Merry Christmas And A Few Stories

I'm sitting here tonight writing this while sending hubby off for a quart of milk and a bag of Werther's Caramels. I like the soft ones but they weren't available so he picked up a bag of hard creamy caramel filled ones. I just may die from Caramel Overload. Werther's are the best caramels in the world. Oooooh and the fact that I told him to read the label and only bring home the soft ones just flew out the door. These are delicious.

More on Miss Caroline. I told my granddaughter to frequently send me things she does because they live 8 hours away and we can't see her but a couple of times a year. Here's what she sent this past week.

Every night she tries a new ploy to get out of bed. Caroline calls Dad into her room after bedtime.
C: I have an idea. I think there's treasure under my crib. Want to get me out and look for it? (Didn't work.)

Dad is kissing her all over. She's protesting that she's a big girl and he needs to stop. She grabs his face with both hands and looks him in the eye.
C: I'm a big girl. Do. You. Understand?!

Naked toddler running around kitchen demanding skittles.
Mom: We can have skittles but the priority is getting your pajamas on.
C: Priority?! Priority?! I'm scared of priorities!

Mom and Dad having conversation. C holds up hand to us and in the best Valley Girl voice ever says:
Shush! You guys are being soooooo loud!

C is telling Dad about somebody (a friend) being bad and needing to be "written up." Dad writes them up in iPad rather than actual notebook. [This actually gets her to behave if told she's going to be "written up." None of us can figure out why but it works, so whatever works.]
C: That's not a notebook. That's an iPad, you silly man.
*

Another red and pink bedroom for you. Notice the hanging bed by the window.

Can you tell I love eye candy? I'll always post it...FOREVER!

I love that sweet lamp.

A profusion of tulips!

Your own castle and island. Wowzer.

Cute place mats.

A vintage lunch hamper with French details.

A sweet cottage in the U.K.

I didn't make these but I did make one for each of my great-granddaughters...even prettier than these. ;-)

Another view of European cuteness.

Pretty soaps.

I want it!

And this sun room also.

Love the floating flowers.

No cars down these streets. :-)

*

Tidbit:
Four real school names:
Butts Road Primary School
Goodenough College
Universidad de Moron
Pansy Kidd Middle School
~*~

Linking up with SSS WOW. 

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A Wysocki Christmas for 2010 Pink Saturday

Merry Christmas from Connie and Love Bunny, my sweet blogging chicks. I hope this day finds you all well, laughing with your family and stuffed with favorite foods of the season, whatever that may be in your home.

But it's still Pink Saturday so go to Beverly's site and view all the other participants.

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As with all of you, I have always loved Christmas, not for the gifts—oh, that was probably true as a child, but for the feelings most of us feel this time of year. I believe it ranks right up there as the most favorite holiday of the year. In saying that, I'll explain what it means to us in this home.

We're a very religious family. We attend church every sunday and try to observe the Sabbath as a holy day of rest. That's tough for me because I'm always busy doing something. But we don't shop on sundays, work, eat out or have lavish dinners. We try to keep all sunday dinners simple so we don't spend a lot of time preparing or cleaning up after dinners.

I've already stated this but I'll say it again: We don't buy presents for each other, only for the youngest grandkids and, now, our great granddaughter. It's not about saving money for us; it's about being in the true Spirit of the reason for this holiday, plus there are absolutely no NEEDS here and very little wants. We concentrate a bit more of the life of Christ and the glorious gift of eternal life he has given us. To be caught up in the frenzy of purchasing gifts, decorating (although, hubs insists we have a tree and lights around the house outside because he loves seeing those things), and the frazzle of shopping isn't my idea of fun either. It's chaotic and we then forget our Savior and His gift.

So I'm just going to share some limited edition prints we have of Charles Wysocki that I've collected and now hang in the bedroom's hallway. In our last house we had the dining room all red and green and Christmas-y all year and yes, there was bright red carpet that no one could believe we put in there. I thought it was gorgeous though. I loved it but we don't need a formal dining room now so they have taken up residence in that hallway. Frankly, I'm just too lazy to take them down for a good photoshoot so this is as good as it gets in that cramped hallway. And, since you're here, you've probably had it with the family, all the cooking, eating and just want to get away from the zaniness for a few minutes. ;-)

Wysocki's paintings were representative of a time when it seemed simpler but truly wasn't because we now have much more spare time due to the invention of time- and labor-saving devices. I doubt I'd like to have lived back then but I would like the patriotic fervor, camaraderie, politeness and gentleness that era evokes in us. You'll always see an American flag in his paintings and prints. Most of his paintings usually evoke the New England part of our country and, although born in Michigan, he lived most of his life in Southern California. He is my favorite Americana artist of all times. His artwork just makes me happy to view it.

Wysocki once said donuts were nature's perfect food. I wholeheartedly agree! You'll notice the touch of whimsy in his painting below by putting his name—Charlie—on the pastry wagon.

Who wouldn't love this happy greeting at this time of year?

This is one I bought for my hubby because it has a train in it.

So, again, Merry Christmas! Enjoy the season and I hope your New Year is a happy one for you and your family.
~*~

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Christmas Tree 2010

Caution: this is photo heavy! But I can make my jpgs very small in pixels so it should not take long to load for anyone, but I'm just warning you that there are about 40 photos, which is not my regular amount. I only do it for special parties on the blogs.

As most of you who read me regularly know, we're empty nesters. We usually stay home for the Christmas season unless we can be absolutely sure we can get over the Sierra mountains to go back to California to visit kids or head off to Seattle to visit our granddaughter and her family. This year we're staying put! But we don't decorate the house like most people with little children do. It's just too hard on me, not HIM, to do it anymore. So he puts up lights and decorates outside and I just do a tree in the house.

I've been feeling unmotivated for a couple of months. Yeah, that's a good word—unmotivated. It took me a long time to decide if I would participate in Sherry's Share the Decor Party. So yesterday I had Love Bunny put up the tree. Let me deviate here for a minute.

Last year we had a green tree that we got 2 years ago so we wouldn't have to keep putting money out for something we were going to throw out. I dreamed about a white tree but didn't think Mr. Scrooge (hubs/love bunny) would spring for it since he's a traditionalist. Lo and behold, 2 weeks ago he suggested we get a white tree because he knew I was lusting after one! I demurred but he would have none of that. What a sweetheart he was when he put the white tree in the cart at WM! I guess he's a keeper. Anyway, it is now decorated and I'm going to just comment on a few of the photos for those of you like me who love the romantic, shabby chic, froufrou decor.

I don't do a traditional type of tree. For the most part I add things friends have given me or what I make. I have a few bulbs here and there but for the most part...well, you'll see what I mean.

I start with putting the lights on the tree and then using yards and yards and yards of netting and then yards and yards of pink and white organza ribbon to wrap it, I tuck and pouf for the most part.

I made these little faux cupcakes and put a few on the tree.

I added pine cones I've painted pink and added roses to.

I added 40 snow flakes to which I've added pretty papers and ribbon roses.

I add as much bling as I can and then put little faux candies in the netting.

Little paper flowers I crafted and stuck in the netting.

I made this tree topper with a wreath, paper roses, bling and faux pearls and just wrapped and tucked it also.

Very few balls on the tree, but I couldn't pass up these polka dot ones.

More faux candies tucked into the netting.

More scrunchy flowers I made from paper.

A little beaded angel sent to me from Pat at the Urban Chic.

One of the very few bulbs I've added this year.

Another cupcake I made a few years ago and tucked into the netting also.

Little birds I've tucked into the tree.

A little silk embroidery give to me by a member of my eBay group I've had for about 4 or 5 years now.

As I said, being unmotivated lately, I simply added a ruffle to this felt tree skirt. I wanted to buy one but I can't find a single shabby roses one now! About 3 or 4 years ago you could find them all over eBay but none now. I wanted to make one but I just got lazy and didn't. So I simply stuff yards and yards and yards of pink netting under there to tone down the red.

A little faux cake tucked in the netting nice and tight.

Almost finished here.

Wrap around and tuck.

And pouf and pouf and pouf.

After adding the lights and netting.

And the finished tree. I tried my best to get good pix in this room but it was an overcast day so this is the best I could do.

~*~

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