Advent Week One

Advent Week One - December 2013

December 1st has arrived again! How fast the years fly by; I am so thankful that I am able to appreciate and enjoy every holiday, particularly CHRISTMAS! I have so many thoughts and things I want to share -- today however, I have decided to share the story of my first college Advent wreath.

I had moved into a campus dorm room in Turlock, CA back in 2001 and while having a private bedroom was one of the many perks of my college, the room was not large enough (nor safe enough!) to have candles going for a solid month.

My crafty/creative solution? A pack of colored paper, scissors, tape, and markers! Looking back it was actually one of the most personal and special Advent wreaths I have ever made, and I looked for the pieces to post a photo of here but cannot find them.

Green paper became green leaves, each with a different loved ones name on it (family, friends) - or something I was thankful for.  The candles were cut from purple (three) and pink (one) paper and all were taped to my dorm room wall.  (Another advantage to being in a college dorm room -- the walls had some sort of "shiny" aspect which allowed clear tape to stick for months but never ruin the wall when finally pulled off -- UNLIKE regular walls growing up).

Once I had my unique wreath in place I added the candles, then made "flames" from colored paper and the markers. Every Sunday during Advent I would "light" the candle for that week by taping up the "flame" above the correct candle : )  Glad that this is one of many memories that come back to me particularly during the holiday season!

Other posts to come: my cousin R. got married; my nephew K. was baptized; favorite authors have been re-read; the farmer's market has been visited; an aunt who has been engaged is getting married in a couple months; Christmas decorations are being put up; am going to a cookie exchange party this weekend; etc etc.  Welcome to December!!

Thanksgiving Day Part II

Welcome to Thanksgiving Day Part II ... Partially because I was tired, partially because photos and blogger were not getting along ... Today I am finally getting to share Thanksgiving with everyone!  Have decided to do a photo "dump" seeing as it should go through the day quickly.

Another blessed holiday with family, food, and fun!
(P.S. Christmas Eve/Day in less than a month!)

Decorations - Fireplace Mantle

Decorations - Pilgrim Craft (upside-down flower pots)

Decorations - Turkey Craft (Walnuts, wooden hearts
painted yellow, felt, fall leaves, googly eyes)

Hostess finishing gravy and bread
(Beautiful kitchen remodel, congrats
to my aunt and uncle!!)

Appetizers 1 of 2

Appetizers 2 of 2

Great-Grandparents with all three of their
great-grandchildren (all boys so far!)

Dinner 1 of 2 (salad with toppings; assorted veggies
and cranberry dishes; honey baked ham at the far end)

Dinner 2 of 2 (mashed potatoes; cheesy potatoes;
two different turkeys; light and dark gravy)

Baby K with the hostess flowers
(and a first Thanksgiving bib)

Dessert area!

Again, so thankful for all of the blessings in our lives -- Thanksgiving gives us a special day every year to stop and remember to enjoy (and eat, and visit, and....you get the picture!) Hope you enjoyed dropping by, Thanksgiving Day Part I posted here

Stars in the Heavens

Pretty paper stars!!! Made and mailed to me in time for Christmas by a long time friend (two decades now???) Keep forgetting to post photos of the three stars so here you go!

 Above on the left is one made of light blue paper;

Above on the right is one made of dark blue paper

I think this one might be my favorite because every other point is made of a different shade of blue which is neat!  I cannot make these, but they are lovely





EDIT 12:12am on January 31st JANUARY 30th post!  Eeep!  Technically I am off of posting something every single day now.  *disappointed* Blargh.  Oh well. I still made the post -- does that count? Started doing something here daily the last months of 2012 and intend to continue... I have decided this post counts.  Either that or I shall randomly post now.

Hand painted holiday wine glasses!

A friend of mine found these online and while I do not drink wine, I had to save and share this photo because I think that they are a great and festive gift idea!  Not positive what paint to buy to make them (obviously some safety to consider when painting anything that will be near/on/holding food or drink!) however this could be a really great gift to make for friends/family if anyone wants to this holiday season!  Or any season for that matter -- glasses could be decorated for any holiday, birthday, special occasion, or with fun quotes/images "just because".... Am looking forward to the month of December, the world seems to pick up a bit of cheer that other months do not hold and as you can tell I have been a bit down recently -- just the month to help me become more cheerful and giving!

Flower Centerpiece

 I love centerpieces, and this one came from an early holiday gathering -- since it was able to be brought home (every now and then centerpieces are given to certain people, this particular event anyone could grab one)... I took two different angles to try and give a good look at the "basket" which has great holiday colors!

Aside from fresh flowers, this particular dinner centerpiece included fresh pears and large pomegranates, along with pine branches cut and placed around the very bottom, sticking out like a skirt.  There are also some bunches of fresh berries that helped make it more festive!


Hoping everyone is doing alright and sending out prayers

Happy Halloween

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Halloween!

 (Charlie Brown)

(Puppets made from brown paper bags)

  (Sign made of painted wood squares strung together)

 (Jack "The Pumpkin King")

 

(Cute ghost -- now the image is blinking however??)

  

(Disneyland Ears!  Not from this year, but still)

  (Winne the Pooh and Friends!)

(Decorative Ghost with a witches hat)

(Snoopy and the pumpkins say bye!)


(Later today I hope to make at least a quick stop by the farmers market, have to wait and see how the day ends up unfolding!)

Pumpkins

 A Pumpkin Assortment Of Photos!
(Was online and although none are mine, there were so many that caught my attention that I just had to make a pumpkin photo post and share a few!)


This first one is the most detailed, Mickey Mouse in Fantasia!

The best Winnie The Pooh Bear I have seen - of course with his honey pot!

 

 I think this cartoon image is fun - perhaps payback for a pumpkin relative?

 

 Growing up I loved Sesame Street so - "Cookies!"

Last but not least (no carving) -- PAINTED MINIONS!!!

(Come to think of it, am I going to carve -or paint- a pumpkin this year???)

Oranges and Cloves

Good news: I went to a craft fair and saw tons of great gift ideas!  I also bought the ornament I am going to use for the blog ornament exchange that I signed up for this holiday season but that will eventually have a post all to itself :) The craft fair reminded me that I have several projects with pieces waiting to be purchased (ie thread, paint, etc -- I tend to do "small" crafts) yet it also reminded me of a Christmas tradition that we have not done in a while! At least through elementary school (again scattered holidays after) my family would get together with some of our close family friends and create "masterpieces" out of fresh oranges and fresh whole cloves.  I found the image above online -- I do not recall ever taking photos of this particular project, but I know we did it often...perhaps once or twice with lemons, but usually with oranges.  You decorate your orange in any pattern you like, using one clove at a time.  When you push it into the skin of the orange it stays in place but fresh orange juice gets absorbed by the cloves and the smell of them mixed together is released into the air -- I think we would leave them out for perhaps the entire month of December? There were some in patterns (spirals were particular favorites of mine!) although there are no requirements.  You can create any fun design you want and the freshness is lovely!

I am holding myself accountable for posting something here every day and that has continued; however I have not gone for a single walk in the past few days.  I also have not been reading at all, and I have spent many more hours than usual sleeping.  There are health things to blame in part, but I just felt so unwilling to go for a walk yesterday (Saturday really was the first day I had plenty of time to go walking safely without any worries in my "walking week" -- from Tues to Tues at the moment).  So a bit of a fail, but perhaps I shall be able to take a walk late this afternoon and/or one tomorrow.  I had been doing very well at going on a 1.1 mile loop twice a week and then one or two shorter walks... Maybe I will just say this is a "fluke" week and not berate myself too much.

**Oh!** Tomorrow, Monday, is usually my book post.  Am not sure if I will write it however because it will be my one hundredth blog post!  I might do something short (just the number), maybe I will find a photo or quote, or perhaps I'll jot down a short story or share a poem.  Possibly take a photo of one of my craft items.  Anyway, this is blog post 99 out of ??? The End :)

American Craft Week!

American Craft Week starts TODAY!  October 5-14 (2012)

I used to do a wide variety of crafts and looking at this website reminded me of just how many types of crafts I have done over the years! I currently am continuing to fight my health battles (two appts next week plus two more the following week) -- but I am trying to keep my spirits up and this was a great page to find!  Perhaps I can get to a local craft store and make some things I have had on my mind recently. I "owe" some projects, plus the holiday season(s) are all just around the corner! Hopefully you can get into a crafty spirit as well and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Create Haunted Bushes

I found this image on Face.book and since it amused me I have decided to share it with all of you.  A quick and easy pre-Halloween "do it yourself" project! All you need to do is hang onto your old toilet paper rolls, cut a random pair of eyes into each, and place (perhaps tape?) a glowstick inside of every one.  Place them into your bushes, or maybe just all around your yard and after the sun sets there will be "scary eyes watching you" in the dark :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!  I used to make felt woven hearts (the photo above is an example of one made with paper, not felt) and fill them with little notes/chocolates/whatnot and give them out to pretty much anyone.

Wanted to say thanks to all of my friends and family who support me; unfortunately I have not posted anything this month other than the ramblings of the E.R. because I have still been sick which is very frustrating.  Have been to my specialist and the regular doctor plus need to get in sometime this week to have more blood drawn and tested for who-knows-what.

For everyone whose blogs I am actively following thank you for providing distraction on the rare days I have signed into the computer - I have not even been able to play my [two] pointless facebook games to keep me distracted....

Enough of bothersome stuff - today is a day that I like because it reminds me of Christmas time - it is another opportunity to offer thanks for the people I know (or have yet to meet) in my life, and a time to look for the positive things in life!

I have my ten-year high school reunion coming up in March and have been finding old classmates on facebook which has been fun... I have been able to spend time especially with my youngest cousin (over five months old now!)... My best friend and her husband sent tons of photos of my godson and his twin sister showing their antics during this new year (very much appreciated since they live in France - but they will be back in CA this summer!!!)... I am not in the hospital and am able to live through other people's lives when mine is sliding downhill which helps me to dig in and climb back up to health : )

Also - how could I forget to mention this?? - my neighbors had their first child, a baby girl, at 3:33am on February 13th in a home birth and the family of three (five if you include their two dogs) are all happy and healthy, plus they want me to spend a few days a week with the new baby!  Did I mention enough how much I love children?

Alright, wrapping this up because I'm heading out to buy my books for the spring semester (another child development course - turns out I have two left before being able to complete my second degree - and an online women health course for fun) and then am planning to watch tv after a lovely home cooked dinner.

Hope everyone smiles about something today, and thanks again to all of you who help lift my spirits even when you don't know it!