Christmas so Good.

Merry Christmas Ya'll!!

I really hope everyone had a GREAT day with their families! It was so much fun to be with my brother and his sister today! We had a blast! Ate way too much food! It SNOWED! Can you BELIEVE IT! A WHITE CHRISTMAS. Granted it was tonight when it snowed, but still snow on Christmas in Georgia! It was beautiful!

I can not WAIT to get in to these!! The Hubs got me some "Nerd Fuel" as my cousin Daniel called it. And I think I will here on out refer to my books as nerd fuel! Love it! Hubby even got me TWO sets of Moleskine journals. Now I just need to save up the extra money I get for this
I've really missed my Journaling and getting these journals just gives me a lot of incentive! So, if anyone is feeling generous *wink wink!* I'm sure I'll be in the class though.

I've been using my new camera too! I LOVE IT! I put it to really good use! Here's a preview of whats to come on the blog! Maybe a pattern and tutorial for some adorbable crochet goods?

Ooh, wee. What could it be? Just wait and you will see! Get those crochet hooks ready, cause I am so excited to do my first *ahem*FIRST*ahem* tutorial. ;)

Love you all! I hope your Christmas is lovely and wonderful and filled with Great and Mighty Love.

Life isn't a Norman Rockwell

Hey guys! Are you ready for Christmas yet?! It's only TWO days away! I can't wait for my brother and his wife to get here tomorrow night and let the fun begin!

I know that this time of year is so much fun for people, but there are a lot of people that this time of year is really hard to make it through.

We all have our own ideas and opinions of what a "perfect christmas" is, but let's be honest- life is not perfect. If it were perfect then everyday would look like a Norman Rockwell, but in my life it is FAR from that.

I want to share something deep from inside me, if you don't mind. I'm making it a point to make this blog personal, and I can't be real with you and not share the dread that I am feeling about Chirstmas.

I used to have ^this family. The family who got together EVERY holiday, EVERY birthday, and EVERY Sunday for lunch at Grandmama's house. The family who acted silly and wild, but loved each other very much. You know, the family that everyone wishes they had. It's so easy to be jaded when you're little and think that everything is perfect. It's even easy to overlook things when you get older and realize everything is not what it seems. But it is not easy to deal with the fact that you no longer have THAT kind of family.

My Grandmama died and when she did the grief of losing her literally tore my dad's family apart. We got together that Thanksgiving and tried to make it work. Tried to maker her special, one of a kind dressing, turkey and secrect bar-b-que sauce. We tried to make nice and pretend like she was still there. But she wasn't. And without her the love in that family evaporated. She was such a special and unique person that all of us together couldn't match her kindness and love. We tried, Lord knows we tried, but it didn't work.

You would think at 19, you could try and fix that situation. But I was trying so hard to act like I wasn't affected that she was gone (something I still do and still deal with a lot.), I just went along with all the charades. Needless to say, I don't remember what that year's Christmas was like. But I do know that the next year our family was so at odds that no one spoke to each other. My dad & mom moved away and no one even looked twice in their direction.

It's been that way ever since. For the past four years my family has acted like children. Last year, my mom decided that we needed to get together and she invited the whole family up for Thanksgiving. Enough time had passed that everyone was friendly, but the bitterness underneath it all was still there. You might not have been able to tell from the outside, but it was there. This year when Thanksgiving came, we didn't hear from that side of our family. I later found out that they had a family thing without us. The whole family besides my dad and his kids. It broke my heart. It made me so angry. Still. After all this time and all these years I am so angry that they are so blind. If we can't love our family, then how are we supposed to love strangers? If we can't love our family, then how are we supposed to care about the people who are suffering in this world? If we can't love our family, the people who share our dna structure and blood lines, then how can we love ourselves.

I wish SO BAD, that I could fix this family. That I could peel off a giant band-aid and put it on the wounds, but it can't be fixed. Now, after this year, I'm not so sure I want it to be fixed because I'm sure they don't care about us the way I care about them. I hope God has mercy on us and I wish so earnestly that he would fit it. I've prayed for years and years that he would, but it just isn't his time I guess.

So, I wish I had that tradition back in my life... cause the holidays aren't the same without them. I am very family oriented and the only thing I can do now is surround myself with the family that I have here and the ones I let in close enough to be family. But they still don't fill that empty space.

Life Tremors

I read something today that was earth shaking.

Take a second to read it too.

26In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, "Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!" 29But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."
34And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?"
35And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God. 36And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God." 38And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. {Luke 1:26-38}

This was Mary's reply when an Angel sent from God told her she would give birth to a son. A son that she would carry all her own. She was a virgin. She would remain a virgin. And when she was faced with the most outrageous, jaw-dropping, miraculous task in history THIS is what she said.

Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.

A woman, like you and me, who was young and about to be married to a man who was of a King's lineage. She didn't say NO. She didn't try to wiggle her way out of it. She didn't disobey or doubt. She simply had faith. From her simple gesture the world was changed by her son, Jesus.

All my life, I've heard the Christmas story. I've even heard conter-Christmas stories. That Christmas is really just a pagan holiday that we merged with the birth of Jesus so that everyone could be happy. WHATEVER the reason we celebrate this time of year, I want this much to be true in my life: When I am faced with the craziest, most insane idea and task God has asked me to do I want to have Mary's reply.

Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.

To have a Savior is the greatest gift I have ever been given. To have THAT kind of Faith in Him would be the greatest gift I could ever give him back.

{p.s, I couldn't help but share this with you. Sitting in Zaxby's I read this and was in tears at the beauty of the Faith that Mary had, not only to give birth to JESUS! but faced with all the social constrains of that Day... I know I would not have had the same answer. And that shames me. God is merciful, though, and I'm so glad I read this. I want to be faithful like Mary, and take on the craziness and awesomeness of God's will. }

Pretty Paper Snowflakes

I am really liking paper snowflakes this year! I've made a ton and have hung them up all over the house!

These lil ones are on the shelf above our bed. Which also holds one of my most cherished Christmas things. Can you see the toy box with the rocking horse on it? I've had it since I was a litle kid & whithout it, well, it just isn't Christmas. It's a musical box and it's so sweet to listen to! *sigh*

Don't the snowflakes cast such a pretty shadow?!

Here are a few more of my snowflakes hanging out with Heff the Elf.

Aren't these orange paper snowflakes amazing!! howaboutorange features a quick cutting guide for the flowery snowflake on the right!

I think it looks so magical to hang up paper snowflakes on windows! Especially, here when we don't ever have a white christmas (except that is snowed flurries all day today!!! nothing stuck though :{ )

They are super easy to make too!! I used this diagram for getting started!

I think I may be starting a Christmas tradition involving paper snowflakes! How cute would they be on a tree?!

Do you ever make paper snowflakes during Christmas?

Christmas Tunage

One of the coolest things about Chistmas to me is the fact that the music that we listen to is in it's very own genre! Summer doesn't have a genre and neither does fall, but Christmas has it own unique sound! Every band pretty much has a Christmas album tucked away somewhere in their history! It's so much fun hearing my favorite bands come out with their own style of classic Christmas songs or even better making new ones!

A few years back I sat down and made my own Christmas playlist and every year I listen to it! It's a compelation of traditional and new Christmas tunes that make me so happy and in the "Christmas Spirit!"

1. John Lennon- Happy Christmas

2. The Drifters- White Chiristmas (Home Alone) I giggle everytime I hear this song and it never gets old!!

3. Brenda Lee- Jingle Bell Rock

4. Casting Crowns- Christmas Offering

5. Save Ferris- Christmas Wrapping (this is so funny! and kinda anti-christmas!)

6. Frank Sinatra (swoon)- Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

7. Bing Crosby- White Christmas (So, lovely!!)

8. Nat King Cole- O Holy Night

9. Trans Siberian Orchestra- Carol of the Bells (this song is a HUGE jam in our family!)

10. Alvin and the Cipmunks- Chirstmas

11.Paul McCartney- Wonderful Christmas Time

12. Jimmy Eat World- Last Christmas

13. The Grinch Song

14. Cindy Lou-Who/ Faith Hill - Where are You Christmas?

15. Brenda Lee- Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

16. Down Here- How Many Kings (I could listen to this one all year long! So Beautiful. Just listen to the lyrics!)

See what I mean? Christmas music is so much fun! There are Christmas songs that move me so much, like the last one. The first time I heard it was last year and I cried. Lyrically, it's so beautiful! How many kings stepped down from their thrones? ... How many fathers gave up their sons for me? Only one did that for me... *sigh*

There are tons more, but these are just the ones I have on my Ipod. What songs do you love for Christmas time!? What songs just make the magic of Christmas to you?!

ps; crafty friends, what do you think about web rings? I'm thinking of making a crafty/crochet web ring so that all crochet lovers can be in one spot! I am looking for more crochet blogs and if you know of some please share! I love looking around at what other people are working on! The web ring would be FREE, no sponors or anything, just a page dedicated to crafty people! How awesome would that be? Tell me your thoughts!

Christmas Lovelies!

I have finally made a yarn wreath! I've had this styrofoam mold for over a YEAR! And the other night while Robin watched the Football game I decided it was time to work this baby up! I am so happy with the way it turned out! I didn't have a lot of supplies to work with, but I am so pleased! I used left over ornaments from our little baby tree we bought and I made the yarn ball and I crocheted a sparkly white snowflake (btw, I am obsessed with the snowflakes too! I am so glad a few of you love them!!)

I've ALWAYS wanted a white tree!! When I was in highschool I bought a SILVER 2 ft table top tree and I decorated it with hot pink, teal and purple! It was so sweet, but after Robin and I got married I threw it away. He HATED it so much, so I let it go.

I got this tree for $7.50 (YAY!) the other day at Rose's (a cheaper version of Wal-Mart). I got some decorations from Big Lots and Wal Mart and made quick work of decorating it! I think next year I will make TONS of ornaments to go on it, but this year I was a little too busy to make all the ornaments! I have some that I actually need to put up!

We also have another tree in the house. Our big, lovely, artificial tree. It's in the living room and it's decorated in Red, Gold and Black. I will share those with you later!

What yo you guys think?! What crafty bits have you added into your homes lately? Share your stuff too, I wanna seeee!!

love, heather

Ornament Swap

Who would like to swap crafty homemade ornaments this Christmas?! Go here and leave your name and email and how EXCITED you are!!

I am feeling so inspired by this endevor!

I made these the first year I started crocheting! Here is the GREAT tutorial!!

Super easy and you can customize it a MILLION different ways!

LOVE these!!

SQUEE! These are ADORABLE from this etsy shop & it's a pattern!

There are so many ideas running around in my head right now!! I can't wait to get started and meet my partner! Who ever you are, I can promise you this I am going to have so much fun making you some ornaments!!!!

A Serious Case of Wonderlust

Pardon me while I go a bit batty. I am being materalistic, which is very unflattering. I just want things sometimes. It happens to the best of us. It's happening to me. Not that I'm the best or anything, just that I am normal. Well, as close to normal as I could possibly get...

why, yes! I would LOVE a GOLD camera. Get some gold glitter toms to match! YEA! I would kill it with my point n shoot in STYLE.

have i ever mentioned that i love apple.

oh, probably about a dozen times...

^shut up. i'll say it again.

i love apple. mac. i pods. i tunes. safari. steve jobs.

there. i said it. BOOYAH!

I'm not normally so crazy. But I have wanted an iphone for FOREVER. There is rumor of verizon becoming a carrier and I am SERIOUSLY waiting for this to happen. Pins and needles, I tell you! I will not buy a new phone at least until late late next year in hopes that iPhone will be on verizon by then! If not then, CRAP!

i know how awesomei phones are. i think that together we would have super powers. fight crime and listen to really awesome jams while counting our steps and caloric intake and playing scrabble and taking photobooth pictures of us slaying evil villans.

or we just be really awesome. like peanut butter & jelly.

And I really NEED a new camera. Not just want. I've been borrowing my MIL camera for over a year. (After Robin slammed my camera in the car door on accident, which busted the lcd screen. it'll still take pictures.. you just can't see what you're doing or know how to adjust settings.)
so, i'm hoping that the hubs will lovingly get me a camera for this christmas! and those 2 up top are my picks right now. They are seriously impressive!

You know Christmas is like a MONTH and A HALF away! Are you getting excited yet?!? Have you started your wish lists/ shopping/ making yet?! What are you hand making this Christmas! I would love to hear about it!!

I am keeping christmas low key this year. I have NO idea what to do for gifts yet. I feel the anxeity already. I blame the tinsel. And the blinking lights. You can feel free to blame the rotating blow up displays if you wish.

;) Enjoy Your Weekend Dears.

It is supposed to be effing cold this weekend in Georgia! YES!

Blah Week

today things like...

randomly picking up bits of the house

stolen moments with Doodle

trying to nap but getting phone calls

quick trips outside then

noticing that p.j's & tank tops are

NOT suitable for outside right now

writing down resolutions

organizmessing yarn

(not quite organizing.. really just moving the mess)

smelling sugar plum fairie tarts

eating mac & cheese outta the pot

and trying to stay awake

... are happening.

seems this week has little meaning when Christmas has just passed and New Year's is right behind, but I am excited to take a friend half way home. I'm going to Atlanta Wednesday and I hope to have a camera working by then :) there's a TWO STORY Target you should all be jealous of. :)

This past week was amazing though. Opening Christmas presents on Christmas morning. I had forgotten how magical it is. Even though Doodle doesn't really know what Christmas is yet, she was STOKED to RIP paper and get new toys. I could see that much in her eyes. She is wore out though. Waking up early everyday and seeing so many people really makes her sleepy. She's taken three naps already today... which is a lot. We've also had company this week! Natalie and her hubby, Duck came and spent the night with us. They are so fun to be around and I always have such a great time with them. I really wish they lived closer so we could hang out more. Natalie cleaned up my laundry room & folded all of our clothes while we were at church... she is a angel I tell you. Only an angel would fold that many clothes and be happy about it. It was really sweet and I kinda cried a little about it. She also got me the most AWESOME presents ever. (She does every year, but she just knows my sweet spots so it's easy for her) I got a BEST FRIEND embroidery wall hanging.. it looks like half of a heart best friend necklace. ITS FREAKING ADORABLE! A hand painted tea mug that says "I love tea." Which I do! A pair of handmade ear rings and a knitting book!!! Lovely gifts, lovely people. I want to do it more often... we can leave out the gifts IF we HAVE to. :)

I hope everyone had a great Christmas week.

I really did.

I think it was the best one I have ever had.

Let's make this week count too!

christmas on my mind

source

i am SO making one of these for christmas. i have been obsessed with them since about october and really wanted to make one, but didn't come across a good enough deal on a wreath. I found what i'll be using at the dollar tree... my favorite place :)

i had planned on making a TON of ornaments as well this year... but uh... life is getting in the way of those plans. 

i have a craft show coming up & i'm not quite prepared for it at all.. and it looks like the only way I'll be able to get anything new made is to stay up past 12. Which as I'm typing now it's 12.30 and I am so tired I can barely keep my eyes open. (sigh.. i wish i didn't complain so much......)

i have a painting project coming up this week too. my friend destiny and I will be painting a window mural for a community center here in town. excited about it & can't wait to get started.

I really just want to decorate for christmas. i want to turn on my christmas playlist (which is the BEST christmas playlist you will EVER hear:P ) and light up the house and trim it with holly and bunting and handmade things and natural things.

i want a hot cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate and my breath to be visable. i want snow and mittens. 

i just love winter. what kind of crazy person am I? 

well, i'm seriously about to slump over the computer.. i promise to do better next time. pictures and paragraphs instead of incomplete sentences. 

<3muchlove3>

p.s. the hubs took me to see NEW MOON tonight. he really does love me. i have to say NEW MOON WAS WAAAAAAAAAAAY BETTER. :D that is all folks. *sigh*

i'm turning into the cookie monster

images from google search cut out sugar cookies

I am absolutely thrilled for this holiday season! I have a killer no-chill sugar cookie recipe & a SIMPLE royal icing recipe! Robin and I have made a TON of sugar cookies lately & we keep practicing and experimenting with different things! I just can't wait for Thanksgiving! I got cookie cutter set you see at the very top with the leaves and acorn from Wal-Mart last week when they marked all the halloween items for A DOLLAR!!! It was orginally $6! WOO! I was super excited too! I also got some orange decorators icing! This year for christmas I want to go sugar cookie crazy.  I want to decorate tons and tons of cookies for everyone I know and then some for my house. I am so excited about this Holiday Season. I'm not sure why either. Last year I didn't really get into the Holiday "spirit" at all. That may have been because I was constantly sick & a ton of pain in my lower back because of baby business, but this year it is such a different story. I can't wait to get down the Christmas stuff and decorate our house for Christmas for the first time!! Our living room is so small we're going to have to re-arrange it to fit our Christmas tree. It's almost 8 feet tall and I'm wondering exactly where it will go... cause we have an angled celing in our living room & the highest point is where the living room and kitchen join... well we'll see how it all turns out!

As for the awesome recipe's I've found it would be RUDE if I didn't share them, right? Right. :)

No-Chill Sugar Cookies

Easy Royal Icing

For some cookie inspiration, you've got to check out this blog!!!!! 

Have a lovely day, ya'll!!!!!