Joyful New Year

Well Dear Friends, we have made it. Another chapter written, set in stone in our book of life. It all comes to an end today only to unfold a brand new story tomorrow. 

I have watched new generations being born...

Goals Achieved...

Friendships grow...

Creativity soar...
Two loved ones take their vows...
First Dates...
Graduations...
Sickness healed...
Victory accomplished...
Independence risen...
Morals strengthened...

Hopefully we are all a little more appreciative, compassionate, forgiving... 

If your past year was full of hurt and sorrow, may the sun shine down on you this coming year and let you see the world a little differently each and every day.

May you always remember, we are not promised tomorrow so do all you can with what you have today.
Here's to a little bubbly and a New Year!
xoxo- 
Joyful Me

Sick-a-roo

Being sick is the pits, isn't it? Sore throat, coughing, aches, stuffy nose... I would like to revert back to the days when I lived at home and had a bell next to the side of my bed and rang it when I needed some assistance please. Charlie just does not quite get the gist of this service yet. 

With an evening all to myself and a drink of choice at hand (nyquil and/or tea) I would like to take the time to list the 10 worst things about being sick. 

1. All the things that annoy you are 5,000 times more annoying 

2. Everything you eat taste like a stale rice cake 

3. You have to consciously think about swallowing your saliva 

4. Toss and turn at night because your coughing wakes you up 

5. Using up a vacation day at work 

6. No one wants to hang with you

7. You look exactly how you feel 

8. Dog duties still need to be taken care of

9. House turns into a tornado zone

10.  Your favorite oversized sweatshirt becomes your dress of choice for days 

Yep, that's all I have to say about that. 

Re Run

Oh... Home sweet Home ! You know when you've been gone for even just a few days and you walk back in your front door with the grunge of traveling stuck on you, and you take the first big whiff of your comfort zone? I think that should be one of the items added to my list of simple things in life that I enjoy most in my previous post. The joys of being in the comfort of my own house with my own queen size bed, my own toilet (and right kind of paper), and my own kitchen is simply the best.  Being gone from home for four days really makes one appreciate all the little things that become routine for months on end until you leave them all behind. Don't get me wrong, being with family and taking little vaca's is much needed for everyone, but I'd like to put it out there, I wouldn't trade my cozy home for becoming a world wide traveler for anything.

Lots of memories made this year, just like every year... being shuffled to and from one Grandma's house to the next, all in good cheer.

and holy moly- Kids Kids Kids- did anyone say kids? I don't know where they all came from but it seems as if they are multiplying by the dozen every Christmas. Good Lord in Heaven there were a lot of those little munchkins running around this year! All in all, I will tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the magic of Christmas shine through each child's eye. The innocence of every conversation I indulged in with them made all the screaming and crying worth it.

Especially after one of these bad boys was gulped down at a local German bar... 

 Indeed it was another successful year full of tradition that leads me to say one thing... 

Home Sweet Home !!!

Now time for another load of laundry, preparing for another week of work, and a new year right around the corner.
Hope everyone had a Merry, Safe, Memorable Christmas!

Merry Christmas.

For unto us a child is born,
   to us a son is given,
   and the government will be on His shoulders.
And He will be called
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

To Grandmothers House We Go.

Looking forward to spending Christmas right here in this cozy little two story home filled with good food, family, and lots of love... 

Merry Christmas to All !

Winter Walks.

Do you ever notice how silent everything is in the winter? I don't know if it's the snow that drowns out all the noise or the fact that everything living and breathing is probably  hiding under a rock until spring. Either way, I found my nature walk yesterday to be just that way ... peaceful.

As much as this girl complains about cold weather and wanting to move south, I will throw my hands to the sky and fess up to the fact that I do enjoy the scenery in the winter. Now, ask me if I am still enjoying it come mid February, I may have a different answer for you. But for now, I am taking in every sweet God given moment.

Rag Balls

I crafted together a few ornaments the other day... want to see? You're looking at them! Made out of soft linen that  was hand  ripped into several different pieces. Whew! What a stress reliever that was... I should make these things all year long! 

 and there you have it.... my rag ball ornaments. Ripped with stress and glued together with love.

Chalk it up.

My new love... chalk paint. You can make anything with this stuff ! Despite the fact that my fingers look like I have played with tar all night, I made some pretty sweet mugs. How many times do you have family and friends over and have to break out the smelly sharpie pen (although I must admit, I enjoy this smell) and the big red plastic cups to keep track of everyone's drink. Now your guests can have real glassware to use with their own name written on it in chalk. When they leave...wipe off, wash, and it's ready for the next friend!

and the chalk bag just adds a little extra touch (boasting) 
Oh yeah, pretty rad right? 

Christmas Frames

Yikes! I have really been slacking on the blogging this past week. There is no excuse not to blog today with this weather we are having. Charlie Ray can't even go outside without being blown back in from the wind and snow. So I decided to get out a little paint and went to town on some arts and crafts. Cozy day to brew some Starbucks, whip up some Swedish pancakes, and throw on some slippers and sweat pants (wait, I didn't even change out of my sweats I wore to bed yet). 

 These frames really bring some Christmas Cheer to my home and for the right price they can do the same for yours... :)

 

Stay Warm everyone!

Mr. Reindeer Man

My Sweet Reindeer. 

Winter Wonderland.

Once upon a time there was a piece of wood. It was not an expensive piece of wood. Far from it. Just a common block of firewood, one of those thick, solid logs that are put on the fire in winter to make cold rooms cozy and warm.

This is what I woke up to this morning... 

After a night snuggled up like this...

What a splendid weekend thus far.

Cabernet and Pine Needles.

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, please put a penny in the old man's hat. 

Believe it or not, I put together my Christmas tree all alone this year. First time for everything, right? A little Cabernet, pine needle candle, and classical Christmas music was my companion this time around.

To be quiet honest with ya, it was very relaxing. Dad wasn't standing behind me telling me I'm putting the tree together wrong, mom wasn't complaining about dad just standing there not doing anything, and Charlie Ray sat and watched patiently  off to the side as the lights twinkled from a distance. I must say, it is much more rewarding putting it up all by yourself once it is all said and done. For the most part, it wasn't that difficult to match all the colors together ( mind you, this is a fake tree from Michaels, have yet to ever have a real Christmas tree), spruce out the branches, and string some lights and burlap (duh) on it. However, as I was taking the tree out of the bag I remembered last year at this time, my dad broke the base of the tree and tried duct taping it together. So naturally, this tree has a tendency to lean to the right.... my wheels started turning, I felt like pioneer woman over here by getting out the twine I used in my Christmas cards to rope this thing down somehow. Yep! It worked, I rock, I did it. All alone. I may have done a victory dance or two around the first floor.  After all that, I was too tired to even try and take a picture of it.

So stay tuned for a picture of the tree..
 and Merry Christmas!

Falling Bugs.

Yesterday morning as I was getting ready for work, I noticed Charlie Ray barking profusely at something out the window. This really wasn't too big of a shocker to me, an occasional squirrel or bunny might pass by that he likes to give a shout out to, but he would not let his brain and eyes off the subject he had in mind this time. With dripping wet hair and a robe tied tight around me, I bundled up and attached his leash so he could show me what it was he wanted. As I looked out, I noticed it was snowing! The very first snow fall of the season!! Although I brought Charlie home last February when there was snow on the ground, I'm pretty sure that little cavapoo brain of his forgot all about it. The minute I let him out the door he was jumping into the air trying to catch the snowflakes. Mom and I came to the conclusion later in the evening that he probably thought they were little bugs falling from the sky (stretch your imagination with us). After all, he is my little bug catcher around the house.

Finally, after about five solid freezing minutes outside, and a head full of frozen hair, we headed back inside. He ran right underneath the covers, only to try and keep those heavy eyes open to watch the snow fall to the ground out my bedroom window. 

To say the least, it made my morning. 
It's the simple things in life that count.

Let the countdown begin!

Wow, can you believe it's already December 1st! I have decided to ask for my present from Santa 25 days early so he can have time to save up for it. It comes from a little store that starts with a P and ends with an Otterybarn.

 I think after Santa see's this, his Mrs. will more than likely want one herself, so if he has to hand craft it to save money, that would be A-okay with me. (As long as it looks similar to the one above)

Let's be real here, how is a girl supposed to resist that (pottery barn) restored wood, chipped paint, creamy white color?

 Oh, and Santa, if it doesn't fit under the tree, you can just go ahead and hang it in my entrance way, save you some trouble. 

Photoshoot

Yep, my cousins should be models. 

and that's all she wrote.