Advent Calendars

Yes, I know that Thanksgiving is not even here yet, but I am busy girl and want everything ready for Christmas. Besides, December 1 St is 11 days away. So, with Lucie off at Thanksgiving camp and Lucas busy doing his own thing, I am tackling the Advent calendars.

I started this Christmas tradition years ago. I borrowed the idea from cousin Danelle. It has stuck with our family ever since. We look forward to opening a new book each evening.

Books I have collected along the way....

This 12 Days of Christmas pop up book was 25 cents at a garage sale. Lucas and Lucie take turns getting to turn the pages.

Finding books at garage sales is wonderful...books I would have never considered, sometimes become my favorites. This one makes me weepy every time!

Some great old classics

I suppose Carl makes me cry as well...

In fact, we haven't even started and I cried today. This is one of my favorites. As you can see it's one of those recorder books. They tend to be expensive, but so worth it. I couldn't believe Lucas and Lucie's tiny voices...Lucas having trouble with certain sounds, remembering how hard it was for Lucie to read her lines and that thick thick accent of My husbands....just precious. Yes, this one made me cry. Can't wait for the kids to hear it this year....

Believe me, I'll be glad I started early......25 books to wrap. Here we go!

Powered by Starbucks, as usual.

The last five were the toughest to do. I did it though. We are set for the 1 St....oh wait...

There's Lucas' advent calendar......

got it filled!!!

The hardest part.....making sure each box was equal to Lucie's!!

Lucie's.....

And, new this year! Elf on a Shelf. The kids have no idea!!! I think Stan will have fun doing this with me every evening once the kids are sleeping!! Sneaky sneaky!

Of course I got him on sale weeks after Christmas last year. Turned him down at 30%, seriously considered at 50% and grabbed him at 75%. I was surprised there still some left! I have a Pinterest board just for him!! Check it out Here

 

 

He needs a name!!! I am thinking of Tink. Not sure.......what do you think??

Christmas Shopping

 I Love everything about Christmas. I Love to shop this time of year. Everything seems cuter, sweeter, prettier...

 The preparation and family traditions. We could have survived without our chestnut stuffing, but finding these today, at World Market, made me happy. They are already out at William's Sonoma. Can't wait to tell mom I found them.

 Someting for the unexpected night that Momma yells out, "Kids, Stan they're Playing  'It's a Wonderful Life.'"

 An added treat on a woodland Christmas present. Those sweet little Christmas touches.

Yes. Yes. I know. I aready bought little red Santas at Sees for my place-setting, but these will really match. I know the Sees chocolate won't go to waste....perhaps another party?

 We love being silly in our cracker hats. It's those little touches. Do we need them? Yes. I'd say we do indeed. As we go 'round the table each telling their joke or riddle....laughing and laughing. Wouldn't be the same without them in our house.

 More last minute gifts or snacks. Cute and festive. stacked high on a tiered cake stand...although I know my kids will gobble up my homemade fudge before these...Mamas fudge. Something they will remember about me. Making fudge for them every year. And, for this reason I will ALWAYS find the time to make it.

 Stars. Chocolate covered shortbread stars. They'll be so pretty in just the right dish. "Come quickly, I am drinking the stars!"....Dom Pérignon. Which reminds me, if we are chocolated-out  (does that exist) they'll be pretty on New Year's Eve with a glass of sparkly.

 The lights, the sparkle and all the pretties. I couldn't resist this topper for my mercury glass tree this year.

Lets put some on ice, if some friends come by....it would sure be nice!

My New Hutch

I've kept my eye out for some sort of hutch. I wasn't really looking though, when I found this on Craigslist. Up early as always, with everyone asleep...I took measurements, wrote an email, copied down the phone number and plotted.

By, 8:30 a.m I was first in line. As a blogger, I was feeling guilty that I didn't find it for $25 and repaint in myself, but for a mere $300 I thought I’d save myself a lot of work. I was tickled when we got it home and even the old light bulb was working. had no idea it was lighted when we went to see it.

Poor Stan. Woken up at 8:30 a.m. to be told he has to help me figure out what type of U-haul to rent. He's barely awake and so afraid of what I am up to now.

When we arrive to see the hutch, I immediately asked if he was set and firm on $300. He simply said, "No." So I said, would you take $250....thinking that's the $50 for the trailer we have to rent. He said yes. Stan was impressed with bargaining and frankly I am impressed that Stan and I got it into the house on our own with no problems.

My dad's family sugar spoon. No longer in a cupboard.

Stan is a good sport. He even took the kids to the park, because he knew momma wanted to play with her new toy.

Best of all....a place for my knee hugger elves and of course my Eva Zeisel Hallcraft dishes that were just stuck in a cupboard. Read about those Here

I know I'll have fun with it and even just having three more "cabinet" draws in my tiny house will help! I'll be changing this up a lot. What do think? Good deal?

San Francisco and The Golden Gate Bridge

I have been fortunate enough to have lived close to San Francisco and Paris. No matter how many times I've seen the Eiffel Tower and The Golden Gate Bridge, both have the same affect on me. It makes me weepy, proud, amazed and inspired. Although we live close to San Francisco now, I don't feel we get there enough and I'd like the kids to have that city experience as often as they can.

The Golden Gate Bridge.

Lucie, 9 years old, in front of the Golden Gate Bridge. 10/27/12

Lucas and Lucie

Okay...finally me in a picture. Although here I look like Cousin It.

Believe it or not this was our main destination. Clement Street. Non-touristy. Lots of shops and fun Asian markets.

I wanted to buy everything. Aisles and aisles of fun and interesting sweets.

We also went to Pier 39. My husband's favorite. This is very touristy, but I'll admit, it's a lot of fun.

The Sea Lions. They are fun watch.

Lucie at Pier 39 holding one of her goodies she got at one of the Asian markets on Clement street Pier 39 is packed with shops and restaurants. Bands and street entertainers.

Every time we come here, Lucie begs to do this. I finally said yes. For $10 you can fill a plastic bottle (or glass for more) with these amazing bath salts. Barrel after barrel. The smell is divine. Lucie took her time and enjoyed every minute of it. I am glad I gave in.

That was our day-trip to San Francisco...it was a beautiful unplanned day. Great memories and oh so much better than staying home to clean and do laundry. Today we are headed to the wine country with with friends! Ching ching!