

Have you started decorating yet? I am counting the days until December 1st so we can finally decorate

> Jessi