Smile

sings..."Smile, Smile, Smile"

http://www.danzanes.com/flash/video10.shtml

Audrey Hepburn

I always loved Audrey Hepburn, but just recently started reading her biographies, and looking into more of her videos.

I never realized what a truly classy woman she was, on the inside as well as outside. I mean, I've always thought she was a flawless beauty, and loved her in Funny Face, and My Fair Lady, but I never knew about her private life, and what a great woman she was.

I am looking forward to continuing my study of her life, and movies. I just watched a great biography on her last night, and am in 3 books, plus a book on Givenchy style.

Handcrafter's Holiday MeMe

Gifts
Do you have a favorite gift that you love to give?
I've tried making something different every year. I've given drawings, oil paintings, acryllic paintings, pottery, crocheting, prayer pillows and all different kinds of crafts.

If you’re making gifts this year, what are you making?
I printed out some of my artistic photos, and matted them, so I'm giving those as presents this year.

Do you have any good stories about handcrafted gifts you’ve given or received?
I'll never forget when I was little, my mom making me a pillow Care Bear. It was the yellow sunshine bear, and I still have it. (my mom used to call me her little sunshine.)

A few years ago, I made prayer pillows for my 4 parents who all have birthdays in July.
I made them out of old cut out jeans, and made them into shapes. I put their names on one side, and sewed a pocket on the other for them to put prayer requests inside. The idea is to write it down, give it to the Lord, and then rest peacefully, and don't worry.

Do you have any great gift compilation ideas (a grouping of gifts just perfect for certain recipients?)
In the past, I would put together coffee themes for people, or snowman themes, and one of my sisters LOVES pigs, so I got all pig stuff. (none handmade though)

Name one thing on your personal wish list.
Display shelves for my precious moments

Do you make and sell things that would make fantastic gifts?
We're always making something or other, but I don't have a store anywhere.
I have made jewelry, photography, pottery, and art. My sister makes beaded keychains, frames, and beautiful jewelry, and my mom knits and makes the coolest paper flowers. We did a craft show together recently, and our friend, Shelly joined in, contibuting cool gift baskets.


Traditions
What is your favorite family holiday tradition?
Christmas Eve, we light candles, and take turns reading verses of the Christmas story from Luke, and some other passages that help tell the story.

Have you started any new traditions with your family that you didn’t practice growing up?
We try to make a Birthday cake for Jesus, and sing Happy Birthday.
My side of the family also started focusing on handmade gifts the past few years. We can get other things also if we want, but we try to give something handmade to everyone.

What do you love most about the holiday season?
Decorating, and making holiday crafts, shopping for presents

What do you like least about the holiday season?
Since it's winter, it's just always dark and dreary, and I miss the sun a ton!

Anyone close to your heart that you’ll be missing this year?
I am so blessed to have all my family with me during the holidays.

What is your favorite holiday food?
stuffing/cranberry sauce

Do you have a great recipe to share?
It's my only recipe, LOL.

CORN CASSEROLE
1 can cream corn
1 can strained sweet corn
1 stick of melted butter
2 eggs
1 small box of Jiffy cornbread mix
1 8oz. container of sour cream

Simply mix all the ingredients in a casserole dish, and bake uncovered in a preheated oven at 350* for 1 hour.

It's the dish I bring every year, and I never get tired of it.

Everyone Loves a Baby Picture

Happy Birthday, to Gabey

Gabey turned 4 on Sunday. It was a really nice day. Jeff made sure he woke up to a balloon, and card, and we got him the Cars MAC truck to open.

For lunch, we went to Cracker Barrel, and met with Linda Mom and Joe Dad, Chrissy, and Bobby. My parents were under the weather, so weren't able to come.
We're having his birthday party next saturday at Lind Mom's house. I'm looking forward to that. Gabey asked for a Herbie theme, and cake.

Here are some pictures from the restaurant.

Tear Jerker

My mom has this on her blog, and I just cried when I saw it. It was so touching.

Here is a link, just click.

Special needs cheerleaders

Gideon's 1 Month Old

Gideon's doing really well. I'm so glad. He's eating regular formula, and his neck is nice and loose (we were afraid his torticolis would get worse, and need physical therapy). He's sleeping fairly well at night, and is getting more alert when he's awake during the day.
He is the smiley-est baby, lol, he's always grinning. (i know, i know, just gas, lol.) He's very strong too, he is holding his head up better, and even pushing himself up with is arms, and stuff.

I think he's really a cute baby too, and i love the faces that he makes.

The Fam

Link to Marriage Advice

http://thimblethoughts.blogspot.com/2007/11/prescription-for-healthy-marriage.html

This was a wonderful blip that my friend wrote about one of the lessons at the conference she was at recently.

It had some great advice that we need to keep remembering, in order to keep a healthy marriage.


I am so thankful for my hubbie. I love him more now than when we were first married. I feel like we're closer friends, lovers, and companions after 5 years than in the beginning.

Big or Little

Do you like the large photos, or the small ones?
I usually load the larger ones, but this last post had the smaller ones.
Which do you like better? Do the smaller ones show up quicker, are they easy enough to see? Let me know, ok?

Misc Pics

Craft Show at our school
our table... i sold photos, my mom sold knitted purses, my sister sold frames, and shelly sold gift baskets


wreath i fell in love with and bought


display of carpenter friends i got the corner shelf from


Early Thanksgiving at Dina's

Elizabeth (sister in law) with Gideon


Joe (brother in law) with his baby, Stella


Gabey with the cool dogs


The Group...(front-Leanne, Dina, Matt, Nicole
back-Joe (Dina's hubbie), Gabey, Ken, Kris, and Linda Mom


sorting candles


petting kitty with Kris, and Aunt Pat


Guess Who?






Gabey borrowed my lip gloss

Anyone But Hillary '08

I found a site that's selling bumper stickers, and t-shirts!!
They say....

http://www.cafepress.com/the_pursuit/3912580