on the 14th day of Christmas....

As I hinted to before, Brian & I went on a mini-Christmas-birthday-getaway to downtown Minneapolis with a group of 10 of our friends. We were celebrating 3 lovely ladies birthdays with a dinner out and Christmas comedy show. I unfortunately didn't snap any pictures last night but happened to grab a few today. It was such a fun way to relax and treat ourselves to a weekend getaway.

You know you are on vacation when you can enjoy champagne with breakfast.

winter wonderland

This is the type of weekend that you remember, because we had the type of snow storm that you never forget. While it wasn't the biggest snow storm I have experienced, it was the first storm of the season and the 1st of our married lives. We had no choice but to be hermits for the day, bundle up with a few tv episodes, enjoy a few football games, make Christmas cookies, and sip on our homemade chicken tortellini soup.

This is the snow storm that blocks out your windows with snow drifts. It's the day where your normal commute to work takes 1 1/2 hours instead of 40 minutes.

It's the type of day when you can't help but look outside every chance you get and be filled with Christmas joy.

It's the type of storm you take a ruler out to measure it. Well, I happened to remember that once I stepped into the snow drifts and didn't fancy traipsing back upstairs to measure it. I thought of another way to measure it by tracking the wet marks on my boots.

This is the type of storm that makes your go out and get a new shovel because they ice scraper for your car just won't cut it to dig your car out of the snow.

This is the type of weather that makes me thankful I live in a state with 4 ever changing seasons.

fill in the blank friday {Christmas version}

Last Friday was a crazy one and I was unable to get to fill in the blanks on Friday. Doubly sad since it was a Christmas version. I always feel silly doing them a day late or doing them the next Friday when there is a new batch of blanks, but this week Lauren over on the little things we do has a sick little lady {her adorable daughter Fern}so there are no new fill in the blanks from her this week. So it just happens to work out that I will be able to do last weeks Christmasy blanks after all!

1.  The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear. I tried to think of something else but Elf's voice just kept running over and over in my head and nothing else would do.

2.  The holiday season is my favorite time of year. I hear so many people talking about getting stressed but 

3.  When is comes to holiday decorating I start as early as possible. I know for a fact that it we didn't have Thanksgiving I would go out and buy a Christmas as soon as Halloween was over! I tend to stick to classy more muted versions of the Christmas colors instead of the crazy bright colors.

4.  The thing I look forward to most about the holidays is our time as a family. There is nothing better than coming home after the Christmas Eve concert to run upstairs and change into the new set of PJs my mom bought us, opening up presents with all sorts of yummy treats, waking up on Christmas morning to the smell of cinnamon buns baking, opening out stockings with family.... In the end it all adds up to spending time with family. Being surrounded by family around the holidays is the best place to be.

5.  My favorite holiday tradition is opening our Christmas present in our PJs, eating lots of really unhealthy snacks, {and for those of you in my family} throwing the wrapping paper all over the room and modeling our new present just like Grandpa does ;)

6.  This year my Christmas plans include having an early celebration with my parents before they jet off to California. We are spending Christmas Eve with B's family after the Christmas Eve childrens concert. Christmas morning will consist of Brian & I along with my parents pup and kitty. My sister will join us for opening stockings and cinnamon buns, still in our PJs of course. We will get to spend the rest of the day with B's family in celebration.

7.  My favorite holiday food is homemade Christmas cookies. They come in so many varieties, and while they are not good for the figure and I secretly hope I won't get any as gifts, I think they are one of the most thoughtful gifts. It takes so much time and effort to make a "simple" platter of 1/2 a dozen types of cookies. Plus they just look so cute and festive!

P.S. We won't be able to accomplish today's Christmas activity, but don't worry we will do it another day.

on the 2nd day of Christmas....

Nothing says Christmas spirit like sipping a on a hot cup of jo to start out your day. My hubby and I headed to Starbucks after church and enjoyed a wonderful start to our day. I had a gingerbread latte and Brian a vanilla latte.

Just a suggestion for those who don't like coffee, try the peppermint hot chocolate or hot chocolate with a shot of hazelnut. It's like Christmas in a cup!!

winter is here

the view from my bedroom window

You know winter is upon us when these things happen:

- Christmas lights are starting to paint the houses in our town {including ours}

- all I want to drink is hot tea, coffee, apple cider {anything warm}

- people are hurrying around getting Christmas presents

- thanksgiving ingredients are filling our fridges, freezers, and cupboards {all 20.86 lbs of our turkey had to be put outside cuz he won't fit in our freezer}

- most of us are bundling up in scarves, mittens and jackets

- the work *snow* is in the forecast

- Christmas music is on the radio

- my foundation color {classic ivory} is too dark and I have to switch to porcelain ivory, which is the lightest foundation in this particular line, how sad is that?

- Christmas movies are being played on tv {B and I watched some of Elf the other night}

- candles are lit all around me that smell of cinnamon, leaves, pumpkin, spices

- I can't wait to spend as much time as I can all bundles up with family and friends

- we are planning our holiday celebrations

- our cat and dog are adorably fighting over the 'dog' bed in front of the fireplace {ironically the kitty normally wins}

fall splendor

It's memories like these that stick with you.
It's photographs like these that you look back on years later and remember how much fun life can be.

It's friends like these that make life more colorful.
It's days like these that warm your heart.

It's smiles like these that keep the laughter rolling.
It's adventures like these that add life to an ordinary day.

It's moments like these that live on with the simple click of a button.
It's times like these that we will never forget.

changing of the seasons

Just as summer is slipping through our fingers the next season seems to be embracing us with open arms. Even though it's not technically autum till the 23rd, I can already see the effects of this season as it washes over us:

-football is back on tv
-the trees are starting to change colors
-apples are in season and ready to be turned into pies, cider, caramel apples
-I'm starting to pull some of my winter clothes from storage
-it's getting cooler at night
-jeans and sweatshirts feel great again, instead of the farthest thing from my mind
-scarves and mittens don't seem too far off anymore
-we will soon be craving hot tea and soup

Brian and I celebrated one of our favorite seasons by taking our 1st trip to an apple orchard and wine fest. I think we'll have to make this a tradition of ours. We did a little wine tasting, apple picking and later made an apple crisp, with a little whippy it was melt-in-your-mouth amazing! I love the idea of starting our own traditions each season. There are so many memories that we have already created, I can't wait to see what's in store for us next.

fill in the blank friday #8

1. My plans this summer include for those details, see this post.

2. The best summer I ever had was the one that I am presently having. It's been the best summer I've ever had and it's not even half over yet. I can't wait to see what else is in store!

3. Summer is a time for swimming and barbecues, tank-tops and sunscreen, popsicle and spending time at the pool, flower dresses and boating across the lake.

4. My favorite summer food is popsicles and ice cream, hands down!

5. The best way to quench a summer thirst is with a tall glass of lemonade or lemonade.

6. My summer uniform consists of tank-tops, summer dresses & skirts, swimsuits, a nice tan.

7. The best things about summer are spending as much time outside as possible, relaxing in the sun with a good book, and enjoying all the joys that this particular season brings!

flowering update

So a few weeks ago I promised an update on my new little additions and here they are. This was taken last week on day 12, so they have grown a little since then, but no blossoms have been spotted yet.I decided the start small and early this year due to the random winter type storms we have been getting here. My mom is practically chomping at the bit to get out in her garden, and while I don't have as big of a 'green thumb' as she does I certainly enjoy the growth of spring.

Ever since we moved here {almost 10 years ago}, my mom has been working hard in our backyard. It used to be a jumble of weeds, over-sized bushes, and a very neglected pathway that since over grew into a twisted mess. A few years into us living here we gave our house a much needed makeover that took about a year to complete. We redid the kitchen, family room, painted, added a new roof, redid the siding, and last of all recreated the backyard. It was a long but extremely rewarding process and we have been left with a backyard ready for volleyball, basketball, sun bathing, relaxing in the shade, admiring the flowers and so on.

It can't seem to wait till our atmosphere really kicks into spring and we can started nurturing those flowers. I always do my own little herbal garden and who known maybe we'll try a few new edible plants this year.

How about you, what do you garden?

new additions

So if you didn't see these yesterday in my ten on ten, I have a few new additions to my room. Last year I spent a little too much on an adorable flower pot for my room, but this year I went the more thrifty/crafty way. I saw this idea in a magazine and instantly fell in love with the idea.

I collected 3 cans from a soup that I was making, took off the labels, and soaked them in water to get the excess glue off them from the paper. It doesn't really matter which kinds, I just chose some that were easy to wash out {meaning I decided to avoid them smelly dog food cans}. I wrapped them in some decorative paper, tied some ribbon around them and filled them with potting soil.

Now I never knew this but my mom told me that you should never bring outside dirt into the house, and while that may be common knowledge to some people I didn't know. So I picked out some organic potting soil and two packages of seeds: watermelon heaven california poppies and blue bird forget-me-nots. I can't wait to watch them bud and thrive on top of my sun filled desk. I will do periodic updates so we can watch them grow together!

yes, it's time for....

- taking a day trip to the beach
- fruity popsicles on hot humid summer days
- watching the colorful flowers poke up through the dirt {I have a great picture of that that I'll be taking tomorrow for my ten on ten}
- taking long bike rides to different destinations around town
- running through the sprinklers like a little kid
- seeing all the magnificent colors fill the world around us
- making pitchers of lemonade and sitting out on the porch basking in the sun
- waking up to the chirping of birds
- suntanning in the warm rays of golden sun
- don't you just love summer

1st day of spring

The day has finally come, the first day of spring and I spent my day packing for my trip. Even if I would have had time to spend this day out doors I would have gotten soaked due the the down poor of rain that has left us a ll a little soggy. My departure day is getting closer and closer and I couldn't be more excited. Well, maybe if I didn't have finals still looming over my head, things might be a little more hopeful, but that will be over soon and paradise will be in my grasp.

Above is a picture of one of my infamous lists, if you know me at all you know that I am a planner. I am a list girl who loves to have things organized.

On trips like these I always seem to pack too many clothes, but I have planned out all my outfits on paper, so I hope that I have just the fight amount. It always seems to happen that you get there and there is just a few things you wished you would have packed, but I am all about going with the flow when I am on a vacation were I can sit by the beach all day. I will make sure to take tons of pictures to bring back with me, and a little something for the winner of my vacation giveaway. If this is the last post before I leave I hope you all have a wonderful week and enjoy the first week of spring!!

snow day anyone?

Just when we thought spring was in sight....this happensDon't get me wrong I am the first person to tell you how happy I am that it's snowing, but when the temp for the last week has been up to the golden 50 degree marker, you might see how our city won't be the first ones to welcome our white winter friend.
While there may be many of us that are a little reluctant about this storm at least the younger generation is enjoying it. Can you say snow day?? That's what my 'lil' sis is hoping for.

'tis the season for: winter weather

It was with our first winter storm that we ventured out into the abyss of snow, enjoying every bit of out 20 inch snow storm. It's moments like these where I am so thankful to live in an environment with snow.

'tis the season for: ornaments

Christmas might be the same season all over the world, but it's the particulars that make everyone's Christmas experiences different. Every family has their own special cookie recipes, their own Christmas traditions {which I will be touching on at a later time} and their own tree ornaments.

Some people keep their trees in a box in storage and others adventure out and cut down a fresh one each year, letting it's aroma fill the living room/family room. I think you can guess what side of the fence I sit on, but either way Christmas trees are one of the best traditions.Some may decorate their trees with with popcorn or cranberries strung on a string, but that seems like something out of a movie, or in my case something right out of Gilmore Girls on their 7 trees {Santa's Secret Stuff episode}.

Some decorate with shinny tin/glass balls in different circumferences and different colors to make a symmetrical arrangement. Some use themed colors, lights and ornaments to create a tree shining with a plethora of alike colors.

Our tree is one of those with popcicle ornaments and hand painted crafts made by my sister and yours truly from our early years. It's mixed with family memories, baby shoes, angels, shepards, numerous animals, some sporting memorabilia, and many other amazing ornaments that bring back memories from the past years. There are so many ways to decorate a Christmas tree, but everyone has their own certain way.

What about you? How do you adorn your Christmas tree?

our weekend winter wonderland consisted of...

:one of the biggest, longest, craziest snow storms that I will never forget

:popping in a few Christmas movie and relaxing on the couch {White Christmas & Holiday Inn}

:getting out the sewing machine and fixing a few pieces of clothing that were long over due to be mended

:romping around in the snow on our first big storm of the year

:wishing for only a day that we only had one short driveway, not 2 long ones

:sipping hot tea while sitting by the fire

:making snow angels in the almost 2 feet of fresh powder

:shoveling snow for hours on end, {some of the snow drifts were up to our waist in places}

:marveling at the wonderful winter wonderland that has set in all over the Midwest

:falling asleep to the sound of the wind blowing through our snow covered pines, rattling the window panes

'tis the season for: Christmas parties

Last weekend was a hectic one filled with Christmas cheer, movies, many cookies, and some crafty projects. It was a splendid celebration on Saturday night with some pretty amazing ladies. We watched the ever famous Grinch movie {the new one, which I had never seen} baked dozens of cookies, and even had a little gift exchange. The party continued into the night and concluded into the late hours of the morning.

It was a quick ride home + a shower before the next Christmas party at the oh so lovely home of Jessica! It could not have been a more splendid party, with it's wonderful crafting stations and the lovely company of such stylish ladies. We did it all from Christmas cookie platters and yarn wreaths, to paper garlands and felt flowers. It was such an amazing way to catch up with old friends, and meet so many new & inspiring faces!!

Don't forget to help celebrate the opening of my new etsy shop by leaving a comment, thus entering you to win a set of homemade cards! Hope you are all having a splendid week!

'tis the season for: decorations

This Christmas season, I thought I'd do a special blogging collection of Christmas and all it's pleasure. Song, decorations, traditions, delicious treats, ornament, you name it and I will blog it. Starting on the first day of December seemed to fit perfectly. It won't be on any particular schedule but I will try to accomplish at least 2 a week.
Lets start this collection off with one of my favorite aspects of the season: the decor! When I was a little girl I expressed my love for others in homemade gifts {and still do}. My mom helped to curb my passion for creating and painting into gifts for my aunts and uncles, friends and grandparents. That's how these little decorations {the picture above} came to be. I must have made at least 4 sets of them and loved painting every inch of those Christmas trees with their snowman friend.

In the 7th grade I expanded my painting 'skills' to a nativity scene and it was a challenge staying in all those lines that had been etched into the wood. Even now that I have aged {lets just say a few years} homemade gifts still have a special place in my heart. There is a thing of comfort in gifts from others that were thought of by the heart and created with their own 2 hands.

It's decorations like these that fill your rooms and turn a house into a cozy home filled with many memories from years gone by.

I heart christmas time

As my family and I put away the Thanksgiving puzzle and finished the last of the turkey leftovers thanksgiving came to an end, and another holiday began to take over our home. Yesterday was spent packing away the fall decor and retrieving the Christmas decorations from the basement. When my sister walked through the door she exclaimed that it looked like a winter wonderland in our house.

The family {including my cousins} also ventured out to find ourselves a Christmas tree. Putting up the tree + decorating it with lights + hanging up the ornaments + watching a Christmas movie = pure holiday pleasure.

holiday shopping

on this bright but nippy sunday morning my mother and i ventured out to complete the task of thanksgiving shopping. it was my first venture to the store {formally my place of employment} after they had given it a much needed makeover. as my mom and i strolled up and down each isle, we filled our cart with all sorts of holiday treats, from egg nog and peppermint ice cream, to cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes. we also picked out the biggest turkey we could find {23.7 pounds}. it was the perfect start to our cozy sunday.

next on our agenda:
-watch the packer/viking game {i won't share my opinion on who i want to win}
-get the christmas lights up before it gets too cold
-reluctantly finish up a little homework
-put on a holiday movie
-snuggling up to the tv with some home made chicken soup