Happy New Year!

I can't believe another year has gone by. I'm pretty okay with 2014, although it wasn't a fantastic year it was far better than 2013 with so many people in my family passing away. I'm actually looking forward to the new year. I love this quote by Brad Paisley:

Yes, write a good one. Kind of makes it sound like we have control over that (insert sarcasm smiley)..but when you really think about it - WE DO! It's not WHAT gets thrown our way but HOW we react to it. One of the things I'd like to concentrate on for me is my reaction to things. My reaction to strangers misfortunes. My reaction to things I have absolutely no control over. My "quick" reaction to negativity and negative people. I need to breathe.

I'm looking forward to the new year although resolutions aren't in the picture. I have "plans" lol. Plans to start the 21 Day Fix tomorrow. I bought it in the beginning of December and for Christmas Paul bought me a month's worth of Shakeology. I'm super excited about it. The 21 Day Fix isn't about losing weight in 21 days. That's how long it takes for the average person to break bad eating habits. Eating fresh veggies and fruits and not all the chips, dips, cookies, chips, fries, cakes, chips...well you get the idea. I did try out the exercise video the other day and haven't walked straight since! But I'm feeling better and tomorrow is the "official" start day and I plan on only doing 50% of the workout. Not the time but the weights and duration etc.

Tomorrow we're having our annual New Year's Day barbecue. Paul has made his macaroni salad and I made a pecan pie. (I WILL have a sliver). In the morning I'm going to make an old fashioned potato salad.

So, I will update my blog on my progress with my new healthy lifestyle. I wish you all a very Happy New Year! Here's to 2015...BRING IT ON!

After Christmas...

Well it's just a couple of days after Christmas. I had a great one. A bit different from years past as the grands weren't here for the first time and Paul and I also had an empty house. Still, it was nice just the two of us.
I was so busy over the holidays I didn't get a chance to post some of my baking. I baked a lot! I made the regulars; peanut butter crinkles (with the Hershey kiss), chocolate walnut puffs, & magic cookie bars. This year for Sue's party I decided to make some cupcakes. They're made with peppermint oil and crushed candy canes. I also bought some sugar sprinkles to spruce them up a bit..

I've also been knitting Christmas gifts. Now that I've given them to the recipients, I can post pictures! Yay!

Here's a keyhole scarf I made for my daughter in law with a little headband to match..

The headband has a few beads in it. 

This is a keyhole scarf and some fingerless mittens I made for my friend Bev. The gloves I made with hand dyed yarn from our trip to NY. I LOVE the yarn. Hopefully I have enough left to knit a little something for me :)

And my last knitted gift was for the coffee drinkers in my life, a coffee mug sleeve for my sister and sister in law.

We went to the Christmas Story House in Cleveland on Christmas Eve. Paul and I took Jennifer and her bf Dan. All of us except Jenn had never been. We do LOVE the movie though and I came home with an awesome leg lamp that fits perfect in my upstairs windows. Paul says it looks like a beacon! LOL!

New Years Resolution...blog more! I must wrap my head around the idea of blogging without pictures. Seriously, they aren't necessary!
As always...

Wishing you all to...

More Christmas decorating...

I've been decorating like crazy! A good crazy! I copied this kitchen cabinet wrapping idea off of Pinterest . I did it last year, not sure if I posted pics or not but if so, who cares right?

                                

I'm glad I did those last year so all I had to do was pull them out of the box. I did have to attach the bows though. Maybe I'll leave them on there after Christmas and box em up as is :)

I also put the little sprigs of greenery on the stairs along with the Hallmark Father Christmas Santa's.

 

 And lastly, I finished the tree. I'm so happy that this is the last year with this one. We're a little sad but when your artificial tree starts losing it's needles because it's so old, yea-it's time. Since this is it's last year, we're letting it go out with a bang...TINSEL!!

Poor Paul. He struggles every year with lights. Every year I have to go buy boxes of little lights. Last year I bought 11 boxes and brought them home, put them on the tree and they were LED! Ugh! They all looked lavender colored. I wanted all clear but when Paul said we didn't have enough working, I thought we could put up what clear lights we could and then put up colored. We have a ton of the multi colored bulbs. So, this old guy has a combo :)
Notice the tinsel? The bottom half of the tree doesn't have any since I have two cats. 

I spent the rest of the day on my belly and knees putting the Christmas Village under the tree. I am so out of shape I can now barely stand up straight! My knees and my back hurt LOL! Here's some pics of the village...

 

I did learn a few things. One is, next year I'm setting up the village before the tree! I'll get the tree stand in place and then do the village. Another thing, I don't think I need the snow tree skirt. We'll see. I do love looking at it. A couple of years ago, my mother in law gave me her village. It's very old and I have quite a few pieces here under the tree but not all. I couldn't fit them all! So, we may put them under the tree in the study...yes-I have 2 more trees to decorate! LOL. I'll post pics when I get them done.

As always...

It's another this and that...

Hi!
We are so excited to have the stained glass put in above the french doors leading into the study. Originally my brother in law Harold, put a piece of wood above there. Well, I wanted glass to match the front door transom and it just so happens my friend and co-worker's husband does stained glass! So, essentially we hired him and he did a fantastic job!

The last couple of days have been super cold! It been snowing and we're expecting more snow soon. I'm going to take advantage of my Y membership and start running inside.

I've started decorating for Christmas early this year. Not sure if it has anything to do with the fact that Logan and Emmy aren't going to be here and therefore I won't be able to get into the holiday spirit or what. I don't want to wait until after Thanksgiving as I always feel so rushed. Wanting to shop for Christmas and knowing I want to set up the tree and decorate always stresses me out. So! I've started and it feels really good! I think I'm going to every year...just start after the Halloween party. Here's a couple of pics...

I hand painted all these nativity figures about 20 years ago. I never really had a place to set it up. It excites me to be able to display it, finally :)

No Toby! I WILL notice if you chew off the little pine cone! 

Toby thinks laying nonchalantly on the end of the sofa gives him rights to sprigs and branches within reach...NOT!

One of my pet peeves and I know we all have them, is people not turning left when the light turns yellow and therefore "hanging out" in the intersection!! I hate it! The other day I must have seen it 5 times and decided as I'm sitting there watching drivers struggle to get around this person...to snap a pic!

C'mon people!! Learn how to drive LOL.

I hope you had a nice weekend. I'm heading to the Y!
As always....