{stocking shop talk....}

So... when I went away to IU Cooner sent with me: a glue gun & floral wire?? I know I looked at her crazy-like. I swear if y'all knew how much I used those things then.... and how much I do now- it would amaze you! Now speaking of crafting.... let's talk stockings! This year I wanted to go neutral & knew that the red & green oldies {circa 2001- when the Mr. & I moved to NC} had to go! I found some white ducking fabric @ Wally for about $8.00/yard {60 wide}. **do not count out Wal-mart for your fabric needs**

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I started out with a pattern out of a shirt box {I left it @ Cooner's}. One thing these new ones needed was to be FUNCTIONAL. The others were a bit narrow at the top- these are NOT {I like to stick DVD's etc in them}. I decided to go the easy route & not even turn them once I stitched them- gasp!!! I think they are prettier with the more sorta worn look & they took all of about 5 minutes each {including the cutting}!

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Next I added {with the help of Cooner's button box & Carol's advice- THANKS girls!} some buttons & other ruffly scraps....

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~Joey's~

{simple with faux fur, scrap popcorn fringe, & a sweater button from who knows where?}

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~Mine~

{with a ruffle & a rose made from a sheet- you know me so well!! Finished off with a VERY girly button with a genuine imitation diamond!}

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~A-man's~

{sorta rodeo}- I couldn't make "lego" or "star wars" neutral.... so I told him that "he's the deputy around here & he can carry a pistol"- he smiled! Star buttons & a cowboy boot button finished it off on top of faux fur & some cream felt circles {courtesy of Antropologie- I love how they wrap gifts to me!!}

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~Prissy's~

{hers... well makes me smile! I had to add a rose cause she asked :) & the little antique crystal buttons were my grandmothers. I added some cream canvas ribbon as an outline to make it a little more "girly".}

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Total cost = $8.00 for enough fabric for: 4 family stockings, 3 American Girl Stockings, & a tree skirt {unfinished I'm afraid until next year}....... The happiness that they bring= PRICELESS!!

:: case in point that it doesn't cost a lot to make the holidays special ::

{our Christmas tour 2011}

Well.... if you stopped here hoping for a glimpse of what y'all saw last year- STOP! Or... you can check it out {here}. Cooner did not come.... but Christmas is still coming. I have scaled back {much to Prissy's fancy dismay} from last year & even changed my color scheme. You'll notice less red & much more natural colors & things that can be left out after Christmas.... I like to call it "winter decorations" -ha! I do LOVE the white & softness. Our home feels clean & fresh somehow?

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1st stop- the mantel.... I used fresh greenery this year, but it id dying FAST with the fire...

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How do ya like the new stockings? I'll show the details another day, but for now I LOVE them!

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I used subtle touches of Tiffany blue all throughout this year. This little music box came from a photo shoot with Tina.

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...on the other side- I flanked some books tied up with gray ribbon & a new compote pot from Cooner- {she finds the best things!}.

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I added in some more white in the built-ins. Owls seem to be all the rage this season. This little guy came from Ross- I think he was $5 .

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My tree is in Cooner's words "pretty, but not spectacular!". She has never been one for sparing the truth- but I love that about her.

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And to that I say "well then come over here & HELP me!"

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I know that it needs ribbon & perhaps star fish {and if you know where to get some- please tell me}, but this is all I got... this year!

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more little Tiffany blue touches....

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I added just a little touch of decor in the dining room with a white poinsettia {from trader joes- $2 } & vacation shells!

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The mantle wreath has changed 3 times already... and I can't promise that there won't be a 4th? I made this one out of book pages {tutorial to come} last night. What do you think?

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....and the packages are even joining in on the color scheme- I have used everything to wrap gifts with this year from grocery sacks to sheets to burlap!

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I'm also loving the look of faux hanging wreaths onto mirrors. I put this little girl up with a suction cup hook & strung some ribbon behind the mirror. {dang these gold walls- they make everything look jaundiced in these pics :) }

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p.s. I'm linking up with the Nester here....

{easy-does-it....}

I have been e-a-s-i-n-g into the whole Christmas decorating thing this year.... Partly because we went away over Thanksgiving & that's when I like to decorate, but mostly because Cooner isn't here to make the most tedious of tasks fun!!! However... I have 2 make that 3 eager elves around here that will not be "just one more day-ed" anymore- ha ha. I think our tree is done {for the most part}. It is much MUCH less excessive than last year, but I think it will do? The kiddos' trees are up.... I think you can guess which one is the A-man's!!!!

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He insisted on putting his "bath-time" Star Wars guys on it. I think it is positivity precious... much like the little boy that falls asleep looking at it!

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Chewy took top honors this year.....

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Prissy chose a more traditional tree with feather boas & tiaras & jewels... I wish she were more fancy- ha ha. I made her these little stockings for Lucy, Lanie, & Lizzy with scraps from our new stockings that I FINALLY finished- AMEN! I can't wait to show you how great they turned out!!!!

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The kiddos got their 1st ever Advent calendars tonight- gasp! A-man got this one- no surprise! He could hardly eat dinner tonight... he is so excited to get the tiny gun ship & the tiny Yoda & all the other "tiny-s" that come along with it!!

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Prissy got this cheapo from the Fresh Market. I was sorta in a panic with not having anything for her & knowing she would want to open something every morning like the A-man. She adored it- and the sparkly pj's that came along with it :) . And thanks to 3rd grade Latin- I just learned that "advent" is a verb meaning coming... which implies the "coming of the King=Jesus"! Am I the only one that didn't know that... please tell me I am not???

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p.s. Prissy & I decked out her classroom for "Crazy Christmas" tonight- SO FUN!!! Let's just say the spirit shield may have a new home- ha ha. And.... the A-man & I are headed there tomorrow to teach the 3rd grade all about the nervous system & the circulatory system- YIKES!!! I have a few fun surprises up my sleeve.... but I am NO public speaker {even with little people}!

{our Holiday highlights...}

We are back from our wonderful trip up north.... We had an amazing time! We came back & have hit the ground running since- YIKES! But I have to show y'all a few highlights really quickly-

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First stop- Cooner & Papaw's. We celebrated Thanksgiving with my parents this year. Cooner had a table set for kings! She & Prissy put these @ every setting.

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I cracked up once I heard what the A-man had asked his sister to write for him... "I am thankful for... Star Wars Legos!"

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"I was thankful for...." this PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE {from Martha Stewart's website} & my salvation & family too of course. Joey, Prissy, Travis, Tucker, Sysun, Abbie, Jaylee, Kelly, & I ALL agreed it was the single BEST dessert that we have EVER tasted!!!! The double batch was gone in less than 24 hrs!!!!!!

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Cooner picked these greens on Thanksgiving- they were amazing!!

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The A-man & Tuck shot some hoops for hrs at the gym- THANK YOU Uncle Michael! {and Aunt Peggy you are my our prayers!!}

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Next up- Grandma Harris'. We were warmly welcomed with chili & treats- YUMMY!!! Then the ROOK began... Jeff, Jean, Joey, & Jamie table talking like you have never heard before- ha ha!!

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And somewhere in between- we got a new wookie for the A-man, a Glee Album- SO FUN!, some crafts, some clothes, & some new fun things for Prissy's- Lanie, Lucy, & Lizzy. I cracked up when I heard her unpacked talking to her girls about "sharing their new things"- what a fantastic little mother!!!!!!!!!

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and dare I say some new legos.... THANK YOU Uncle Jeff & Tyler for helping the A-man put his new ship together!!!!

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And Prissy & Allisonny got to spend some girl time together crafting & hanging out!!

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And I got spoiled by a little girl who wanted me a lot... and I LOVED every single minute of it! YES my sweet little Paige was my little BFF the whole trip. I secretly planned the whole thing- getting her a wand & putting on top her gift to lure her in..... it worked perfectly. HURRY down her to see you Aunt Ashly little one- I MISS YOU!!!!!!!

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Of course what Muncie trip would be complete without a pony ride or 10 from Uncle Jeff? I'm pretty sure I know what he wants needs for his b-day next month.... pain killers & a back adjustment- ha ha. THANK YOU all so much for everything!!!

{turkey treats}

We are gearing up for some fun Turkey stuff this week..... Last night was Prissy's "Taste of Thanksgiving"- precious! And today the A-man is having his class party {I do so LOVE parties}. We made these little guys! They have been taste tested... and they are adored by ALL!!!!!!

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~Here is what you need~

Rice Krispies, marshmallows, white icing, sucker sticks, candy corn, & chocolate- I mean really.... how could they be anything but wonderful??? YUM!!

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First- make a batch of rice crispies & mold them into balls. Then put them on wax paper & pop them into the fridge to set (about 10 minutes).

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Next dip them into chocolate (I just microwaved some chocolate chips in a bowl for about 1 minute & swirled the ball in it) Then I added the details- tail feathers & eyes. I wish I had some other fun things to add to them.... but that's the beauty of 4 yr olds! They LOVE anything sweet!!!

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Finally... wrap them up tight, tie a little bow around their necks, & pray for the President's pardon- ha ha!!!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!