Christmas Highlights

We had the BEST Christmas.

Hope yours was special too.

Last Minute Wrapping

It's the 23rd...if you are in the midst of wrapping gifts and need some help, look no further.

Whisker Graphics has some super cute download-able gift tags available here. Other gift tags are available via one of my favorite design blogs, How About Orange, and The Long Thread.

Also, for wrapping inspiration, check out all of the images on these two sites:

The Decorologist

Stylish Eve

Happy wrapping!!

Christmas Rewind

Here are a few photos taken in our house back in the early '60s. 

Short and fat -- cute tree! I think I see a few Shiny Brite ornaments that are a lot like mine. And isn't it nice seeing wrapped boxes under a Christmas tree instead of gift bags? Call me a traditionalist -- I prefer boxes to bags.

Our tree is in the same corner of the living room right now. This is my Aunt Sharon. What a cutie.

Okay, this is great. For all of you Christmas crafters in 2010 -- here's a reindeer made out of dishwashing detergent bottles. My mom made this in 196?. I think it's kinda cute. I believe it's sitting on top of a television or hi-fi (Google "hi-fi" if you don't know what that is).

7 Days of Rain

Wet clothes.

Dirty floors.

Stinky car interior.

Cabin fever + toddler = not fun.

Rainbow. Breathtaking.

Jingle Bells and Other Stuff

Santa -- Still Bad

He was excited before we got there.

He was excited as we waited in line.

He was excited at the 6-foot mark.

Then he wasn't excited anymore.

 

Ha! Sorry, but it makes me laugh.

I was hoping Ruby the Bear would help. Nope.

 Here are a few more...

If you're keeping score at home, 

that's 3 Santa, 0 Nate (proof here).

Have a nice weekend -- only 8 shopping days left!

Simple App

We took this appetizer to a party last night and everybody seemed to enjoy them. My only gripe is that I went by the recipe in the Pioneer Woman's cookbook and not by the recipe on her website. She neglects to tell you in the cookbook to buy small jalapenos -- I just picked out what was at the store and they were too big. So big that we ran out of filling before we were halfway done filling them up. She's also made a few modifications in the cookbook by adding cheddar cheese & green onion to the filling and brushing BBQ sauce or apricot jelly on top of the bacon before putting them in the oven. Can you say yum?? Click on the recipe name below to see PW's glorious photos.

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

(source)

DR Dolls

After making this doll, I kept going. Here are four more....I couldn't help myself. It's addicting. Anyway, these little ladies are on their way to the Dominican Republic. My mom's work is sending a huge box of toys to a school in a remote area of the DR. These kids have never had a Christmas party before so they're in for a special treat. I'm so happy that four little girls are going to have these dolls! Eeek, it's so exciting I can hardly stand it. 

Ahoy Santa!

We've already seen a train covered in Christmas lights so what's next? Boats! Lots of boats during the Christmas boat parade in Marina del Rey on Saturday night. Nate danced and ran around in between looking at the boats (he said he liked "the ones with music and guitars"). That kid has an abundance of energy. He entertained many of the parade attendees and I think most of them were thinking "wow, that is one crazy kid. Good luck to his parents." I used to think that too when I was single and now I AM that kid's parent. Oh boy.