and another year...

Where does the time go? In just over a month my boys will be 4 and 2! They're not babies anymore, when did that happen?

2009 has been a rough year, financially and emotionally. Thankfully not as rough as 2008 when I thought we just might not make it. So we're moving in the right direction, hopefully 2010 will be even better! Don't get me wrong, there were moments of pure bliss, moments of joy and then there were moments when it felt as though everything was falling apart. We have eachother, we are blessed. That is what gets me through the rough times, knowing that we are a family. There is lots of love in this house, even if sometimes it's not expressed as well as it could be.

I have a big laundry list of things I want to accomplish in 2010. Some things I have never done before. I have projects in mind for just about every room in the house, a wedding to plan, kids to raise... oh can you see the stress brewing already?

Happy New Year Everyone!

Jacquelyn

Empty

Once the Christmas tree comes down the house is left feeling a bit... empty. Most of the rest of the decor is still out and about, because I can't quite bear to take it down yet (and since I have a large collection of snowmen it feels a bit more wintery than Christmasy).


December is all about Christmas, February is Valentines Day and Birthday month, and I hope that winter is GONE by March (wishful thinking I know) So what about January? For me January is about winter. I feel the need to cozy up the house, settle in. I am not a big fan of winter, I love the way it looks with the snow on the trees and everything blanketed in white, I would just prefer to stay inside where it is warm .(funny- I received 3 pairs of mittens, 2 scarves, snowpants, and a ski jacket for Christmas...)


I finally hung the curtains my Mom made for me, and they do make the living room look cozier... but it`s still missing something. I know the answer...  cushions and a throw... cable knit. Doesn`t that SCREAM winter? It's too bad they're all so bloody expensive and I don't know how to knit!

source: Style At Home

So I'm looking for some great wintery decor ideas... 

From RafterTales.com:  Once the holidays are over, its time to take down the Christmas tree and put away the reindeer, but there are still three months of winter left and you’ll be indoors a lot, so giving your home a warm, cozy décor can be a fun after-holiday project.

Family or Living Room

You can hang crystal snowflakes, icicles or colorful sun catchers in your windows to mimic the winter season and bring light and color into your living or family room. Throws and pillows slip covers are the best way to establish your palette. Paisleys, plaids and other bold patterns help set a more formal tone for your winter décor.

If your room has a fireplace, make it the centerpiece, decorating the mantle with garnishes of the season; poinsettias, winter berries, evergreen, firs, pinecones, sprigs of holly, twigs, pomegranates, persimmons, tangerines, cranberries, etc.

Set the mood of the winter season by putting some dried leaves or branches on your coffee or side tables. Keep cards and board games handy for members and friends to enjoy together.

Bedroom

Nothing warms a sleeping body for that “long winter’s nap” like a nice, thick down comforter and flannel bed linens. Let your guests rest their head on fluffy, soft down pillows. Since we tend to sleep longer in winter its important to be sure beddings are warm and comfy.



Candles are also a great way to add accent light in the bedroom. You can find many colors, shapes and sizes online at discount prices or in your local designer showroom or craft store.

Dining Room

Floral arrangements are a great way to set a seasonal theme in the dining room. Go to your local craft store to find ideas and materials for your arrangement. Many times people will make the mistake of creating an arrangement that is too tall and prevents that intimate, conversational environment appropriate to the dining table. Keep your arrangement spread low so that people can easily see and converse during meals.


Dining room linens that use a fabric like damask will make good choices in winter. These fabrics shimmer and change color with the light from your chandelier and candles. Table runners or full length tablecloths will add warmth and color to your table. Winter is also a great time to set your table with your best crystal stemware and silverware.

With a little planning and preparation, you can make your home warm and comfortable for the long winter months so that family and guests enjoy the time together indoors. Nothing feels better and keeps people cheerful through the cold months of winter than a cozy winter home décor.



Jacquelyn

Patience

Patience is a virtue.

One that unfortunately was not bestowed upon me.

I did well in school, things just kind of came to me, and what didn't... I had very little interest in. I never learned to sew, or knit, or cross stitch, or crochet, because I didn't have enough patience. (I can't even darn a sock or sew a ripped hem) I don't do a lot of really crafty things like scrapbooking or making candles, or even embellishing things because I do not like the amount of TIME they take. I don't even cook much because of the patience thing (read I turn the burner on high so that it will cook faster- and inevitably end up buring it).

Being a stay-at-home Mom, there is some pressure to do all of these things, and while my mind is quite creative my hands are not. I wish I had more patience, so that I could learn all these domestic skills... can you learn to be patient?

The thing I would like to learn most is to sew. I can stitch, but I don't even know how to run a sewing machine. I have all of these projects in mind for around the house, and for gifts for next Christmas... and most of them involve using a sewing machine. I am proud to say that I DID FINISH one quilt panel for a Christmas gift, it took me months because I cannot work on such things in the midst of two tiny tornados... but I FINISHED it! (Now I only have 3 more to complete for next Christmas).

Along with a whole host of other things... I begin creating my Christmas gift list in my head as soon as one Christmas is finished. I have ordered supplies to work on some of those projects. Remember those sweet advent bags I bought from Sweetwater?  Well they arrived on Christmas eve, or I should say the kit did, it was like unwrapping a present. So lovely. I hope I can figure it out and do them the justice they deserve. I figure that if I have a year, I might win the battle with the lack of patience! (or be able to convince my ever-so-talented Mom to help me!)

Jacquelyn

In this house...

About 6 months ago I had this saying made into a vinyl wall decal:

In this house

We do second chances

We do grace

We do real mistakes

We do I'm sorry's

We do LOUD really well

We do hugs

We do family

We do love

I have yet to put it up. It's not that I don't want to, but more that I can't find the perfect place to put it. It needs to be somewhere my kids will see it (even though they can't yet read). I need to see it so that I can be reminded everyday what is really important, because somedays amidst the chaos we need to be reminded. I don't know that I would call it our mission statement, or even our family statement though it does summerize a lot of what I think our family is about- deep down. I think it is what I strive for us to be as a family. I love that it denotes action, that we cannot just say things, we actually have to DO THEM.

'Twas the night after Christmas

‘Twas the night after Christmas, when all through the house

Not a thing was away, not a toy, box, or blouse.

The stockings were thrown on the floor without care,

And knickknacks and gadgets were strewn everywhere.


The gift wrap was scattered. The boxes were strewn.

I gasped as I looked all around the trashed room.

What was I thinking, when I bought all this stuff?

Why didn’t I realize five gifts were enough?


The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of organization danced in my head.

“But where should I start?” I wondered inside,

“How can I begin, when I’d rather go hide?”

From: http://creativeorganizing.typepad.com/

This is EXACTLY how I feel today, I couldn't have said it better myself!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas to all! We had a wonderful day! Dylan was up at the crack of dawn, and we had to wake poor Dawson up because there was no more restraint for Dylan after 6:45am! The first thing the boys saw was their train table, and I think it was by far the best gift of the day! Way to go Santa Claus!

I don't think Dawson left the train table most of the day- we were all finished opening gifts by 7:30, except for Dawson (he wasn't really all that into the unwrapping bit)

Mickey Mouse was another BIG hit!

My family arrived in the afternoon for dinner, and I must say Bruce cooks a mean turkey! (and my cheesecake turned out great too!)

My Mom bought the boys the cutest coats and "Elmer Fud" hats, Grampy got the same coat!

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

4 more sleeps...

I have a to-do list a mile long, and it just keeps growing. The amount of things I need to accomplish in the next 4 days is overwhelming! I might not actually get 4 sleeps between now and Christmas, perhaps 2!  I haven't baked a thing, have tons of presents left to wrap, a quilt panel to finish, and crafty projects that I was really hoping to get to all in the next 4 days. 3 days really because Christmas Eve is already chalk-full of events! Not to mention I still have to clean my ENTIRE house, as the family is coming here for Christmas dinner this year.  Better get off here and go do something!

However, I did want to share something with you. My family is very crafty (I think the gene skipped right by me). My Mom makes the most beautiful quilts, my Aunt Donna knits, my Aunt Peggy sews and scrapbooks, and cross stitches. Yesterday was our family Christmas party at my Mom's, and while Bruce made out better than me in the yankee swap (he ended up with both of our gifts), I received the most beautiful centerpiece from my Aunt Peggy.

The table runner was a gift from my Mom a few years ago, it makes me happy to put it out every year. I think the handmade decorations around my house are my favorites.