What It's All About

I have been feeling a little Bah-Humbug lately. Why? Well, I have been so busy lately that I haven't gotten to enjoy this wonderful season and my Christmas spirit is in short supply. How have I fixed it? With a bit of blaring music, cookies and a reminder of what Christmas looks like through the eyes of a child.

What music have I been listening to? Well, for some reason Josh Groban and his buttery smooth voice and luscious locks has gotten me in the mood... the Christmas mood! Dirty minds. But I am a sucker for bagpipes. My mother, who works at our community college, gets very upset every summer due to the bagpipe convention that is held on campus. They practice the same three songs over and over and over for a week solid. She has called me before saying, "If you hear of a mad woman running bagpipers down with her car, could you be my alibi?" So when I hear this song, blasting at full volume in my car, I smile just a little bigger knowing this song would drive my mom nuts. But when Josh (because I'm his best friend, so I can call him by his first name...right) and the other male voice reach a crescendo and the bagpipes and drums come in, I turn my volume up even higher and I just sit with chills all over my arms and sometimes a few tears.

The men folk went on a man date to see "Tron", a movie none of the women in our family cared to see, so the girls (my mother and sister-in-law) and I had a fun evening of baking, decorating and eating. Nothing gets you in the mood like finding green frosting all over your house for days.

Here I am being the sprinkle manager.

Very focused in her work.

Insert cheesy grin from the Bubba Boy.

And sneak a few cookies while no one is looking.

But the part that has saved me from a spiritless Christmas was this. I wrote down everything that my little girl wanted me to write for her letter to Santa. I have read it at least 942 times already and it makes me smile and feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

It says:

"Dear Santa,

I like you very much. I want a toy. I have been good for goodness sake. I would like Cutie Pies, a doll, a horse and Maximus! Why did you swipe the Cutie Pies away from Costco? My mommy and I will have cookies for you and carrots for your reindeer.

Thank You!

Zoe"

Now, what is a Cutie Pie? They are the Littlest Pet Shop bobble heads, they had a big package of them at Costco. When we went yesterday they were out of the "Cutie Pies" and I thought my daughter was going to have an heart attack. So we told her that Santa shops at Costco, which makes him a genius, and he probably swiped them away, hence the reference in her letter.

I just love this time of year and I'm so thankful to have my children that remind me what it's all about. I am a happy mommy and the luckiest girl in the world to have them be mine.

Happy Holidays everyone! May your Christmas Spirit be as full as mine.

Makes Me Giggle Monday

Hanging On For Dear Life

Hi ladies. Yes, I have been absent. Yes, I had big plans for posting all kinds of fun projects on here this month. No, I have not been slacking in any way at home. What have I been doing? Well, I'm trying to stay sane at the moment. I have started watching my friends baby girl during the day, she's 7 weeks, has colic and screams any time I put her down. My kids are doing so great and I'm so thankful to have such resilient kids that can entertain themselves and are at the more independent stages. And to top it all off, I have been getting wonderful, joyful, fantastic migraines. Yes, that was sarcasm. Not sure where they are coming from, but when they hit I make my house like a cave and we all are not happy. I haven't had one in a week, but it feels like I'm on the verge of one all day long. So I have just been trying to take it a day at a time and working on my Christmas gift list, which is still very long. Finding time to take a shower is difficult, let alone posting on here, so that's why I have been away.

I will hopefully be back to normal soon and I will post all my fun gifts I've been making as they are all turning out better than I had planned! So until that day, I want to wish you all a Happy Holiday and appreciate every one of you that reads my little posts.

Giveaway Winner!!!!!

Drum Roll please!!!!

It's #7 Alisha Saldivar who said: "I love it all...the tutu bag, the aprons. How talented and creative! Thanks for sharing. Great gift ideas."

Alisha send me an email with the pattern of your choice and we will get it to you!

Thanks everyone that entered!

Semi-Homemade Christmas Feature: Soapopotamus

I don't know about you, but I love me a quirky gift. Something that is practical, but has lots of personality to it. That's why I love my next feature.

I give you Soapopotamus!

Just the name itself is fun! When I found this shop it made me Ooooo and Ahhhhh! But it also made me giggle too, which is my kind of place!

You have the GORGEOUS!

The Practical!

And the...Quirky.

There is everything you could need in here! All of her soaps are made of natural item and Goats Milk, which is magical, as she says.

This one is probably my favorite thing, just because I love me a good cupcake.

What about this fun one? Smells like Black Pepper!

So much fun! So go check out Regina's shop! You will Ooo and Ahhh and giggle too!

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Don't forget that today is the last day to enter for a free pattern of you choice! Go Enter HERE!

Semi-Homemade Christmas Feature: Cinnamon Creek Country Candles

Yet another installment for you all!

Cinnamon Creek Country Candles

I love me some sweet treats... obvious from my wardrobe that is just not fitting. I also love me some great candles. But what if you made a candle look good enough to eat and smell great too? Can we say HEAVEN?! Well, that's what they strive for over at Cinnamon Creek Country Candles! I mean, look at these?!

These beauties are $6.95 for 13! WHAT?! And you may have to put a sign around them to let people know that they are candles, not food. Don't they look good enough to eat?!

Now if you are afraid of people trying to eat your candles, you can get more traditional looking ones, but they still smell amazing!

I just cannot get enough of these candles! And the names sound just about as delicious as can be too, like Peppermint Bark, Pumpkin Souffle, Sweet Potato Pie! WOW!!!! Wouldn't these be so fun as stocking stuffers?!

The cool thing about this company is is that it doesn't stop with just candles, they have another shop with body stuff!!! Head on over to La Dolce Vita Bath & Body Luxuries and find the same yummy things! Love it! You can find Cinnamon Creek Country Candles on Facebook and find out more about the sales and deals they have!

**Update: When placing your order, give the code "TAKE15" and you will get 15% off your order! WOW!

No Big Deal

So, all last week there were tons of Silhouette Machine giveaways. I entered as many as I could find, not that I ever thought I would win, but maybe the Giveaway Gods would smile down on me just this once. Well...... I WON!!!! Over at The Idea Room! The funny thing is that I had no clue I had won. I received a comment from one of Amy's readers congratulating me, and I received an email from Amy, but I thought it was Spam, so I deleted it! WHAT?!!!! So thanks to Kelly Tillotson over at Homemaking Haven I contacted Amy and I get my machine soon!!! WHOA!!!! I am so stinkin' excited I can hardly handle it! And I just have to say that I never ever, I mean never win ANYTHING, so this was a shock to me! Love it!!! Thank you Amy!!!! Thank you Silhouette for this great giveaway!!!!