Bye Bye Christmas!

I get tired of Christmas pretty quickly, usually before the blessed day actually arrives. Christmas songs are nice for a few days, then my blood starts boiling everything I hear the Carpenters or that STUPID Christmas shoes song!

You know the one I mean!

The Christmas I was pregnant that song came on and started a 60 minute bawling session that was both irrational and pathetic . . . aka hormonal ;)

Anywho, THIS year I moderated the Christmas music, stayed organized and focused on family time. I can honestly say I'm a little sad to see it all go. I even let the decor stay up a few days longer than usual, but not into the New Year because that would be a SIN!

Happy New Year!

The good thing today: Work called: "Would you mind if we call you off tonight?"

"Oh yeah!"

Teresa

Dissatisfied

I've taken stock of my life and found it lacking in some important areas.

I could get all personal but I'm sure you have some idea of where I'm going with this.

I'm turning 30 in 2 years and I have this vision of a 30 year old Teresa that is unstoppable, confident, EXTREMELY good looking and satisfied. I figure by the time a woman is 30 she knows what she wants, she's been there and done that and still young enough to enjoy it all.

I want to be:

I could be delusional but I've never been known for simple goals ;)

I swore off New Year's resolutions a few years ago, but I'm bringing them back this year!

What's your New Years resolution?

The good thing today: this picture makes me smile, don't tell me boys. ;)

Teresa

No domestic goddess here

You can laugh, in fact I laughed at my self a little today too.

I LOVE putting on my cute little apron and baking in my kitchen. I like to pretend I'm her:

Perhaps it's left over from when I used to play dress up as a little girl and play princess. Well I like to play: Domestic Goddess! Then I get baking and clean.

Only by the time I was done working in the kitchen today I had ugly cookies, a broken plate, not enough cheese log, a sink full of dishes and VERY sore feet. Because my kids were unsupervised you can only imagine what the rest of my house looked like! Ugh!

Please tell me I'm not the only one with reality issues here. Now I'm going to attempt to save the cookies and scratch the rest!

The good thing today: my Santa cookies may be green, but they are yummy!

Teresa

Lights in Utah!

We love looking at Christmas lights and Utah has some AWESOME displays for the whole family!

Here are my all time favorites, we make sure to visit them every year.

Lights at Thanksgiving Point

Cost: $8 per car

It's a drive through light show, takes about 15 minutes and they have their own dedicated radio station with Christmas music.

Visit the Emporium to meet Prancer and Santa.

Zoolights at Hogle Zoo

Cost: Adults $6

Kids $4

Walk the zoo, enjoy the lights and the animals.

We also make time for the train.

Also a great place to visit Santa and his Reindeer!

My favorite:

Temple Square!

The lights are stunning and truly elegant.

They have a nativity on the pond, and another one near the visitor center.

It's free and makes for a nice walk.

We make a night out of it by riding the TRAX downtown and topping it off with hot cocoa.

It's always an adventure, but well worth it!

The good thing today: I don't have to pay the electricity bill for THESE lights!

Teresa

Cutest tights ever!

It could be because I'm cheap or creative but I have a hard time tossing skirts and shorts in winter just because it's cold!

Kids cost a fortune to keep clothed so if it fits, wear it ;)

Walmart sells knit tights in the winter.

Only $2.99 a pair.

That makes me happy and my wallet happy.

Don't you wish you had some!?

I do!

The good thing today: her hair is long enough to hold a REAL ponytail!

Teresa

Decked Halls Part 2

For years I was anti-fake tree, but then I had a fake tree.

Umm, they are AWESOME!

They are easy to put up, they don't have to be thrown away, they are prelit and perfect!

I usually swirl a ribbon around the tree but skipped it this year.

I love vintage santas. A little more "Father Christmas" than "Santa Clause"

I bought these at Hobby Lobby last year,

in fact I bought EVERY vintage santa ornament I could find!

Many people neglect the under side of the tree, but it doesn't make sense to me!

Would you wear a skirt without underwear?! Okay maybe YOU would, but I wouldn't!

Until the presents pile up you MUST make it presentable. We have a train, a little family of penguins and a "trunk cover" (My own personal invention)

Buy one of those popcorn metal containers (a pretty one). Eat all the poporn. Cut the bottom out of the tin and slip it over the trunk befor you place it into the tree stand.

Voila! No more unsightly tree trunk!

The good thing today: I got my new tree skirt 50% off at Hobby Lobby! (can you tell I LOVE that place!)

Teresa

Decked Halls Part 1

If you know me, you know I love old things and all things Victorian!

My goal is to have a "Victorian Christmas" living room with lots of gold and deep reds.

Each year I get to add a little more to my Christmas decorations and this year I bought REAL stocking hangers . . .

Candlesticks . . . (note the hint of glitter!)

and SANTA!!! (also note the glitter on his beard!)

Hobby Lobby inspired me to put hay in my Nativity this year,

what do you think?

It was messy to put out, but so far my kids haven't made me regret it.

Yet.

I also collect S&P Shakers, mostly couples.

My collections wouldn't be complete without Mr. and Mrs. Claus!

The Nativity I literally drooled over as a kid,

and now my kids drool over it too

Each year I paint a couple little houses to add to my village . . .

I have to keep up with the broken ones!

Stay tuned tomorrow for the tree!

The good thing today: baby gates and spray bottles! Gate for the toddler and spray bottle for the cat. Bring it on!

Teresa