I have to confess...

I just got Kevin down for a nap and I put my dog out to go pee--my dog will only bark if people are attempting to enter my gate--he doesn't bark at passer byers, so when my little dog started to bark over and over, I knew someone I didn't know was entering my gate---I ran down stairs so fast to get him to stop barking before he woke my baby--

I have a baby gate in front of my gate so my little dog can not escape---people are bold enough to actually move my gate--UGH.

As, I opened my door, to get my dog--about four women were trying to get into my yard--they were all dressed up and I think they were coming to talk about religion--anyway--all I could think of was, how dare you try and enter into my comfort zone--and second--if you wake Kevin, I am going to be mad...well, the one lady asked, "Is this a bad time?" I snapped, I mean I snapped as rude as I could have ever be, ( I actually surprised myself at how rude I sounded)...I said, YES, IT is!!!! with the most sarcastic sound in my voice. I grabbed my dog and started to go back into my home, and she said, Have a nice day!! Oh. Boy. I bet they are all going on to each other--about how absolutely hateful I appeared.....

Kevin's nap are getting few and far between, so when he does nap--the time I have to get things done are precious--so when he is woken for no reason--it makes my day even harder.

New Post.

Are you ever driving in your car or in a store and think of a new post to blog about? Or see something and think, I wish I had my camera with me to take a picture to share on my blog? LOL--Well, I do:)

That was just a thought I was having as I was driving this morning and the sky had a beautiful blanket of clouds---it was a beautiful.

Anyway, I am so undecided right now about our Christmas tree---for the past eight years we have had live trees--I like to put them up early, but then towards the end I get so nervous of a fire starting--so I am contemplating a fake tree--what are your opinions on fake verses live?

Also, I was at Costco yesterday and got diapers--Kevin is a size 3 now---so I got 224 for 37.00---woohoo--I am in diaper heaven ...LOL. I always wanted to try cloth--not for *Crunchy* reasons, but just to try them---I tried to be *Crunchy* But then I can't because I just love my cleaning products and other things, kwim? I do recycle though, and do other things to help;) OH, Costco was giving away a cookbook at the door--it is so nice--has anyone else gotten one?

Saturday!

The fires are starting again--UGH! Breaking news on the television---Prayers are with all the people, stay safe.

I woke up and immediately got my bread machine going, and I made easy fudge too---baby is napping right now---so I am bringing out my Christmas decorations too. I am not done baking--I just like to do it when the baby is up. Updates to come...LOL.

ThanksGiving In Pictures!

Hope everyone's day was wonderful!

Happy ThanksGiving!!

T is for turkey on Thanksgiving Day,
H is for "Hurry, I'm hungry!" we say.
A is for Auntie, she works and she mends,
N is for Native American friends.
K is for kitchen, the oven's on low,
S is for silverware, set in a row.
G is for Grandma, the one we love most,
I is for inside, where we're warm as toast.
V is for vegetables, eat them we try,
I is for icecream on top of the pie.
N is for never do we have enough dressing,
G is for Grandpa, who gives thanks for our blessings.
(Auther Unknown)

Wednesday--Tomorrow is T-Day:)

After Halloween or about that time is when I buy a big bag of nuts--I put them in a wooden bowl and display them someplace everyone can see----I put a nut cracker with them--and you would be surprised just how fast they disappear---and then I just fill the bowl back up again--and then by the time the Christmas tree comes down is about the time I stop buying mixed nuts--there is just something about a bowl of mixed nuts that just says *Holiday* to me...LOL---My husband looked at me and said *Every year*...LOL when I put a bag in our cart---it just wouldn't be the same with out them. Also, after Thanksgiving I am going to make some cookies---most likely my Thumbprint cookies---I will share recipe and pictures---and then I have a few new recipes I am anxious to try out in my new cooker and from my new magazines--I will share those too.

Aren't the Holidays just the most delightful time??!! There is just something in the air.

To answer a question in the comment section-- Chrissy, yes, my little baby can sit up on his own--I just can not believe it--and he has two tooffers too(teeth)----He will be 7 months on November 26th--isn't it funny how slow the time goes when you are pregnant, but then it just flies by when they are here.


On Thursday, I am going to have my Dad take a family picture for me, and I am going to turn them into Christmas cards--I will post the pictures for you all to be the first to see---

My *BIG* Boy

I took this picture the very first time I sat him in this highchair. I am on the look out for real highchair pads. I used an afghan, so it was soft for his little bottom and head :) My big boy!


~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Monday--Yes, it is!

Last weeks' posts I did not go into too much detail about some of the things that had happened. Here is something that went on Wednesday. Thursday was Alexis's ThanksGiving day party at School--and on Wednesday every child was assigned to bring in a veggie to make a stew--we were to bring in Celery and Garlic---when I was at the store I got them both--CHECK! Okay I am room mom with another mother--she called Wednesday morning to let me know her daughter was ill and that she was wondering if I could swing by her house before school and pick up her Crockpot for the party--I told her, I would just bring mine. Problem solved--or so I thought.

I was walking to my daughter's class pushing the baby in his stroller with one hand and holding on to the crockpot which was in my other hand--it was in a bag--well the stroller started to veer so I went to use my other hand and that is when it happened--the bag slipped and the crockpot CRASHED on to the pavement--it was a loud shatter--I didn't even have to look--my crockpot was broke. I ended up going to the other mother's home and picking up her crockpot---and as I went back to the school the lady parked next to me locked her baby in the car--oh my, that was a frantic situation, thank goodness for our wonderful fire department, they were there in minutes to unlock the car and get the baby out--it was a hot day too----

So, I call my Grandma and tell her all about my day--

I went to her house on Friday and look at what she got me---This BEAUTIFUL SLOW COOKER!!!! She said she bought it for me just *because*

Isn't it just glorious!

Look at the little tags to slide in to tell everyone what the dish is--neat-o, huh? I was nursing the baby early one morning and caught the infomercial for this crockpot, and just loved it--my Grandmother had no idea I had my eye on this appliance..LOL. It came with a bunch of recipes too that I am planning on trying--of course, I will blog about the recipes with pictures .

....and then-----I just found out she subscribes to *TASTE of Home* She was getting rid of some of the magazines when I told her I wanted them---LOOKY at what I got---YAY!!!!

I can not wait to try out some of these yummy recipes--and can you see some of the darling cookies? I will share the recipes and pictures when I make them:)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Important *BREAKING* news...

...................well it is important to me...LOL.

NO SCHOOL ALL WEEK!!!!!!! (they are off for ThanksGiving)

I am thrilled.

My blogging schedule will be different this week--I may be able to post more--yippee... :o).

Hi Lisa in Texas...I wish I had an exciting recipe for green bean casserole-

I use cut green beans in the can
Cream of Mushroom soup
and French's Onions

I mix the soup and the beans together, bake in a casserole dish, in the oven for about 30 minutes and then I sprinkle the fried onions over the top---depending on the amount of people is how I determine how many cans to open.

A few of my dear readers mentioned the word *Tuckered* I used---My husband is from the South, but do you know I have never heard him use that word? Also, as for me when I was in Georgia--I never heard it either---MY son, I have no idea where he picked it up--Baby Kevin was sleepy one day and my son just blurted out, Mom Kevin is *TUCKERED*---oh, how I giggled...LOL.

ThanksGiving Prayer
Heavenly Father, on Thanksgiving Day We bow our hearts to You and pray. We give You thanks for all You've done Especially for the gift of Jesus, Your Son. For beauty in nature, Your glory we see For joy and health, friends and family, For daily provision, Your mercy and care These are the blessings You graciously share. So today we offer this response of praise With a promise to follow You all of our days.
--Mary Fairchild

Mini-Turkey Day

Every year my husband gets a coupon for a free Butter Ball Turkey, from his company, so I made a Mini-Thanksgiving day meal today--I didn't go crazy, because I know we are going to have everything on Thursday. I didn't make my favorite, green bean casserole--YUMMY!!!! I will have green bean casserole on Thursday (giggle). I also made it because we just love the left overs--I am going to freeze a lot of it. We are going to my Father's for Thanksgiving so we won't have leftovers from that day, but we will now--yay!

Can you believe it gets dark at 4:30 Now? Wow-wee:o)

Happy Saturday!

YAY!!

I have a lot of posts I want to share--I have not forgotten my dear blog!

Happy Saturday!

I will be visiting your blog too:)

I also see a few question in the comments that I will answer too.....

XOXO

Happy Wedneseday!

Yesterday I was with Grandma----Today is a busy housework day after spending a few hours at Alexis's school--The baby is tuckered (Tony's word for the baby when he is sleepy--I love that..LOL). I am just picking up around the house, and I want to bring a desk out of the garage and put my sewing machine on it, so I can clear up my card table---I will update on that little project soon.

We had pork strips, corn on the cobb, brussel sprouts and a green salad last night. Tonight will be London Broil.

Please check out my Mister Linky in the post below, there a few links to other women's days--that are so wonderful read:)

My Day!

Good Morning!! Welcome to my Home.

5:00 Alarm goes off---nurse baby back to sleep. Get up and take shower.

After shower, I moisturize, do my hair--I wash my hair every other day (it is so baby fine, that it helps not to wash it every day)---so on the morning I don't wash it, I just pile it up on my head for the shower----I put mousse in it, and blow it dry and get it real fluffy and clip it in the back to keep it out of my face, or style it what ever I am in the mood for (sometimes I do my hot rollers and add a little curl)--I did laundry all weekend so all my clothes are clean. When I lay in bed, I usually think of this weeks' wardrobe, and what I will be wearing--I have a lot of simple dresses/skirts--feminine and very comfortable--that I usually put on, if it is cold I will put on a sweater with it--I wear dresses about 90 percent of the time--but my husband really likes jeans so I do wear them on occasion. I am currently not putting on makeup--I give the kids so many kisses, lipstick is not a good thing...LOL---I do use chapstick though to keep my lips soft.

At about 6, I wake up Alexis, and as she wakes up, we decide what she would like to eat for breakfast--sometimes it is bacon and eggs and other times it is cereal---I make her breakfast, and her lunch---we pick out her clothes--I wake Tony up at about 6:30--he likes a bagel with cream cheese on school days--he eats it in the car---so a run down on the time--from 5 til 7:10 we are all waking up and getting ready for our day---the baby is usually sleeping, or sitting in his chair in what ever room I am in--if I get a chance I hold him during these activities---or Tony will hold him too--Alexis is too small to hold a very STRONG wiggly baby, but she does help by giving him toys and singing to him.

At 7:10---We are out the door. I live about 2 minutes from both schools--but with the traffic---I have to leave earlier.

I drop Tony off, with lunch money--he eats his bagel on the way--since it takes about 20 minutes to get him to the front of the school.--and then I go to Alexis's school--I park the car and put Baby in stroller and we walk through the school to her lineup--we sing a song and then say the Pledge of Allegiance. We then walk to her class--I am the *Room* mom--so I chat with the teacher a little bit too.


I then leave to go home--if the baby is still asleep when we get home, then I have some time to blog or eat breakfast or both. I have until 2:00 before I go back to pick the kids up--so between 8-2 I try and get some things done. I will bake bread during that time:


I made two loafs this time instead of rolls.
I will also put the dishes from the dishwasher away--and load up any dirty dishes. I vacuum the downstairs every day--the upstairs about three times a week.

Every day I pick a project--on Mondays I will clean all bathrooms, unless I go take my Grandmother shopping--then I will clean them on Tuesdays or Wednesdays---the toilets will always get swishes through the week, regardless--I have a toilet brush in all bathrooms.

Over the weekend I did every stitch of laundry--I try and do it through the week, but sometimes, I fall behind--especially when their is sickness and I have extra laundry to do, bedding, rugs--etc. This is what my table looks like with all the laundry folded. I will be putting all this laundry away today.


...and then of course the baby pretty much lets me know what my morning will be like. If he sleeps a long time, I get a lot done fast--if he isn't tired then we play and cuddle and nurse--and if he is content in his walker, chair or swing or the floor, then I will do housework all the while talking with him and singing songs.

I will sometimes turn into a super whirlwind--and start from the farthest corner of the house and work my way down--seeing how much I can accomplish.

When I do my shopping, I pick up meat for six meals--now that I have an extra refrigerator, I can pick up more meat here and there--but mentally I am making six dinners in my head. I know if I have a roast, the next night will be pulled pork sandwiches or hot beef and gravy depending on the type of roast. If make a chicken--I know the next day will probably be dumplings, etc. Tonight I am making three chicken breasts---they were on sale so I bought quite a few. They are large too--Kevin will get one--and the other two will be split amongst all of us. My pantry is stocked with staples, and I always have veggies, pasta, rice on hand to make side dishes and salads.

At 1:40--I leave my home to pick up Alexis--I don't like the car line--I park my car and put the baby in his stroller and we walk to her classroom---and then we go home, she starts her homework or gets a snack, or watches Mr. Rogers--and then at 2:30 it is time to get Tony--so by 3:00 I AM HOME FOR GOOD! :o)

3:00 is a good time--either Baby Kevin is sleeping or Tony is holding him for me. I prep for dinner, make sure the salad is done and everything is ready to go and be ready in time for dinner. I may tidy up the kitchen, set the table, etc---whatever I *see* that needs attention. Like the other day, I noticed the BIG TV was dusty, so I cleaned it. Last week the light in my dining room was dusty, so I windexed it. Today, I swept all the stairs in my home--(That is MY exercise)...LOL.

I have a Home Notebook--Fly Lady gives great tips on how to start one too--We all know FlyLady--some of us Love her, and some of us don't--but I think we can all admit, she does have some good tips:)

I don't do anything set in stone, ever!!! My schedule and everything I do changes----last year my routine was very different, then what I am doing now. With a baby, spare moments are precious---and I use everyone...LOL.


After dinner which is about 6:30---baths are given--Baby first--he gets one every other day, because of his sensitive skin, I give him one every other day, then it is jammy time and then bed time. Next is Alexis--she bathes, I help her with her hair---she has soooo much of it. Jammy time and story time too(not always). She is in bed by 8:00 My husband goes to bed about that time too--he is a morning person--he is up at 4:00 and out of the house by 5:00. Tony is my late Owl--he is in his room, playing his guitar and doing his homework--and talking on the phone--I have to on occasion tell him to turn the music down--or go to bed...LOL.

When everyone is asleep--is the best time for me to get things done---I clean the kitchen from dinner, and mop the floor--no one is up to walk on it, so it dries nice. I will do a load of laundry, tidy up a room that needs it, do some work on my notebook, do some reading myself---I am in bed at about 11 on average--so I sleep from 11:00 til 5:00---sometimes I get to bed earlier and sometimes I get to bed later--it all depends, but my sleep evens out through the week--some nights I get 9 hours and other nights I get 5---I feel great so I am not worried. I set my coffee pot on its timer so it goes off automatically in the morning. Also, I will pre bag things for Alexis's lunch to make for easier mornings. Like I will buy a bag of goldfish, and pre bag enough for five lunches, the rest is for snacking.

I will detail certain things in some more posts to come, and if any of you have any questions please feel free to ask me here or in an email. Also, PLEASE!!, if you have an encouraging post about being a wife, mother, woman--please share it. I am blessed every day, when I read your blogs--it is so nice to know that there are women just like me, and I can close my eyes and know that I have friends though out the world that bless and pray for me---we have such a strong woman hood here in blogland, lets all bless eachother with what we know:)

*added note---I wrote this up about an average day--somedays are easier and then some days are busier--somedays we have playdates, ballet will be starting up---guitar lessons after Christmas, etc....so this is a run down of an *Average* day, it changes all the time--but through it all I manage to run a clean, organized home--and I am showered every day, which is a HUGE accomplishment...LOL.

I am going to put up Mister Linky--so if you have written *A Day In the Life of You* or an *encouraging* post about your life please share it:) No pressure though (Giggle)

Post Coming!!

I am working on posting an *Average* day at my home:) I hope everyone has a wonderful Veterans Day--and thank you to all the Veterans who have helped protect our Beautiful country!!!

Remember--this coming post is just me writing down what I do on a week day---from the time I wake up until I go to bed--please if you would like to play, feel free to share a link to your blog to the Mister Linky in the next up and coming post:) There is NO pressure (giggle)

You all have a Blessed day!

My Morning!

Ahhh, Lovely:)

On Monday when I took the children to school, Alexis's teacher was coughing pretty bad-----I knew this was not good---well, Wednesday night, my little girl had a very high fever and was coughing and sneezing--so she stayed home Thursday-----now this morning, she wakes up bouncing off the walls wanting to make up for everything that she had missed being sick--so off to school we went stocked up on cough drops---and I was so unprepared. LOL--You see I woke up thinking my little angel would need another day to recover--so I was not in school/rush mode---so what does that mean to you reading this? It means I did not have time to take my morning shower--OOPS!!! Getting all the kids to school on time, is much more important then me being clean right? Okay, so now, I am on the blacktop with all the kids, I enjoy singing the songs and saying the Pledge of Allegiance, which I think sounds better with an Amen at the end, but that is just me. OKAY---so now, all the kids are going to their classrooms--when Alexis's teacher, says----Mrs. G----Can you HELP ME??? HAHA--the parent that was supposed to stuff folders did not show up and these were the very important Friday Folders--So I did them with Baby Kevin in tow too. In Honor of this morning of ultimate perfection, I took a picture to show you all, my dear readers and friends---I did have a photo of a cup of coffee to post---because I really so desperately need one--(and a shower) But I thought I would snap a picture of me right now...LOL---You all have a fantastic day---and I am off to take a shower and start my day off right--

..a little note about this post---It was supposed to make a point that even on days that don't go the way we want them too--nothing is that bad that I can't smile about it--Thank you God for this wonderful day :o)

Updates: Encouraging Posts!

I was looking at my calendar and realized that Monday is a Holiday--so I will probably post my average day on Tuesday---because Holidays are not average days...LOL---either way it will be posted this coming week--just a heads up. Also, if you decide to post a day in the life of YOU, please share your link next week:)

I have two more encouraging posts I want to share--they have blessed me---I know Susan is giggleing at me---and that makes me smile:)

Go to Susan's blog and she has written out for me her monthly shopping list---she has some good tips too---->A Monthly Shopping List!

Sharon wrote a GREAT post about Women having it all--and I agree with her--I think some women who work outside the home are spread very thin----> I Can Bring Home The Bacon

Posts of Encouragement!

1950's Vintage PINK Kitchen--isn't it just wonderful!
On Monday I am going to make a post of an average day in my daily life as a wife and mother---I will post what I do from the time I wake up until I go to bed--and I will add some pictures too. Maybe I can get someone in my family to snap a picture of me scrubbing the bathtub...in my dress and apron--wouldn't that be fun.

Anyway, I know that when I go to blogs and read a post about someone making bread, scrubbing this or that, making a craft with their kids, going to the library, it totally motivates me in those areas. Also, I am hoping I can get some of you to play along with me---I will put a Mister Linky at the bottom of my Monday Post and if you write up a post that week about your day, you can add a link so we can all get encouragement, motivation or help in that area that we aren't so sure of. Reading what other people do, awlays gives me tips and hints on how to run my home more smoothly---so I am going to write up my post on Monday, and I will probably have follow up posts on other things---I am going to make some dinner rolls either today or tomorrow, so I will try and take pictures of that too.

So, you don't have to say anything, but if you are so inclined and decide to play and write a post of *A Day in the Life of You*--please let me know and post a link to my Mister Linky next week starting Monday, okay?

I also want to share a post with you all that gave me goosebumps. It was one of those posts that you read and walk away a better person for reading it. I am sure you all are familiar with Mrs.B and her Beautiful Blog Cherish the Home---She wrote an absolute wonderful post about being a stay at home wife---and it really gets you thinking and wanting to do better, so please grab a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy this post --->Cherish The Home: My Stay At Home Wife Story

The Real Me MeMe:

Tag--Your it!

Sharon over at Rose Of Sharon tagged me for this MeMe---the real me MeMe

The rules are Copied from Sharon's Blog-->The rules are you put up a picture of yourself that shows the real you and talk about it and then tag three to five other people. As some may feel uncomfortable posting a current photo, a baby or childhood picture is fine. Post the picture, tell us the story behind it, copy the logo, and tag three (or more) others (without forgetting to tell them that they have been tagged!)


Here I am as of today--my darling son took this picture for me. It is now after 3 and this is me; ta-da!!!

This is me in all my SAHM GLORY..LOL---

I tag every one who so kindly stops by and reads this--and if you want to play:)

Thank you Sharon for thinking of me, this was fun!

A Reminder:

I am typing this down because I don't want to forget it:

I was listening to a radio show and she said this(Not verbatim but close enough)

Don't live your life looking in the rear view mirror, you will crash---Look at life straight on--and just do good! Be a good person. You can't erase things in the past that you regret, but you can make things better now, by being a good person. Have faith in our Lord and just BE A GOOD PERSON:)


I have a tendency sometimes to think of things that have happened---and then I have to snap out of it.....--I say: LET GO-LET GOD!!!

101 Easy Ways to Decorate Your Home For Christmas

I found this list in 2003--and I printed it out and put it in my *HOLIDAY NOTEBOOK*---yes, I said my Holiday Notebook..LOL. I posted this list last year and I am posting it again this year--I just love a lot of the ideas--some not so much--but scroll down the list and I am sure you will find something--and say to your self--ohhh, why didn't *I* think of that...LOL. I really like the idea of painting a glass vase with glue and putting glitter on it--I think I may try that this year.

...oh and by the way, you only have 48 days to get ready for such a BEAUTIFUL DAY! Make it special:)

101 Easy Ways To Decorate Your Home For Christmas

Christmas is coming and you've got a million things to do! We're here to help. We have 101 Easy Ways to Decorate for Christmas. These ideas are all quite simple, but they'll will give you lots of quick, easy, inexpensive ways to add some Christmas cheer to your home.

1. Create a charming display of teddy bears dressed for the season. Gather together three or more teddy bears and arrange them on a table or on the floor in a corner. Dress the bears with touques, scarves and mittens. Place candy canes in their hands or tie bows around their necks. You can even wrap up some small, empty boxes with Christmas wrapping paper to place in the bears' hands.

2. Make simply bows from Christmas print ribbon and pin them to your curtains.

3. Display a collection of nativity scenes from different cultures.

4. Hang a collection of Christmas stocking on your mantle, a shelf or the wall (even if you don't stuff them). The more the merrier.

5. Revisit your childhood. Cut snowflakes from white paper and hang them in all of your windows.

6. Use red and green 3-dimensional fabric paints to trace simple Christmas patterns (like stars, bells, Santas, stockings, etc.) on a white tablecloth. Click here to print out our basic Christmas shapes.

7. Buy a clear plastic shower curtain. Use a hot glue gun to attach Christmas decorations to the outside of the curtain. Don't use breakable ornaments - instead, try small wooden or plastic ornaments (remove any hooks), bows, garland, etc.

8. Dress up your house plants - hang small Christmas ornaments on them.

9. Tie a red ribbon around a tall, slim drinking glass. Fill the glass with candy canes and display on a shelf or side table.

10. Fill a small glass bowl or decorative Christmas bowl with small cones and display on end tables, shelves, buffet tables, etc.

11. Purchase plain green or red place mats and attach Christmas ribbons, bows or small wooden ornaments with a hot glue gun.

12. For quick ornaments, hang Christmas cookie cutters with ribbon. Hang them on your tree or in a window.

13. Decorate plain red, white, green or gold candles with 3-dimensional fabric paint. Draw stars, bells, angels, snowmen, etc. If you make a mistake, let the paint dry and peal it off, then start again.

14. Create a cookie wreath centerpiece for your table. Just arrange Christmas cookies in a wreath shape right on the table cloth. No need to attach them to anything 'cause everyone will want to nibble at them. If you like, place a pillar candle on a small plate in the center of the wreath.

15. Pile a collection of Christmas books on a side table.

16. Purchase an inexpensive mail box. Spray paint it red or green. Use craft paints to add simple Christmas shapes (use our patterns), or attach store-bought ornaments with a hot glue gun (make sure your ornaments will be able to stand up to the elements).

17. If you have a large, bare outside wall, try this simple idea. Cut a Christmas silhouette from a piece of plywood (a silhouette of Santa, a snowman, etc works well). Using screws, attach your silhouette to a short post that you can drive into the ground. You'll want the silhouette to stand right a ground level several feet away from the wall. Position a spot light on the other side of the silhouette so that it will shine on the silhouette and project a large shadow on the wall. We've seen this done with a silhouette of Joseph leading Mary who is sitting on a donkey. It's beautiful.

18. Wrap indoor Christmas lights around a railing or banister. Secure periodically with tape. Be careful to tape down the electrical cord so that no one trips over it.

19. Add color to a room with vases of red and white flowers. Use roses, carnations, mums, daisies, etc. Or, float the flowers in large crystal or glass bowls.

20. Wrap an assortment of medium to large sized boxes with Christmas wrap. Attach ribbons and/or bows. Pile the boxes in a corner from floor to ceiling.

21. Sew scraps of Christmas print fabric into a patchwork tablecloth. Simply cut your fabric into square pieces and stitch together. Hem the entire cloth. Sew ribbon the edges, if you like. Make smaller cloths to cover end tables, night tables, TV trays, shelving, etc.

22. Cover an end table or a shelf with white paper. Arrange cut evergreen boughs on to cover the table top. Place tall tapered candles in glass candleholders here and there on the table top. Before lighting candles, be sure that the greenery is not close enough to catch fire.

23. Use pliers to bend coat hangers into a simple wire-frame tree shape. Wrap a string of outdoor Christmas light around the frame, attaching with electrical tape or duct tape. Stick the decoration in a flower bed or on your front lawn.

24. Hang mistletoe everywhere. Use false or fresh mistletoe.

25. Wrap your doors in Christmas wrapping paper and attach large bows make from fabric or purchased at your local craft store.

26. String a ribbon from one end of a wall to another. Attach the ribbon to the wall (at each corner) with thumbtacks. Clip Christmas cards to the ribbon with clothespins. If the ribbon is too long, the weight of the cards will pull it off the wall, so tack it here and there with more thumbtacks.

37. Purchase a large glass plate. Paint the underside of the plate with gold craft paint. Dry. Place the plate on a table and fill with several white or off-white pillar candles of varying sizes.

28. Make basic sugar cookies or gingerbread cookies. Before baking, make a hole toward the top of each cookie using a straw. Bake and cool. String a ribbon through each cookie and hang them on your Christmas tree.

29. String popcorn, cranberries, cereal, beads, etc. and hang the garlands everywhere.

30. Make some old-fashioned tree decorations. Wrap nuts with aluminum foil; use a needle and thread to stitch a thread through the foil for hanging. Glue ribbon to pine cones for hanging. String popcorn streamers. Make paper chains. Cut snowflakes from white paper.

46. Add a few drops of food coloring to white glue. Put the glue into a squeeze bottle or icing piping bag. Draw simple Christmas star outlines on waxed paper. Pipe glue onto the paper, following your drawn outlines. Dry. Peel glue ornaments off of the waxed paper and hang in windows with thread or ribbon.

32. Cut pictures out of old Christmas cards and create a collage by gluing them onto a piece of poster board. You can frame the poster board if you like or simply hang it on the wall.

33. Wrap a lampshade with translucent Christmas tissue paper. Put the paper on the outside of the lamp shape, overlapping the edges just a little and tape the edges down on the inside. Be careful that the tissue paper doesn't come too close to the light bulb or it may catch fire.

34. Replace your fish tank background mural with a piece of Christmas wrapping paper or a collage made out of pictures cut from Christmas cards.

35. Twist garland or popcorn strings around railings or banisters and secure here and there with tape.

36. Using a glue gun, glue candy canes, side-by-side (standing on end with their hooks at the top) to the outside of a terra cotta pot. Tie a red ribbon around the pot. Place a small poinsettia inside the pot or fill the pot with wrapped candy.

37. Tape a doily to the outside of a glass canister or clean glass mayonnaise jar. Spray the outside of the container with artificial snow. Dry. Remove the doily. Fill the container with cookies, candy, ornaments, etc.

38. Remove your favorite pictures from their frames. Wrap the frames with Christmas wrap and replace the pictures.

39. Make a gingerbread house. They make wonderful centerpieces or decorations for any table top.

40. Use scraps of Christmas print fabric to create quick sachets. Place two pieces of fabric right sides together. Pin a paper pattern of a Christmas shape to the fabric (use our basic patterns). Cut the shape out of both layers of fabric. Stitch the fabric layers together all along the edge, leaving a one inch gap. Turn the sachet right side out. Fill the sachet with potpourri. Hand stitch the gap closed. Place your sachets in a basket by the front door so you can hand them to departing guests (meanwhile, they'll fill your entryway with wonderful scent).

41. Use a child's Christmas pop-up book as a centerpiece. Just open the book up to a desirable picture and place the open book in the center of your table.

42. Hang a large December wall calendar on your wall. Count down the days to Christmas by gluing a brightly-colored bow on each passing day.

43. Tie five or six cinnamon sticks into a bundle using red ribbon. Create a bunch of these bundles and display them in a bowl or on a plate. Or, tuck bundles into nooks and crannies on shelves and table. They add a nice scent to your room.

44. Pull out your old toy trains. Run the track around the perimeter of the Christmas tree.

45. Paint the inside of a glass white to simulate milk. Display the glass along with a plate full of cookies and a hand-written Santa's wish list. It looks great if you take a bite or two out of one cookies.

46. For easy Christmas tableware, tie red, green, or gold ribbons to the stems of wine glasses or the handles of cutlery.

47. To make a decorative cookie plate, glue cinnamon sticks and whole cloves to the edges of a large plate.

48. Cut pictures from Christmas cards and Christmas wrap. Decoupage the pictures to the inside of a serving tray. Be sure to cover the entire surface of the tray. Once all the pictures are in place, cover the entire inside surface of the tray with one or two more layers of decoupage medium.

49. Screw small hooks into the ceiling and hang indoor Christmas lights from them.

50. Print your favorite cookie recipe on Christmas stationary (or print it on a white piece of paper and have it photo copied onto Christmas stationary). Roll each recipe up like a scroll. Tie the scroll with ribbon. Place the scrolls in a basked by your front door so you can give them to departing guests. You could also bake up a batch of cookies. Wrap each cookie separately in plastic wrap and attach one cookie to each scroll with ribbon (string the ribbon through a hole in the plastic wrap).

51. To add a lot of color to a room quickly, use red or green towels, blankets or even scraps of fabric as throws for your chairs, couch, tables, etc. Large pieces of polar fleece make great, cuddly throws.

52. Display colored glass ball ornaments or even beads in bowls instead of hanging them on your tree.

53. Wash and dry half a dozen small jars (it's better if they're all different sizes and shapes). Fill each jar 2/3 full of water and add a couple of drops of red or green food coloring to each jar. Stir. Place one sprig of evergreen in each jar and display the jars in a group on a table or line them up in a row on a shelf or window sill.

54. Use children's bath crayons (for coloring in the bathtub) to draw Christmas decorations on your mirrors and windows.

55. Spray paint the outside of large, clean coffee cans with gold, red or green paint and use them as cookie canisters. Once painted, you can decorate further by using decoupage medium to glue Christmas card cutouts to the cans, or use a hot glue gun to attach small plastic or wooden ornaments, tinsel, garland, whole spices etc.

56. Using a small brush, paint the tips of pine cones with gold craft paint. Place on a rack or piece of waxed paper to dry. Display cones in bowls or vases or attach a ribbon and hang them on your tree.

57. Spruce up plain red or green bath towels with Christmas ribbon attached using a hot glue gun or ironed on with fusible web.

58. Create an easy wall hanging using a piece of sheet music for a Christmas carol. Cut a piece of red poster board a few inches larger than the sheet music and glue the music to the center of the poster board. Use a hot glue gun to glue a small sprig of artificial holly to the top right-hand corner of the sheet music.

59. Create an inexpensive set of Christmas glassware. Purchase a set of glasses or mugs and paint holly leaves and berries on the outside of each glass or mug using red and green glass paint.

60. Dress up your dinner table: cover the table with a plain red, green or white tablecloth and sprinkle with red, green or gold cut-outs from your party decorations store. Or, make your own cuts out with specially shaped hole punches and solid colored wrapping paper.

61. Turn an old blanket chest into a treasure chest. Place the chest on the floor against a wall and open the lid (prop the lid up securely if it's prone to closing by itself). Line the inside of the chest with fiber fill to create the illusion of snow. Drape strings of beads and white indoor Christmas lights over the chest. Fill the chest with wrapped presents or wrapped empty boxes. Sprinkle with gold-wrapped chocolate coins.

62. Create personalized gingerbread men as place cards for your dining table. Use colored icing to decorate each gingerbread man with a guest's hair color and usual clothing. Using icing to print each person's name across the chest of the gingerbread man.

63. Paint a terra cotta flower pot gold using craft paint. Let paint dry. Glue on plastic or glass "gems". Let glue dry. Pipe white glue in a circle around the perimeter of each "gem". While the glue is still wet, sprinkle on gold sparkles. Let glue dry. Fill pots with flowers, nuts or candy.

64. Create an eclectic centerpiece using a large glass plate. Place a collection of containers on the plate. Use small bowls, vases, candle holders, flower pots, clean ash trays, etc. Fill each container with a different type of nut or candy.

65. Purchase inexpensive plain lampshades for your lamps. Use a hot glue gun to attach fabric bows (in Christmas prints) to the shades.

66. Trim door frames, window frames and the edges of mirrors with Christmas garland (secure with tape).

67. Place 1/2 cup of whole cloves on a plate. Apply white glue to the outside of a small terra cotta flower pot. Roll the pot in the cloves so that the outside of the pot is completely covered with cloves. You may have to press more cloves onto the pot in places. Let the glue dry. Tie a red ribbon around the outside of the pot - knot the ribbon. Tie three cinnamon sticks into the ribbon (knot the ribbon around the sticks). Tie the ends of the ribbon into a bow. Use the pot as a flower pot or fill it with potpourri.

68. Decorate with mittens, gloves, touques and scarves. String jute cord from one end of a room to another and clip knit items to the cord with clothespins.

69. Purchase small bells from your craft store. Tie each bell to a piece of ribbon between 6" and 18" in length. Gather all of the ribbons together and knot together at the top. Drape the bells over a door knob so that they ring when someone enters or exits.

70. Poinsettias are a beautiful way to add Christmas color to a room. But don't just stop at one. Create a stunning display using at least six plants - all different sizes. Group them together, larger plants in the back. Tie a large gold fabric ribbon around the whole group of pots. Sprinkle the plants with gold glitter.

71. Wrap a large empty coffee can in Christmas wrapping paper (leave the top open). Place and the floor, add some water and fill with evergreen branches. This looks wonderful on its own, or you can hang ornaments from the branches.

72. Replace your usual curtain valence with a large piece of Christmas print fabric, draped over your curtain rod.

73. Tie bows around door knobs.

74. Create an easy wreath. Tear Christmas print fabric into strips (or use ribbon, instead). Wrap a styrofoam wreath with the fabric or ribbon. Hang the wreath as is, or hot glue Christmas picks, ornaments, nuts, candies, etc. to it.

75. Wrap a table in Christmas wrapping paper.

76. Purchase cork place mats or coasters, Christmas print stamps and red/green/gold stamp pads. Then, stamp shapes onto your coasters and place mats. You can even stamp shapes onto your table cloths and napkins.

77. Cut pictures of people and objects from Christmas cards. Glue each object to a magnet sheet. Cut the pictures out of the magnet sheet. Stick the magnets to your fridge. Visitors can arrange your magnets into scenes.

78. Put some color into your bathroom. Display red and green glycerin soaps, bath gels and oils.

79. Use florist wire to wire Christmas picks to railings, banisters and door knobs.

80. Make a snowman. Better yet, make a whole snow family or even a whole snow village!

81. Wrap your front door in plain white paper and decorate with a large bow. Place red and green pens by the front door and have guest sign the door as they leave your home.

82. Cut pictures from Christmas cards and pin them to your curtains or bedspread.

83. Purchase inexpensive white bathroom accessories (soap dish, toothbrush holder, garbage can, etc.). Paint holly leaves and red berries on the accessories using craft paints. Or, use a hot glue gun to attach bows, sequins, beads, buttons, etc.

84. Create an red and green display in your kitchen using a collection standard food items. Jars of olives, sun dried tomatoes, pickles, red peppers, cans with red or green labels.

85. Quick wreath: Use a glue gun to attach nuts or wrapped candies to a styrofoam wreath. Attach a large red ribbon.

86. Paint nuts gold with craft paint (use a variety of nuts of different shape). Line a large bowl or basket with Christmas greenery (artificial or real), fill the bowl wit oranges, apples and the gold nuts. Add a large red bow.

87. Display a large collection of photos from Christmases past. This makes a sensational conversation piece. Use a collection of odd frames or create frames using colored cardboard or craft foam. Instead of displaying each picture individually, you can create a collage. Use a large piece of red craft foam. Cut photos into interesting shapes (just cut around what's important in the photos). Glue the photos to the foam, overlapping them and leaving a 1" - 2" border of red foam showing. Cut holly leaves from green craft foam. Glue three leaves to each corner of the red foam frame. Cut small circles from left-over red foam (these are the holly berries). Glue them next to the holly leaves.

88. Make a Christmas bedspread. Trim the edges of a large piece of red polar fleece with pinking shears. Stitch a collection of mittens to one side of the fleece.

89. Put a Christmas screen saver on your computer.

90. Paint Christmas stars or bells on the outside of your bathtub or on your shower curtain using washable children's soap crayons.

91. Place a plate full of wrapped Christmas baking by the front door as parting gifts for guests.

92. Remove your mugs from their cup hooks and hang Christmas ornaments in their place. You can do the same thing with spoon racks or key racks.

93. Shred colored paper and use it to line a basket. Fill the basket with red and green scented votive candles.

94. Make a fresh flower garland using red carnations. You'll need a few dozen carnations. Cut the stems off just below the bud. String a length of double thread on a needle (make the thread as long as the garland you want to make). String the buds together by pushing the needle through the bud and out the top of the flower. Tie the ends of the garland together, if you wish. This garland should be stored in the fridge.

95. Decorate with giant cookies. Mix up your favorite sugar cookie or gingerbread cookie recipe. Roll out the dough. Instead of cutting into small cookies, cut out one tree shaped cookie using a knife. Don't bother using a pattern. A hand-cut shape has more charm. Transfer to a cookie sheet and bake. Cool. Cover with icing made of confectioner's sugar, green food coloring and water (no butter). While the icing is still wet, decorate your tree with peppermint candies, M & M's, jujubes, etc. Let the icing set. Your giant cookie can be displayed on a plate or you can wrap up a box in colored foil wrap and glue your cookie to the front of the box with dollops of icing. The box can be displayed lying down or standing on end.

96. Make simple Christmas puppets. Cut Santas, angels, snowmen, etc. from old Christmas cards. Paint craft stick red or green. Attach one cut-out to each stick using tape. The kids can play with these or, you can display them in a vase or a bowl. Just fill the vase or bowl with beads, nuts, candies, etc. and stick the puppets' sticks into the bowl.

97. Wrap your plant pots in red or green foil wrap. You don't even have to remove the plants first.

98. Create a display by your front door with unused boots. Assemble a group of boots and fill them with wrapped gifts or empty boxes.

99. Purchase an inexpensive glass vase (or better yet, three or four vases). "Paint" the vase with white glue and roll in red or green sparkles. Use the vase to display a large collection of white or red carnations.

100. To create an easy Christmas card display, purchase a large red bow that has a vertical ribbon attached. Hang the bow and ribbon and pin Christmas cards to the ribbon, starting near the top.

101. Paint fruit such as apples and pears with egg white and roll in gold sparkles. Air dry on a rack and display in a basket along with nuts.

First Tooth

I can not remember if I posted this--Little Kevin has his first tooth---right bottom tooth has poked through and you can see it--left bottom tooth you can't see but you can feel---:::sniff::: They grow so fast!!!

WoW!

What a good day---busy, but very good:) The time change was actually in my favor--even though, half my clocks in the house are still not changed..LOL---OOPS!

It is after 8 and everyone is sleeping, except my oldest--so the house is quiet. Today was a regular day---school, play date, cooking, took Grandma to Home Depot for fertilizer---Tomorrow, I will be home all day, so I will be able to make a better blog post and share some pictures.

Thank you for answering my poll about your water bill--Our water bill is out of control--water is so expensive here in Southern Cali--it was $113.00 last month.

I hope everyone has a nice evening and sleeps well---Blessings to all xoxo

YAY!!

Rebecca had her baby--she is beautiful!!!!--->Take a peak--Congratulations Rebecca and Tom, and Happy Birthday Ava Grace:) Rebecca has such a nice blog too!

A Second Refrigerator

This is my new toy..I mean appliance--YAY!!! I am so thrilled. I had a second fridge while I was in Georgia--and it was so handy. Now, when there is a great sale on meat, I can stock up in the freezer. I can put the extra gallon of milk in here--the bottled water--put the rest of Kevin's cokes in here--Ohhh, this is just wonderful. My new neighbor lady who had moved in about a month ago, had three refrigerators, I told her I would be happy to take one off her hands--so the other day she decided to get rid of this one--I am so happy--she sold it to me for only 75 dollars----what a great deal!!
I am keeping it in my garage--YAY.

Happy Friday!

I don't have time right now---but I have some exciting news I want to blog about...LOL. It is just a little something my husband got for me--I will include a picture of it too. It is something every SAHM would love (I think)..Can you guess???

Anyway, I was at Grandmas all day yesterday, and today she has an appointment for her Mammogram--so I am off, but I will be back later to fill you in on my gift:)

Have a great morning.