Oh Christmas Tree

This is what it looks like when you walk into my house.
It's up and glowing. My ornament collection has grown and grown. And I love them all in their own way.
I remember when I was a little girl and the excitement of getting the tree was the best part. I loved the decorations. My family was very much the opposite. I found there were a lot of years, I did all the decorations myself. My Grandma was unable to put up her tree herself so I went over and did it for her for years. I have two very special angels with bread twist ties for hooks that used to be hers at the top of my tree. They are priceless to me. I grew such a fondness for Christmas ornaments. I love Hallmark one the most because off the detailing involved with them and the collectible factor. I love all different kinds. I'm always on the look out for something different. I'm lucky to have a select few signed by the artist who created them. When Chris and I got married 14 years ago, it started and now my kids go and pick out one ornament for themselves each year. I lost count as to a total but my 12 ft tree has few bare spots.

Cold and Rainy Saturday Ramblings

Yuck.....Rain all day. I guess I should be grateful that I can get something done inside. But me and the boys had grown fond of getting up on Saturdays and going to garage sales all summer. But now that the weather has changed to cold, the joy of living in Kansas, the sales have stopped til spring. Some of our best finds this year would include a large volume of Lego's for Alex including Star Wars---two big sets for $2.00.
Carter got a huge bag of 25 Thomas the Tank Engine trains for $10.00 with a carrying case. For me, I found The French Chef" Julia Child DVD set for $.50 that sells on eBay for $22.00.
I watched that show with my Grandma Betty and it brings back such fond memories of her. Now if I can only find a old copy of "The Art of French Cooking"by Julia which I've been looking for for years and still have yet to find. Chris would say that I don't need any more cookbooks but I totally disagree.
It's been fun to watch the boys get overjoyed when we find something great to making comments like "That wasn't a very good one" when we find nothing but junk.
(Susan--if you are reading--can you remember our stop and laugh until we can't breathe garage sale in Waynoka. I still laugh when I think about it.)
Anyway..........Happy Saturday Enjoy the day no matter you find yourself doing.
Yikes 24 days to Christmas.......Funny when you are kid that seems like FOOOOOOOOOREVEEEEEEEEEEEEEER and here I am the mom and I wish I had an extra week to get everything done.
The boys and I are thinking about making a gingerbread house this year.
I'm struggling with the Martha in me that feels the need and desire to make the entire thing from scratch and the other part of me that wants to buy the Wilton everthing in it Kit.
What to do?
Our Christams tree that looks like a Hallmark store is up and will be posting pictures later in the week.

In Search Of

I love weddings. In fact, I love the wedding cake almost more than any other part of the wedding.
I've always had a fondness for the bride and groom wedding cake toppers. Now days, it is not cool and you do not see them on modern day cakes. I have 4 bride and groom cake toppers and would love to have more. Let's face it, if you collect something 4 is not enough.
So, I'm put the word out for my ever growing obsession with rescuing these fading symbols of matrimony.
If you see a bride and groom cake topper at an estate sale or a garage sale.
please let me know. The older the better and under $20.00 the better.

Fall---Dancing Leaves

Carter said the leaves were "DANCING IN THE STREETS"
It's fun to watch the boys enjoy playing with something that doesn't require batteries or gas. All natural free fun. When is the last time you played in the leaves?

A must See for ME!

Not only does it look like a good girl movie.....my Harry is in at as well.

The Bridges of Madison County

We caught the last hour of the movie last night.

If you want to stir up a great debate in my house, than talk about the movie

The Brides of Madison County. We've seen this movie at least 7 or 8 times and even took the time to stop at all the covered bridges when were going through Iowa (which I highly recommend). For some reason though, Chris and I see this movie from two totally different views. His is one of nothing more than a woman who had an affair and mine is one of love and loyalty. Don't you love the the line

"This kind of certainty comes but once in a lifetime"

I'm most definitely not endorsing having an affair nor do I think it's right but I do think the male view of this movie is way different than the female view. I feel a little bit like Francesca when she says....................... "They fail to see the beauty of it all"

A lot of things that are beautiful so often get over looked every single day.

Take the time today to notice the beauty of what's around you.

Anne Geddes

Last night I had the great privlage of getting to go to an an author event on the plaza. Anne Geddes was in town and I was able to listen to her speak about her life and photographs and then was able to get a copy of her new book "Labor of Love" signed. It was such a great experience. This book is about her life story and I found it very enjoyable to read.

For those that don't Anne she the one that takes all those great pictures of babies that I'm sure you've seen at some point. It was a great time and love the new book.