Finding Home: December 2010

Friday, December 31, 2010

A Very Happy New Year to All!

So, after traveling for many days, we are finally back home!

We missed out on our “day after Christmas hang out in your jammies day” because snow here in the East forced us to leave a day early. So, for me, today is my jammie day. In fact, I am still in my bed.

No worries, shower to come soon.

I was wondering what picture I was going to use to send my New Year Greetings to each of you when my lovely and crafty daughter answered the question for me.

From our family to yours, we are wishing you the best for 2011 and may all your journeys lead you home…

Thursday, December 30, 2010

2010 Top Projects

I am joining the party over at Rhoda’s

Hopefully, after I finish putting together this post, I will actually be able to locate Internet access for my laptop so that I can share it. We are still visiting family and in this party of the world, things are a bit quieter and simpler.

Actually, it took me a few days to actually get here, so sorry I am a little late to the party…

I only really began blogging in September, so I don’t think I have a “Top 10”. Just the same, I thought I would share a few summaries.

First, the is the evolution of our fireplace mantel.

Halloween…

Then there was Thanksgiving…

And we ended the year with Christmas…

Then, there were a few other projects that evolved with the seasons.

The chalkboard that my husband and I made in the kitchen from an old frame, some MDF and chalkboard contact paper.

First, we were lucky enough this to have my friend’s daughter draw a fun scene for summer…

(sorry for the bad pic, I had not yet figured out the “no flash” concept!)

The Fall version..

The Christmas and winter version…

A few pillow projects…

A Santa Pillow…

And one last project, a Runner of Thanks made from chalk cloth.

Several of these projects have links in the sidebar if you would like to see more information.

I am so appreciative of the opportunity to be part of the blog world this year and all that it has brought. I have met so many lovely people and several people I consider friends. I have learned SO much. Finally, I have direction and a purpose with all that I am passionate about and I am so appreciative of that.

Hope everyone is enjoying so me down time and getting ready for 2011. Happy New Year to all!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”

Are you singing the song? That was my plan…

One of the beautiful things about the blog land is we get to set our own vacation! I love that.

So, I am setting mine. It starts right after I am done here… Woo hoo!

Actually, since I love my “job” so much, I don’t actually look forward to leaving here.

But, we travel to my husband’s family right after Christmas and where they live, I have very limited internet access. Can you believe it?

So, I am going to work on figuring out Photoshop. I have had it for a while, but been intimidated by it. So, hopefully I will come back with some amazing skills!!! Ha Ha!

But I couldn’t leave without thanking each and every one of you.

I must admit, I was totally hoping Santa was going to bring me 200 followers down the chimney. Instead, I lost one yesterday. I didn’t even know that could happen. I know, we are not suppose to get so caught up in the numbers, especially at this time of year.

So, that is why I think it didn’t happen. Every single step of this process has been a challenge for me to figure out. And that is a blessing.

Although I started my business is 2004, there are several aspects of it that my husband and I have “dreamed” about for years. I have been talk, talk, talking for so long, I am even sick of myself.

So, that is the reason I started this blog, to push myself forward towards my goals. That is the journey I have been on. I am truly trying to find my sense of home and satisfaction.

So, 2011, has to be the year. And by putting things in writing and focusing on projects for posting, I am finally starting to put my money where my mouth is.

And I am going to start with something I haven’t really done yet, a picture, of my family, that includes ME. I must admit, I am not comfortable with this, for a laundry list of reasons. Usually, I am behind the camera, but a nice lady offered to take our picture in the city the other day, so here you go…

I know, a whole lot of hoopla for nothing. But, just trying to push myself to do what makes me uncomfortable, that I hear, is how we grow!

I might sneak in before the new year, but just in case,

I wish you all the very Merriest of Christmas, or whatever you celebrate (or have already celebrated).

I wish for you lots of yummy treats without indigestion or any “holiday weight” gained (I am wishing that for myself too).

I wish you time of letting your house get messy and lived in while your family enjoys all that the holidays have to offer.

I wish you lots of help to clean it up so you don’t undo all the relaxation you succeeded in gaining.

I wish you a wild and crazy new year, or a quiet and reflective new year, which ever you prefer.

I wish you blessings, happiness and health for each of you and your families.

I offer you sincere thanks and appreciation for supporting me on this journey. For all of your incredibly kind comments that are helping me find confidence in my journey.

I look forward to what all of our journeys lead us to in 2011 and I look forward to us sharing the ride with each other.

And just for one more last time…

Have a Fa La La La La La La La La La La La La La La La FABULOUS HOLIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks!

God Bless and Have Fun!

Laura

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

We Played Hooky!

Our girls were up for school yesterday, eating their breakfast, when we told them you are not going to school today, you are going to the City! Woo Hoo!

Due to budget cuts, and a mean and nasty retired Superintendent (sorry, couldn’t help myself), our children have no class trips this year. We told our girls, forget that, we will do our own field trips, and yesterday was trip one!

So, as much as it was really about enjoying the city at Christmas time, we did take time for lessons, about history and architecture and being aware of all of the different jobs people have.

Even though I had not yet wrapped a present or even sent a Christmas card (shameful!), I left it all behind and headed to the city.

So, since today is now the day that I need to wrap all of those presents, and send those cards, I am going to share some pictures quickly. There will be no watermark, or no border, just some pictures.

All but ten years of my life, I have lived within an hour or so of NYC and I had never been to the top of the Empire State Building, until yesterday.

To keep things simple, I only brought our cheap point and shoot and you can not turn the flash off and it doesn’t take the greatest pictures, so bear with me.

A bloggers dream, a candy city scene…

A few funny moments, M trying to get up on the railing to have a picture taken, and then the picture, too cute,my loves!

We were up on the bench posing for a picture, when we realized we were in the way of another picture being taken, so we ducked. My husband snapped a shot, it was a fun moment.

Again, the pictures are terrible, but the windows at Tiffany were stunning. These pictures do not do them justice, but everything was made from book pages.

Did you know you can make your own Muppet at FAO Schwarz? It was actually half price yesterday, but we just enjoyed the concept and kept going. If my Grandfather was still alive, that so would have been a present for him. We always watched the Muppets together.

The windows at Bergdorf Goodman’s were my favorite, filled with vintage elements.

What probably was my favorite of the day was the Fendi building. Can you see the detail of the belts wrapped around the building, stunning.

I tried to explain to my husband how lucky he was that I don’t actually want a Fendi belt, but that I just appreciate their display for the simple design aspect of it. He didn’t get it…

This needs no explanation…

We covered a lot of ground, all on foot. We went into Macy’s, FAO Schwarz, and a minute in Henry Bendell (too crowded, left quickly), but other than that we focused on being in the city. We had an amazing lunch, a simple dinner, walked through St. Patrick’s Cathedral and of course, the Empire State Building.

When it was all said and done, we were all pooped, but we still were smiling…

Wish me luck on my wrapping!!! Ho, Ho, Ho!!!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Ho, Ho, Ho, A Santa Pillow

Honestly, I am surprised I didn’t think of this sooner…

Based on the same idea of the belted pillow I did this fall..

I simply used a black belt and a feather boa from my daughter’s Halloween costume. I could have considered making the pillow, but when I found a red velvet pillow at target for $12.99, I knew it doesn’t get any simpler than that!Just a little fun to the décor…

I will be sharing at several of the link parties in my sidebar, come and check them out!

Ho Ho Ho!!!!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

My Parisian Treasures

With all of the hustle and bustle of getting ready for the Holidays, I never shared the treasures I brought back from our recent trip to Paris. If you remember, we only had carry on luggage, so this is what I could fit in my suitcase!

You have actually seen all of these before, I just never let you know that that is where they were from. So here the are…

This beautiful key

And the basket it is in

This beautiful ornament. I actually brought one back for my sister and my Mom as well.

It was too pretty to get lost on the tree, so I put in on this old mirror in the bathroom where it could really shine.

I was determined to find an ornament that said Joyeux Noel, but no luck. But I did find this amazing child’s school chalkboard. It is two sided, with lines on one side and you can actually see a name written on the wood. It is actual slate. The guy said it as very old. It already came with the jute string attached.

Since I couldn’t find the ornament I was looking for, I put Joyeux Noel on the chalkboard and I love how it came out.

I am off to pick up my Christmas cards, I know I am a bit behind.

Tonight we go on our yearly shopping trip with my Dad. It started when my sister and I were teenagers and we told him he couldn’t pick out presents for us anymore. I know, sounds mean, but if you saw what he was picking out you would understand! Anyway, the tradition began, it has to be close to Christmas, mostly because that is just his way. And it always a late night! A few years ago, my daughters stated joining us which is a very fun time for them with Grandpa. My husband picks them up at a certain point, and then we keep going!

Hope you are well and not getting too stressed. Tomorrow, the wrapping begins! Take care!

Monday, December 13, 2010

A Fa La La La Holiday Home Tour

I know, I know, I can’t stop the fa la la’s. I am done. Almost. Maybe. Anyway, there are some upcoming parties of Holiday Home tours so I thought I would pull it all together…

The Family Room

The mantle…

My Lori Mitchell collection in the family room…

This Santa balance toy is one of my favorites. I still have all of the crafts my girls made in preschool, but there are too many to hang. I decided to put them all together in an enamelware bucket.