Christmas Recap Part 1

We are back from the holidays and had a wonderful time! We actually got back last Tuesday night but I've been sick and we've been busy, so here we are on New Year's Eve! Had a wonderful time seeing so much of our family, but despite our best efforts, we missed some! Thank you to everyone we did see for so much fun, hospitality, good food, great company and awesome presents. Here's some of my favorite photos from the weekend.

My mom and Bill - even though I was sick, we still had a great time. Mom cooked us dinner and fudge, we opened gifts, and played the Wii. Both mom and Bill want a Wii now. We learned through this experience that mom's bowling balls roll soooooooooo slowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. She says they roll that way in real life. At least the Wii is accurate! And, yes, we're still willing to stand in line to get you Wii's of your own -

Mom and Bill being goofy and having an oven mitt war!

My mom's cat Paisley taking in some sun...he was my cat, BTW, but he likes my mom better now. Hmmpphhh!!! That's a cat for you:

We spent Christmas Eve at my grandma's house. Usually, Greg and I get in late Christmas Eve after spending the day with his family. But this year, we went straight through to my family and got to partake in our family's Christmas Eve tradition for dinner: oyster stew! That is absolutely one of my favorites...such a treat. My grandma is Norweigian and Swedish, and this tradition comes from that heritage. For the weak of stomach we also have chili. But I don't waste room with that...I go straight for the stew oysters and all. Mom says they would cut them up small for me and put them on my high chair and I'd eat them when I was little. Grandma and I are the only ones who LOVE it, though mom is learning to enjoy it. I'm just fine if no one else likes it though...more for us! We also opened presents that night.

We got a star filter for our camera so I couldn't resist this picture of my grandma's tree. I still remember most of these ornaments from when I'd help her set up the tree when I was little:

My grandma Wii'ing...yes, grandma! She's pretty hip...she emails and uses and iPod too!

We also made sure to get some family pictures! My aunt, uncle and cousins:

Greg, mom and I:

Mom, Grandma and my aunt:

Christmas Day was spent with Greg's family...stay tuned for part two.

Some Inspiration for you Stampers

Check out this lady's blog! It's fantastic. Snoop around a bit and you'll find all kinds of tips, techniques and tutorials she's created.

http://paperpleasing.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Have a fun safe New Year's Eve!

Michelle

Randomness for today

I was just downloading some pictures I'd forgotten about today and thought I'd share them.

First, a card I made for a few people I didn't get to see at Thanksgiving, inspired by a similar card I found on Two Peas:

I used my Silhouette to cut out the ovals and the stem; the papers are all Basic Grey and everything else is from my stash.

Second, a funny one...you know you're from Nebraska when...

...you go home to visit and you see this driving down the freeway. We don't know what kind of hoofed-stock these were, or where they were going. What we could see of them almost looked like buffalo, but they would've had to be young ones to fit in this truck. Mom and I were returning from a shopping trip, I was busy talking, looked over and saw this and all I could say was "Look, mom, dead animals". We both started laughing...it seemed like an understatement.

Festivities Galore

This is the first holiday season in three years that I haven't worked retail as a second job. And I'm loving it. I finally have time do things like make my holiday cards, shop for the perfect gift and wrap it in perfectly coordinating gift wrap, bake, and participate in gatherings.

This weekend was our annual Twin Cities scrapbook group crop at which we also exchanged cookies. I baked my great-grandmother's ginger snaps for all who participated. We also had peppermint cookies, peppermint fudge, chocolate mint cookies, sugar cookies, lemon cookies...this list goes on and on...and it was all fantastic.

Then last night my friend Bonnie hosted an ornament exchange. We each got to take home one of each ornament that each person brought. Some were homemade, others storebought, some came from as far away as Holland. I made snowmen ornaments, and took my color inspiration from this years' funky Christmas colors, in particular Elsie's holiday paper line. I ended up making 15 of these little guys.

So very thankful...

Thank you to each of you have called or emailed me today to check on my family and friends in Omaha. It means the world to me that you would take a moment out of your day to check on me and make sure things were okay. I'm counting my blessings over and over tonight as I read through the news leads about the tragedy in Omaha.

None of my family or friends were involved, though one person very dear to me was shopping at that Von Maur not more than an hour before the incident. Thankfully, he was in and out of the store on a quick errand and avoided the whole mess.

Unfortunately, though, many others were not so lucky. I can't help but think of how scared they must've been. How terribly sad the holidays are going to be for their loved ones. At how their precious lives were wasted by one careless, troubled soul who wanted "to not be a burden" and "to be famous."

I'm sad. I'm angry. I'm at a loss of words. How can someone do this to someone else? I just don't get it.

If you're the praying type, please pray for these victims and their loved ones. Pray for the killer. Pray for the people who tried to take him in, in hopes of getting him back on his feet. Pray for the community of Omaha, my hometown.

And also know that besides counting my blessings for the safety of my family and friends, I'm counting my blessings for friends who thought of me and my family yesterday and today. I thank you. I really do.

Super Cool

...So how'd they do it?

Map Story

A fun creative weekend

As the weekend winds down, thought I'd share some of my work with you. I just finished a card tonight using Deja Views paper, the felt snowflake ribbon by Martha Stewart, a modified oven mitt Silhouette shape, Silhouette flourishes, stickles and twill.

They sure know how to live it up...

So, I was sitting around making my ornaments and I realized I hadn't seen my cats in awhile. Usually they love to be around anything crafty because it's fun to play with (ribbon to pounce on, buttons to slide around like a puck on ice). I found them snuggled in our (unmade) bed. Cats sure do know how to be cozy on a blustery winter day...I'm tempted to crawl in for a nap :) Oh, and the flash woke Baci up so he yawned nice and big for me!

Mmmmm.....snow

I LOVE SNOW! Personally, I think cold weather is a waste if there isn't snow on the ground. I know, I know...traffic stinks in this weather, but aside from that I think it's awesome. I especially love it when you wake after it's been snowing all night and there's a perfect layer of white fluffiness on the groud that hasn't been disturbed yet by kids, animals and cars.

So today, I'm snuggling in, watcing all the Oprah's I've recorded and haven't had time for and making my Christmas ornaments for a party I have in a few weeks. I set up a little factory in the living room about 8am this morning and have been enjoying my coffee, my Oprah, and my crafting.

I hope you all are having a wonderful day...enjoy this weather for what it is!

Michelle