January Photos of the Month 2011

So I decided to go ahead and continue with the photos of the month. I think I am too lazy or busy or something like that to do the popular 365 photo challenge that everyone seems to be doing these days. I figure that this method worked for me last year so I am going to continue with it. 

 Icicles 2 different days, 2 different ways.

E's latest sculpture, a mouse with swiss cheese. Actually I was thinking a cute little mouse but what she gave me was more like a rat!

Ash, thought that the dog needed reading glasses. 

My world covered in snow looking like a giant marshmallow. 

E, Made a dog house from a box. The dog never did go inside!

One more sculpture. Give a dog a bone!

Tag your it!

1. Four shows that you watch:
~ Chuck
~ The Middle
~ Better With You
~Modern Family

2. Four things you are passionate about:
~ My Husband
~ My Kids
~ Being a servant
~ My God (not last but the foundation)

3. Four words/phrases you say a lot:
~ Are you kidding me?
~ Seriously? 
~ That's ridiculous! 
~ I love you!

4. Four things you've learned from the past:
~ Not to worry about tomorrow, it will take care of itself.
~ Live in the moment.
~ Laugh every chance you get.
~ a Night out with the girls makes me a better wife and mother. 

5. Four places you would like to go:
~ somewhere warm
~ california
~italy
~spain

6. Four things you did yesterday:
~went to church
~ went to lunch
~spent the afternoon alone with my husband
~ made cookies

7. Four things you are looking forward to:
~ spring
~ chickens
~ getting my craft/ school/ office organized
~Fresh Garden tomatoes

8. Four things you love about winter:
~Sweaters
~hot tea
~my electric blanket
~ When the snow covers everything and it looks like a giant marshmallow 

Toasty Fingers Glove Swap update

So I received my package yesterday. I LOVED IT! I ended up getting longer pink gloves with cute buttons on the side. Burt's Bees moisturizer, Dove and Lindt chocolates, Tazo Zen tea which is my most favorite, and Tazo Awake tea, all packaged in a cute little basket.

This is the swap package that I sent to my partner Jen. 

It had a necklace, tea, bandana, hat and scarf set, 3 pair of gloves, 2 pr. funky socks, hair ties, key chain mirror, and nail file.  I had a lot of fun hunting for swap goodies. 

Here is the pictures Jen sent me of her wearing her swap goodies!

 And Jack got the bandana which I think looks adorable!

For all of you ladies that came to swap, Thanks! I hope you had fun. 

beautiful cold

I am not the type of person who finds much to appreciate in the bitter cold winter months. However the girl in me likes all things sparkling and shiny. The first day after a snow fall and the world looks like a giant marshmallow covered wonderland. And when the sun hits it just right, it sparkles! I appreciate that. 

And when the sun finally comes out of exile and shines it's beautiful light on the long icicles hanging from the eves. I appreciate that! We just came out of a deep freeze. 16 or 17 days below freezing, and now we hit our much deserved January thaw! These pictures were taken the day before the thaw started. We had ice and snow sticking off the house about 2 feet and then it started it's beautiful icicle formations from the edge of that. Some were under the icy overhang.

The view from my kitchen window. 

 This one is eye level. you can see the longest of the icicle formations. Before it was all said and done this one was about a foot longer than shown.  Directly behind the brown bottle, the ice is encasing the main electrical service wires coming into the house.  When J went out to clear some of this on Saturday,  the whole gutter came down. It was a huge long block of ice. Fortunately when it fell there was no damage done. 

December Photos of the Month

Here they are, "better late than never", I always say.

The kids filled the advent house with Lego mini figs.

 I think this will end up being a Christmas card next year!

Skye LOVES playing in the snow for 5 minutes.

Our tree this year. mostly paper hand made ornaments.

 A few lights and a popcorn garland.

Christmas cookies, some of the ideas came from blogs I follow. 

Others were our own designs. 

Experimenting with my camera. I never got the desired effect.

 Not happy with the technical aspects,

But I love the way this photo makes me feel. Cozy!

Snow on December 30th, 2010 at 6am.

Snow Babies on December 30th, 2010 at 8 am. 

Snow Babies on December 30th, 2010 at 8:50 am.

(E with her cousin S)

Well that was the last installment of the "2010 Year in Photos"  I'm not sure if I should continue to do it or not. I really enjoyed it. I didn't think I would follow through with it for the entire year. BUT I did! I wonder sometimes if I could do a photo of the week post? too much work? Not enough dedication? Maybe if it ain't broke I shouldn't try to fix it. I will have to ponder this for a few days. 

Toasty Fingers Glove Swap

This swap closes Wednesday January 5th. Sign up by leaving me a comment in the post just below this.

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