I forgot to talk about the star on the top of my tree. When jj and I were first newly weds and had nothing but a Christmas tree and lots of hot, hot love, I made the star out of desperation. I needed something to top the tree, but was fairly unwilling to spend the money for a once a year tree topper decoration.
This lovely is made of a toilet paper roll, construction paper and tin foil. I was a little embarrassed by the ragged rawness of it then. Now however, we have the money and I could get a new fangled glowing with the reverence of the world tree topper, but I am a little fond of this one. I find myself repairing it every year. It reminds me of our first Christmas together, and the tree I knocked over on myself twice while trying to water it. But mostly of our humble beginnings together, when less still made us happy and we were glad to have each other.
This is my tree. I love Christmas and decorating. I wish things had been a little less hectic this year, hopefully I will learn to relax next year. There is a resolution.
We had a lovely Christmas. The 23rd we had a progressive dinner with my family. We drove around to each of my siblings homes and had a course of dinner. It was fun to see how everyone had decorated. Later that evening we went back to my mom's house and opened our Christmas gifts for each other. She spoils us, especially Gentry. He got a blinking Spiderman hoodie that he will not take off.
The next morning we went to my cousins Megan's house for her annual Christmas Eve Birthday Brunch. I remember when she was born 17 Christmas Eve's ago. I remember thinking that because her mom was in the hospital her sisters would get to have Christmas at my house. I was ecstatic. Unfortunately some moms are super moms and theirs came home and pulled Christmas together, really an amazing feat. I remember her though, a day old and lying on the couch as we all screamed through her house with new Christmas goodies.
After the brunch we headed to Logan where we spent the rest of the week. We came home this morning. It was a lovely holiday with jj's family. They spoil us. We got lots of nice gifts and ate lots of tasty food, all day everyday. My starvation diet is not working at all. Dang it. It is hard to starve when chocolate and sweet potatoes are calling. They also let jj and I take naps, that is a treat I get so rarely these days. I love a warm nap, or just reading a book. It is nice to have just a few minutes to myself.
• start and finish an 8 page brochure (before 5) • wrap christmas • clean toilets (they are getting the ring of dread) • gocco cards and boxes • make bread/pizza dough • answer questions/emails like crazy • fold laundry it has been hanging out since monday • iron all the wrinkled articles/put laundry away/
And look at this photography. Eyescapes. The most gorgeous thing I have seen today.
Yesterday was our six year anniversary and jj's work Christmas party. The party was at Snowbird and we got a room and stayed the night. Mostly we wanted to play in the hot tubs outside in the freezing weather and watch snowboarders rush by. I am to scared to snowboard with a recently broken appendage. I think I have broken my bottom before and dang, Gina, it hurts. I didn't want any repeats this year. So we just relaxed. It was nice.
Can sing alphabet. Can put puzzles together. Knows the letters H, T, A. Eats very little food. Can entertain himself for quite long stretches of time. Nearly potty trained.
I recently joined a local womens entrepreneurial group (WE). Cute huh.
Because of this, I have been setting actual goals for myself and the business. You know, the graphic design business. The one I work at everyday.
Today I ordered business cards. You would think that I would have some already. I have been telling people I do design, and then they just have to decide between me and the guy next to me who is holding a plucked chicken to do their marketing materials. And that could really be a tough choice. He has an actual physical product to showcase his work, where as, I just hiccup and walk away.
No longer is that the case. I am terribly excited for the cards to come. I don't want to show you the design because the actual cards are going to be so much better as actual photographic evidence.
You may, however, view a poster I made for a local church groups New Years Eve dance. I personally find it rather charming.
This was at an event for jj's company at Broncos Stadium. I get to travel with him, all I have to do is starve myself the month before and innocently flirt with nerdy techy guys. Which is usually pretty calm. They are amazed I can put sentences together and that I will not go out drinking with them even though I am married and my husband would never know. I smile and tell them I would know.
I can also see the laser beams focusing in on them from across the convention hall. It is probably in their best interest I don't sick my skinny, red-headed hubby on them.
I found the frog origami here, now you can print out your own and make them as well. Marilyn Scott-Waters is the creator of all these darling paper crafts. The purpose of her website, www.thetoymaker.com, is to bring us big guys together with the wee ones in our lives. It has worked at our home, you should try it at yours.
There are the otter paper dolls with Colonial American, Roaring 20s outfits and pajamas.
There is a little puppet theater with waves and scenes to put your little characters in. There is also a darling T-Rex movable card, perfect for a little boy.
This is silly. I have never had a cat, but if/when I get one, I think I will choose this one. It will be evil when I am not looking at it, kind of like the ghosts on all those Mario games. As soon as I turn around to look at it, it will be a sweet purring ball of fur.
:: rosemary on my table with a new table runner made by a friend :: two frogs made for my tree (gentry loves them too) :: if you would like some leave a comment with your email and I will send them to you, I cannot remember where I found them ::
I made several of these ornaments this year for my Christmas tree and maybe some for yours as well. I think they are so delicate and pretty looking. Like pretty snowballs made from only the most beautiful snow flakes.
My Grandma Katherine gave me this doll when I was a baby. She also gave one to my cousin Cassie and they look like us; mine with dark hair, hers with blond. In our infinite toddler wisdom we named them, mine is Mary Mine and Cassie's is Ann Santa.
They are Madam Alexander dolls and I am sure in their prime they were beautiful. Mine used to cry when I tipped her on her tummy those days are long gone. Her fingernails are now etched with blue marker or pen from some random time when I tried to gussy her up. Her legs are coming unstitched and her hair is in a constant state of rats nest. She is mine and always has been. She is my fancy doll and has quite the wardrobe to prove it, with overalls with hand stitching and lots of little dresses from many Christmas' of my childhood. She is an heirloom to me and reminds me of my family and childhood.
Mary is posing here with a doll quilt I made for my niece Lilly for Christmas. I am terribly proud of it and so excited to give it away to a cute little girl.
Here is a nice snack bento packed full of sugar to keep the boy quiet while consuming. Shortly after he was finished we unleashed him on the poor unsuspecting nursery. He only maimed one child in the tornado of sugar energy that followed.
