Gingerbread Houses Part 3

They're done!!! The kids had so much fun making their houses. I was very impressed that Collin new exactly what to do. Being so independent he had to frost everything himself too. This is where he needs me less and less isan't it? We were short one kid as she got sick in the car on the ride over. Bummer, but i sent my Sister-in-Law home with a bag of all the fixings.

And out came the sprinkles for the little gingerbread men. See the pile on Collin's guy!

The houses were not easy to assemble that's for sure! I should have bought those darn cookie cutters that are already shaped and ready to go.

So i have a tip for the icing.. when mixing the water and confectioners sugar either add melted white chocolate to get it stiffer and keep it white colored or a less expensive way is to add melted butter. The butter will turn it a slight yellow...but it still worked!

Thanks for taggin along with me and this Holiday Tradition i've started.

Happy Holidays!

A Gift

I am so excited to pick up that hook and start crocheting again. It has been a few years since i have made anything and i thought i forgot what to do. I used to make afghans galore as gifts and i think scrapbooking kinda took over! But i have picked it up again when i saw this yarn and knew i just had to create something for my new Neice. I found an adorable shaw for babies just skimming throught the web. I will post the website for you soon! This is a great relaxer for me and i try to carry my things with me wherever i go along with me as well as my books.

Right now i am on My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult and i just adore her books. She is an amazing writter. During Black Friday Shopping (All caps because i believe that it is a Holiday!) i was able to snag the movie for $9.99. But the catch is i cannot watch it until i have finished the book and i have some girlfriends also eager to see it, so we will have to plan a movie night!

This is my 5th book of hers I've read and still have lots more on my list to read. The great thing with this Author is that she lives just an hour from me and owns a camp just down the road from me. I hope to meet her one day in my travels, but also love that much of her stories include towns and landmarks that i am familiar with. It is great to make the connections. I also so often get so absorbed with a novel that i believe what i am actually reading is about me! Weird but crazy....let me finish my rambling with a story so that you will believe me. As i was reading Vanishing Acts in the Boston Airport getting ready to board a plan to head to Phoenix for the Close To My Heart Regionals Celebration, i reached a part in the book where the father was being charged with kidnapping his daughter and they had to fly him to Phoenix for his arraignment. Weird or what?!?! I had no idea that the family was from Phoenix and didn't expect to read that at all.

I have had some other coincidences, but will be sure to share more when they occur.

Have a great day! -Shannon

Gingerbread Houses Part 2

We were up to our ears in flour......three bags later! My little man is loving this and gets so excited everytime i pull the flour and sugar from the pantry.

I am really bummed though because one of my dogs (not sure which one, but i have a good idea) pulled my bowls from the counter and they shattered. See that cream colored bowl with the blue stripe sitting in the sink, i HAD that in a set of three and got it as a wedding gift. I do have to say though, they were cleaned so to their surprise, there was not even a treat for them inside when they decided to be nosey! UGH, they have been so naughty lately and i am sure it is because we have been taking less walks with this winter we finally got. I do not like the cold and it is so windy at our house that i have a tendancy to stay cuddled up inside.

AAHHH December!

Can you believe that December is almost half gone and Christmas is right around the corner! I cannot wait to attend some holiday events and see family and friends over the next few weeks. I just love this time of the year! I still have decorating to do and i am not to stunned that it is not done...I always say 'Next year i will get my stuff together and be on top it!' I say that about everything like gardening, canning, b-days and so on.

My year anniversary of blogging is coming up in January and i also noticed that this is my 75th post! How exciting is that?! My goal is to reach 100 for the year and i bet i can do it. I have lots of holiday projects almost finished and can't wait to share.

Be sure to check back often as i will be hosting some BLOG CANDY for ya to celebrate and some lucky winner will get another Christmas present!

Can you say HELP!!!

My nook is so trashed right now and looks crazy! I went to PA with a car full and came back with TWO cars full! Not to mention, three orders and new cattys just came that i need to put away somewhere.

So now i have much reoragnizing to do, one of which is putting those darn white cubes together and then i think i will have even space to stash my goods. I am hoping my new plan works and might even try to get a table and chairs up here to do my workshops instead of downstairs at the kitchen table. Geoff mentioned that he feels banded from his own home when i have the gals over!

You can't quite notice it, but i have acquired half or lets say more than half of my master bedroom, with plans to get a few more inches! But believe me, i am reducing my goods and even planning a clearance sale in combination with my Spring Open House in January.

I will be sure to snap some shopts of the results when i am all done!

First Christmas party of the year!

One down, many, many more to go! We had out first party to go to and Collin's third year meeting Santa and he still was a bit nervous. No picture of him sitting up on Santa's lap yet, but maybe the next one!

He loved what he got! It was a elevator and ramp set for trucks.

And of course there were milk and cookies for the kids....i had some myself and loved the sugar cookies with the peppermint frosting. YUM YUM!

Gingerbread Houses Part 1

We started making the gingerbread dough for our house. Collin loves to join me in the kitchen everytime whether it is for dinner or for baking. I am so excited about making Gingerbread Houses this year with Collin and all my Neices and Nephew.  I bet i am more excited then they are!

I am really hoping to make this an annual thing. Please someone hold me to it next year!

Collin loves to smile for the camera. Before, we use to have to say 'show your teeth' and as you can see, that is how he smiles!

I think he sticks around just to like the beaters! Look at that face......i had him try the molasses plain and the look on his face was priceless! I will be sure to show you our creations from this weekend.