Vintage Delight

3

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

It was fun while it lasted.

A holiday that the whole family enjoyed.

Loved every minute of decorating and all the whoop la.

Will miss the Christmas music playing around the clock.

But I needed order back in my home.

It took me two days, sure didn't take me two days to put up, but I finished last night!

I wanted to begin tomorrow, New Years Day, with a fresh start!

Clean sweep.

Home deep cleaned.

Ready for the New Year, a new day, new memories.

It wouldn't have been a bearable chore if I didn't have my new gift!!

My "vintage laundry cart" was next to the tree with my name on it!!

the tag said,

"To Mom, our gift to you from your non-vintage family. Hope you enjoy our vintage find for you"!

I loaded it up throughout the day. Packing up all sorts of goodies while I cleaned to transport them to there proper place.

I'm telling you, it treats like this that make me dance as I clean!!

My husband was dually impressed with my mood.... not one little complaint out of me..

I was in vintage delight!

I've hung up my apron, just a little after Christmas sale gift to myself, from Anthropologie, I could not pass up. It screamed my name when I saw it... felt very sassy wearing it...

After all that work, we are headed for a day trip of ice skating. To have a few laughs, many falls, hopefully no tears, warm tasty lunch (anything will be tasty as long as I am NOT cooking) and be back by dark to ring in the New Year at home, just us.

The holiday "crackers" are set out and the Champaign is chilling.

I'll be back tonight to post a new years wish....

Happy December 31, 2008 to all!

Under The Tree

2

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Quick, one last look!

It's coming down today!
My mermaids spent the night under the tree!
Dreaming of their deep sea adventures!

Homemade Goodness

7

Sunday, December 28, 2008

"dress up earrings" from their dress up box!

"coupon to help around the home"

She placed it in her baby mug...... made me weepy!!!

popsicle stick girl's, they are dressed for a morning of vintage shopping... love it!!

Future Etsy Girls...

When I think back to Christmas day, one of my many highlights, is the special homemade gifts my children made.

My "crafty" self really came out of it's cocoon this year. As a Mom of four, I set aside a few of my passions, to give all I can give to my kids. Well, now that the littlest one is three I've started bringing a few passions off the shelf... and it's felt great!

My daughters have loved it. It inspired them to make all their Christmas gifts for each other, their daddy and me! I didn't help. Nope, not one bit. The cutest part was my two youngest daughter's wrapped their gifts in toilet paper to keep with my colored wrapping theme! They know me so well! They all made homemade goodness!!

They grasped the point of giving this year. Taking time to show someone you care. They placed more letters (written notes-not the sandpaper cutouts) in the tree... love getting a letter!

I have placed all my goodies in a special box. I can't wait to go through it again and again throughout the year to bring back the goodness from this Christmas!

This proved to me that I should to keep doing what I'm doing, unleash the passions--maybe even step it up a notch.... decorating, craftiness, blogging, cooking, and vintage shopping (sorry hubby)... 2009 is full of potential!

Little of This

5

Friday, December 26, 2008

a little of this

to help with a lot of this....

Twas the day after Christmas...

This is my "mom" moment to sit and reflect (with my latte) on

all that has gone on in the last 48 hours...

I came to a conclusion....

A lot has occurred!!

But, it feels good.

All the effort, time, panicked moments, late nights of wrapping

were worth it!

As I tucked the worn out kids into bed last night, there were hugs and kisses with a whisper in my ear that this was now their best Christmas ever....

My heart sang...

Christmas of 2008 is packed full of memories

Tons of laughter,

smiles,

kisses and hugs,

beautiful Christmas Eve mass,

shouts of glee and looks of surprise,

thoughtful heartfelt gifts from the kids,

and just us playing and playing as a family.

My favorite time of year....

I hope everyone had a memory making kind of day.

Cookies For Santa

9

Monday, December 22, 2008

Christmas vacation has officially begun....

I couldn't put it off any longer.

I whipped up my first batch of Peanut Butter Chocolate Kiss cookies!

I told the kids we couldn't dig into them until Christmas Eve. I know what a meanie!

If I let them have just one they will be gone.

What will I give Santa!

Plus, I need to keep the sugar at a minimum level to survive the next couple of days.

As you can see from my chalkboard back splash, it's a big hit.
I'll tell you a little secret....

the Christmas tree you see in the picture,

I caught my husband drawing it the other morning before he left for work....

I thought it was too cute.

The girls were amazed at their daddy's talent!

5 Day's Till Christmas

11

Saturday, December 20, 2008

We finally took our Christmas picture!!!

I know crazy late. Better late then never.

It was a small Christmas miracle.

A miracle never the less!

Can you hear me singing, Alleluia?

my kids can.... they are the ones you hear pleading, "please stop!"

After what they put me through to get a picture, I just may not! See how they like it!!!

Good grief, I do not know how professional photographers do it! By the time I had four ready for a picture, the goofiness set in.... then the sillies.... then one of them upset another one and would not smile...

I told them to turn around and look at the tree--this is what I got!!!

(this may not be an official LuLu & co Christmas card but, it is tonight!!)

Here are Dash 1, Dash 2, Dash 3 and Dash 4!

Three daughters and one son.

I love them to pieces.

The joy they bring makes up for the crazy moments of motherhood.

Hard to imagine it any other way.

The magical feeling of Christmas is in our home, they are all snuggled in their beds for, I hope, a long winter night.... I need some sleep.

Do your children wear matching pjs too? It's our (actually mine but they do not fight it) tradition every year to find Christmas pjs.

Hope sugar plum fairies are dancing in your heads as you sleep tonight.

Wrapped and Ready

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Friday, December 19, 2008

I did it! It took 2 days to wrap but I did it! On Wednesday, I wrapped the boxes. That was the most important part to get done before school gets out. Then last night when I shuffled everyone off to bed, even hubby, I stayed up late and added my favorite part of wrapping - the embellishments (ribbon, homemade tags and a few fun touches, buttons and flowers! )

I'm a bit weird, but I love to wrap and coordinate my packages. Each year I pick color schemes and wrap the presents to compliment each other. This year I have been trying to be more creative in cutting back where I can, but still taking the time to make my packages feel festive.

I decided to use brown paper and white paper to wrap. I know kinda plain, but it was cost effective and recyclable. Now came the ribbon. I love BIG FAT BOWS but it takes a whole LOT of ribbon to make a BIG FAT BOW... I needed the ribbon I purchased, on SALE, to stretch (4 kids worth!)

Then I thought about the tags. I have a ton of construction paper. The kids are always drawing. So that's what I used, construction paper and added their initial. I have some initials drawn on with a black Sharpe, and others with paper letters I have had in my box of scrap booking items I haven't used in a while! Buttons were in my box of sewing items. Everytime I get a piece of clothing that comes with an extra button it is placed in the box. And of course I never sew one on, so I had enough to embellish my packages!

Staying up late was worth it! When the kids came down for breakfast this morning they were excited to see what I did with brown and white paper! They all looked for their letter and were happy to see that they've been good!!!

It's Friday and I met my deadline!!! Happy Friday to all!

Winter Room

9

Thursday, December 18, 2008

This Christmas my goal is to enjoy the crazy moments.

I am "still" decorating my home for Christmas... as my family is finding out when they come home each day to see what I have added!

It's keeping my mood festive ....

As I was making the beds (like everyday) I ran to the Christmas box of goodies and grabbed a couple of items and in no time at all I created a little winter touch to my room.

The best part is that I am reusing items I already have in just new ways. Things I used on windows are now on beds... fun, fun.... just what the season calls for!

It's a new day with more to accomplish and feeling good cause my children are feeling the spirit of Christmas... what more could I ask for.

P.S. I'm headed to Michael's for glitter! I have seen so many fun ideas (from jaw dropping blogger's with glitter, I realize I have been missing so much fun... so glitter, look out, I'm coming for you... wait till the girls come home.... they are going to go crazy with glitter... just hope they don't try to glitter their little brother. Poor guy gets bow and headbands already!

Believe

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Wednesday, December 17, 2008

be·lieve

1. To have firm faith, especially religious faith.

2. To have faith, confidence, or trust:

My theme for my mantel is "believe". The metal "believe" words were the first thing I hung on the mantel for Christmas. Everything else fell into place with that one (very powerful) word. The word means so much to me everyday, but I it has extra special meaning during the holidays.

I believe in the "Reason for the Season" and what Christmas is all about. I hung my family's letters with my "believe" sign because I believe in my family. Each one holds a special purpose on this earth. I believe God is watching over "my angels from heaven". I believe in my husband and the great father he is to our children. I believe that in tough times, good times will follow. I believe a smile a day can change the way you see things. I believe a small act of kindness can change a life (maybe not in an instant but it will one day). I believe in the power of love.

And today, I believe, in the next 8 days everything that needs to get done will. (With little sleep, panicked moments, last minute running to the store and the goodness of coffee it will get done). Divide and conquer. Sent my husband with his list, for after work, and my list is to WRAP today.... the older kids are done with school on Friday... oh my goodness I must WRAP today. Just believe!! It's such a special time of year!!!

Happy Finds

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Tuesday, December 16, 2008

A few of my favorite things!

Vintage glass garland and bright green ornaments.

These are the treasures I found to add to my holiday decor from my vintage outing.

Vintage Weekend

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Monday, December 15, 2008

You never know what you are going to find.

Just darling....

I hit the jackpot! Just what I was looking for....

I absolutely love this drying rack.... can't get it out of my mind

which usually means..... I think I need it.... maybe next month...

When I saw this punch bowl I was ready to sit right down for a party.

This would have made the perfect gift for my husband... what was I thinking not getting it.

I just think it looks so cool and would be beautiful in his office on his bar cart.....

I love mirrors and old books. I really loved the chain on this mirror.

I am never disappointed by my weekend of vintage shopping. It does something to me. It recharges my batteries. Last night after a very busy weekend, I was still a buzz from my outing.

I felt like I jumped into the pages of a magazine. I see so much potential in so many items.(okay, probable too many items) but I can't help it. It's a true passion in life. Aren't passions suppose to be good?

My husband is truly amazing. He was trying (really hard) to enjoy his book last night and I kept disturbing him. I had a stack of magazines on our bed. I kept nudging him to show him something and asking him questions. "Did I tell about this, that and oh my gosh you wont believe what I saw but didn't get"... he finely put his book down. Oh, I'm sorry honey. "Were you trying to read"?

Even though my vintage shopping is usually what I do with my friends, I can't wait to share my experience with him. So after he let me ramble on and on... I turned off the light and fell into the perfect slumber dreaming about ideas and wondering what I will find next year.

11 Day's Till Christmas

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Sunday, December 14, 2008

This was my first year attending a local Christmas Home Tour (sponsored by Health Share charity). Couldn't have been a more enjoyable day. The sun was out, there was a definite "chill" in the air, which, was perfect for touring cozy homes decked out in Christmas cheer.

I had grand plans of taking a ton of pictures. I even came prepared with a second set of batteries for my digital camera ( it sucks up batteries like candy at halloween!!). I became caught up in the homes, people, and ideas that I forgot to take pictures.

Not only were the homes lovely to see inside but, what struck me the most was seeing the lovely country side in which I live. I sometimes get caught up in day to day living and driving the roads that I take to everyday destinations (not that their not nice too). The tour was such a treat to veer off on different roads and venture down new paths to see beautiful scenery that perhaps is 'normal' to the folks that live in the homes on the tour.

So today in all the hustle and bustle (but still a very enjoyable holiday season) it felt so good to take a moment and be inspired by nature and new surroundings.