Catch-Up

Ok, so I didn't post last night like I said I would but I'm posting now! Here's a quick photo catch-up of what I've been up to the last week...not much, but some fun things!

Last Sunday, Justin and I decided to make our own guacamole! I was a little afraid, because making it from scratch made me worried that we wouldn't do it right and we'd get sick. Well, we must have done it right because we're both still here!!

Here's Justin cutting open the avacados...I didn't want to because you have to get semi-squishy ones for the perfect guac, and the squishiness grossed me out!

Then he had to gut them and mush them all together - like I said, gross!

While we were making it, it appeared that a snow storm was rolling in. This was as bad as it got - not one snowflake fell!

Don't worry - I did help! I cut up all the ingredients to put in. We had onions, cilantro, tomatoes, and lemon and lime juice.

Then when I wasn't in the kitchen, I was busy making this (just the cross-stitched part in the middle) for a co-worker to give as my final Secret Santa gift. Came out well!

I also stitched some more things for family Christmas gifts, but in case any of my family members still read this, I don't want to spoil the surprise before they get the gifts, so I'll post pictures of those later this week!

And as a parting shot, here's one of my favorites of Bailey - he dreams when he sleeps! Pay special attention to his mouth; I think he's barking in his dream, and it's the cutest thing!!!

And the collection keeps growing!

I stopped by my parents to pick up more cross-stitching supplies for my mom and she graciously donated to my Christmas decoration collection! Check it out!

The tablecloth was too small for her table, so now it's mine! And it has sparkly thread sewn in - right up my alley!!

Justin actually got me those flowers on Thursday. We had a "fall themed" bouquet, and he wanted Christmas themed ones!

My mom also gave me these really cute Santa candle holders to go on the table!

Doing a little decorating...

I haven't lived on my own enough Christmases to get my own decorations, so I'm very limited. But thanks to WalMart and great prices, I was able to add a little touch. After doing a few chores around the apartment, I finally got the chance to be crafty (again!) and decorate the apartment. I still wish I had a more festive home, but it will happen in due time! (And especially at the clearance sales the last week of December!) Check it out!

It snowed for a while last night, and then it's been snowing all day! Currently, I'm sitting at a balmy 9 degrees!

I LOVE SNOW!
(This is out on the balcony)

And this is a cross-stitch I made a few years ago along with a nicely holiday scented Yankee candle!

This is the bookshelf you see right as you enter - the pillow my mom made, the picture is all me, and the doggie is a cute little ornament I found at one of the retail stores at the hotel. It's not specifically a Weimaraner, but it really looks like one!!

Here's the mantle before, with all the materials...

And the mantle AFTER!!! I love all the lights, and glitter, and....YAY!!!

Here's a close-up of one of the ornament balls - here's a hint: they're unbreakable, because they're plastic! Look real, huh?

And me with my creation! Seriously, I took about 12 of these, and this was the best one. Oh well.

And then, of course, all the snow and a nice big mug of hot cocoa. I wish I was Christmas all year round!!

My first Christmas Wreath

Over the years, my parents have, of course, bought wreaths for our houses. But this year, I found a great deal on Christmas items, and decided to make my very own, first homemade wreath! Check it out!

First of all, I got these really cute Christmas socks, and they have sparkly thread! They're keeping my feet warm right now! (And just in time - it's supposed to start snowing tonight!)

So here are all the materials: a wreath, 3 attachments, and a box of little ornaments to fill in the spaces.

Here's the "staged" wreath, so I could see where I wanted to put the attachments.

And here's the final product, with the ornaments added in arrangements intended to look like berries!

Then, finally - the wreath made it onto the door, and fit so perfectly that I can still see through the peephole!

Thanksgiving Festivities

Whew. I finally find myself with a few minutes to take a deep breath and blog. (Pictures to come very soon!!!)



I think the best way for me to document what has happened over the past few days is by listing it in "bulleted" form. So here goes:



Wednesday:

- Had the day of work and was able to sleep in (finally!) til 9 am or so.

- Met up with my mom, sister and her 2 kids, and went shopping at K-Mart and the Dollar Store. There is no way on this planet I will step foot in a store on Black Friday unless absolutely neccesary, so shopping the day before is fine with me. And I didn't even get anything!

- We went to Justin's parents house around 4:30 and had a mini-Thanksgiving dinner: Turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, and cranberries. Then after dinner, we took Bailey and their 4 dogs for a walk around the neighborhood. Anything to get Bailey to lose some weight! (He's still limping).

- Talked Justin into getting me LEGO BATMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So let's just say that's how my night ended.



Thursday:

- Got up a little earlier than normal and drove to the local dog park to meet up with Justin's parents. Spent about an hour there and Bailey was TIRED!

- After returning home and showering, we went over to my parent's house for Thanksgiving dinner. We got there around 1 and mainly spent the time watching the Cowboys and lounging on the couch. Justin helped me by making the pumpkin pie!!

- We left briefly to run to the store for milk and to get Bailey his dog food, which he promptly scarfed down.

- Dinner was WONDERFUL!!! We had turkey, stuffing, cranberries, corn, squash, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans...and I think that's it!! Talk about a feast! Lots of laughs were shared, of course, and dessert was just as good with apple and pumpkin pies. I feel like I don't have to eat again for a month!



And the best news???? That I get to put my Christmas wreath together this weekend!!! And start decorating! I think Justin and I will be going tree shopping this weekend too - I can't wait! And I can finally listen to Christmas music and not feel guilty. I'm so thankful for a 5 day weekend!!



Hope the holiday was wonderful for you! Have a safe weekend! (And NaBloPoMo is almost over - and I've posted every single day!!)