Holiday Sale!

I'm having a holiday sale until December 10th in my photography shop! Just use the code HOLIDAY at checkout! And thank you so much for shopping handmade!!

Happy Christmas Eve!

Just a quick post to wish you all a lovely night... and if you celebrate Christmas, I hope you all enjoy tonight and tomorrow!
I am off to bed. Wrapping gifts and baking cookies can really take it out of a girl. {and so can figuring out how to "wrap" a snake. More on that later. : ) }

(photo by me)

Salt Dough Ornaments

Hello lovelies! I just had to share a couple of the salt dough ornaments we made here yesterday. I got the recipe from Prudent Baby. They are having a contest over there and it is still running, so make up some ornaments and get to snapping some pics! Anyway- these were fun and simple- but the drying time seemed forever- and the kids really enjoyed it. Any of you make some fun stuff you'd like to share? Leave us a link in the comments!

Thankful for...

Happy Thanksgiving to you all. I wanted to say that I am thankful for my family's health. I spend the night before last in the hospital with my son. He was dehydrated and had a case of the stomach flu... but we got to go home then ext afternoon, and he is on his way to feeling like his old rambunctious self. I realize things could be much worse- so I am thankful for health.
What are you thankful for?

Today, I thought I would share my yummy spiced wine recipe with you...
This is a super quick way to make a festive drink, and really easy.


Rachel's Spiced Wine:
2 bottles of your favorite red wine
1 cup brown sugar
zest of 1 lemon
zest of 1 orange
5 black peppercorns
5 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks
1/4 teaspoon cardamom

Place all ingredients in a large saucepan. Cook over low heat for about 1 hour.
Strain.
Serve.

This smells delicious, and will be a hit with your guests. We are enjoying some as I type this!
Have a safe and fun holiday!

Still Recovering..

Still wading through a sea of toys in my living room... I took the decorations off the tree and put it outside in the snow. It was much prettier out there. My holiday was busy... we visit my in-laws on xmas eve, then on xmas day we visit my aunt's house. Fitting those two trips in and having xmas morning with my husband and 4 little ones is ,well, hectic. I try to slow down a little bit and just breathe, and enjoy. Now that it's all over, I'm thinking of starting my holiday planning for next year in July!! That way it won't sneak up on me. I'm hoping to get back to regular posting here soon! I hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Candy Cane Loving... and a Creepy elf...

I know I've been absent lately- but wow! shopping for four children can really take it out of a person!!! I want to wish each one of you Happy Holidays! Thanks for visiting my little spot in the world. I will return next week- and for now I'll leave you with a few images. Check out that Elf!! It was an ornament from my Grandmother's tree. Is it just me, or is it really creepy???
{photos by me}

Owly Goodness!

Fruit Fly Pie is my hero.

I love trees.

This may be why I love Hi Tree so much
I'm not sure how I found the shop really, but I'm glad I did.
Here is a pic of one of the trees that can be found there:
Tina even has owls in her shop sometimes. (my personal favorite) Go pick up a stocking stuffer!

Free Printable Holiday Gift Tags For You!

Here is a little gift for all of my blog readers. I decided to get (sort of) creative and make my own gift tags. And I decided to share them with you. Just click on the image, save them and print out onto heavy cardstock. I know they're simple, but I hope you enjoy them!

I'm all girlie and pink and sparkly.

This is my latest addition to my Etsy shop. Yes it is so pink and girlie-- I don't know I guess I'll finally admit that yeah, I like the color pink.

Cuddle Doll

Well, thanks to Cookie magazine and Domino daily dose, I found this adorable doll:
This doll can be found at Yellow Label. I think my girls are too old for it- but it would make a great baby gift.

Baby gifts...

My son is 1 now. So, I am transitioning from sweet little baby toys to things like cars and trucks and balls. But from time to time I find myself looking at beautiful bibs and burp cloths and receiving blankets... I get that "awww, babies..." feeling. I then remember that I have 4 children and I should simply shower gifts on other people's babies instead of becoming like the old woman who lived in a shoe.
A friend of mine recently adopted a baby boy. He was born on November 28th. So I found some cute things for him.
I love Polkadot Patch Boutique. Their shop has the cutest baby and kids stuff. Definitely a place to shop if you are looking for gifts beyond pink or blue.

A lily from late summer

While sorting through photographs from the summer I came across this beauty and decided to list it in my shop. Today it is so cold outside- but the sun is shining and the sky is blue. I'll take it!

Deck the Halls {part 2}

We have been busy decorating...which usually means there are huge messes of stuff to clean up afterwords. I still have to put away the containers that are littering my office right now. Our tree looks pretty- the girls did a good job hanging ornaments- although I did have to space them out some after they went to sleep. Now Jack is enjoying un-decorating the tree. At least the bottom branches.

Attention Shoppers!

No, just kidding- I was just thinking about yesterday's shoppers. Really, did you have to get up at 4 am to go get a freebie bag filled with poor quality trinkets and get a 2 dollar discount on a toy you didn't really want anyway? I think it's just that people need to compete for things. People love the feeling that they got there first, or they got the last one, or they really took charge when someone else was trying to grab that last elmo doll out of their hands. Then also, I think it's that you get to tell other people about your shopping misadventures. I was not among the early risers on black friday. I was sleeping. I did, however, venture out later in the evening to pick up some film, and go to the post office. Parking lots were full, traffic was in full force. I even saw a man jump out of his car at a stop light in order to walk over to another car, try the door handle and scream at the driver. I couldn't believe it. Obviously it was some sort of traffic dispute- but really- THE GUY TRIED THE DOOR!! what was he going to do to that woman? Rough her up? Drag her from the car and - um, what? If I could have seen his license plate I would have called the police. Yay holiday spirit! I mean, come on people! You know the traffic will be bad on this day. If you can't handle it, then stay home!
On that note- I will leave you with a photo of my peaceful morning coffee. No traffic, no lines, no angry moms on a hunt for that last sock monkey ; )
Just a quiet cup of coffee.

OOOO Yay the Holidays are coming.

I felt the need to draw some 'festive ' owls. I wanted to make them look a bit disinterested. How did I do?