Wednesday, December 31, 2008

goodbye 2008

today is the last day of the year. 365 days have past and they have been filled with love, hope, happiness, sadness, births, deaths, beauty, adventure, marriages and miracles. here is hoping that 2009 will be as kind. before 2008 closes its doors forever i want to say thank you, thank you for everything. my life is large with happiness. love to all my family and friends. happy happy new year ! may 2009 bring all of us inner peace. xox

Sunday, December 28, 2008

hanging out...

dear santa,

thank you so very much for my beautiful new camera. i love it. i bought a book tonight to help me be more creative with my picture taking. spent an hour or so at the book store just perusing the aisles. i love bookstores and i couldnt believe how crowded it was. m and i finished up with a yummy hot chocolate in the bookstore cafe despite the 60 degree temperature. the funny thing is last weekend it snowed and snowed this weekend was like spring. it's new england i guess anything goes. i have been hanging out for 3 days now. i am really not that good at this. i was extremly frustrated today. much as i think i like lots of free time i am really not that good at having it. i did make a big batch of chicken soup a little while ago so i plan to curl up with my soup and my new photo book and become inspired. hope you are doing something you love. xo

Saturday, December 27, 2008

a glimpse of christmas....


hope everyone had a wonderful day - we did !

Sunday, December 21, 2008

still snowing...




it is now 6pm and it is STILL snowing. i am not sure how much but it's a LOT. i had to share this picture from our back deck it's just so beautiful. and because it snowed so heavy all day i just baked and baked. so if you would like to come over I will share some of these with you

it's snowing agin...

and I have to tell you i don't think there is anything that can get me in the spirit more than a beautiful snow fall. i am sitting at my computer looking out the window it's spectacular. i just finished baking up a batch of yummy holiday cookies.they are a family tradition but somehow they never taste quite the same as my moms. she makes hers with so much love - spilling over the top kind of love. it brings me back to my childhood just for a moment sitting in our kitchen watching and helping her. i only make one kind of cookies she baked for days and days and delivered cookies to friends and neighbors with special little candies tucked inside. it's a secret recipe but i will share it because it's the season to - spread joy.
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup shortening
5 cups flour
5 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2/3 c milk maybe a tad more
2 tsp vanilla or almond extract
Set oven to 375
In lg bowl mix eggs, sugar, shortening. Add flour 1 cup at a time with a bit of milk each time
add baking powder and salt. Separate into 4 balls, shape balls into 4 logs, about 2-3 inches wide 12 inches long. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper bake for 12- 15 minutes. makes 4 dozen. for icing powdered sugar, milk and flavoring. slice and enjoy. they don't stay fresh very long so its best to eat them soon after you make them which usually is not a problem around here.
they will look like this.


one more thing... if you have a minute find josh groban's version of oh holy night on itunes it is amazing. he is incredible, this song makes me want to cry... have a great day.... and don't forget to spread joy...

Saturday, December 20, 2008

countdown...

this is truly the countdown. it snowed all night and most of today. last night was really cold and very snowy and so, so christmasy. it was so beautiful out. we walked to our neighbors house for some holiday cheer. the air was so cold and crisp and christmas was definitely in the air. our neighbors always have this holiday get together and it's so nice to spent a few hours together. we had lots of laughs, lots of merry, and lots of fun. i gave out little packages of reindeer food for all the kids to sprinkle on their lawn on christmas eve. i ordered the digital labels from heatheranndesigns
hopefully i will get to show you some pictures tomorrow. you can put it together so easily and it's so much fun the kids love it, it's very magical.

today i crossed off lots of things on my list. a post office run first thing this morning. drove in a blizzard (which was not a good idea) to get some last minute things wrapped up and i was successful ! i have to plan my christmas dinner and wrap wrap wrap....

Friday, December 19, 2008

Cookie swap





I had one picture of this year's cookie swap presentation. Mine.


and also a sweet little cocoa box I made for a friend.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Oh Santa....

Well... I had my annual cookie swap last night and it was a big success. I had hoped to share lots of pictures. It is really a visual event. The cookie boxes/ containers are so much fun. But,my camera died and it won't come back to life. I tried to talk to it really nicely and it still won't open its eye. Then I tried to put SD card in my old camera but that would not work either. I am hoping santa is listening and knows how much i need that camera. I mean I know santa knows that I carry it around in my bag at all times and harass people with the amount of photos I need/want to take. People most often being harassed are my family. They might be glad I am camera free for a week or so. I think santa will know I am worthy of a new maybe even an upgraded camera. Santa I have been extra good.
well i will show you some pictures of last years cookie swap....




and this morning after yesterdays snowfall just dreamy...

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

scenes of christmas...


Took a trip to the mall tonight got a few more things checked off my list. done. done done. M and I had dinner at Joe's and
it was delicious we shared some fried calamari (her favorite) and blackened chicken pasta. We topped it off with a gingersnap latte for me and a caramel macchiatofor her.
We ae expecting some snow tonight and I am actually looking forward to it. I am taking tomorrow off well I guess seeing as it's after midnight that would be I am taking today off to get ready for my annual cookie party. It is always a lot of fun and I plan to post all about it tomorrow.

Monday, December 15, 2008

we're not happy tonite...

Walking in a winter wonderland. The winter wonderland turned out to be not so
wondrous. The damage that ensued has been devasating for some. We were without
power, heat, etc for three days and I can assure you I am not that good at being a pioneer woman. I actually suck at it. My heart goes out to the people caring for the elderly and those with young children. In an effort to get some heat in our frigid state we attempted to use our fireplace which has not been used for the last few years. It supplied us with a house filled with smoke which we are still trying to sort out. Any information on ridding a house of smoke smell would be greatly appreciated. School is cancelled again tomorrow as many people in our town and many surrounding towns are still without power. Prayers to all...
Weekend was not very nice and Monday turned out to be another kick in the stomach. Not so fun work situation that makes me feel really bad/sad/mad. all of that. But I intend to get up
tomorrow kicking and ready to make merry. Do you hear me ?? it's the holidays it's suppose to be happy, happy, happy, and I have a party to get ready for here on Wednesday night !!!!
So tomorrow I will be merry and bright. I promise.

Friday, December 12, 2008

walking in a winter wonderland...

We awoke this morning to an ice storm. I mean a real ice storm, the kind that knock the power out and knock down trees. The weight of the ice was unbelievable, scary, actually. BUT the sights were absolutely amazing. A winter wonderland for sure. The kind of day to snuggle up with cocoa on your couch and dream by the flicker of the fireplace.


but who has time to dream. So I thought I would share some stocking ideas maybe
ones your gift recipients are dreaming about.
1. night light funny that would be my first thought today.
2. sweet clementines, candy canes they just spell christmas.
3. lottery tickets maybe they will win and share the love.
4. pez candy - a must for stockings.
5. beef jerky don't guys just love beef jerky?
6. cozy mittens or gloves for days like this.
7. kitchen gadgets a fun spatula.
8. a fabulous cd you make yourself.
9. a handwritten note.
10. batteries, they always come in handy.
11. penny candy that takes you back to when you were a kid.
12. a new toothbrush who can't use a spare?
13. a magnifying glass for those of us who need a little help these days.
14. stamps and some note cards for sending those after x-mas thank you notes.
15. decorative wine stopper.
16. a favorite magazine rolled up with twine.
17. nail polish in a festive holiday color.
18. fluffy socks the kind to curl up in
19. new pens, pencils, markers or sidewalk chalk.
20. blank cd's to make their own music.
and remember whatever you give, give with all your heart.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

the giving season...


This picture was painted by a friend of ours. We bought it about 2 years ago.
The painting was recreated and printed along with many other paintings to sell as a fundraiser in memory of their beautiful sweet daughter who left this earth much to soon. She fought hard but leukemia took her life when she was only 21 years old. She was a beautiful girl with amazing potential, she was bright and witty and kind and sweet. Her life ended much to soon. While here on earth she brought great joy to her family and friends. She made me laugh even in her darkest hour. I remember so many fun and funny times with her. Her spirit lives on in the hearts of her family and friends and we miss her everyday. It's a struggle for families every day who lose loved ones but I think it is especially hard during the holiday season. But I believe in this season there is hope - a hope that one day there will be a cure for this and many other diseases. While you are in the spirit of giving maybe you will take a small portion and give to a charity you believe in for the hope of a brighter tomorrow. i love you katie and i think of you often.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

here and there....

So I got my new washing machine yeah !!!! I have already done 8 loads of laundry and much more can be done.

I took M to the doctor for the third time in three weeks it's awful sitting there with all these poor little sick kids hacking and sniffing.....so many viruses going around. I felt like I needed a shower after I got out of there. Everyone is getting hand sanitizer in their stockings. Maybe we should all bathe in hand sanitizer through the rest of the winter... Hopefully M is all set now.

I am making progress on shopping but i still have miles to go...

I keep getting distracted with other things i want to do like this...


so this mix has ginger and molasses in it and is absolutely delicious....maybe I should run out and get a gingersnap latte to go along with this.....

I also added another journal to my etsy shop see it here


I have some of my christmas cards done. We bought our tree but it is not up. The outside decorations are up and the candles are in the windows but I still have lots of things to do inside. I have some of everything done just nothing completed.

bye for now......

Monday, December 8, 2008

sweet december...


I love this picture it is so peaceful. I needed to take a moment to feel peaceful.
I had a great weekend. Got lots done. Had a couple of fun parties. But all the other stuff still has it's way of starting trouble with me. Like my washing machine decided to croak. Now I know it's old and it's had a long life and it was tired, but it couldn't give me a couple more weeks? I mean January is a perfect time to go look for washing machines - stroll along make a purchase with some thought. But no, the washing machine has to die right now in the middle of the holiday season when there is NO time for this sort of thing. When you have to run out and make a quick purchase - grab the first washing machine you see because you don't have time. I have been without a washing machine since last thursday I know this does not seem like a lengthy amount of time but trust me in my house a day without a washing machine is a very lengthy period of time especially when people are arriving home daily with smelly, hockey, lacrosse and gym clothes .... The washing machine is being delivered tomorrow. Who would have ever thought I would be so excited about a washing machine......

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Buy Handmade - Make Your Pledge To Buy Handmade Goods.

Buy Handmade - Make Your Pledge To Buy Handmade Goods.

in the lane snow is glistening...


i just
had
to share
a snapshot of my advent calendar. idea from ali edwards 2007. i hung them up last year and they were a BIG hit. when i took them out this year i wondered if they would have the same appeal and i still love them !!!! if i can't fit the gift in the box then i put a little note in the box saying where they can find the gift for that day....

december journal











Before I head out
I just wanted to share a couple more pages of the december journal. I have got to get out shopping.... so off i go in hopes of getting some things done. i have to cross some things off my list which right now is very long .... but it is lightly snowing and looks so pretty outside so it's a christmas mood for sure...





Saturday, December 6, 2008

shopping...


I had added a sweet composition book to my etsy shop. See it here
deliveringlove







it is a great idea for teachers, gardners, writers, brides-to-be, artists.
It has endless options. It can be made in what ever color you wish and embellished with appropriate decorations.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

just believe....


believe in what your heart is saying, hear the melody that's playing. there's no time to waste, there so much to celebrate. believe in what you feel inside, give your dreams the wings to fly. you have everything you need, if you just believe. trains move quickly to their journey's end. destinations...are where we begin again. ships go sailing, far across the sea. trusting starlight, to get where they need to be.
you can hear the song listen here

I heard these lyrics on my ride in to work today and i just thought it's so true if you just believe it will be ok it will. no matter what you might be struggling with at this time you have to believe that it will be okay. it is going to work out. i promise you. many years ago at this exact time of year i was going through a really difficult time and i honestly never thought i would ever be able to move forward and get over some of the pain. i always prayed that i would be strong enough to push myself through the detours in my journey and work it all out. at the time i had two very little people depending on me and there were days i could hardly take care of myself never mind take care of them. people tell you things happen for a reason, god only gives you things he knows you can handle etc. etc. well i am not sure i can go along with all of that but i do know that a positive outlook can go a very, very, long way. don't stop believing..... there will be times on this journey, all you'll see is darkness, but out there somewhere light finds you, if you keep believing .......

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

love...

make time for what you love.... seems like there is never enough time. i am always wishing i had more time. there are so many things i want to do like blog, and craft, and shop, cook, visit, plan, write, organize, read, and work gets in my way. oh yes that's right i can't do those other things like shop without a job. i write here to bring me to reality. i need more sleep but it's so hard to go to bed when there are so many other things i want to do. but.. for now i must. I did open my etsy shop tonight yeah !!!! it's called delivering love... there are only 3 items in it but it is a start. so love your children, snuggle your babies, hold your hubby, boyfriend, SO, pets, find the time for love.... it makes the world go around...

I also did a couple of pages in my december journal.... see them here.
thanks for looking...



Tuesday, December 2, 2008

i have tasted christmas...


run to your nearest starbucks and order a gingersnap latte, take a deep breath and you will hear sleigh bells. I am not kidding this beverage speaks christmas, there are little pieces of crystalized ginger that float to the bottom. yum... savour your drink while you are making your list and checking it twice.....