winter fun


In the last 2 days we have been to the snow hill twice! The weather has been beautiful and we just love having Daddy around to play ALL DAY LONG!
My little Sprout wants to do EVERYTHING just like Dad.
Today I heard the sweetest word pass through my little boys little lips, please. Yoda says he says it all the time for him, sure Yoda.
Everything is peeese. I love it.
(I tried to teach him the "l" sound, he just tries to catch my tongue and pull it. It will come in time.)
Only a few days left in 2009-I must go and clean so I am ready for fresh start in the new year!

hostess with the mostess tips

I found a few last minutes tips for being a great hostess right from Jen with HWTM here.
I am hosting brunch and dinner-The Chef (my big Bro) is my secret weapon, we started the planning and ordering weeks before.
Anyway these tips will be my mantra.....always looking for ways to be the hostess with the mostess! Enjoy!

1. Consider the special dietary needs of your guests.
Maybe you have some vegetarians on the guest list, a best friend with peanut allergies, or a pregnant sister-in-law. Make sure to have options prepared for them ahead of time so that they feel like an important guest and not an afterthought or a burden. You can even talk to them about it ahead of time, as they might have suggestions for the menu that will keep things easy on you too.

2. Set an example with your mood.
Greet everyone with a big smile – even if you’re a little more stressed out than you’re actually letting on (they really don't NEED to know that you just dropped an entire tray of desserts in the kitchen right before the doorbell rang and sent your husband to the grocery store for a solution, do they?!). The bottom line is that your guests will take their cue from YOUR mood. If you seem happy and relaxed, they will be too. If you look stressed out and totally frazzled, they might start to feel awkward or like their presence is an inconvenience, which is never a good thing!***

3. Take immediate steps to make people feel comfortable.

Make a point of greeting every guest personally (and very soon after they arrive) and introducing people to each other – which is especially important for guests that might not know anyone else.I also like to have a tray of signature drinks prepared that you can offer to guests right when they arrive. It's a simple thing, but people always seem to feel more comfortable when they have something to hold on to – whether it’s a specialty cocktail, a glass of wine, or a cup of hot chocolate.


Last but not least, designate areas for coats and purses so that your guests are comfortable and can keep their hands free for the important stuff - like food, drinks, and dancing!
Here is our dinner (a big thanks to my darling husband who insisted on helping me add humor to the menu)

rudolph noses!



The Sprout and I are having fun handing these out this merry season.

Rudolph Noses, get it! Ha ha!

Makes me laugh every time!

They are sour cherry balls...my favorite treat in the world! ( I love sour!)

Any creative ideas for us for next year?

Reindeer Reins could be twizzlers....or....

best gifts ever


Met up with Saucy and JL for a quick lunch today-I love girl time!
I was also surprised with wonderful gifts...so unexpected!
Saucy made me a personalized charm bracelet..theme-twist of lime! The best charm- a VINTAGE Sprout! This bracelet has a special place in my heart forever! She also had a goodie box of cupcakes for us! (I ate 2 while The Sprout napped!...oops again!)
JL treated The Sprout to the best puzzle EVER! Each side is a different family picture! -she could make a million if she marketed this! His favorite is "PA"-it seems to be all I hear lately..Pa, Pa, Pa..

And....this!
Recognize the cutie on the T-shirt? Yup, it's my babe!
I have it on right now-and just realized it might have been easier to photograph off.....ooops.

This will be worn to every family function this season! It is perfect and quite possibly one of the most creative gifts I've ever received!

advent cabinets



I have been in search of the perfect advent activity for The Sprout........ for next year. This project still needs a little TLC but I think it may do the trick. I like the idea of putting family activities and reading books for each day like aspertopia does. She is brilliant.

Now I need to fill the cupboards.......what are your favorite family activities to do? If you live in California or Florida or anywhere there is no snow and it is not -49 with the windchill please leave your address with your comment so I may come and live with you (Mc Dreamy and the Sprout are optional, but The Sprout is quite charming and it is often handy to have a DR around.....)! Seriously, it is -40 something today, our sneezes freezes mid air! (ha ha)

PS- like my idea......go vote for me! http://www.michaelscontest.com/uploads?page=6


which do you like?


Quicky question......

which do you like better?
...metal charm
or clay charm...
A good friend asked for a custom order of tiles for a gal pal get together for a recently diagnosed with breast cancer.

....these will be my treat of course, but I can't decide which I like better.
Thanks for your help!

Christmas Centre Piece for $10



As a reward for getting another 7 pages added to my 30 page paper I treated myself to a an artsy activity on my to do list.
This activity was to create a table centre piece for Christmas. I needed to keep it low. Low budget and low in stature so people can "talk over the art".
Jewels: $rama
Blinky Candles: $rama
Glass Jars: cupboard
Silver pillars: $rama
The jewels fancied up the boring gold glass jars quite nicely don't you agree? However, no where in the instructions did it say you need to be an octopus to apply them. If you have attempted to use these I am sure you know what I mean. If you have never attempted to use the stick on jewels BEWARE! They are both beautiful AND deadly! Oh well, the look it what I wanted....a sparkly Christmas-simple and elegant. I might even try this again to fancy up a vase the next time I give flowers.
Do you have a favorite centre piece idea to try this year?




"me"

I can't wait to come across these when The Sprout is a teenager. We made about 40 as gifts but I am already having a hard time parting with each one...but I will.
I am so proud of his "try anything for Mommy" attitude. I will cherish it as I know it will not last forever....the 2's loom just ahead!
1st draft of literature review is handed in. The commas better placed, not like my reference of the quote above that is sans comma...oops!
One paper to finish by Thursday. 2 pages down, 28 to go.
Online shopping and blogging squeezed into 5 minute computer breaks every hour.

give away!

You must go see Dionne at City of Dionne, she has a great give away for Christmas. Sweet Sassy Studio was ASKED to join in! The give away is HUGE and Dionne is a sweet blogger from Houston who always has interesting posts.
My big sis just put in her order for 3 of these sassy BE MERRY charms sets, lucky for her it was free stuff for sisters day! If you want your set I still have 4 left so go check out my etsy store! Go quick, the orders from Regina just keep rolling in!