Home Again

We drove through the night into the most beautiful sunset on the 20th. In our yearning to be with family for Thanksgiving, we blocked from our memory the horrible drive that separates us. The memories quickly resurfaced however, as we hit the sixth hour and we were only half way through North Dakota.
But this was waiting for us. Cooper and Cylie, Bridger and Brook, Lacey, Tyler, Denver and Cade, my sisters and Travis, and their spouses, and of course my Dad were there to greet us. Well...eventually....as we pulled into town bright and early...we had to wait before seeing EVERYONE!! It was so worth the drive. Let me tell you just a bit of our holiday vacation.
We celebrated Tyler's birthday. We set up my Dad's Christmas tree....and some (not even close to all) of the decorations.
We laughed until we literally couldn't breathe. We cried and cried with laughter. There were a few nice comfortable silent moments when words were unnecessary. It's nice to be with people who just "get it" no explanations needed.
Jo and Kim and I got pedi's. So nice to relax and chat without having to wonder what Miss Cylie was up to.
Pretty toes!!
We started a craft. We made muffin tin advent calendars. Such a funny/stressful/wacky afternoon.
We danced and danced. The joy at being together was just contagious.
We made donuts. 'Nuff said!!
Lacey read to the little kids. She is becoming such a beautiful young woman. She is wiser that her 1o years would suggest.
Miss Cy...into anything and everything. She climbs up or in to any place she wants to play in or explore. She has the BEST personality.
Beauty. She is so sweet and caring. Just like her Grandma.
Ah, yes, Cade. He has the world by the tail. What 18 year old doesn't?
Travis loved that Cooper wanted to play with him. They were so cute together.
Not one to wait for an invitation....Cy decided to see what Lacey was doing.
This was actually on our way home. She was hanging out with a big ram right on the side of the road as we summited the pass at Big Sky.
Denver just couldn't seem to hold still. Bridger was able to "freeze" when asked...but Denver just had to keep moving.
Like I said....on or in everything!!
Jo took her camera and some cousins downstairs to play. She is one of their favorite people in the whole world.
Two cute girls.
That Brook is a riot. Jim loved visiting with her this trip. He always has fun with Bridger, but this time Brook had is attention a lot too. She tells him, "You know, Uncle Jim, we never talk any more." And then proceeded to ask him all kinds of funny questions like "Where would you run away to?" She is a funny girl.
My CyCy. What a doll.....a naughty girl!! hahahaha
Now you have seen a incredibly long with way too many pictures nice recap of our Thanksgiving trip. I have only a couple of regrets. Jim's parents and sister moved before we got to see them and I didn't get to see any of my friends. Other than that it was THE PERFECT THANKSGIVING. I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful family.

Still Here

Just so you don't worry....I'm still here. My internet connection is spotty right now but I am working on projects and blog posts about my life. Hopefully by next week I will be back up and running. Stay tuned.........

Crazy For Coasters

I am always in need of an inexpensive gift to take as a hostess gift. Or how about those neighbors who drop a gift by and in your rush to get that one last perfect gift for someone special....you've forgotten to put them on your list?
It happens. So this year, I am going to be prepared. Not only am I giving these to some of my friends, I will be making extra to have on hand. They are SO easy to make and stinking cheap dang inexpensive too. I spent $.16 on each tile at the orange home improvement store. I estimated that they cost about a dollar a piece...and there are 4 in a set....SO CHEAP!!
I found this tutorial and loveloveloved it. I couldn't find any napkins that made me happy so I went to my scrapbook paper stash and found some that I thought would work. I cut them in to 4 inch squares...(the tiles are 4 1/4 x 4 1/4) it was easier. I found that after placing the paper on the layer of Mod Podge it was best to run my library card over the top to seal it down really well. If not it could look like this poor unfortunate soul.....
There are BIG bubbles under this snowman tile. The rest turned out much better. I topped them all off with another layer of Mod Podge and after they were dry I used some spray sealer over the top and OH LA LA!! Purty!

I used felt dots on the back....A- because they were cheaper and B- because they were cut in circles, thus eliminating the extra work of cutting cork......duh....
I mixed the stripes and dots into sets and put the snowmen together and I feel very good about giving them away.....except for the bubbly snowman.....he has to stay with me......darn!
And there you have a quick and easy (and cheap) project. I am linking this with Between Naps on the Porch. Head on over there and check out the party. You'll be glad you did.

A Quick List

Just a quick list of things I am thankful for.

1- My family.....all of them. I couldn't have asked for better people to be with for all of eternity!!

2- My friends....I am so blessed in this area. I have friends in every city I have lived in that I still keep in touch with. I have received so much comfort and joy from my friends.

3-My hubby's job. In this economy that is one thing I am SO thankful for.

4-The Gospel of Jesus Christ and my testimony of it.

5-My job. I love that I am able to work with the special needs kids that I love.

6-My dogs. There is nothing more wonderful on a cold Minnesota winter than to snuggle on the couch with Nellie and Darla.

7-My car. It will take me to the place my heart lives very soon.

8-My new found craftiness....I do love the sprat paint and glue gun madness that has taken hold of my free time.

9-Getting pictures of my son in Texas. Few things give me more joy than that.

10-Toe nails....love 'em

What are you thankful for?

Wordless Wednesday

Backing Up Just a Bit

I know that I have some of my Christmas decorations up. I have been told how crazy it is. I know...but it's how I roll. I was blog hoping the other day and came across this blog. She had some fun pumpkins that I wanted to try.
I could have waited until next year...but lets face it I would definitely probably forget. Also, the pumpkins are on sale now at Hobby Lobby and other craft meccas.
The ribbon is on sale right now too. I used hot glue to make sure the ribbons stay where I wanted them.
I like how she did her ribbon at the top. I forget exactly what it looked like while I was doing mine.
I left mine multi-colored too. I like the variety. I put raffia on one stem and jute on one and left the other without anything. Next year when the pumpkins come out these three will look good in the pumpkin patch that my living room becomes.

I am linking to Met Monday (as usual). Run on over and check out all the fun projects and maybe pick up a few ideas to incorporate into your own home.

It's Begining to Look a Lot Like......

You guessed it!! I am digging out the Christmas decorations. I was going to wait...but...I have been locked in my house waiting for the carpet guy to install a teensy bit of carpet in my house. I have NOTHING TO DO!!! So...I dug into the boxes of fun and memories and got a jump on the season. I have seen some wonderful blogs full of beautiful Fall's Bounty type decorating....but I am all about the red and silver and green and gold....I crave it all year. This year I am even trying out hanging ornaments from the light over my dinning room table. ((Just a side note...as soon as I find a light fixture that I can't live without...this baby is HISTORY!!) The usual decorations in their usual places....with a few new-comers mixed in. I scored BIG TIME at Target last year. I got A TON of stuff at 75% off!! LOVE THAT RED STORE!!!
I am looking for a Santa hat to put on ole' Uncle Sam there....he needs a bit of Christmas cheer!! I am waiting to set up my big tree. I just can't seem to wrap my brain around doing the lights and the actual branch placement by myself this year. Kev is the best tree guy I know. I'm not sure I can do it without him.....we might not have a big tree this year.....In the mean time, I got this little cutie pie for five bucks last year. He is a little small...so I put a box under him. I like that he is miniature. That way I can put him in the tiny space that I have available in the TV area. I plan on putting some snowman ornaments on him and maybe some snowflakes....I put him up before the carpet guy was scheduled to come. He is waiting patiently in the sun room to be set back out for all the family to enjoy. Speaking of the carpet guy....hahahahaha....He is SUCH a nice man. But really?? First impressions being what they are....
WOW!!! I was sure the rest of ZZ Top was coming through the door in some bizarre reality show!! Let me just say that HE IS A REALLY GREAT GUY. But...wow....He and his wife have raised 5 girls and he has been a carpet layer, installation specialist...guy for 35 years.
( Please don't judge me by what the back of my carpet looks like....not all of the grossness was from us....this carpet is old....) He was here ALL DAY yesterday. I turned down 2 sub jobs for the day. And then he tells me he will be here most of the day today!!
It is looking great. I am so excited to have it done and the mess cleaned up!!! I will post some pics of the whole finished project in a few days. Until then, my friends, crank up the Christmas music (carpet guy does in fact think I cam crazy!) and enjoy the day!!!