Friday, December 21, 2012

decorating Christmas cookies


Even though this was an image from last year, I really did make a similar mess yesterday. And yes, we continue to celebrate Arizona's 100th by making cactus cut-out cookies. 


But before we got down & dirty decorating cookies, we opened presents that my sister Ginny made for all the Thompson girls ~ scarves! Beautiful, soft and sassy scarves!


Emolyn & Elsie were so excited to have their very own big girl scarves just like their Mama, Mimi and Aunt Miranda! See what I mean ~ Elsie gettin' sassy with some Taylor Swift.


Ok, let the games begin ~ Shawn's prized "cruncher". Emolyn is not intimidated in the least.


Elsie doesn't see the point in going to all that work when you're going to pop it in your mouth anyways. I can see her point.


Tyler was perfecting his skills till he could work on his show-stopper.


And there you have it folks ~ upon submitting their entries on Facebook, Tyler seems to have won with his patriotic mitten. Although Shawn is demanding a recount. Good work everyone.


Meanwhile Nathan & Jonah were content rockin' & rollin 'round the Christmas Tree.


Unless they needed their Mama's attention.


Once fed and diapered, they were good to go.


Jonah's thinking that puppy on Nathan's shirt could use some brotherly love... 
in the form of drool.


Emolyn was decorating cookies long after everyone had left the table. I couldn't believe her attention to detail ~ we've got a budding artist in our midst.


In fact, she may have devoured some of her finest work. But we'll never know.


Thursday, December 20, 2012

12 days of sickness


I've been sick going on 12 days now... achy flu, bad cough and headache.
I know, not exactly how I wanted to spend my days leading up to Christmas.
So, indulge me while I reflect on 12 things that are probably not going to happen this year.

#1 ~ my sugar houses & vintage bottle tree collection









#3 ~ my vintage glass balls collection


#4 ~ my church village


#5 ~ my husband's n-gage train that goes around the church village


#6 ~ ice skating (just kidding)



#7 ~ Lego Advent Calendar 


#8 ~ Ikea Christmas wreath (still hanging at the wedding venue)


#9 ~ caroling at my mother-in-law's home



#10 ~ my Manzanita branch hanging over my kitchen island


#11 ~ had hoped to make this with the books I collected for the wedding centerpieces


#12 ~ Christmas baking

Oh wait. I may not be doing much baking this year, but tonight is our annual Christmas Cookie Decorating Extravaganza with the whole family. As soon as I send this post, I'll be rolling out the gingerbread dough and baking pans of cookies for the family to decorate tonight. 
So very thankful this last round of antibiotics seems to be working and I am on the mend. 

My Christmas may not look like I had hoped this year, but in light of what happened to 20 little ones and 6 adults, I can think of little else but those families in Connecticut that will never know a Christmas without being reminded of the horrific events of last week. My heart goes out to that hurting community and the healing that will be going on for years. May they see Jesus more clearer than ever before.
May we never forget to pray for those that lost little loved ones. I can't even imagine...

(all photos taken from past Christmas posts)

Monday, December 17, 2012

Christmas owl & antlers


Last year my dear friend Rob invited me into his home to photograph his Christmas. I knew immediately it would become a tradition I would look forward to year-after-year. Rob decorates unlike anyone I know. He is such a gifted designer!
Well, this year he outdid himself. I was completely stunned when I walked through the front door. So how 'bout we take a little tour of the place so you can see for yourself.


Magical. Enchanting. 


 Lovely and captivating. 
Went a little wild when I saw how the upholstery nail heads were photographing. Love!


And the tree... oh my. I literally gasped.


Oh Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree ~ how lovely are your branches!



Rob's entire house is adorned with art and soul and style and texture. 


We've had a tradition in our home to hang the infamous Christmas bat on our tree... but never a Christmas owl. Trust me, Rob's owl is way cuter than our glow-in-the-dark bat. ha! And lest you think he's all soft and fuzzy, you'd be wrong. He's coarse and brittle. But oh what a statement he makes!




Rob uses so many interesting design elements ~ deer antlers, twigs and pinecones to name just a few.



He already knows what he's going to do next year and let me tell you ~ amazing! 
I can hardly wait to come back for the photo shoot! 


Thank you Rob! I always come away blessed having spent the day with my dear, trusted friend. 


Merry Christmas Rob & Toni ~ and a Happy New Year!

Thursday, December 13, 2012

happy birthday to me

  • today I turn 56
  • I was born in '56
  • here's 56 things to do instead of spending money
  • I've been sick all week with an awful flu
  • achy, miserable and feeling rather sorry for myself
  • I never lose my appetite when I'm sick
  • food comforts me when I'm feeling bad
  • so I had smoked tomato & bacon soup at 8:30 this morning
  • hey, it's my birthday, I can eat whatever & whenever I want to 
  • cried pretty much through the entire Family Stone movie
  • we were hired by a friend to do an Estate Sale for his parents estate
  • after 2 months, 2 yard sales and 2 Estate Sale dates ~ we're finally done
  • hardest work ever
  • best experience ever
  • I never want to do another
  • never say never 
  • more changes in our future
  • praying for peace
  • my cousin got in his car yesterday and the odometer read 121212 on 12.12.12.
  • we're getting rain today and tomorrow, with snow in the high country
  • I need a road trip so I can photograph snow
  • I need to get into the spirit of Christmas. so much yet to do.
  • my twin grandsons are 8 months old next week
  • here's a photo from their 6 month photo shoot
  • Nathan & Jonah are so stinkin adorable!

Thursday, December 06, 2012

DIY beverage/ popcorn stand


I have vivid memories of my Mom washing clothes using these galvanized wash tubs along with her wringer washer. Talk about backbreaking work. No wonder she kept threatening to throw them in the dump if we didn't take them. Not the most pleasant of memories I guess. Well I wanted them, and finally hauled them out of the basement on June, 2011, when we last visited the farm in Wisconsin, and brought them back to Phoenix ~ never dreaming they would be used to ice beverages at my daughter's wedding a year and a half later!


Over the years I have found two of these units in IKEA 'as is'. I transformed one of them into this. And the other has been collecting dust in my shed for years. That is, until I showed Miranda the 200 vintage paper popcorn bags I found for a dollar at a thrift store, which inspired her to serve popcorn to her guests while the backyard was being transformed from ceremony to reception. What a fun idea!


Miranda wanted me to cover the top in oilcloth and suggested the Cath Kidston oilcloth that I purchased while visiting her in England in 2009. I was thrilled. You can even see her holding this very oilcloth piece while we were shopping in the Cath Kidston store in Bath, England ~ and you can read all about that memorable visit HERE!



Miranda also wanted paper straws at the beverage table. She ordered the gray straws online and I found the red ones on clearance at the Kirkland Store for less than $3.00 a box ~ 144 ct. per box ~ right after 4th of July. I know! LOVE how Kelsie photographed them!



She also wanted the baskets lined. We chose to use only three of the baskets for easy access, and then lined them with a blue-check woven fabric I've had in my stash for years.



Every December I get a $20.00 birthday coupon from The Willows, to spend at their fabulous store in Phoenix. Last year I chose those galvanized hanging chalkboards. Again, I had no idea I would use them at my daughter's wedding a year later. I can't wait to spend my $20.00 this month! Thanks Willows! See you soon.
Special thanks to Pinkerton photography for all these lovely photos of my DIY wedding reception projects! You're awesome Kelsie!

Linking up with other awesome inspirational blogs ~

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

Mr & Mrs wedding chairs


What are the chances I would happen to have two antique chairs in my shed when my daughter pinned the photo below on her wedding Pinterest board? Like pretty good. In fact I had only recently found the other one at my little ARC Thrift store for $5.00. And what are the chances I would have those two tree bark boards in my shed, along with layers of dust? Again, pretty darn good. ha!


Miranda's inspiration found here.


Both chairs had caning in its former life. So I just had my husband cut boards to fit and then I upholstered fabric from my stash that Miranda chose along with enough batting for comfort. Miranda painted the Mr & Mrs, I added screws in the back and then cream colored burlap strips for ties.


So pleased with how they turned out for the newly married Mr & Mrs!

Monday, December 03, 2012

My Grandkids & Santa


Let me interrupt your regularly scheduled wedding post and bring you Christmas!


Nathan & Jonah with Santa Claus


Elsie & Emolyn ~ Nathan & Jonah


SO excited to celebrate Christmas with these little guys!