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| Digital slideshow made with Smilebox |
Here are some photos from our trip to Cleveland to visit the Christmas Story House. We had a nice family day and the guys even got to have wings on the way home at their favorite place...Quaker Steak and Lube.
~peace and blessings~
Lisa
I hope that everyone had a lovely Christmas! I hope Santa was good to everyone too! 
Miss M's Dance Christmas Party is Tuesday. I agreed to bring in some cookies for the party. Of course, I couldn't just do regular cookies. I found these cuties at BettyCrocker.com and made them today. Here's the recipe:
I saw these on Pinterest from the blog My Sister's Suitcase. I just had to make a few for my colleagues at school. I filled each cup with assorted chocolates (kisses, butterfinger bells and peanut butter cups), and will deliver them on Monday morning with a can of soda. It's going to be an action-packed week in middle school. I hope this helps the week feel a bit less crazy!
On Friday evening, we visited Blue Spruce Park's Festival of Lights. The Festival is in it's 20th year. We've been attending annually for about 8 years now. This year's theme is Santa's Tropical Holiday. 
Here are Rudolph and his friend in the hot tub.
Our kids on the dock with Santa peeking at them.
A view of the lake and light display.
Miss M adding her Precious Moments Little Mermaid to the tree.
Christmas Tree 2011
These are a few of the cards I made for the Christmas Card Exchange that I participate in each year. I used the K & Company Die Cut Cardmaking Pad and Elizabeth Brownd Layered Accents for these cards. I think they are coming together nicely...only 15 to go! 
We went to our township light up night. They had a tree decorating contest. The one above was done in pink and silver. It was beautiful.
This one was done by the Cub Scouts. It was called "All Tied Up" and was decorated with ropes tied in a variety of knots. I love the red, white and blue lights. 
Miss M with Santa Claus
We lit the first candle on our Advent Wreath today. We will light it each night during dinner. I used dollar flameless candles and wrapped them with purple and rose ribbon. It makes it safer for the little ones.
We also made an Advent Chain to countdown the days until Christmas. Each link has something special written on it to do each day of Advent. Today's link says: "Light the first candle on the Advent wreath." Here's a printable version of my activities that are written on the links:
Pumpkin GobsEnjoy!
My little Gob Monster!
~peace and blessings~
Lisa
We now have shrubs and trees planted in the front of the house. These are pics before more dirt was spread and mulch is put in. That will happen this week. You can see before pics here. We were worried that we would not be able to plant, since it is November, but the nursery said it would be fine and we are trusting that they are correct. 
Here's a view from the steps...and with my shadow. The tree is a red maple that won't get much larger than it is right now. I think it looks more like a home with the plants...
Another shot, a bit closer. I can't believe this area was covered in snow last Saturday! DH added in the dirt and put in a few landscape lights later today, but it was too dark to take photos.
We celebrated with a small family party for him last night. We had a Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard Ice Cream Cake, Pizza Dip and Chips, and Nachos with Cheese. A good time was had by all...especially the birthday boy who got everything he asked for and more!
~blessings and peace~
Lisa
The idea for this Give Thanks Calendar was posted at Comfy in the Kitchen. I followed the instructions in the post. I used a yard of burlap, 10 pieces of felt in 5 colors, and 3 packs of presto felt. To create my numbers, I made tracers using my cricut. Each night at dinner we'll each take a turn sharing what we are thankful for that day. Then we'll write them on the slip of paper inside each day. I'm planning on keeping the slips so we can look back at them in the coming years. Thank you for stopping by!We had a spook-tacular Halloween, despite my fight with a stomach bug. We visited the grandparents' houses for trick or treat, ate Mummy Face Pizzas for dinner and then ate Monster Foot cookies for dessert! I had hoped to make some Halloween S'mores using some huge pumpkin marshmallows, but the family filled up on treats instead!
Thank you for stopping by!
~peace and blessings~
Lisa
We were hit with a snow storm today...
Winter is arriving early this year. So much for grass and landscaping!
...well this isn't the exact chair. This is the new version of the chair. It's actually much lighter in color with a paisley imprint in the fabric and the legs are a bit chunkier, but you get the idea. The price is reasonable, too. It appeals to my traditional style. The den is traditional too.
Then, there is the EKTORP chair from IKEA. I love te way it looks, especially with the ottoman, but IKEA is about 2 1/2 hours away. I could just have it shipped, but I am worried that it won't be comfortable. I would also purchase the ottoman and get it in a color.
Decisions, Decisions!
~peace and blessings~
Lisa
My guys were filling in the beds today for our landscaping. It's starting to look like a yard!
The dirt pile is diminishing...love it!
Here's the sidewalk with the dirt filled in on the other side. We're planning on planting some StoryBook Roses in this area.
Just some flowers I bought yesterday...love sunflowers and the bouquet smells so great!
Homemade Apple Sauce
4 med. cooking apples, pared, quartered & cored
1 c. water
1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
Heat apples and water over medium heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes or until tender. Stir in brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg; heat to boiling. Let cool to room temperature and serve or refrigerate.
Enjoy!
~peace and blessings~
Lisa
...the rain and high winds came and the leaves came falling down.
