What to do this Christmas

This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Share some treasure. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty with word and deed. Keep a promise. Find the time. Forego a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Listen. Apologize if you were wrong. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Appreciate others. Be kind; be gentle. Laugh a little.Laugh a little more. Deserve confidence. Take up arms against malice. Decry complacency. Express your gratitude. Go to church. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love. Speak it again. Christmas is celebration, and there is no celebration that compares with the realization of its true meaning - with the sudden stirring of the heart that has extended itself toward the core of life. Then, only then, is it possible to grasp the significance of that first Christmas - to savor in the inward ear the sweet music of the angel choir; to envision the star-struck sky, and glimpse, behind the eyelids, the ray of light that fell upon a darkened path and changed the world.
- Author Unknown

Friday's Festive Favorites

I hope we all know that Christmas is not about THINGS....

....BUT here are five things that sure do make all things merry and bright!

1. Christmas tree light timer If there is ever a time John and I are at home at the same time and waking up at the same time (hello shift work!) I often (always) ask him if he will turn the Christmas tree on before I get out of bed...brat? yes. wonderful husband? YES! My sweet friend Ashley MADE MY DAY when she brought me this handy gadget! People, you can set this amazing invention for times to turn on and off...AND you can do more than one during a day. BRILLIANT. Thanks to Ashley our tree magically turns on a with my alarm...off when I go to work..on just before I get home from work and off at my bed time...now how's that for festive!?!

2. O'henry's Christmas Blend
OH how I love O'henry's!!!..shameless Homewood plug...and their Christmas blend has to be my favorite! It tastes and smells like Christmas AND home, which to me, is a combination that can't be beat!

3. Peppermint mocha creamer
Pretty pathetic I have already blogged about this creamer multiple times..but in case you missed the memo, I LOVE THIS CREAMER! Spotting it in the stores is a sign Christmas is coming soon!
Peppermint Mocha + Christmas Blend = Perfection

4. Federal platinum Christmas mugs
ALL is right in the world when "PERFECTION" is served in THIS mug! Doesn't it just give you warm fuzzies just thinking about it?! Christmas, China, Coffee...goodness gracious!! Build a fire, look at that tree...and this girl might bust at the seams with happiness!

5. Glade Apple Cinnamon Candle
It's glade'...fan-cy...and don't you forget it! Smells so yummy, but is SO cheap! All you "Candle snobs" turn your nose up to this candle and one whiff will change your mind!

merry christmas darling

One of my very favorite things about Christmas is Christmas Cards.

I can remember being a little girl making the mental note...when I'm a grown-up I am going to send our Christmas Cards!

I love papers, I love pictures, and I LOVE real mail...and I LOVE Christmas what a better combination?!? I love getting them, I love sending them I love everything about them.

I got nostalgic revising my Christmas card list...the list! Oh, I even love the list! As scattered as I typically seem, I do have a very fine appreciation for an organized, color coded, check mark box included list!

It is so amazing to me to see what a difference a year can make. My Christmas card list is another reminder...

I changed addresses of friends who were so excited to move in to a new home this year, I was sad to change some addresses as their exciting new homes meant homes further away. I added new friends many who seem like we have been friends for a lifetime. Hard to believe I didn't even know them to add them to the list previous years. I was sad as I remove loved ones who have past away. Excited changing the last names of friends who got married this year and started their life together as a couple..what a difference a year.

One little difference for me this year was finding "Lettergirl" on Etsy, who also seems to share my love of all things paper. Gina is the owner and she was truly a joy to work with! If any of you share my love be sure to visit Gina's store. I had her make us this stamp


if John were to sit still long enough I would probably stamp him too...I LOVE it! Thank you Lettergirl!(not that she will ever read this!)

I hope all of the "differences" for you this year, both little and big are everything you dreamed they would be.

Here's to all next year will bring.

California dreamin'

...on such a winter's day!

We loaded up on a cold morning and drove to Atlanta, dreaming of victory and the chance to head to California!

...And for Alabama our "California dreams" came true!

me, Sarah Beth (and Addie Grace), and Leslie getting ready for the game

my pre-game nerves made me just a little frisky with my shaker!

Saturday I had the honor of witnessing first hand The University of Alabama WIN the SEC Championship game against Florida!! What an INCREDIBLE game! I was honored to be there, and so PROUD of Alabama!

For probably the first time since before my collegiate career, I was able to sing Rammer Jammer and actually mean it!!

Hey gators...we did ACTUALLY beat the hell out of you!

ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!

Savanah & Payton

What a wonderful weekend! Savanah and Payton made the first of hopefully many visits to their Aunt Laura and Uncle John's house! We SO enjoyed spending much needed time with these super fun girls and of course Aly and Pat!

We didn't have a thing planned, so we...

dressed up like fairies

watched out the window and waited for trick or treaters

played in the Halloween candy

took Barley for a "walk" on his leash

looked at the babies in the mirror

played on our bed

...a lot!!

played in the boxes

shared a bottle of water with Uncle John

"loved" on Barley

wore funny "ball hats"

and completely wore ourselves out!

It was by far the best weekend of Barley's life! ...and we had a blast too! We are so thankful they made the trip to see us and hope they all come back again soon!

Mission accomplished

Cooking does not come naturally to me. AT ALL. I think of myself as a fairly creative person, but for some reason I lose all creative ability when it comes to the art of food. This presents quite a problem. I LOVE to entertain. I LOVE to eat. I LOVE food. But I have such a hard time even thinking of what to make. I don't have the ability to improvise, and I honestly have little confidence even following a recipe.

I am envious of my dear friends who when given a random list of pantry findings can come up with a delicious feast fit for a king. Those who cook with little to no effort, who find cooking a stress reliever, hardly glancing at a cookbook.

One of the many reasons I love blogs is to not only see what people are up to, but also what people are eating! I love the ideas, the recipes and especially the pictures! After recently reading my friend Dorothy's blog, one of the most gifted "kitchen naturals" I know, I knew I at least had to give this yummy fall dish a try.

Chicken Corn Soup



I was craving something warm and yummy with all the comforts of fall... mission accomplished! Thank you Dorothy for the great recipes and for making it all look so easy! What a gift you have!

it's back....