*photo by mom

Just one for now.  This was taken at my mothers, after we found the 'Puppy Chow' gift from my Aunt Syrl.  Oh yes, YUM.  I figure since its made with Corn Chex, it has nutritional value so therefore Max and I can eat as much as we want!  (kidding!)  Though Max is a lover of it.  So much so, that tin found its way into my bag and is now sitting high up in the pantry for only I to ration out daily.  We need to make it last! 

How was your Christmas? 

Inspiration.

Just what I needed to read tonight, after two long days of dealing with typical toddler/two-year-old behavior. 

I realized tonight as I rocked Max to sleep, I hated the day.  I hated the way it wasted away because I was in a bad mood.  I hated who I was becoming. 

Ali Edwards posts quotes from time to time, and I always find them to be applicable to life.  When I read this one tonight, this is exactly what I want to say to the day tomorrow when I wake, what I want to say everyday. 

What quote do you find inspiring?

So, I made an attempt.  What do you think?  I dont think its as glamorous as Martha's, but I kind of like it better, almost.  I think I am liking the greens. 

Here's how I did it:

-Two sets of feathered birds from Hobby Lobby.
-Elmer's spray glue.
-Martha's chunky glitter.
-greens from backyard shrub (that I hate and want to tear out in the Spring).
-existing hurricane centerpiece.

I sprayed the birds with the Elmer's glue, and then sprinkled the glitter over them.  I could have given them a bath in it, but I still wanted to see the feathers and the red. 

I put the cut branches in the hurricane (obviously), then attached the birds. 

I said 'Ouch!' a couple of times because there are thorns on the branches. 

And I have glitter glued to my hands and nails that'll probably take a half bottle of nail polish remover. 

Though in the end, I have a lovely, christmas centerpiece for my Christmas Eve meals tomorrow.

*the untouched version.

As much as I have been posting about Me lately, let me reassure you there has been plenty of Max going around here.  I just get behind in the stories and then get overwhelmed in what I want to say.  So I am scrapping any sort of story and just sharing the following montage of photos since mid-November.

And there's still more to come!  Hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season!

I wanted to share this with you as it is easy (though it may not appear to be that way), cheap and tasty, if I do say so myself. 

I've been cutting back on the Christmas gifts, but I still like to give a little something to some people I work with.  Plus this is my second year for teacher gifts. 

This year, I have been utilizing what I have in the house for gifts and decorations.  Outside of the chocolate, whipping cream and gelatin all other items I had on hand either in the cabinet or in my 'candy making stash'.  I think the Santa bags are a couple of years old from Target.  I purchased them when I was going through a 'whimsical christmas' phase. 

I found the recipes here and here.  And dont forget the instructions printable. 

Enjoy!

I know, I know, I said I would post more about Max.  However, today I spent my lunch hour looking for inspiration for table decorations for the Chrismtas Eve dinner I will be hosting. 

Lately I've been fascinated by the whole mid-century glittered christmas trinkets.  Martha has a couple of ideas.  Plus a few others that I think would be super easy to make.  (and if you have scrapbooking supplies on hand, super cheap!)

(all photos from Martha)

*heres the one that could be made with scrapbooking supplies

*i always see these cloches at the goodwill.

*this is one I think I might do for the table.  However, I might not glitter the branch.

*I love these dishes.