We went to the guy’s work party last night. So fun. Holiday parties always make me feel so festive. We listened to Christmas music while we got all dressed up. It was chilly outside, and we looked at Christmas lights on our way downtown. We took pictures of all the Christmas trees. It was just a really nice evening to celebrate and learn how to gamble with pretend money.
And I am also deeply happy that my date for every event for the rest of my life is so charming and handsome. 
We decided on (impulse bought) a tiny real tree this year. You can’t beat that Christmas tree smell. We used our plaid fabric ornaments and some gingerbread men to decorate it. 
Since the tree was just a little guy, we had some extra lights left over, so we put them around the house. The lighting makes the house look so cozy.
I also just finished up this cross stitch. Gotta have those festive dish towels.
Tis the season for giving! Through Monday Dec 1 at midnight Central, you can order a set of 10 holiday cards or gift tags in the shop, and I’ll send a dozen instead! Simply order a holiday item, and get a couple extra cards included for free!
I added a couple more holiday card designs to the shop, including this little owl. A great little Thanksgiving craft to work on between turkey and pie!
I agree that it is a tiny bit earlier to start thinking about holidays, but good DIY projects need the proper planning! Handmade items are worth some extra effort, and are also a good way to spend these new dark evenings. After dinner it looks like bedtime now, so its either sleep, or keep my hands busy so my eyes don’t automatically shut.
I have some new holiday pattern cards in the shop. They are kits, so you can make the cards yourself! They come patterned and everything, so they are ready to go once you get them. Just stitch them up, add some names at the bottom, and you got yourself some fancy holiday greetings.
I have been very fortunate to have been able to spend some really great quality time with my family this holiday break. Christmas was really great this year and I have to admit that two of my favorite gifts were not even official presents! My mom and I were talking about watches and she mentioned that she had a few old watches from my grandpa that she thought I might like and I was all over them. The two that I liked the best are below. One is an old Timex that is really cool and the other is an old Bulova that was an anniversary gift for my grandpa when he was still working which makes both of them have a lot of sentimental value. I’m really excited to take these into a place to get them restored and fixed up a bit so I can start wearing them and then hopefully be able to start passing them down in the future…anyone know of a good place in Austin to take watches to?
In my house growing up, you got “fired” from certain jobs if you weren’t doing good work. I rarely got fired from anything, but I was promoted very quickly up the cookie making ranks. The cookie baking sessions at Christmas are always some of my most favorite times of the year.
Santa brought me a couple of new (and old) cookbooks, so I am looking forward to all the kitchen adventures soon to come in the new year!
We were happily surprised by the gift of falling snow on Christmas morning. We didn’t even check the weather forecast, so we were all smiles when we looked outside.
After exploring the snow a bit, I warmed up with hot chocolate and turned my attention to under that tree. Wrapped presents are so pretty underneath the tree. I have to admire each one before I open it, so they know that I think they are pretty. But I try to imagine that they are just bursting with excitement for me to open them, because they know I will be so happy with what is inside.
Ahhh! Its snowing inside! :)
Who said pumpkins are just for fall?
We spray painted all the things gold. For the pumpkins, we spray painted them, cut some decorative holes, and made them into festive lanterns. We also gold-ified some squashes, pinecones, and branches. They all made lovely decorations for a very special occasion.
guy and his girl 