christmas

This year it was our turn to spend Christmas with Mike's family in Philly. With 40 degree weather outside, the fire place was my favorite spot to hangout. I really like the way my in-laws decorate their house and it truly feels the Christmas there. I also enjoy the feast that my mother-in- law prepares for all of us.

So far I like that we rotate holidays every other year with our families (Thanksgiving here and Christmas there this year, next year Thanksgiving there and Christmas here). I think it's the only way to keep it fair between our families. Besides, this way Mike and I get to see the family dynamics of each family and we have a deeper understanding of the different traditions we were raised with. In the future when we start our own family we can choose what traditions we'll implement based on these experiences. 

   

books on my mind

Craft Inc.: This book has been out for a while. (now there is even a revised copy) Either way it was insightful and money well spent considering I am new to this craft/business world. I do think it's more for beginners. I may be referencing it time to time. As far as the revised copy I may pick it up at the library at some point. I wish there were more books like this. I haven't find anything yet. Any suggestions?

The Great Christmas Cookie Swap: I've had this book in my bookshelf for a while, I've made chocolate crinkles and other yummy cookies.  What I've really been wanting to do is to host a cookie swap. So this year I'm doing it. This is the book that gave me that extra push I needed. I already sent out the emails inviting about 11 ladies to join the fun. I'm excited to see how everyone will package their cookies. I'll also be giving out prizes for the most creative cookie, most creative packaging and best liked tasting cookie. Great way to start the holidays.

spools

In December I requested antique spools from my secret Santa for Christmas. I was lucky enough to get three of them. This past weekend I found one at the Goodwill (btw, I've been enjoying going to the goodwill you never know what you'll find). I wasn't sure what I wanted them for. But a few weeks ago I came across this blog and thought that was a neat idea. So much so that I knew I had to make my own. I didn't add any more to the spools because I like the original look. I also found pin holders also at the goodwill. They came attached. I took them apart and bent the ends to make them stay in place. I added post cards I've had of Dali and an image of my parents from a long time ago. The spools sit on top of our bedroom dresser.

Looking good.

more images found on flickr

merry christmas

our christmas cards went out a little late. mainly because i didn't think we would be sending any out considering we had wedding invitation to mail out as well. however, when i came across tiny prints i couldn't refuse, the price was right. (thanks to the today show) i like the idea that they can also be used as ornaments for those family members that care to keep them. the image was taken this summer in colombia by mike. wellington was upset with me for a few days because he didn't make the christmas card this year.

wishing everyone a merry christmas!

christmas + ornaments + tree = joy

:: our first tree ::

:: self explanatory, our first Christmas 2008 ::

:: 2009 we adopted wellington for "christmas in july" ::

:: my favorite so far. self explanatory, the date we got engaged ::

this is the first year of three that we got ourselves a real Christmas tree, which is about 5'5" tall. and yes, we were pretty happy/excited about it, so much that we even gave it a name, "peewee". we thought there was a chance that wellington would want to mark territory and "pee" on it. gratefully he hasn't.

i love ornaments and we've started a tradition of our own. we've made it a point to get an ornament representing a major event within each year. i like the idea that in 20 years our Christmas tree will tell the story of our lives together with small time capsule-like ornaments.

the first two ornaments we got at Hallmark and the last one we found while in Philly for Thanksgiving at the "adornaments" stand in the Christmas Village/Holiday Village/Christmas Village. full story of name change here

friday craft night part one

:: getting started ::

:: looking like an elves table ::

:: even x-mas cards were made ::

:: the ladies ::

:: little x-mas tree made of puzzles ::

:: i love the ginger man ::

i invited ladies over for friday craft night. the idea was to think crafty and make ornaments. i know my christmas tree can always use handmade ornaments. i think it was a different way to spend a friday night. after 3 bottles of wine, hopefully we all made ornaments that we can have for years to come.

i called this post part one because there are more photos to share on how friday craft night went. which i'll me posting later on.