Kitchen Cabinet Decor – What to Put On There?!

I like mine blank. Empty. Nothing. BUT — the realtor asked me to put some Christmas items up there. No problem, I say! Um…problem. I am a print designer and not so good with home decor. Here’s what’s up there now. I need suggestions? There are white lights. I wanted to use what I have. The corner with the baskets and trees — all those goodies came from Goodwill the same day the realtor asked me to put something up there. Gotta love Goodwill. I got some fake poinsettia plants for my front porch, too and they are gorgeous. What do you have on your kitchen cabinets? We’ve been taking lots of pictures of the house at various stages. You can see them my house pics flickr photostream if you’re so inclined. I wish I had a collection of antique scandinavian anything but…Grandma Jackson’s stoneware crock & bowl and some Christmas doodads will have to do for now. Be sure to check back as I’m announcing the winner of the Boden sunglasses either later today or tomorrow. She’s from Finland. So, if you’re not from Finland, you can be sure you didn’t win!

Korean Pojagi & Fabric Wrapping Ideas

IMAGES REMOVED – website no longer linking correctly. It’s a shame, but people change and websites change, too — apologies to anyone who went to the link previously here that is now an anabolic steroid site! Yikes!  (The UNL Quilt Museum link is still very valid and interesting!)

One of my friends who went with me to the quilt study museum in Lincoln at UNL where we saw the Korean Pojagi exhibit made me this and wrapped up a yummy loaf of bread. What a great treat, huh! I do have great friends…any of you would be jealous of Billie Kay. She can make, bake or create just about anything. I attract those kinds of friends because the universe knows that I am sorely lacking in those areas, but I keep trying! I forgot to take a picture before I unwrapped it and I could NOT get it wrapped back up the way she had done it.

Christmas Party Pics

Here’s a few of our favorite shots. We are going to miss so many wonderful people when we finally move! You can see ALL of our church Christmas party pics here.

Ben’s Afraid of Santa!
















I guess he was really afraid! There are two bigger chunks of video that I might get around to uploading on youtube but for now this is how “calm” he was after the candy cane and stuffed reindeer!

Great Site (w/pics!) for Toy Recalls

It’s hard to go through those lists of toy recalls without pictures, which is why I’m loving this recall list site from Parents. Be sure to check it over for more recent recalls. There’s great stuff here – recalls on toys, gear, and even a few contests.

Christmas Cookies – Good ‘Ol Chocolate Chip

I had several sticks of butter softening on my counter since Thanksgiving and I knew I wanted to make cookies for the kids’ school lunch treats and as I thought of what my family likes best (and we like so many different cookies!), but what we like best is the old standby: chocolate chip. Sure the Nestle recipe is great. So is just about every other chocolate chip cookie recipe — you just can’t seem to go wrong whatever version you choose. So, I baked away and tripled the recipe and used up my butter! Some will be shared, some stored in the freezer and many packed in lunches this week. Hooray for cookies (and counters that are cleaner in the end)!

Another Kid Funny for Christmas

Since this is also for family remembrances, I had to create a new category for kids’ funnies (sayings, actions, etc.) and hope to remember to actually write down all of those things that make being a parent worthwhile in the comedy department. I wanted to share with you a conversation I recently had with Gabe. I was sitting at the computer when Gabe sidled up to me and whispered: “Mom, since I know you’re really Santa, can I go with you this year and pick out what I really want?” I asked him how he knew that I was Santa and he said, “Sam told me.” Sam, the very cute older neighbor boy has been teaching Gabe quite a bit this year…I’m sure I don’t know — nor want to know — the half of it!

And The Online Giveaway Winner Is…

TeresaB who said, “I just found your site through the City Farmgirls Blog. Fun fun!” Yes, it is fun! I think I like offering giveaways even more than winning (who’d of thunk it – I only wish everybody could win)! We had a peek at her etsy site here and she has some great ideas for your swiffer or sh-mop so be sure to take a look. Prepare yourselves for the next giveaway – it is going to be FANTASTIC and I’ll announce it tomorrow. Really. I-was-gonna-keep-this-one fantastic.

A Very Classy Christmas Card for our Soldiers

My friend, Alison, sent this to me today…what a great idea! Just one extra card this year for you but if everybody participated, our soldiers would feel a little more appreciated. Send a heartfelt note for Christmas today (it’s never too early for love and gratitude). Cards can be sent to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes
POB 5456
Capitol Heights, MD 27091

Please pass it on!

[Before you start thinking that I’m demeaning our soldiers with the above pic indicating it is “play” (uh, duh, we all know it is anything but)…the army man pic was taken by my boys while camping and I couldn’t help but appreciate the symbolism.]

Homemade Pop-Up Christmas Cards!

Well, three Christmas cards and a pig. He was just so cute I had to include him – I guess the pig is symbolic for the new year? Hmmmph. Learn something new every day. Anyway, they all look so easy and adorable and are by Robert Sabuda. You can check out his instructions and patterns here. My kids will love trying these this year but I won’t promise to get any actually mailed…

String of Purls & Knitting Projects: Finger Puppets & Stockings

So we were running errands on Saturday and my sweet hubby suggested we stop by the knitting store since he knew I was hankering for a project (yes, hankering) but I didn’t know what. I needed something more advanced than scarves but I’m not ready for tiny-needle socks. Thank goodness for local yarn stores! The owner at Omaha’s String of Purls is so kind, she pointed me in the right direct — pun intended — and I picked up this book on knitting finger puppets! You can buy it here on Amazon for less than $14 (I paid $19 in the store but supporting my local yarn store is so worth it). This way, I can get used to size 1 needles – double pointed, no less – but only have to work with a few stitches instead of a whole sock. I began the Baby Monkey last night and it turned into a mouse since I was using gray yarn…a very bumpy mouse…I practiced french knots all over the body! Now that I have the techniques down, I’m going to give it another try!

Before we checked out, I saw another book lying on a table and remembered that I wanted to knit our Christmas stockings someday. I couldn’t resist this book, either. I haven’t started this one, yet – have to get the right size circular needles. Looking forward to it as well as another trip to the yarn shop (I just never seem to get there enough!).

The knit doughnuts are from Fawn & Forest. The knit elephant, leopard and zebra are from Polka Dot Patch. So cute and inspiring – great giveaways or wrapping accoutrements for Christmas!

Let the Christmas Decor Begin!

Well, my anti-consumerism streak lasted about 10 minutes, that is, until I received this email from L.L. Bean. I’m still not whipping out the debit card just yet but this greenery does have me drooling. I know there’s nothing like the real thing but I’m thinkin’ it’s a good thing that I have some pretty faux greenery with white lights packed away that might quell the craving just a bit. I guess we’ll be putting up Christmas decor early this year… Plus, I’m thinking it might be the year for gingerbread creations. This igloo is adorable! All pics are from L.L. Bean so be sure to check out their site here.

Cafe Press: Greeting Card Innovations





Love the Human Fund card (yes, we’re Seinfeld rerun fans).  Some of the designs are fabulous.  Some of the designs are really not my taste. There’s a huge variety at Cafe Press – and it’s because this site allows you to sell your own cards, calendars and other items and prints on demand – fabulous.  It’s like nouveau Ebay or Etsy but for print!  Me likey!  Check the selection out here and click here if you’re interested in selling designs.  I especially enjoyed browsing the political bumper stickers – wow – eye openers!

A Little Something to Put You in the Christmas Mood!

I know, I know, it’s early for Christmas…but my fabulous artist friend Traci Osborn sent me this she has been working on and it’s beautiful! I wish I had her talent…but I know I don’t have the discipline necessary to get there. She even sent me the outlines I could have worked with on the computer to create something but, alas, I couldn’t have even envisioned it as well as this. Hope it puts you in the Christmas mood like it has for me. It’s coming up fast, you know.