Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!

This is Holly. I rescued her from a very high kill pound here in Ohio. I don’t know her story, how she ended up there or what her former home was like, but I know that someone lost out on a truly wonderful dog. She will eventually go to live with my aunt in NY (who is getting her cats behavior therapy as they are dog aggressive we found out yesterday) but for now she is all mine. =) This gorgeous dog is completely housebroken, cat/kid/dog/bunny friendly, and a joy to have around the house. Her only fault? She is completely deaf. Definitely not something I expected but a new challenge as she has yet to learn commands like sit and no. Check back for more posts on her progress as training a deaf dog is both new to me and interesting.

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I hope that each and every one of you has a wonderful holiday season! This year was not what I had hoped it would be, there were plenty of tragedies and heartaches. But there was also great joy and at the end of the day I am so very lucky. I am grateful for all my friends, my job which I am in love with, and of course my husband and children. I have high hopes for next year, am planning on trying another 365 project, and am turning the page on 2012. Enjoy your families and celebrate all the things in your life you cherish. See you all soon!
~Connie

Ok So I Suck…

Well, not actually suck… but two blog posts in November was pretty pitiful.

In my defense my life has been kinda nuts as of late- 12 dance classes a week to plan for, homeschooling, co-op, hubby’s work schedule, and much more. We had to put our sweet kitty Bo to sleep due to some extreme kidney/urinary issues, we had Thanksgiving and all that it entails, our elf Vicky came back and has been causing havoc…. lol… oh and let’s not forget my wonderful Etsy store has been hopping. Is everyone’s life this crazy or just mine? =)

Vicky decided to take a little bath with the girls in the sink… with marshmallows!

I have been on an ornament kick since we discovered that a good number of our ornaments had broken last year when the tree fell over (thanks to a rambunctious baby Cole!). So far we have made clay ornaments, cinnamon applesauce ones, and these super easy and cute Eye Spy ornaments. I ordered the trinkets from this store on Etsy, used Epsom salt as a snow, and voila!

Blue and silver themed Eye Spy ornament

I have had lots of really cool tutorials, articles, and such to share with you all lately though so here is a little list… more tomorrow as I have a roundup of awesome gifts for awesome girls who aren’t so “princessesy”!

* I love this little advent calendar idea… and here are 10 more ideas that are super cute!

* As a fan of fairies, my middle girl would love her own little fairy bedroom I think.

* I really want to make this for my door…. I adore citrus colors and smells!

* This make me laugh every time I see it…

* 20 minute pretty craft? Yes please!

* Going to the Nutcracker this season? Print these out beforehand.

So It Goes

“So it goes like it goes
Like the river flows
And time it rolls right on
And maybe what’s good gets a little bit better
And maybe what’s bad gets gone“

These days are spent rearranging the house in preparation for the Christmas tree and decor, transitioning to a more inside routine, trying to patiently teach housekeeping habits along with whatever subject is currently of interest. I’m looking forward to the sights and sounds of the holiday season, it makes me smile in and out. I am busy on Pinterest, gathering ideas and crafts, recipes for parties and gifts. Check out my Winter Luvs board and my Christmas Gifts board if you want some inspiration. The girls are going to make the refrigerator into a snowman like this right now, I can’t wait to see what Moira will think about it!

Do your kids have alter egos? Amelia certainly does (some are not so nice!).

One of her characters is Marge, a sassy grandma-like chick who likes to party hard and bake apples. It cracks me up every time she puts on the wig and glasses! So funny!! Do your kids routinely have alternate personalities?

This Just Pinned

I have been sifting through days and days worth of pins, trying to catch up on all that I have missed in the wide world when my life got nutty. I cannot believe that so much happened in a month! Here are some pins that I am looooooving these days:

This sounds absolutely delicious for Thanksgiving with friends!

I’ve never gotten highlights before but if I did I would get this look.

I’ll have to remember to do this next time the family is at the beach, lol!

I bet these make your home smell so cozy and wintery…

The girls are going to love decorating this for I bet!

These are one of my favorite things to decorate with!!!!!

I know some fellow dancers getting this as Christmas presents…

Finally, looking for a great gift for a special Mighty Girl in your life?

Check out this AMAZING list of toys!

(Pssst- my good friend Lili helps research and compile the list!)

Hope you love all the links, see you tomorrow!!!

Deck the Halls

Christmas is in the air. I can feel the buzz of excitement when I am out and about… and I am quickly catching Christmas fever as well! We watched Elf the other night, I am listening to my favorite songs (which is way better than all the political commercials clogging the media!), and my Pinterest board is bursting with ideas for gifts, decorations, and recipes. Even though it is still early November, I am itching to hang lights and deck the halls in this new home of ours. I am looking forward to picking out or making the perfect gift for all the wonderful people in my life and enjoying Miss Moira’s reaction to it all- last year she was so little that she had no clue what was going on!

Here are 10 of my favorite Christmas ideas- click on the pic to go to the tutorial!!

 

1. Sweaters to Christmas Stockings

2. Fun Winter themed place setting

3. “Candy Cane” snack

4. DIY Superhero ornaments

5. Stocking stuffers for men

6. Santa themed door wreath- red burlap, black burlap, wooden letters, a fancy belt buckle!

7. Christmas Book and Activity Advent- 24 great books with activities!

8. Hot cocoa in an ornament

9. Decorate the fridge like a snowman

10. Pretty Winter Ornament

Are you getting in the Christmas spirit early this year?