Creative Cards & Invitations

I was putting away some of the Christmas cards today, and I realized just how many more people are taking the time to make their own. This is something I've done for a number years. I've done birth announcements, birthday cards, first communion invitations, and Christmas cards. It's just something that I love to do--and I was happy to see so many other people finding the fun in being creative. Sadly this year, I was out of time, and had to just buy a stock card and add a picture of the kids. I hope nobody minded,they all got the same thing. I'm hoping this next year, there will be more time to really get creative again!

Wine Of The Month Club

This has been a post a long time in coming! I was so happy several weeks ago to be selected to receive a complimentary trial of a wine of the month club. It came beautifully packaged along with a newsletter and a really nice gift card.

It's a rarity that I get to try something new, so I was excited to read up on this wine before we broke it out for the holidays. It really made it fun as I asked people around the table what they thought of the wine. Many really liked the "oak" flavor that comes from being aged in Oak. Others really liked the dryness in the flavor--while others preferred more of a 'fruity' flavor. But all in all, it went over really well, and was excited to be able to share this with my family members. We do have a bit left over for New Years--but I may actually have to order some of my own!

As soon as I figure out how to download the pictures from my new digital camera, I will post a picture of these beautiful bottles.

Welcome 2008

I was tremendously blessed this Christmas. Not just with the renewed gift of health for all of our family members, but with the temporal needs to care for our family's needs, and to be able to provide a beautiful home for them, and a pretty darn nice Christmas. With the new year comes the close of many the home redo projects. From the Hansgrohe faucets to the new countertops. This next year I don't plan to look at a paint brush for my own home all year long! Helping my sister is another story--but for this house, we are done! Merry Christmas to me!

He's Home!!

How was your Christmas? Ours was busy! Really it was stressed out crazy! My father in law had gone into the hospital for a quick (yeah right) angiogram and ended up being admitted for many days in order to get him stable. It was a close call for quite awhile, but I'm happy to report that he is finally home and resting comfortably. We had Christmas really, really late on Christmas day. My poor kids were such troopers. Most of us were just really worried about grandpa--so we are all thrilled that he's feeling better!

It's Coming Quick

How is your Christmas shopping coming? My sister is done already! Over a week early, I'm so jealous. In fact, she isn't just done shopping, she's got everything but the Santa gifts wrapped and under the tree. She even found several cool things for her husband which is honestly the hardest part of Christmas shopping.

I am getting into the Christmas mood. I haven't been blogging as much recently due to the fact that the kids have been busy with different holiday productions, and I've been trying to bake to get my neighbor gifts out. It's so nice not being the new ones in the neighborhood anymore. We actually have friends to talk to rather than that awkward meet and greet phase!

Oh well, back to my shopping list writing!

Not Again

It's snowing, again! I barely got the shoveling done yesterday and now there are four more inches. Why oh why didn't I head out and buy that snow blower yesterday?

My oldest started to help me out yesterday, which was really sweet of him. But then before he was finished he was pulled away to his best friends house to build snow forts. Now I'm all for the fun of childhood, but sadly he took the only snow shovel we have and he left it there. So tonight when my husband got home and needed to shovel, we had to wake him up, bundle him up in his coat and boots and send him outside to find the snow shovel. He was not happy, but neither was dad, so it all balanced out!

Snow Blower Wanted

I killed myself today! I finished all of my Christmas shopping for all but one child--and he's pretty easy. But when I got home from shopping, it was time to shovel the walks. OH MY ACHING BACK! I definitely want a Snow Blower for Christmas now...this was MURDER! The bottom of the driveway is total ice, and I will have to go tomorrow to purchase the ice melter before I actually head out to take a hack at it! As for now, I'm heading up to bed with my hot water bottle!