Desperate for affection

So every December I haul out the Christmas decor and go to town on the house. There's not too much left untouched.

One of the things I decorate is the chandelier in our entry way with berries and most importantly, a kissing ball.

Well last night I came across this:

Thanks to Charles (hubs SINGLE, eh hem, bro who lives with us) visitors don't stand a chance.

Aside from doubling his chances of getting a smooch, he didn't even bother removing the packaging. Cause' after all, there can be no mistaking it's purpose when it's clearly marked.

Oh, this amuses me to no end, I can't even tell you!

Christmas project #58

Goodies. Christmas baking. And all things kitchen.

I officially kicked off the holiday baking today (not that I didn't do any sooner, but today, it's official).

Hubs got this for me, you know, cause he's always thinking of me. Wink, wink...

And this makes it entirely possible to spend endless hrs in the kitchen.

Mama's gotta have her pandora.

Some of my random garage sale finds are only allowed out seasonally.

This is one of those items and I positively LOVE it, especially for parties.

Oh, wait, ya I was supposed to be talking about baking, right?? I get sidetracked, um, a lot.

It begins with peanuts butter balls. Oh, my blood pressure! Chocolate to come.

This is the result of only one set of goodies. Oiyh.

Christmas projects

Ok, so I'm a little behind the blogsphere...I've been busy and I've been gone and I just uploaded a bunch of pictures and am now a little overwhelmed.

So in no particular order here's the first of many posts to come, my sewing projects for Christmas, not to be confused with non sewing projects. Oiyh.

Super hero capes.

I can't tell you how often the littles (especially little G) ask me to "make them a super hero". To which they'll fly around the house. Well, ok, so they do that anyway. But here you have it.

Note to self: NEVER, ever, ever, ever sew with satin again. My nerves can't take it.

This is what my busy little man does while I'm sewing and Georg is coloring.

He's an artist, what can I say.

A kitty bell ball.

A bit out of season, but pumpkins non the less. Recognize the lace Susie? Teehee...

In case you were worried...no surprises were ruined in this post.

Out of the Excess

Can I tell you something? I have positively no guilt about my holiday expenditures this year. None. Nada. Zilch.

This isn't because I've found myself able to stay in a budget, I actually haven't looked. Or because hubs is bringing home money bags. Or because I started shopping in January. Or because I'm not buying a single present. Nope. Not even remotely close.

It all started with a Father who gave a gift. A gift so precious, it could never be returned. So valuable you could never match it. So necessary, you couldn't live without it.

It's from this outpouring that we give. We give because He gave. Our small tokens are but a reminder of His ultimate and unmatchable generosity.

We give with joy, with love. Not out of obligation, but in celebration. We give of our time, our hearts, our energy, our finances.

Remeber His extravance on you this year.

Disclaimer: Now most of you know I drank the Dave Ramsey koolaid and I'm not suggesting you go for broke just to buy Christmas presents. I'm pretty sure you knew this already. Gifts aren't always of monentary nature. Be creative. Be generous.

Because I married a man

That's why.

I read this from Reverb (a man) and I couldn't agree more...

A note to all the ladies with men out there:

Please support him in being the masculine creature he was meant to be…not some ridiculous, Al Bundy or Homer Simpson version of a man…I’m talking about a true lion. You have the power to do this.

When he decides to randomly tackle his brothers (or any other male he can get his hands on) during family functions. I might not get it, but I won't intervene.

When he teaches his son to do something a bit too dangerous and someone's (his son) is bound to get hurt. I have to look away. I won't coddle. And I won't say I told you so.

When he decides to go on the roof when it's windy and icy. I don't argue.

When he wanted a motorcycle, I encouraged it.

When he wanted to jetski in the Pudget Sound in the fall, I watched from the shore. With 3 towels waiting for him.

When he wanted to hike Spider Meadow (12 mile hike) in an afternoon. I did it with him.

When he does cookies on the ice. I may scream a little. But when the kids beg for more, I'm outnumbered. So I might as well laugh with them.

When he wants to go skydiving, I do use my power of veto. Because he's worth more than his life insurance.

When he's made up his mind. That's it and he's the boss. Period.

When he wants to smoke a cigar whenever he dang well pleases. He'll do it. And he won't expect any kisses from me afterward.

I can't change my man. And I don't want to. He's more of who I want him to be when I stay out of the way. He's more of who I need him to be. He's manly, and I like him that way.

Christmas Picture Fail

I really really, super duper really wanted some professional pictures done this year. I'd like to have them done every year, but that just ain't happening.
I was dreaming of a professional picture of the four of us going out in the mail um, a week ago. It ain't happening either.

Seeing as how hubs is only home on the weekends it just wasn't happening. And of course I'm trying to get everything done this week (I'm hyper like that). You know because it's hard to plan ahead when you see Christmas coming only a YEAR in advance. Never enough time ya'll.

And so I did what any half crazy parent would do to their kids. Dress em' up, put em' in front of the tree and promise them ice cream if they get good pictures. Ya, that only worked for one of them, I'll let you guess which one...

I'm pretty sure he's getting ready to take her down - 'bout positive,
he's just taken a moment to size her up.

His "cheese" was cute when he was one, now he can't figure out how to switch it off. Poor kid.

This is about the time I reminded him, for the 46th time, there was ice cream involved.

Oh, ya, so did you want to see his "Lightning McQueen" jamies under his Christmas sweater?? I thought so. Please pay no attention to the snowman with buns. He makes me smile, I can't part with him - yet.

This is what I like to call - "I love you til I die" - literally shot. Oiyh.

So you see my desperation folks. It ain't pretty. And I'm forced to send one of the 20 odd, badly done pictures out. The agony kills me.
If you don't receive a card from us, consider yourself one of the lucky ones. If you do, this is my apology, in advance. I will try to do better next year, I promise. I'll keep last years, just as a reminder.

Literally means literally

The littles were helping me (translate: the kids were doing it entirely) take the presents upstairs to put around the tree. When I told them to put them under and around the tree I should have known what to expect. They do this all the time with chairs, cars, pillows....etc

I mean why wouldn't you line up all the presents under the tree? Seriously? I'm just surprised they weren't organized by size and color. I must have caught them too early in the process.