A happy and busy December Month!

This year December pretty much started with our Disney Vacation.  Our 10 day vacation was truly magical!  We stayed at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter and enjoyed every single day.  I loved our day at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Universal Studios), I guess in some ways I am very much a kid!  Alex LOVED our day at Legoland Florida.  He had a smile from ear to ear the ENTIRE day!  Disney's Hollywood Studios Park has a Star Wars ride and again, Alex was is heaven.  He even got his picture with none other than Darth Vader and a few of his Stormtroopers.  Alex's Mickey House hat was a Star Wars theme hat -- R2D2...

Laura got to ride many rides and I was her companion on most of them.  I had to be extra brave since I normally don't ride these crazy rides but I am so glad I did.  I even rode the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror!  The parks were all very festive in the Christmas Decor, loved that.  Just some of the highlights of our trip was  a special evening at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Epcot's Candlelight Processional, The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights and a special dinner at Cinderella's Castle.   I am so grateful we were able to take this vacation.  

This year our city enjoyed a white Christmas.  Snow arrived (about 10-12 inches) on the 22nd. It sure added to our outdoor decorations.

On the 23rd we all had fun decorating sugar cookies.  During the morning, Laura, Alex and Sophie cut out the shapes from sugar cookie dough while I baked them.  This is the second year Sophie joins us during our little tradition.  In the afternoon, Lisa (Sophie's mom) and David joined us in the decorating part.  We all had a great time...spending time with family and friends has always been my favorite part of the holidays.

Laura's Cookies

Alex's Cookies - A Star Wars Theme!

Cookie decorated by Laura

The next day, on the 24th, it was a day for David and Laura to do some last minute shopping (another family tradition).  I prepared a Chicken and Sausage Gumbo  which always brings memories of our friend Cathy, who was a neighbor of our when we lived in Houston.  I remember when she came to my house to teach me how to make this gumbo.   During the evening the Wagner's joined together to decorate our gingerbread house.  This is probably one of our all time favorite family traditions.   We each decorate a ginger-person, sort of like a self portrait.

My candy cane dress in front of the house

Alex decorated an extra cookie, this is him and his friend JR playing in the snow.  David is Darth Vader!  He carved the face using a piece of chocolate and the candy cane stick is his light saber. 

Darth Vader! Yeah, Star Wars is big at my house.

My sweet Laura...she is ice skating.

Back of the house - wreath decorated by Laura

Alex created various vehicles which were used to carry the snowballs ...the snowmen are his assistants.

Christmas Day came with many wonderful gifts from our friends and family.  We spent a wonderful family day together.

On the 26th, we ALL cleaned up the house because our dear friends from Houston, Texas, the Heddens Family was coming to visit.  The kids (Laura, Alex, Zach & Jayme)  played outside in the snow for hours!   Spending time with friends during this time of year is truly a blessing.  The Heddens are now in Keystone skiing.  We will join them in Keystone tomorrow.  We are looking forward to spending time with our dear friends and ringing in the new year together in Keystone, CO. 

I wish everyone has a wonderful new year.  This year definitely had it's ups and downs.  Loosing two members of my family was difficult but we honor them by thinking of them and their loved ones. I still can't believe Robert, my brother in law who was truly a brother to me is gone.  My aunt Rosy is missed by everyone, especially by her husband Efren and her son Kristian (whom I spoke with on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve).

Although I have experienced deep losses this year, I am also extremely grateful for all the blessings our family has.  I am especially grateful for my husband, daughter and son. I am also grateful  for all the family and friends in our lives, near and far, who are so dear to us all.

Happy 2012!

Magic Kingdom at Disneyworld - Day 2

We had a fantastic day at Disneyworld's Magic Kingdom.  We rode just about everyride in Tomorrowland and Fantasyland.  Laura and I even rode Space Mountain, which is major for me since I don't ride rollercoaster rides (too chicken!).  I got driven by my 7 year old son Alex at the Tommorrowland Speedway!  Alex got an autograph from one of his favorites, Buzz Lightyear and Laura from Chip and Dale (one of her favorites).  The evening was spectacular with the Main Street Electrtical Parade, followed by the Magic, The Memories and You! (Castle filled with a light show) and the Wishes Nighttime Specatacular...and it was spectacular!  Looking forward to returning later in the week to see the rest of Magic Kingdom.

Today we are headed to Universal's The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.



Vintage Mickey...love it.



We are off to our Disney Vacation!!

We are leaving our beautiful but cold city for our vacation in Orlando, Florida.  Walt Disney World, Harry Potter and Lego land, here we come!

Vintage Music Paper and Tulle Christmas Trees

The Mansion hosting the Sugar Plum Bazaar was decorated to reflect the theme...Sugar Plum.  Common areas had these beautiful tulle trees throughout...yummy colors.  Of course, the tulle tree was one I wanted to create...just for fun!

Photo from Sugar Plum Bazaar Facebook

This is my pink tulle tree.  I added as silver star as a topper and randomly added my favorite, silver glass glitter.

Love how the pink tulle pops with the snow!

 

Vintage Music Paper  Trees is something else that has recently caught my eye.  I created a few and played around with different toppers.  I got 3 these little ornament toppers at a recent shopping trip to Crate & Barrel...love to shop at that store!  The topper with the little cluster of balls is from Hobby Lobby (although, it did not come this way, I created the clusters of  little ornament beads together and of course, added silver glass glitter).

These trees were all rather time consuming.  I was surprised to find they are not a quick projects.  The papers trees required much patience, especially with applying decoupage medium and sprinkling of silver glass glitter to every layer (pretty messy but I don't mind messy when I am crafting).   I am happy with the results.  

My little trees among real snow...December 1st, 2011

Many New Felted Wool Scarves!

This year, inspired by crochet flowers, dress-forms, butterflies and birds, my scarves reflected those preferences.  Creating the double layered soft scarves this year was a reflection of my love of ruffles.  The instructions for the ruffle scarfs were in a magazine article written by Betz White.  This posting also comes with many photos of all the scarves I have done.  Some remain for sale at my upcoming craft show at Bear Creek High School, many have been sold and others have become gifts.  They were just fun to make!