Angelic Christmas Treats

What's a mom to do?

You know, when her daughter begs, 

"Please, Mom?  Can you make me cool birthday treats?"

"Can I just do cupcakes?"

"Moooooommm...  Nobody does cupcakes anymore!"

*sigh*

Cool treats it is.

Useful Gifts {Homemade Laundry Detergent}

I have to give my sister-in-law, Lissa, all the credit for this one.

She finally converted me into making my own laundry detergent.

With  7 people to wash clothes for, 

our name brand laundry detergent bill was getting a little pricey.

I had gotten sick and tired of going through a container of detergent 

every 2 weeks with our 25+ loads of laundry a week.

Watching the price on detergent rise the last couple of years 

had left me pretty frustrated.

This is where Lissa comes in.

No-Sew Stockings

And the stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

(Or if you don't have chimney...)

The stockings were hung on a Goodwill shelf 

(that I scored for $5.00) 
in the back corner of the living room 

over the top of my son's toy corner...  
with care, of course.

HA!

And yes, they really are no sew!

Salt Dough Stars {Tutorial}

I'm sure like most Americans, 

and maybe some of you in other countries, 

Christmas this year is about 

being a little more "creative"

 in my decorating due to things being 

a little "tight" financially.

If it can be re-used....

Re-use it.

If it can be painted...

Paint it.

If it can be made...

Make it.

So, that's what I've done this year.

Christmas Mantle 2012 {Reveal}

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby...

Keeping watch over their flocks at night.

Festive Coffee Filter Wreath

Ever since Shannon from Fox Hollow Cottage 

made her gorgeous Coffee Filter Wreath, 

I have been promising myself I would make one.  

I finally got around to it.

Like...

Almost year later.

LOL!

Decking the Halls with Dollar Tree

A few weeks ago, Shannon from Fox Hollow Cottage 
and 
Debbie from Debbiedoo's announced... 

Well, I decided after the Primpin' Your Pumpkin debacle, 

I would not wait until the last minute this time around.

I always seem to miss their fun parties!

(Yes, I'm a party pooper.)

Give Thanks In ALL Things

"In everything give thanks."

1 Thessalonians 5:18 

Have you ever tried to be thankful in ALL things?

I mean, ALL things.

An Honor {And Some Really Talented Bloggers}

This week I've been a little slack on the blog front.

Between school conferences for 4 of the 5 kiddos still in school...

Finishing up a long awaited custom job for the ever patient Brenda Crom... 

(You rock, girl and it was so fun to finally meet you and your sweet girls!)

And generally running around like a chicken with my head cut off...

Blogging was totally put on the back burner.

Sorry!

Showing Some School Spirit

We're huge black and gold fans around here.

We root for Iowa. 

(Even though when, like this year, it's hard to root).

The "Believe" Ornament

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air
There's a feeling
of Christmas
Children laughing
People passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you'll hear...

Vintage Hymnal Page Ornament

Ornament Day #3!

Would that technically be "Ornament Hump Day"?

Probably so.

;)

An Aqua and White Ornament

DAY 2 of Ornaments!

YAY!

This one is definitely a favorite.

One word:  Aqua

Book Page Ornaments

I know it's a little lot early for Christmas.

It's not even Thanksgiving yet!  

Christmas 2011 {A Look Back}

I love Christmas!

Deck the halls with boughs of Holly

Fa La La La Laaaa

La Laaaa

La Laaaaa!

A Tale of Two Tables (2 Befores & Afters)

What a hectic couple of days!

You would think I would learn not to procrastinate, 

but I don't.