(Nearly) 30 Days of Blogging

I did it!!  It's the last day of my little self imposed thanksfest.  I'm glad that I did it because I need to remember to be thankful for all that I have.  Sometimes, I find myself so frustrated over the simplest and I know that it's a tiny bit overly ridiculous when I forget about my many blessings.

Curious to remember all that I thought was important to blog about, I thought that I would recap what I'm thankful for.  

I've been thankful for...

• twice for music 
• two uplifting sayings 
• eight crafting/inspirations 
• remembering my blessings twice 
• friends three times
• easy dinners 
• warm car
• yoga
• bedtime
• thrifting
• hulu
• cheap chocolate advents
• and not surprisingly, my family 19 times  (funny because right now, they are fighting like mad and tattle-telling on each other.  They'll get over it, right?

All day I thought it was December 1st.  Obviously, it's not.  I've been working on my Christmas tree with the help of my (long distance) sister.  Why is she not my neighbor again?  With decorating, working on a billion Christmas banners and such, it feels like it should be way into December by now.  Before I know it, Christmas will be here and we will be surprised at how fast it flew by.  Here's to a fun and festive December! Hear! Hear! 

Ingrid Michaelson

Today, I'm simply just grateful for some good music.  I've had this song stuck in my head since an email to my sister last night.  She mentioned that she was longing for triplets which she would name Ruby, Violet and Hazel.  It reminds me of that song in which she has three girls, with strawberry curls, name Ella, Nelly and Faye.  I love my sister with all my heart.

Ingrid - source 

I like Ingrid and her little tunes. Which reminds me that I would really like to get myself something decent to listen to in my car and upstairs.  Any suggestions for some good tunes?  They would need to be acceptable for children to hear too.

Always, Always, Always

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This saying pretty much summed up my month.  I'm thankful I did it and pray that I can continue to realize my blessings! Just a few more days left...
We've been putting up the Christmas tree this weekend.  I'm having a really fun time thinking about making a new look for the tree on a small, little, tiny budget.  I'm hoping to have something fun this year! 

Christmas Pillow Inspiration

So far, I've made a Halloween pillow (not blogged about) and a Thanksgiving pillow  so I'm feeling crazy consistent and think I'll make myself a Christmas pillow too.  I found this free graphic the other day on The Graphic's Fairy website.  I'm thinkin' that it will look great for my Christmas pillow.

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The site even gives the graphic in reverse which is fantastic.  Especially since I have yet to figure out how to reverse my images.  I'm sure if I sat and actually tried to find how to flip them, I could do it, but so far, my images haven't really needed it.  Yes folks, I'm all about the doing the bare minimum.  I'm thankful for Graphic Fairy and her free images.  Now off to decide my fabrics!

Christmas Planning

Organizing is not my forte, but, I like to pretend that I'm a little bit organized.  Knowing what I to get my family for Christmas ahead of time always helps.  (As does buying it ahead of time.  Sometimes it happens (and it's delightful when it does) but often it doesn't.)

As I mentioned yesterday, I did some Black Friday shopping.  I was able to find most of what was on my shopping list.  My shopping list was just a quick jotting down of my thoughts and my thoughts can be pretty unorganized.  When I got home, I physically wrote out what I got, for whom and who it's from.  (Whom is such a funny looking word.)  I like using a Christmas planner to make it more official.  Of course, I have to put that planner under lock and key, buried in the backyard so the kids can't see it.  This year, I used this free printable Christmas planner.  I've also used in years past Flyladys' Christmas Control Journal.  Both work just great.

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I'm thankful for free Christmas planners.  Are you?  Do you write down everything down or remember it all in ye' ol' noggin?  If I did that, Christmas might be pretty interesting! I've already got some readjusting and returns to make.  That is if I can bring myself to return them and not just buy something else to even it back out.  :)

*Tonight is our first Christmas performance for Flautissimo!  Tis the season!

It's Black Friday, Have You Been Shopping All Night?

Did everyone have a great Thanksgiving?  We did.  It's always a small get together on the in-laws side since most of the family lives a few hours away.  Since we have the only grandkids, we get to be spoiled and have Gram, Gramps, Aunt Dee!Dee! and Uncle Matt all to ourselves.  We played games and ate good food and enjoyed ourselves very much.

free printable found here

Are you a big Black Friday shopper?  I'm not really a fight the crowds kind of a gal but I sure like a good deal.  I left this morning at 7am and was able to get everything but one thing on my list without any lines.  (In fact, the longest line was for Krispy Kreme doughnuts as payment for my oldest to watch the kids this morning.  It was crazy busy and if I hadn't of promised it, I would not of waited 30 minutes for them!)  And even though that one thing is out of stock everywhere, they are still easily orderable (makin' up words here) for just a few more dollars.  Win, win on my list!  I truly enjoy Christmas shopping, just wish I had a much bigger budget!  But honestly, don't we all?

My kids have written out their Christmas lists a few days ago.  They constantly remind me about their list.  There are quite a few things that I won't be able to do, like laptops and a real pet monkey.  But others on the list,  I found for a great deal and I know they will love them!

I love that everything is so magical for them still.  I hope to keep it that way!  Keeping up a positive attitude is one the most important parts.  That is why I dedicated November to a thanksfest.  To remember to look for my blessings.  I'm so thankful that I did this because now I feel a bit more mindful.  I know that continuing to remember my blessings and doing our daily Christmas scripture read will bring a warm, festive feeling to our household.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I thankful it's Thanksgiving today!!  Looking forward to good food and good family time.  Hope you have a wonderful day! 

Gifted

Gifted

Have you seen the new issue of Gifted?  It's a free, online Holiday gift giving guide.  It has so many pretty colors in it!

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• Hello beautiful pillow!  
• I admit that I love the aqua and red color scheme even though I don't use it.  I love this wrapping paper!  Which made me see this wrapping paper that I also like.  
• These fabric tapes are always fantastic.
• Tan, plum and coral.  Unexpected, pretty holiday color.  I think these feather tags are amazing! 
• Pretty zipper pouch. 

That's just naming a few of my favorites in this beautiful publication.  I'm always thankful for pretty inspiration! 

Yet Another Little Advent

Obviously, I've got advents on the brain.  I also like this little advent that I saw today on OH HAPPY DAY.

Little muslin bags are always super charming.  I'm still working on having a pleasant holiday.  I'm thankful that this week is Thanksgiving.  The kids only have two days of school this week then we off!  Over the hill and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go!  Gram makes the best. turkey. evah.  Seriously.  She has the roaster that is a miracle cooker.  What are your plans for Thanksgiving?

Thankful for Girls Night Out!

Tonight is our GNO and I'm super excited to see my good friends.  Some have moved away.  Some I see everyday.  But nonetheless, I'm super excited to see them all!  We're headed out for an early showing of Breaking Dawn and dinner at Iggy's.  Mmmm, chili water and bread.  They are too good!

Hope you have a great night too! 

*Update:  Honestly, the only way that I can handle Twilight movies is with my friends.  Breaking Dawn was a little laughable, but even better when in good company and fun to have my sister-in-law there too! 

Thankful for Our Neighborhood

Sometimes, I completely forget how fortunate we are to live in such a wonderful neighborhood.  We have friends  for everyone on every street! My kids have oodles of friends to play with! When we sold our first house and  looking for our second home, all I wanted was a family friendly neighborhood.  Our first home I actually liked quite a bit.  It was small but efficient.  It had a great little orchard in the backyard.  But it really, really lacked the family friends we were looking for.  Thankfully, this neighborhood made up for it with an abundance of friends not only for my kids but for us as well.

These boys love hanging out with the girls.

Two little sweeties

Red Neck Swimmin' Pool

My all time favorite picture.  Add twenty years and it could be at her wedding.

I went searching for pictures and I don't have many!  It's a goal now to make sure to take some pictures of these sweet friends.

A Tip

Here's a tip for the day:

When thrifting for Christmas books to do for a Christmas countdown, it's a good idea to write a list of all the books that you have, otherwise, you'll end up with a few duplicates.

I know.  I'm giving you gold today.

I thought I would check out my stash of vintage Golden Books to see how many more books I need and that's when I realized that I had a few duplicates.  I do have a great assortment but I have to laugh at all the duplicates I have.  I've collected:

• Jingle Bells
• The Twelve Days of Christmas
• The Littlest Christmas Elf
• The Nutcracker
• Santa's Surprise Book
• Frosty the Snowman
• Santa's Toy Shop (2)
• Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (2)
• Twas the Night Before Christmas (4! Including a really cool book that has golden pages)

I thought I was doing great to get at least the 12 books.  Now it looks like I have a little more hunting to do! Today, I'm thankful for thrift stores that have charming vintage Golden Books for me to hunt through.  Sometimes, it's just so fun to do!

*Oh!  Happy Veteran's Day and Happy 11-11-11!  What a day! 

Thanksgiving Bunting Fabric Banner

Continuing on with the monthly bunting fabric banner tradition, here is my Thanksgiving bunting for November.  I love the rich colors and the generous dose of vintage pom-poms.  I'm laughing at this picture because it was freezing cold outside so I ran out and took a few quick shots.  This was the only one that went but you get the idea.  Happy that it's been up since Novemeber 2nd!

Here is my October Halloween banner , September Fall banner and August Summer Banner .

Today, I'm thankful for a good friend that got me caught up in the monthly banner fever.  Even if I didn't think that I wanted to bother with so many banners, it's sure has been fun!  She finds some great fabrics and I can't wait to see the next one.

Thankful To Be A Craft Hoarder

Last month, I made a Halloween pillow that I really liked.  After I packed up Halloween, I missed it so I decided to make a Thanksgiving pillow.   I'm loving these iron on images that are quick and simple to make.

I still think this pillow needs a little somethin' somethin', but for now, it will due.

Today, I'm thankful for Etsy and this fab turkey image.  I'm thankful that I'm a crafty hoarder that had all the supplies on hand.  I'm thankful for vintage pom-pom trim. 

What are you thankful for today?