Happy Friday, The Sequel

Again, I'm loving Ali Edwards' blog and wish I had the creativity of her pinky. Here's a project she's done that I might like to try and have to forward on to all of you. She wrote her book to her husband, but I can think of a million people who would enjoy something like this; sisters, children, parents, anyone who needs a reminder of all the reasons we love them.

If I do actually put one of these together, I'll be sure and share. Of course, that means dusting off my sewing machine and getting reacquainted . . . eek.

Happy Friday!

An Apology and a Tale of the Neighbor-Good-Deed Hot Potato

I'm starting out with an apology to Kara. Being healthy is not easy to do in this house. But maybe it's like New York City. If you can stay on a diet here, you can make it anywhere. We're doing our best to keep her resolve strong.

Exhibit A:

And this was just the platter we gave to our neighbor. Guess how many there are left for me to eat? Too many. I think I'll eat them tonight while I'm watching The Biggest Loser. I love to do that, it's so ironic.

We gave this platter to our next door neighbor. She had brought over dinner last week and we took back her dishes with these little diet busters. However, not to be outdone, she sent us home with gourmet popcorn. A neighborly kindness hot potato, if you will. Do you know anyone like this? She's the type of person who asks you "How are you?" and means it as a question, not a greeting like most of the people around us. And she wouldn't let anyone leave her house without a treat or a genuine kindness. We all need neighbors like that. We all need to be neighbors like that.

So, be good friends and neighbors, and eat a fabulous sweet roll. Life is good!

The January Blahs

I have a bad case of the January Blahs. Acknowledgement is the first step to recovery, right?

I keep trying to do something creative, and I'm getting nothing. I can barely even write this post. Bretto called and asked me what I wanted for dinner and I just went "uhhhh...." Nothing. I think my brain is hibernating until warmer weather arrives.

I'm in good company, though. Bretto and I have a running contest over who's being the grumpiest. Poor kids. And I guess it's a widespread phenomenon, talked about at length by TV broadcasters during a slow news day. I may try a few of their ideas, especially the organizing tips. Heaven help the next child who comes to me with "Mom, do you know where my ... is?"

I did do a little bit of creative work this weekend. I've become a digital scrapbooking junkie. I love the fact that the only money I've spent is on Photoshop Elements. All of the papers, embellishments, etc. that I use are freebies I've downloaded off the internet. I also love that the only storage I need to worry about is on my computer. I used to have to drag all of my boxes out when I wanted to work and then put them all back. I must say though that you wouldn't know it looking at the closet in our computer room. It looks like a paper factory exploded in there. But I do still like to make cards occasionally, and I have plans to do a scrapbook of Bug's postcard collection. So it will get used.

Shout out to Kara's phenomenal knitting skills. I must humbly admit that Bells makes the hat. Don't you think?

Sister's Night was organized by Erin several years ago and has always been one of my girls' Aunties' favorite Christmas traditions. So when Emma asked last year if Ellie could sleep with her I was thrilled. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right Erin? Although it hasn't lasted more than 15 minutes yet, it's something the girls have to do on Christmas Eve.

I said back in December that my siblings and parents like to do a gingerbread house at our Christmas party. With Bretto's siblings this year we did sugar cookies. All I can say is . . . too fun. I think my favorite was Adam's Mean Frosty.

So I'll continue my work and let you know if anything great comes out of it. Wish both the DH and I luck in working through the January blahs. And if you have any miracle cures, let me know. Have a great week!

Happy Friday

Since I'm still feeling decidedly non-creative, I thought I'd show you all one of my favorite blogs I lurk at. I really, really, really like the quote she posted today. Check her out here and have a fabulous weekend. I'm hoping to get a lot of scrapbooking done, but without a shot of creative juice, I'm not seeing it happening. Cross your fingers for me.

Next up: Something creative and thought-provoking!