Journal Your Christmas, December 31st

PP: Love, Elsie
Tags: Daisy D, Making Memories
Brads: Making Memories
Raffia: Unknown
Photo Corners: Heidi Swapp
Stickers: Junkitz, Heidi Swapp, Making Memories
Stamp: Unknown
Ink: Colorbox

Journal Your Christmas, December 30th

This morning, I made banana bread while listening to James Brown's Sex Machine, Jonathon Coulton's Skullcrusher Mountain and Weird Al Yankovic's White and Nerdy ... it was awesome to groove around the kitchen. Once the bread was in the oven, I undertook my page for today ...




... the little file folder was just what I needed to feel like I could tell my story without being cramped for space!

Supplies:
Folder: Autumn Leaves
CS: Bazzill
PP: Basic Grey
Stickers: Making Memories, Unknown (pulled off Jacquie's envelope from her Christmas 2007 card!)
Heart: Heidi Swapp
Brads: Queen & Co, Making Memories
Bling: Unknown
Tabs: Making Memories
Acrylic "be friends": Queen & Co

Journal Your Christmas, December 29th

I decided to use today's "bonus" page to talk about how much we're looking forward (and hoping!!) to next year being a "baby's first Christmas"! :D

Don't Dress for Dinner

I've just gotten back from attending a performance of Don't Dress for Dinner. The acting was superb & the comic timing, magnificent. Click here to watch a clip or two, to see if it's up your alley. It's in Chicago through January 11th, and I'd highly recommend it if you're looking for some light comedy with some wonderful twists and turns. My friends & I were especially wowed by Jeffrey Donovan and Spencer Kayden, but the entire cast really outdid itself. I am seriously considering attending a repeat performance!

Small Favor by Jim Butcher

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another superb offering from Jim Butcher, the only author of 2008 so skilled as to prompt me to buy books in hardback! No spoilers in this review, I promise. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Harry's character develop further & there were many moments I literally laughed out loud .. and one moment where a desperate "No!" escaped my lips in a hoarse whisper. The only thing I could ask more of Jim Butcher is to write faster! ;)


View all my reviews.

Journal Your Christmas, December 28th

I paid tribute to my lovely peppermint (something I'm interested in really only this time of year), but also expanded my thoughts to include other treats.

Supplies:

PP: Colorbok, DCWV?
Stickers: EK Success, 7 Gypsies, Making Memories, Heidi Swapp

Journal Your Christmas, December 27th

Today's prompt, about sleep, was very apropos, given the overcast skies that lure us until believing it's earlier than it really is ... and the awful rainy weather that makes us want to stay indoors & hide our heads under the covers. Maybe with a flashlight and a copy of a new book.

Supplies:
CS: Bazzill
PP: Around The Block, Basic Grey
Stickers: American Crafts, Heidi Swapp, Making Memories
Stamp: PSX
Ink: Colorbox
Journaling: It is now 60 degrees and pouring rain ... a perfect day for sleeping in!

Journal Your Christmas, December 26th

Today's page is about how I'm hoping to see my brother ... as you can see, his gifts are still sitting here, waiting for him to open them!

9:30 pm: UPDATE: I got to spend time with him!! I am so happy!

Journal Your Christmas, December 25th

The scan from my parents' scanner is a bit wonky ... but here's a fair rendition of today's page! :D We had a wonderful celebration, from my sweetie's traditional brunch to a quiet end to the day, watching IronMan & then scrapbooking this page!

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!

Even though we're adults, we still love to hear my dad read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. He usually embellishes the story & part of current events wanders into it!

Journal Your Christmas, December 24th

Overnight, we had more snow, and lots more rain, so our snowfall has been packed down densely. It was raining when I woke up at 8 am, and the temperature has been slowly falling. It's now finished the ice stage, I think, and is moving on to snow. We'll be heading down to my parents in another couple of hours, so I did my page for today & packed up supplies to make pages while we visit them.



The journaling reads: Today we'll be driving through snow, sleet, and rain, heading south to my parents' house! Tonight we will feast on Monical's pizza - my favorite! Maybe Dad will read us a story, too!

Supplies:
CS: Unknown
PP: Chloe's Closet (I think)
Stickers: Junkitz, Heidi Swapp
Tag: Making Memories
Brad: Making Memories

Journal Your Christmas, December 23rd

This is what it looks like, outside out front window!



So, I've finished my page for today, but haven't been about to capture a very good shot of it without a flash, because there is so little ambient lighting!

The journaling reads: Each year, Santa fills our stockings with little treats. Candy, lip balm, hand lotion, and oranges are often inside!

Supplies:
PP: Around the Block, Colorbok
Rub Ons: Making Memories, Daisy D

My Christmas Journal thus far...

Here's a shot of my Christmas journal thus far in the project. On Day 22 (of about 36), it's at least an inch and a half thick, not including the chipboard covers, which I'll probably make at the very end!

Journal Your Christmas, December 22nd

The journaling reads: I am a very happy camper today, because I have nothing to do for Christmas!
CS: Unknown
PP: Around The Block
Angel: Unknown...had it for years and years and years
Stickers: Heidi Swapp, Making Memories
Ribbon: Unknown
Tabs: Scrapworks

Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions by Neil Gaiman

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wow. I have to say that just about every story in this collection was highly engaging, and I had strong emotional reactions to several of them, and many "gotcha" type moments. Gaiman is, indeed, a master storyteller. Some of my favorite bits, without giving too much away for those of you who need to add this to your "to read" stack:

- the sad workings of Peter's mind in "We Can Get Them For You Wholesale"
- the explanation of those who've spurned "The Sweeper of Dreams"
- the evolution of perceived morality in "Changes"
- the mundane conversational aspects of "Tastings"
- the story embedded within the story of "Murder Mysteries"

I would like to say that this is a wonderful book to have on one's nightstand, to read a short story before bedtime, but I can't say that. Many of the stories (Don't Ask Jack, The White Road, and Snow,Glass,Apples in particular) were downright emotionally disturbing. Good, but disturbing. Don't Ask Jack actually generated a nightmare! *shudder* Great job, Gaiman. *wink*


View all my reviews.

Journal Your Christmas, December 21st

Today's prompt was to take a picture of our home, as it is today ... well, I wound up with lots of pictures -- wanted to capture the snow outside, the decorations, and all the stuff associated with the little gift wrap party I hosted. So, I went with an index print, to get all of them in! *grin*

Supplies:
Transparency: 3M
CS: Bazzill, Unknown
PP: Chloe's Closet
Stickers: Making Memories, Pebbles Inc., Heidi Swapp
Brads: American Crafts
Rub on: American Crafts

Journal Your Christmas, December 20th

I was totally stumped on today's prompt. Until I actually looked that mail that I had hastily grabbed out of the mailbox as company arrived this afternoon. And, surprise! Surprise! There was a card from a friend I'd not heard from all year & whom I'd been unable to send a card this year, because her last correspondance had an address that was written so haphazardly I couldn't even begin to guess at it! Now I've got it & can send her a card of my own!

Supplies:
Transparency: 3M
Rub on: DaisyD
Letters: Making Memories
Stickers: EK Success, Heidi Swapp

Journal Your Christmas, December 19th

I had a lot of fun with today's prompt. After checking out Susie's blog, when I saw the 7 Gypsies Profile journaling card, I dug out a die cut Santa I've had for ages & made a "mug shot" of sorts. I was also able to use a swirly Santa definition & just play!

Journal Your Christmas, December 18th

Today's prompt was to write about Christmas dinner, but my side of the family doesn't really have one ... and my sweetie's does ... and that was covered in my 2006 and 2007 Christmas journals already, so I decided to cover a topic that is about holiday food, nonetheless -- our annual Cookie Day!

Supplies:
CS: Bazzill
PP: Basic Grey
Stickers: 7 Gypsies, Junkitz, EK Success

Charming Blog Award!

I received an award today, from Eleni! Thank you! What a nice warm fuzzy moment in my day!
Here is the information about the award: "These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers. Deliver this award to eight bloggers who must choose eight more and include this cleverly-written text into the body of their award."

So, allow me to select the following eight people who I think deserve this award:
My Next Thirty Years (Chiara)
Crazier in Real Life (Karen)
Dalovely Damanda (Amanda)
Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (Heather)
Scraps of (my) Life (Margie)
Melodee Langworthy's blog (Mellie)
Adding to the Noise (Breanne)
Rabbit Run Cottage (Susie)

Thanks, Eleni!

Journal Your Christmas, December 17th

The journaling reads: I am so very excited this Christmas, because I think I've found a gift that Ken is going to love! It's
(when you turn the page over, it's blank ... I'll take a photo of him opening it on Christmas & then cut it to fit the size of the tag)

Supplies:
Tag: Basic Grey
PP: Basic Grey
Stickers: Junkitz

Journal Your Christmas, December 16th

The journaling reads: I am grateful for so very much in my life - at this time of year & all year round! I have a loving husband, close family, & amazing friends. We live in a comfortable home in a safe neighborhood & can afford what we need. Who needs more?

Supplies:
PP/CS: Colorbok (?), Basic Grey
Rhinestones: MAMBI
Snowflakes: Paper Studio
Rub Ons: American Crafts

Journal Your Christmas, December 15th

Journaling reads: This year, we will be the ones doing the visiting, and it occurs to me how we are hoping that next Christmas we hope to have others visit us ... our new expanded family!

Supplies:
Vellum: Sharon Anne
CS/PP: Basic Grey
Ribbon: Unknown
Rub Ons: American Crafts

My Review of Ginger Bread Cookie Tea!

Originally submitted at Teavana

This tea is an herbal blend that consists of apple bits, candied pineapple, candied papaya, cinnamon sticks, beetroot bits, roasted almonds, popcorn, raisins, peanut bits and coconut chips. (Product contains nuts!)

Ginger Bread Cookie 2OZ

Perfect for our annual Cookie Day!

By Latharia from IL on 12/14/2008

5out of 5

Tea Body: Light

Tea Flavor: Fruity, Spicy

Pros: Unique Flavor Profile, High Quality, Fresh

Best Uses: Dessert Tea, Holiday Party

Describe Yourself: Health Conscious, Tea Enthusiast

We served this tea at our annual holiday cookie party & it was a huge hit. It smelled divine & tasted wonderful. It was the perfect complement to many different kinds of cookies!

(legalese)

COOKIE DAY!

Today we celebrated our 7th annual Cookie Day! We made 10 different kinds of sweets, my parents brought up another 3 different ones, and my mom-in-law brought 3. I think. I kind of lost track at that point ... which is funny, because we had 29 more guests, 27 of which all brought something to contribute (sometimes as a family unit, I grant you ... but still ... we had an awful lot of variety).

Here is the dining room table as we set up:


Dave was very excited to have all kinds of treats to nibble on. See how pretty the table is? Take note of the chocolate covered cherries (thanks, Dad!!) on the two tiered red & green stand. They were the first items to disappear from the table!


We had so many things on the dining room table, cookies had to be placed downstairs in the family room, on our gaming table & on my desk. I think all the folks that wound up downstairs were pretty happy to have their own stash!


The weirdest cookie this year ("Grinch Cookies") was an admitted failure on the part of my brother-in-law, Seldon. He had a really great idea to go for a red and green theme, making a thumbprint cookie with a spicy cinnamon apple jelly center. Well, he made a few too many tweaks and the turned out weird looking AND weird tasting. He happily pitched them all after sharing the story. And yes, trust me ... they were that bad. Not disgusting ... just bad.


Now here is my favorite cookie. There is currently one left. And I'm not sharing it. John made these unbelievably light & sweet peppermint dusted confections. I need the recipe. (I think he may post it on his blog!) So do 3 other people who tried them after John headed out with his 2 sons in tow.


This is what the table looked like at about 3:30 ... 2 1/2 hours in to the party & 1 1/2 hours to go.


And here it is at the end of the party! Yeah. We have cookies leftover. This may be due in part to the fact that I ate one of those delicious peppermint cookies, a bite of the horrid Grinch cookies, 1 piece of my dad's delicious chocolate covered coconut balls, and 1/2 of a pizzelle cookie. I have put some cookies away (including that one peppermint one!) for me to have at a later date.


And now ... all of the dishes generated by this event! It's actually not too bad! We're having some pizza & tackling them afterwards!


So, if anyone needs any cookies ... just let us know. I'm going to start making a list of people to share them with, and I am sure we'll still have some to spare!

Oh, and along with too many kinds of beverages to count, we served Teavana's Gingerbread Cookie tea ... it was freaking awesome (see my review here). Pink, too ... but awesome. Very delicious & holiday-y!

Here's a list of the cookies we made:
Death by Caramel Bars
Kiss Cookies
Chocolate Dipped Pretzels
Peppermint Bark
Campfire Marshmallow Bark
Snickerdoodles
Northwest Pecan Treats
White Chocolate-Raspberry Slices
Dark Chocolate Brownies
Cranberry-White Chocolate Cookies
Gingerbread Cake with Blueberries
Breton Brittle
Sugar Cookies
Amish Friendship Bread
Banana Nut Bread

Journal Your Christmas, December 14th

Journal Your Christmas, December 13th

My favorite songs: Silver Bells, Sleigh Ride, White Christmas & Winter Wonderland

Supplies:
PP: Love, Elsie and Basic Grey
Tag: Basic Grey
Stickers: 7 Gypsies, Junkitz, Heidi Swapp
Tab: Heidi Swapp
Ribbon: from my friend in France
Charms: from bondai! *grin*

Journal Your Christmas, December 12th

The journaling reads: Christmas this year will be different - we will spend most of it with my parents and my brother and his family! It has been years since we've all been together on Christmas!

Supplies
CS: Bazzil
Stickers: Making Memories, Heidi Swapp, Junkitz
Tag: BoBunny
Chipboard: Making Memories
Rub Ons: Making Memories
Ribbon: Unknown

Journal Your Christmas, December 11th

The journaling reads:

This year is odd, 'cause we have no tree! I don't want to risk leaving the cats alone with it for days!

I love BIG lights on my tree!

Supplies:
CS/PP: Around The Block
Stickers: Doodlebug, Making Memories, Heidi Swapp
Ribbon: Unknown
RicRack: Unknown

Journal Your Christmas, Day 10

Journal Your Christmas, December 9th

My journaling will be hidden inside the envelope, after I celebrate Christmas with my parents & my brother's family & revive a number of childhood traditions!

CS: Bazzill
PP: Paper Salon (I love this paper ... and had just enough left to make this page!)
Alphas: Paper Salon
Stickers: 7 Gypsies, Unknown
Envelope: Unknown (been saving it for years ... now I know what for!)

Journal Your Christmas, December 8th

The journaling reads: In our house, every surface is covered with some kind of festive knick-knack - and outside, our 3 trees are covered in lights. I love how festive it all feels!

Supplies:
PP: Chloe's Closet
Stickers: Unknown, Heidi Swapp
Glittery Ornaments: Jolees

Journal Your Christmas, December 7th

The journaling reads:
Still to do:
(1) wrap 6 gifts
(2) buy stocking stuffers
... uh,
yeah, that's all! the rest is just purely for fun! I admit it ... I love being organized!

Supplies:
CS/PP: Basic Grey
Stickers: Making Memories, Heidi Swapp, 7 Gypsies
Rub Ons: Doodlebug
Bling: Unknown
Brads: Unknown

Journal Your Christmas, December 6th

The journaling reads: My best Christmas memories all revolve around being with my loved ones, taking our time, opening gifts on the 25th.

Supplies:
CS: Unknown
Stickers: Making Memories, Heidi Swapp
Ribbon: Unknown
Rub Ons: Doodlebug

Journal Your Christmas, December 5th

I didn't have much to say on the subject today, so I just had fun & played with numbers. For me, this represents not only counting down until Christmas Day, but also how we are counting down as part of the adoption process. Counting down the number of pages of forms to complete ... counting down the hours of training we are doing ... counting down until our first home visit!

Supplies:
Acrylic sheet: Unknown, maybe 3M?
Stickers: Making Memories, Doodlebug, American Crafts, Heidi Swapp, Rhona Ferrer?
Rhinestones: Unknown
Rub Ons: Doodlebug

Journal Your Christmas, December 4th

The journaling reads:

Every Christmas is perfect to me,
as long as it includes friends & family!

PP: Unknown, had it forever
Stickers: Doodlebug, Heidi Swapp
Brad: American Crafts

Journal Your Christmas, December 3rd

The journaling reads: This is the 1st year that most of our cards are NOT handmade or handwritten! I hope next year there will be a family photo of 3 of us!
Supplies:
PP: Around The Block
Button: Unknown
Sticker/Tab: Heidi Swapp
Chipboard star: Making Memories

Journal Your Christmas, December 2nd

The journaling reads: For me, it does not quite feel like Christmas is on its way until snow is on the ground! I LOVE SNOW! I look forward to playing in the snow with our children in the years to come!

Supplies:
CS: Love, Elsie, American Crafts
Eyelet: Making Memories
Stickers: Making Memories, Heidi Swapp, Unknown
Vellum: Unknown
Ink: Colorbox

Journal Your Christmas, December 1st

The journaling reads: I am making this album in hopes it will document what our holiday celebrations were like, before we added a child to our family. Our fondest hope for 2009 is that we will adopt a baby! This is also the first year in a long time that we will celebrate Christmas with my parents!

Supplies:
PP: Chloe's Closet, Die Cuts With a View
Tag: 7 Gypsies
Ribbon: Unknown
Vellum Quote: Unknown
Stickers: 7 Gypsies, Unknown, Heidi Swapp, Making Memories
Wooden star: Unknown
Ink: Colorbox

WINNERS!

I used a random number generator for both sets & here are the two winners: Maria and Tracy! Congratulations!! I will get in touch with you both (or you're welcome to email me with the info in my profile) & send out your goodies as soon as I may!