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Dec 25, 2014

For Unto Us....A Child Is Born


I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!!

Happy Holidays!

Debbie


Dec 17, 2014

Life's Little Blessings

Yes, that is a Charlie Brown tree on my desk!

On my way in to work this morning I was listening to Pandora - Christmas music
reflecting on the many blessings I have been given and continue to receive on a
daily basis.  I am incredibly grateful, each and every day.

As soon as I got to work I opened up my email and found this message in my Inbox -

"I have a green smoothie for you – it can be for breakfast or lunch – let me know!" J

This sweet message is from Nelly from Nelly, Her Nerd and Miss J.  She is such a
sweetheart.  I am so incredibly blessed to have her in my life.  She has taught
me so much about photography, blogging (she gifted me with this blog), my iPhone,
helps me print ridiculously large Excel spreadsheets, and on and on.  I have in
turn shared my craziness for decorating (early) for Christmas, love of home
decor, and making a house into a home.  We make great "life" dance partners.  We
share a mutual love for hosting parties, all things Disney, and getting my grandkids
and her precious daughter together to form a special friendship with each other.


We have a relationship where we share pretty much everything in our lives, the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Both of our husbands know we talk at great length about them as we try and figure out why God made men and women so different!  And of course, we are always right!  Just ask us!!!

Thank you Janelle for being such an important part of my life.  God knew what
he was doing when he brought us together!

Love ya!

Debbie





Dec 16, 2014

Christmas Tour - Patio Style


I have had so much fun decorating our patio/pool area for Christmas.  My goal was to have it all done before I start my vacation this Thursday.  My mission was accomplished ahead of schedule.  I have been enjoying it every evening with Christmas music, a book and a little something something to drink.


My theme is rustic, cabin, mountains, snow....can you tell that I am really
wanting to go some place that has snow?  I'd even settle for snow here.
I'm good either way!


This was really an easy project because I had pretty much everything
already.  These throws are so old.


All of the glass candle holders are from Brooke's wedding.



The "JOY" letters are new.  I bought them in raw form and painted them with
Tuscan Red paint.  I am hooked on this color so beware!!!  I painted our
monogram initials on the front door this color before I painted these.

The "Believe in the Magic of the Season" is new.  I found it at Home Goods along
with the stocking and the North Pole bag.  Can we say love at first sight?  

 
Isn't this just the cutest stocking?  I'm still looking for another one
to go with it.

 
I also picked up the "mommy kissing Santa Claus" sign at Home Goods.

 

These skates were a gift from my good friend Nelly.  She noticed all of my
pins on Pinterest of decorating with ice skates and gifted me with her old pair.
Isn't she awesome!!!  I adore them!!! 


The baskets holding the green balls have red and gold beads on them but they
are not showing up in the photo.  We have had these for about 10 years.

  
Okay, maybe I didn't have everything!  I got this bird house at Hobby Lobby.  It is covered
with glitter and pretend snow.  I picked up the large bells, too.  Everything was 50% off.


I thought I'd get all fancy and hang some red and gold bells to make a chandy.

 

I am continuing my mantra of "let it snow" here with the chalkboard.
A girl can dream!


These darling wreaths came from Big Lots at 40% off.


I love this angel.  She also came from Big Lots.


  
We purchased the icicle lights at the Decorators Warehouse in Arlington, TX.  The ball lights
are so old.  We've had them for many, many years.  I think we have only used them once before.

 
 
The garland is an oldie but goodie that I used to decorate with in the kitchen.  So I decided to use it on the bench.

The cute snowflakes (still dreaming of a white Christmas!) came from Big Lots at 40% off.



One of hub's friends, Scott is in town and he came over last night.  Here he is being silly hiding between Minnie and Mickey.  He was making fun saying it is the Griswald's house.  But don't let him fool you.  He loves it all!

We sat on the patio with a few cold beers and had a great time visiting with one another.
Props to me for setting up a great place to entertain!  Go Debbie, Go Debbie!!!

I look forward to many nights out here, drinking hot chocolate and roasting marshmallows with the grandkids, reading books and playing games.


I have had SO MUCH FUN decorating and playing around with "old" and "new" decor this year.  I attribute it to starting earlier this year (end of September).  I also think it's because
I haven't been decorating other homes, just ours. 


Dec 15, 2014

Christmas Pageant 2014


Last night St. Andrew's held the Christmas Pageant for 2014.  I think the kids did an
awesome job portraying the story of Jesus' birth in today's time, TV anchors, cell
phones and all.  They were adorable and quite funny at times.

Here are a few photos that I took during the pageant.  Let me warn you.  The quality
of these photos is VERY poor.  I was more interested in seeing the pageant play out than
I was in recording it.  Here goes!


The "anchor man" in the middle did an awesome job of "fake" drinking coffee from
the coffee cup.  It was so cute!  The little guy that I cut off was pretty awesome.





Our favorite stars of the night!!!  They did a great job!!!


After the pageant we all went to Chili's for dinner.  We all had a great time!


Only 10 days until baby Jesus is born!!!  What a glorious celebration there will be!!!

Hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!

Hugs,

Debbie

Dec 11, 2014

A Favorite Christmas Tradition of Mine

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is to go to Bath and Body Works to get their
new holiday soaps.  This is a must do for me.  I always buy several different scents and
place them in the kitchen and the bathrooms.  

I chose the Winter Citrus Wreath and the White Pear and Fig for the kitchen.
I don't know about you, but I am constantly washing my hands.  I may be a
little OCD in that area.  I find the soap does not dry out my hands and the
fragrances are such a treat.


 I love this snowflake soap holder.  A girl can never have too much bling!


I chose Fresh Sparkling Snow for the main bathroom.  It smells so good!!!

Do you buy little treats for yourself?  If so, what do you go for?

Hope you have a wonderful day!!!

Take care,

Debbie



Here's a funny Taylor Swift Shake It Off Pinterest Parody.

Dec 10, 2014

My Black Friday Purchase


The only Black Friday shopping I did was from home on my computer.
And then, I didn't purchase much.  I finally bought myself a much
wanted power washer.  The hubs has been trying to keep me from
getting one for a long time now.  I think he's afraid I will get out of
control power washing everything.  I probably will.

Well, I am now the proud
owner of The Weekender!  I have my own personal power washer and
I can't wait to use it.  My first project will be our driveway.  It is really dirty.
I imagine I will be really dirty when I finish cleaning it.

I also bought a DVD for Ms. A and a memory card for my camera.
That's it!  That was the extent of my Black Friday shopping.

Did you score anything special on Black Friday?

Take care,

Debbie

Dec 9, 2014

Disney Holiday Gingerbread House


Isn't this the cutest gingerbread house ever?
I bought it last year but never got around to making it so I decided I would
assemble it this year.  I have been wanting to open up the box since last year
so last night, just before I went to bed, I opened it up to see the cute Mickey Mouse
candies.  I couldn't wait any longer to see such cuteness.  Much to my dismay, there were
NO Mickey Mouse candies.  In fact, there were NO candies at all!  The only items
in the box were the gingerbread pieces, the tray and the icing.  NO candies!!!
I was so bummed!!!  I think I bought it at Michael's so I am going to see if I can get
another one.  Can you believe no cute candies?

May your day be filled with your favorite candies!!!

Take care,

Debbie


Dec 8, 2014

Southern Comfort and Chia Willie


I am sure you are asking yourself what's up with the Southern Comfort and Chia Willie?
Especially if you know me, right?

The hubs' office had a Christmas party this past weekend in Sugar Land.  We had
a great time, not to mention the food was delicious!!!  There was boiled shrimp,
shrimp wrapped in bacon, crab dip, seafood gumbo, tamales, and lots
of other delicious things.  We had a great time.  Everyone is so nice and
friendly.  They make you feel like family....the good family...the ones
you want to hang out with.

Everyone was asked to bring
a gift for the White Elephant Gift Exchange.  Naturally, I bought
a home decor item.  Something I would want for our home, right?


I was hoping I would end up with our gift, but oh no!  I ended up with
the Southern Comfort and the Chia Pet!!!  Seriously?  I tried so hard to get someone
to "steal" it from us but no one was interested.  I kept telling the hubs I just don't
get the connection between Southern Comfort and Duck Dynasty.  He said it's
because they are both Southern.  I'm Southern and I would have NEVER put
these two together.  Would you?  I am sure this is a clever combination...I
just somehow missed the boat pirogue on this one.

I can now say that I have wrapped every gift and placed them under
the Christmas tree.  I have even wrapped Ms. A's birthday gifts (Jan. 1)
and Ms. P's birthday gifts (Feb. 4th).  I have nothing for Mr. W's birthday (Feb. 20th).

Here are some of the Christmas movies I watched while wrapping gifts:

Christmas Consultant
Hollywood Holiday
A Nanny for Christmas
Holly's Holiday
The Family Holiday
All About Christmas Eve
Home by Christmas
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
Christmas on Salvation Street

What did you do this weekend?


Here's something to get you moving today.

Ain't Nothing Wrong With That
by
Robert Randolph and The Family Band




Take care, 

Debbie 


Dec 5, 2014

A Bit of Randomness


Today's post is a bit random....sharing things I've had on my mind or photos I've
wanted to share with you.

Check out these beautiful pics of the morning sky I randomly took one morning on
my drive in to work.  Don't worry.  I wasn't moving....I was stuck in traffic.  I guess there are
some perks to being in traffic, right?  :)

Thanks to Nelly's advice from Nelly, her Nerd and Miss J, I pretty much always have
my camera with me.  I was really glad I did this day.  Aren't these photos gorgeous?
Not only do we have a loving and forgiving God, he is talented out the wazoo!  These look like they are paintings.  I was impressed!


 I am sure the people around me thought I was completely nuts for taking photos but
I didn't care.  I was happy I was living in the moment so I could see this beautiful
sight right in front of me.  What a beautiful way to start the day, right?


 As I got closer in to town, the sky was a little brighter and a darker blue. 


This one is my favorite.  It looks like it is painted on a canvas.


Changing the subject....I had intended on making a couple of small coffee filter wreaths
to go on the side panels to soften them up but I came across these darling
perfect size, they were on sale and there were two of them.  I swept them up and 
did my happy dance right there in Target.  Sure, I could have made the
wreaths cheaper than the cost of these two wreaths but let's be honest.  It
probably would not have happened until after Christmas.  Now I can
leave them up all year long if I want.

Stunning Coffee Filter Wreath
Coffee filter wreath (minus the embellishments)
I know I am doing good when I get my decorative towels ironed before the middle of
December.  I had to iron the hub's LSU shirt so he could brag to his coworkers that
LSU beat the Aggies so I quickly ironed these to display.

I knew the towels matched the rugs but not this well.


Some times this towel gets in the way but what's a couple of weeks, right?


The last pieces of the Christmas Vacation village finally came in so it is now done,
with batteries and all!  It turned out really cute.


It is a tradition for us to watch the Christmas Vacation movie every year.  In fact, I can still
remember Paw Paw Bobby bellowing as he watched the movie.  Fun times and good
memories.






Now I am really on top of my game when I get 24 miniature candies tied on before
December 5th.  Go Debbie!!!  Go Debbie!!!
I am usually rushing to get these on and hung up so we can start the countdown
to Christmas but this year I actually hung it up on the 2nd of December.  I usually buy
a variety so there is something for everyone.  It is a little time consuming to tie these
candies on so as I am attempting to tie them on someone is always hovering to see
if there will be extra candy.  This year it was the hubs.

It really needs to be updated.....it is 22 years old.  A favorite boss of mine, his wife made
this for Brooke when she was turning three.  Yes, we have been tying and untying
candy on this for 22 years.  It is one of the traditions we have kept up.  Small things
can have big memories.



Last but not least I want to mention my favorite CD of late.
Taylor Swift's 1989 CD.  I am sure you have heard of it, right?  Haha!
You would have had to be living under a rock to not hear of it with the intense
marketing blitz they did.  It certainly paid off.

There are so many good songs on this CD.  I'm not sure which one I'd claim to
be my #1 song.  Here are my top favorites:

Blank Space
Style
Out of the Woods
All You Had to Do Was Stay
Shake It Off
I Wish You Would
How You Get the Girl
Clean

On our drive to the birthday party last Saturday I played this CD for my
darling granddaughters.  The first song I played was "Shake It Off" and they were
so excited until the navigation system kept interrupting the song with her
directions.  :)  So I replayed the song for them.  It was so cute.  Ms. A asked
me how did I do that?  (She thought it was on the radio.)  I told her it
was a CD and they were so excited to hear the songs they liked over and over.
They immediately asked for their own copy so what is a grandmaw to do?
Now they have their own copy.

fallback-no-image-72

 

Do you have special plans or things to do this weekend?  The hubs office
is having a Christmas party with a White Elephant Gift Exchange.  That should be
a lot of fun!

Other than that, I'd like to get my garland up around the front door.  I decided to
add lights to it so I am late getting it up.  That shouldn't take too long.  I hope I
remember to take photos of the outside.

I've linked up to the Sunday Showcase Party by Stephanie Lynn.  Be sure and
stop by and see the great recipes and decorating ideas.

By Stephanie Lynn
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Debbie