Evolutions

If A Snork Snuck A Sneak In His Snookle....

Where would that be a sneaky snorkle snookle? Or a snorkley snookle sneak? Hmmm. The mysteries of life, right?

It just so happens that one of the things on my list of "to-do's" for today was to photograph and post my Studio Calico December Kit Sneaks. It may be the only thing I've gotten completely crossed off...but without further conversation...

 It was too hard not to want all three add ons, this time...but I was good and only picked out two (of course I'm kicking myself now). I ended up with Strings and Percussion....just in case you were wondering. ♥♥♥♥

What else has been going on...let's see. Photos, photos and more photos. I've lots of Christmas card designs going back and forth and only a few more sessions left before I'm done and ready to enjoy the holidays with my family. I'm kind of excited this year...like every year we have had the discussion about not buying and instead doing...it's never worked out before, but this year I'm determined. In the past I've always felt so guilty about not getting my kids things and then 3 months later I'm irate because expensive gifts are broken, ruined or forgotten. This year we've laid out the plan that we're all doing something charitable as a family instead of receiving presents. Seth was a little bummed at first, but then this conversation happened:

S to his friend Ms. K (with a sad face): We're not getting Christmas presents this year.
Ms. K: Well, what do you know Seth, we're not either!
Me: Seth, you should explain to Ms. K what we're doing instead.
S (still looking sad): We're going to help people, I guess.
Ms. K: Us, too!
(wait for it.....)
S (after a considering pause): I know!! You help us and we'll help you!!!! (smiles proudly)

Once again the kid is nothing short of classic.

So, my question to you today is this: Have you ever done a Christmas completely sans gifts (even for kids)?

With a little help from random number generator and a lot of counting....Denise Nichols! C'mon down!!

I LOVED reading the answers everyone had to my question...you charmed me, that's for sure. I love that everyone has reasons and traditions--some very similar to my own and some not. Thanks for playing along!

April asked us to mention something about our homes when we posted about the Home Front blog hop. I thought about taking photos of various parts of my house...I thought about taking just a shot of the outside...and then it really hit me that what makes my house a home are these three. When I talk about my home they're really what says it all.

So as not to deprive any of you lovely readers, though, I made my first Home Front layout with a picture from my house. Does anyone else dread seasonal decorating? This is the first time in my memory that I have begun feeling differently about it.

NOW FOR THE DETAILS!

Studio Calico is sharing part of their home with you by sponsoring a giveaway of their brand new line, Home Front.  Imagine June Cleaver styled 1950s domestic bliss.  Featuring optimistic colors and smooth vintage inspired patterns.  You’ll find fresh stained wood grain, retro home décor, an exclusive SC cardstock alpha set, and much more.  Home Front is versatile, colorful, and beautiful….I think you’ll love it.
***To win this collection, simply leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite holiday to decorate for*** To increase your chances, visit the rest of the design team found on my left sidebar! We'll be drawing winners 48 hours from now!

This collection is available at many online stores such as stopandscrap and 2peas....so...if you can't stand waiting to see if you won-hop on over and pick some up!

To say I'm a little bit overwhelmed right now is a bit of an understatement. EVERY year I feel this way right about now and EVERY year I wish I could just fast forward through the holidays and just start the new year...un-harried, un-pressured and calm. 3 weeks of illness certainly didn't help my cause and I'm feeling even more stressed than usual. Surely a surly and grinchy attitude. I do it to myself. I know this. I am somehow hard wired with the inability to say "no". I thought I was doing pretty well earlier in the year and really good this summer...but somehow one person sneaks in and then another until my snowball is an avalanche. Therefore, all my best intentions of a hand made Christmas are basically out the window. I'm looking at three unfinished quilts, numerous unfinished knitted gifts and load of work just a mouse click to the next window. Bah! Enough whining, someone pass me a Xanax, quick!! LOL

Let's talk about something nicer than my bad attitude about work.
So...have you seen Home Front?

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 Is it sneaky to say that I might just have it in my hands and I might just be pushing it around my craft desk right now? Is it a terrible tease to say that the images don't even explain what it's like to hold it, sniff it and loooove it? I'm really being mean today, aren't I? I love that I can be a tiny part of this new venture for Studio Calico--their own product line, available soon in a local scrapbook store near you!!

 
Let's talk about something else nice. Even though I was cheering for the Phillies (not necessarily a steadfast fan...just NOT a fan of the Yanks)...my son is all about the Yankees. I think this condition was fostered by Eric's dad who has been a Yankee fan his entire life. Anyhow...after the final game, Seth called his grandpa and the conversation sounded a bit like this:
S: "Hi Grampa! Congratulations!!! Your Hankees won!!!!"
G: "Well thanks, Seth...did you watch the game?"
S: "Yes, but my mom got sad and turned it off"
G: says something I don't catch
S: "I just kept telling her Hankees, Hankees, Hankees"
G: "That's good work, Seth"

That made me laugh and that's nice, right? Here's another laugh--this time for you. Since typepad came out with their 'new' design (which I think is not super user friendly yet, btw) I've only been getting comments emailed to me sporadically. I always try and reply back if a comment warrants it...but nobody ever emails me back. I was getting a little depressed and then somehow as I was replying to someone it dawned on me that when the 'new' typepad emails you comments you can't just hit "reply" and send a message back, you're just replying to yourself. Uhhhhm....blonde much? So...to anyone who has commented and expected to see some sort of reply--I'm VERY sorry...I wasn't purposely ignoring you. ♥♥♥

QOTD: Thanksgiving plans...have you made them?

 

The World Series is breaking my heart...that's all I'm going to say about that.

Halloween was SO windy!! It wasn't all that cold here...just blowing like crazy. I stepped out the back door and snapped a couple of quickies for the fam to be able to see the kids' costumes--this was my favorite.

I think the progression of costume choice as kids get older is hilarious. I remember when this girl just wanted to be a butterfly or a cute witch. Now it's a blood sucking vampire. (Thank you, Twilight). Her older sister went as a murderous prom queen and the manster went as Indiana Jones--"Just call me Dr. Jones". They collected enough candy to last until Christmas and spent the rest of the weekend sorting and counting it.

Daylight Savings Time kind of kicked my butt this weekend...and then I was up at 6 am this morning--rarin' to go...not my favorite time of day, but I did garner a hot cup of coffee out of it.

Now that I'm feeling back up to speed it's serious house cleaning week around here. I've got LOTS of intensive projects...so I should probably get off here and get going.
I do want to know, though: What's your deep cleaning routine?