Brown paper packages, tied up with Sting.

Four days to go! I have finished my shopping, and have moved on to wrapping. Which is on of my favorite parts. Sometimes I feel boring, because I don't use a lot of fancy wrapping paper. I like to keep it simple. Brown paper, and string. Does anyone else hear Julia Andrews singing in the back round?

a (Utah) girls best Friend .

I wish I could spend all my money on sweaters....... who needs a house anyway?

favorite of the week

The Hamburglar.

Need I say more?

10 days to go- and counting!

It finally snowed in Utah this last week. It snowed, and snowed and snowed. It was freezing, and beautiful. It has defiantly set the mood for Christmas! The snow was all I needed to finish my last minute decorating around the house. I decorated my tree the week of Thanksgiving, and have loved having the lights on and the cozy feeling a tree brings to the room. I worked hard this year to stretch Christmas throughout the entire house.

1: I had to show off some more of my favorite ornaments. This year I found 2 broken ornaments in my ornament box. There is nothing more heartbreaking than when you tenderly unwrap an ornament only to find it shattered from its long hibernation. As Mushy put it- "Its a good thing we have a couple hundred left..."

2: Last night I decorated my table. It turned out so beautiful- I wish I was holding a Christmas party this year so I could show it off! I guess that Mushy and the Pinchers (The Ying & Yang) will have to gather around the table so that we enjoy the candle light.



3: I got this cute iron sleigh the first year I worked for Pier 1. It was perfect for the kitchen hutch. Remember my little penguin? He found a home on our refrigerator. Its the closest to the Arctic that we could get.

Of course the bathroom needed a little sprucing too! I found these cute and towels at target. a set of 2 for $4.00! What a steal!

Happy Decorating everyone!

11 days to go... and I am in the Tour of Homes!

One of my favorite home decor blogs is "The Nester" This week she kicked off a huge celebration of Christmas by hosting the Christmas Tour of Homes. You can check out all the homes taking part in the tour here. http://www.thenester.com/ More pics of my house to come....... since I am officially in the "tour". Its time to show off my Christmas delights! Check in tomorrow for more Christmas- and for my favorite of the week!

Festival of Trees & 17 days to go!

It has been a very busy couple days. We now have 17 days to go until Christmas! Isn't that crazy? Its been snowing here in Utah so its starting to feel a lot like Christmas! last week the Mush and I went to the Festival of Trees with our friends Ben and Lindsey. It was so fun to see them- I think we laughed the entire time! I loved seeing all of the different styles of trees, and beautiful colors used. This was only a topiary, but I loved the colors!


The festival is so inspiring. Everything there is donated, and put up for bidding. Then all the proceeds go towards Primary Children's Hospital. I donated a centerpiece for the festival about 4 years ago, and it was one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. It brought $600 in on the biding night. I have not been able to donate the past couple years, but was definitely inspired to participate next year. I decided that next year I was going to donate an entire tree! If you have any theme ideas let me know! While I would never put a theme to my own tree, the best trees at the festival were all themed. There was lots of Disney/ princess trees, peppermint trees, Dr,Seuss trees... even camping/hunting trees! Some of the trees were very funny- but not as pretty as others.

The star wars trees was nuts. They had an entire set up with all the old, original toys. I took a lot of pictures for my brothers to drool over. I think a saw a lot of toys they always wanted!



This was one of my personal favorites. It wasn't because it was fancy, pretty, or even that creative. But the fact that someone made a tree that was dedicated to Labyrinth made me giggle for a very long time.

23 days to go!

Whats on your christmas list this year? While looking around for gift ideas, these are a few things I have stumbled on that made my heart pidder patter. While my wish list gets a little fatter.

$25. The first one is just a given. Who doesn't want to make cookies all year round. Do you think you could open the pre-made Toll House cookies from the store, flatten out the predetermined amount they cut for you, and cut it with a cookie cutter? If not.... this may be a waste! Or a lovely reminder of my failure to cook fresh cookies.



$200- $500:This one would end up costing a bit more. 1st, we need to buy a Wii. 2nd. We need to buy al the paddles. 3rd: I also want a Wii fit. 4: The reason we would spend all of this? To play Mario Brothers of course! The best game, and music in the history of games. Plus you can play this one with friends. Maybe they would help me finally beat bruiser!


$45: I love this ring. I fell in love with a similar one at Tiffanys. It was $7000. I think this one is more in our budget- and it looks just as sparkly. Which is the whole point isn't it? Maybe we'll get Tiffany's Next year.



$199: Last but not least. I have been wanting this jacket for months...... Love the lines. The distressed leather. I have been trying to remind myself that I am not a victoria secret angle, my hair looks like a boy (unlike the long sexy locks shown here)- and I would NOT turn into a super star in this jacket. Still, here I am, drooling over the keyboard.



These are just a few things I would love to splurge on. Are you itching for anything special this year?

Day 24- The debate of the Holidays.

The big question that has haunted christmas decorators for decades is.......
Colored lights?


Or white lights


Which do you prefer?

Day 25: Its time for a very good cause!

This year at work we are partnering with Ellen, and participating in the Toys for Tots program.



If you are looking for a good cause this year- I encourage you to stop by your local Pier 1, and drop off some TOYS FOR TOTS!
Nothing puts the Christmas Spirit in your heart for than giving back. Only 25 more days to go people.... are you getting ready for Christmas?


Here is the website, if you wan to read up on it.
http://www.toysfortots.org/

Day 25: Oh Christmas tree...

I love my tree. I thought about adding a color this year. But it feels too perfect with the black, white and silver. We get annual ornaments, for the mush and the ying/yang twins. I have not picked them out yet. But for now, here is my tree. I picked some of my favorite ornaments to spotlight. Isn't it funny how a personal a tree is? Some like it bare, some over board. Some people like color lights, some color. Home made ornaments vs. store bought. My assistant told me a story today about her christmas tree growing up. They used to string it with home made popcorn and cranberries. Every Year her dog at the popcorn, but left the cranberries. Too funny! What do you think about Christmas trees? Is there a "wrong/right" way to do a tree?

Day 26. A homemade Christmas Craft.

I have been looking for cute gift ideas and found this crafty Christmas Starfish, on one of my favorite home blogs. "Young House Love" http://www.younghouselove.com/2008/12/frosty-the-starfish/


That is one frosty starfish! have not made one yet, but am looking forward to my day off, where I plan on making a variety. Snowman, Santa.... peacock? I imagine the possibilities are endless. (well, maybe not the peacock) I will let you know how it goes! In the mean time, what is your favorite Christmas Craft? Do you have one that you do traditionally every year? Or do you remember one year in particular? I was just at a rehabilitation center that my grandma is staying in, and going over memories with her. We reminisced about the year, she was helping me make my mom a Pot Holder for Christmas. Being too young to use a sewing machine, I sewed the majority by hand. It was not until I was completely done sewing that I realized I had sewed the pot holder to my pant leg! Needless to say, I had to start over, and sewed AWAY from the body from that day forth!

Day 27

Mariah Carey All I Want For Christmas Is You (Version 60's)
Uploaded by laurentbiss. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

Its time to pull out the Christmas music! Now that is is almost December, I am not ashamed to say that I enjoy the blaring Christmas music every where I turn. Work, the mall, target...... the list goes on. (on a side note, is it weird that Target is a destination to me, and not just a "store") I posted my favorite Christmas song above. Then tracked down the TOP 25 most popular Christmas songs. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Did it make the top 25 ?

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)
Written by: Mel Tormé, Robert Wells
Performed by: Nat "King" Cole

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Written by: Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin
Performed by: The Pretenders

Winter Wonderland
Written by: Felix Bernard, Richard B. Smith
Performed by: Eurythmics

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Written by: Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie
Performed by: Bruce Springsteen

White Christmas
Written by: Irving Berlin
Performed by: Bing Crosby

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Written by: Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne
Performed by: Andy Williams

Jingle Bell Rock
Written by: Joseph Carleton Beal, James Ross Boothe
Performed by: Bobby Helms

Little Drummer Boy
Written by: Katherine K. Davis, Henry V. Onorati, Harry Simeone
Performed by: The Harry Simeone Chorale & Orchestra

Sleigh Ride
Written by: Leroy Anderson, Mitchell Parish
Performed by: The Ronettes

Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
Written by: Johnny Marks
Performed by: Gene Autry

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
Written by: Edward Pola, George Wyle
Performed by: Andy Williams

I'll Be Home For Christmas
Written by: Walter Kent, Kim Gannon, Buck Ram
Performed by: Vanessa Williams

Silver Bells
Written by: Jay Livingston, Ray Evans
Performed by: Kenny G

Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
Written by: Johnny Marks
Performed by: Brenda Lee

Feliz Navidad
Written by: José Feliciano
Performed by: José Feliciano

Blue Christmas
Written by: Billy Hayes, Jay W. Johnson
Performed by: Elvis Presley

Frosty The Snowman
Written by: Steve Nelson, Walter E. Rollins
Performed by: The Ronettes

A Holly Jolly Christmas
Written by: Johnny Marks
Performed by: Burl Ives

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
Written by: Meredith Willson
Performed by: Johnny Mathis

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Written by: Tommie Connor (PRS)
Performed by: John Mellencamp

Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)
Written by: Gene Autry, Oakley Haldeman
Performed by: Elvis Presley

Carol Of The Bells
Written by: Peter J. Wilhousky, Mykola Leontovich
Performed by: John Tesh and the Christmas Symphony Orchestra

Do They Know It's Christmas? (Feed the World)
Written by: Midge Ure (PRS), Bob Geldof (PRS)
Performed by: Band Aid

(There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays
Written by: Bob Allen, Al Stillman
Performed by: The Carpenters

Santa Baby
Written by: Joan Ellen Javits, Philip Springer, Tony Springer
Performed by: Madonna

Day 28.

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

One thing that every one must do at least 1 during the holidays is to "Elf Yourself". Every time I put one of these together, I find my self giggling for hours! My challenge to you..... ELF YOURSELF! You wont regret it!

We only have 28 days until Christmas! Have you started putting up your ornaments yet?

Day 29

Today is a very special day! It is day 29. Which kicks off the countdown to Christmas. I have been brainstorming and gathering ideas for getting into the Christmas spirit, and decided that I wanted to share these ideas day by day with you. To start off, there is nothing like one BIG family dinner to get you into the spirit of cheer. Which brings us back to day 29. Thanksgiving.

Mushy deep fried a turkey. Yes, you read that correctly. Deep Fried. He tied it up, hooked it dunked it, and an hour later it was delish. He was so proud, he even posed for this photo. . The Mush HATES pictures, so happily posing is very out of character. Every one loved the turkey, so the deep fry was very successful.
I posted a few of my Thanksgiving decorations. I don't go overboard with Thanksgiving but I do like to highlight the day with some special pieces. That usually includes pumpkins, which were white and orange this year. As well as lots natural materials like the dried branches and sea grass table runner.
I also started a new tradition this year. Its a Thankful jar. All of our guest wrote out what they were thankful on the extra pieces of paper, and stuck it in the jar. When we host next year we will pull out every ones cards and read them at dinner. After reading through a few of them, and getting those fuzzy feelings of gratitude I decided to keep the jar out all year round. Its a large jar, and I am hoping that we can fill it completely by next year.

Now. Tell me about your day. Did you start any traditions? Carry on any old? I want to hear all about it.

Don't forget to check in tomorrow for our 1st tip on creating Christmas cheer!

Sometimes I get it right.

We all know that Mushy is the chef of the house. He always make scrumptious dinners, and snacks. Every once in a while I will try my hand at something, and make him dinner. Mostly soups. I love to make soup. My "famous" soup is Zucchini. Green and delish. But tonight I tried out a recipe that I want to make for thanksgiving. Butternut squash. I have never eaten the squash, let alone have the soup, so I didn't know what I was getting my self into. I'll give you the run down.

#1: I bought the squash.

#2: Then you have to peel it. Which is where it gets tricky. They are so hard to peel, it took FOREVER!

#3: I stewed it, and made it super delish.

#4: Scooped it into bowls.

#5: Served it to Mushy. Now if you have eaten my food before, you already know that its a gamble. I'm a little reckless, and you never know when I will add Salt instead of sugar, or boil instead of saute. Some times its good, others...... well you get the point. So I was a little nervous to see what the Mush thought. Which brings us to .....

#6:

He loved it! I love that he loved it, it feels good to be the TOP CHEF tonight.

Where's my peeps?

Mushy checked out the blog the other day, and had a few questions for me. #1: What happened to my regular blog? #2: What happened to my regular contributors? So here's the deal- I'll write, you guys kick some feedback my way... and the blog is back on!

Lets start off with an old tradition. The favorite of the week.

I rented from red box for the first time. It was awesome! $1.00 for each movie! You can't beat that! Even better, I rented on my day off- and got to rent all the chick flicks that Mushy has not wanted to rent! I had a fun day, watching sappy movies. Crying when I wanted to, and laughing out loud when it got too cheesy.

On to the Subject matter #2:

Painting. Here is the latest creation. I am starting to LOVE my bedroom. Finally. The walls got a darker shade of grey/blue to create some drama. I also painted a couple canvases to pop against the dark walls. I am really happy with the result. I have the next 2 days off from work, and will be working on a new painting for my sisters new house. Wish me luck. I don't mind hanging my art in my own house. But having it in someone Else's house brings a lot of pressure.

I will let you know how it turns out!

Subject #3:

2 more weeks until I can decorate for Christmas. I am counting down the days. I bought a new Christmas decoration. He is so cute, I could not stow him away until the "official" decor season. He had become a permanent fixture through Jan. I'm afraid. More Christmas photos to come!

Halloween at our house.

I had to work this Halloween! Major bummer!
Mushy stayed home. He answered the door and took out handed out treats to all of our neighbor kids. He may have stopped answering the door when it came to trick-or-treater # 459- yes we have that many kids in the neighborhood.

The puppies thought they got out of dressing up this year for halloween. But I couldn't help myself. Yes, It is 11:00 at night. The holiday is almost over.....



could you resist putting these outfits on them?

-m.

photo booth

I just figured out how to use the camera in my photo booth. Is it weird that this is the first thing I did?

tai pan trading.

I went to tai pan today.

I had the Mushy with me, so I could not stay for long. But it was full of harvest, Halloween and most importantly CHRISTMAS DECOR! It got me in the mood for decorating!

I am so excited for Christmas. But for now, I will continue my Harvest decorating. I walked through the woods behind our house yesterday, and chopped some branches down. I know that they look huge, and border line ridiculous. But that is part of what I love about them . Also, the Ying wanted to pose for you all. She is not too excited about the change in weather. She spends most of her time laying in the sun, trying to stay warm.

A night with Mushy.

A night with Mushy, is always full of.....

Spices.

Good Music. Mixed with a bit of slow dancing.

More spices. ( thanks for posing Mushy)

Wonderful ingredients.

Volia: The best dinner ever!

1:Yes, I know how lucky I am.

2:Yes, he even does the dishes.

3: No, he is mine.

4: yes, I would love to share him with you!

But you have to come to my house!

Visitors are always welcome.