Designing in Life

Catching Up and Belated Merry Christmas

Yup, I am a major slacker and I admit it.

First of all, I hope each and every one of you have had a wonderful holiday, and hope you have some great plans for New Year's, even if it's sitting at home and decompressing after the hustle and bustle of the past month.

Again, we traveled all over making 4 stops in New Jersey and one in Pennsylvania before heading for home.  We were happy to have been able to visit with so many relatives, and happy that we're now home.

So here is a bit of a picture round up of our Christmas


Obviously, our Christmas tree.  Cut down by you-know-who.

We drove to Jersey City on Wednesday evening.  On Christmas Eve, we drove to Mendham, NJ to celebrate with Jim's (son-in-law) family.

Phoebe and Chloe opening gifts.

Chloe with her "prized" Snow White doll.

On Christmas morning we celebrated with Jim, Beth, Chloe and Phoebe.

A happy Christmas baby!

Princess Chloe and Dad.

Just before noon we drove to Sayerville, NJ to see Nick's nieces and children.

Cousins Ali, Loren, Rachael and Emily.

Then after a two hour visit, on to South Jersey to visit my sisters and family.  And this, my friends, is when the picture taking seemed to come to an abrupt end for some reason.  But we had a great Christmas dinner with JoAnne, Michele, Jon, Adrienne and Kevin.  Not to mention the four-legged relatives Wally and Rocky.

The next day we drove to Lancaster, PA to visit Nick's brother Jerry, sister-in-law Christine and children, Stephanie, Amy and Daniel.  We were sorry to miss Eric.  There was some great music being played in the house by its members.  Just before leaving on Sunday, Jerry serenaded us with Christmas carols on his cello.

Off we drove for an 8 1/2 hour drive home.  As I said, we had a great time and were so happy to have seen so many of our relatives.

To be continued...hope all is well with each and every one of you!

Brrrrrrrrrrrrr

I would personally like to thank all my friends in Minnesota for sending us this weather.

This was the non-view from the south bedroom window.  The outside thermometer read zero, but from the way the wind was blowing and sounding like a freight train, I am pretty sure it was 10 below or better.  Ah, but the silver lining is that the sun is shining, and that is a good thing when it has been so dreary outside this past week.

On the house project front, here is the new bathroom window.  Installed by the guy that is now breathing a sigh of relief because he actually got it to fit – that would be Nick.

And on the cooking front.  I am starting to make some different kinds of sugared and salted nuts.

Check out Katie Goodman's recipe for these cinnamon maple pecans.  Yum! 

Hope you're all having a festive day!

Crazy Busy

I know, I know...it's that time of year and we're all just plain crazy busy.  I've been coming home every night with the "long list" of what I want to do.  I can't say I'll get it all done by Christmas, but I'll try.

Along with my own projects, the BIG house project in the basement is moving along.  Yesterday, Nick had me help him with re-configuring the waste pipe.  Not my idea of a fun time, but since it's my house too, I need to step up to all challenges.

Here is Nick working on the pipe -

My job, aside from holding the waste pipe while it was being cut (ick) was to cut pvc pipe with the compound miter saw,

It is an easy enough saw to operate, but don't call me when you're in need of a carpenter/plumber!

I have been working on many, many Christmas projects.  Here are some cards and gift cards I've been working on.

Hope you're enjoying the Christmas season.  Feel free to share what you've been doing at your house.

Decorations

I'm working away at some Christmas presents.  Maybe you are too.  Here is a link to Fantastic Toys for a tutorial on how to make some vintage looking ornaments out of felt.

Snow is in the Air

Yesterday I could smell it in the air.  I could feel it when I looked at the sky.  I knew it was going to happen.

A solid gray blanket of clouds covered the sky and the temperature was brisk.

About a 1/2 inch dusting of snow, a decent temperature outside and a beautiful blue sky.  It was a great day to start decorating for Christmas.  And I'm guessing this is about two weeks earlier than when I usually get started!

Over the Weekend

After spending a few nights at my sister JoAnne's house, and having Thanksgiving at my sister Michele's house, we went to visit Nick's brother, Jerry, in Leola, PA, outside of Lancaster.  On Saturday morning, we went to the Central Market in Downtown Lancaster City.  A building full of booths full of crafts and food.

Although I didn't take a picture (I'm afraid I'd drool every time I looked at it) there was a booth full of homemade pastries and baked goods.  What caught my eye was a tray full of just made custard-filled doughnuts sprinkled with powdered sugar.  I came very close to buying one.

On to a very quick Jersey City stop on Sunday before heading home.  We dropped off Chloe's birthday presents and had a short visit.  It was Phoebe's nap time, so sadly no picture of her to show.  Believe me, she is once very sweet girl.  Nick did get a picture of Chloe and I.

And Chloe is one very sweet girl too!  Back to the real world for me.  Hope you all had a wonderful holiday.