Toasty Fingers Glove Swap

I believe  it is time for a SWAP! I was blog hopping a while ago and came across a great swap. I loved the idea of gloves and goodies.   So I have decided to host my own swap and see what kinds of creative people are out there. Basically it is cold outside so it revolves around gloves and mittens.  Add in some really creative additions and you have a care package to brighten up the cold gloomy days of winter. So what do you think? Would you like to Swap? I have a limit set on the swap. You must spend a minimum of $5 on your package of goodies.  Every package must have at least one set of gloves or mittens. There are so many great winter clearance sales going on right now. I think you might be able to score some great things at a very good price. Also you can make some of your goodies too. I would be really interested to see what you all come up with. How about a knitted beanie? Sugar scrub for your hands? Home made soaps? A nice moisturizer. Let's try talking about other tuck in ideas such as that great book you just finished and want to add to your package or some new slipper socks, a pretty scarf. .. Or some book marks, custom made greeting cards.  How about chocolate?  I am thinking things that make you feel warm inside. Cocoa or tea any one?

Ok so here are the details. If you would like to be part of this swap please leave a comment, on this blog.  If you are reading this from face book, wander on over to my blog and leave a comment. You need to leave me an email address.   After you comment, I will be sending you an email right away, send it back to me with the questions answered and you will be ready to  be paired up. The swap sign up will close on January 5th.   I will then send you an email with some details about your partner on January 6th.
   All packages need to be sent out by January 12th.  You will be required to email me when your package has been sent out and when you receive your package as well.
Also I would encourage you to blog about your goodies and send thank you notes to your partners.

Time Line Recap:
Swap entry closes January 5th
Partners emailed  January  6th
all packages need to be sent  out by January 12th

Oh, December you are going by too swiftly!

I have not been able to sit and blog much between the snow, cookies, baking, Christmas activities including all of the shopping and wrapping etc. And I have been making pots of hot cocoa for the kids like none other. I learned a while back to run plain old water through my coffee pot and when the kids come in they are all ready to go, just pour some hot water into their cups and they are warm in no time! 

Skye puppy loves the snow too, for short periods of time. She loves to rub her face in it and then eat it!

  Our tree is pretty much all decorated with hand made paper decorations. Elyssa and I are doing a Little House on The Prairie curriculum this year and we decided we wanted to make all of the ornaments.  But just when you think it is going to be all home made looking and you pull out all of the lights and only 2 strands work. You don't have any other choice except to pull out the rope light sitting under one of the kids beds and throw that on the tree too. 

 Skye loves the popcorn garland and we have caught her a few times munching on it.

This has to be one of my all time favorite photos! My beautiful ADVENT house all decked out with Lego mini figs. I knew it would only be a matter of minutes from the time I got out the Advent house before the kids started to fill it up with little Lego people. 

Let the cookie pics begin! Oh my, we had fun doing cookies this year. As a matter of fact instead of doing 1 huge cookie session. We had 2! Some of the cookie decorating ideas came from blogs that I follow or from pictures in magazines but most of them were our own. 

Me, creating my signature snowman cookie.

These pics are from the second round of cookie madness.

I am trying to keep everything as low key as possible this year. Of course there will be baking and shopping and wrapping, all combined with the normal dishes and laundry. But I am not going to stress that every single person I know, did not get cookies and I pledge to leave some behind this year for my family! And I will make fudge again, but if it doesn't turn out, I'll not freak out, but frost some pumpkin bread with it. This year I want to focus on the real meaning of CHRISTmas!

Merry CHRISTMAS Everyone!

A Social Network Christmas

I have just discovered Wordle!

Have you ever used Wordle before? I stumbled upon it today and I feel like I have a brand new toy to play with.
This is the first thing I created I am excited to print it out and frame it. First I have a bit of playing around to do. If you get a chance check out Wordle.net  for your own fun. You won't be sorry I promise!

16 WONDERFUL years

Today is our 16th wedding anniversary!

I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. It seems like only yesterday that we renewed our vows. 

I think a picture post is in order.

 November 13, 2010

Early November 2010

October 2010

July 2010, After15 years I finally got him to paint my toenails!

( it was only because I was exhausted and could not reach my feet)

He taught me how to weld Spring 2010

We renewed our wedding vows December 12, 2009

Tattoos, November 22, 2009

Waiting for our Tatts

 Halloween 2008

Our Tree

Alpine Loop Ride, Fall 2008

Checking to see if his temp gun works, his crazy hair, my patience!

2008

2008

 August 2008

July 2006

November photos of the month post

Well it is the second week in December and I am finally going to post my November photos. I think I am getting back on track with things. 

We have been graced with spectacular sunsets, right out our living room window. I love to take photos of the sky, whether it be raining or blue with puffy clouds or rich with striking colors. 

Elyssa is my sculptor. She can sit for hours sculpting with her clay. She made this one afternoon. Sometimes I will let her sculpt while I am reading her literature, portion of her school work, to her. A while back she did a face that looked like Van Gogh. Now she comes up with this cute little parade of penguins. I don't have room in the house to store all of her sculptures so I encourage a catch-and-release type of practice. Sculpt and release!  We are not using a clay that dries either so they are not a permanent type of art. 

The next day this guy showed up. 

I decided to try out a mini photo shoot in the front yard. I hoped that with the leaves and the colors it would turn out great. Although they did not turn out exactly like I wanted them to. I am happy with the results. 

That is all for this month's photos.