The Best Gift Ever

My husband has been in sunny California all week for work. Before he left, I knew the kids were working on getting sick. By Monday afternoon it was clear - pink eye. Drops were prescribed and started and Miss M promptly showed a strong allergic reaction to the medication. Hoping she turns the corner soon.

Anyway, I should have been sleeping last night but instead finished up this little project that has been swimming in my head for over 1 1/2 years! I must admit, I copied the phrase from something I saw in the Dayspring catalog once and I used some clip art to help me get the bow just right on the package. Apparently, I can tie them but I can't paint one! 

Being stuck at home this week (with snow on the ground and freezing temps) has really caused me to slow down and savor the true gift of Christmas. It's a week when I would otherwise be running from here to there like so many other people. Hoping you take some time to enjoy your most precious gift as well - the gift of grace offered by Jesus Christ. Without the pink eye of course!

Cupcake Tea Table

My mom has been gently reminding me to update the blog....sickness, travel, chores, sickness....it all adds up to less time on the computer! Anyway, I thought I would start with a post about the annual ladies tea at my church. Hostesses decorate a table for 8 using their choice of themes. In years past, my themes have been patriotic, birds (in honor of my Grandmommie's hobby), fall, valentine, and twice a vintage table. This year was my most favorite table I have ever done. Cupcakes!!

I used things from around my house  - like my Grandmommie's mixing bowl, one of Miss M's Christmas ornaments, thrifted mini muffin/tart pans, and cupcake cookbooks. All total, I think I spent about $20 for the entire table.

I blogged about the painted cupcake plates here. I was planning to leave the big ones unpainted, but when I set my table up Friday night, I knew they needed coordinating dots. A glue stick made the perfect sized circle and it only took about 10 minutes to do the entire set. And yes, they were dry by the tea on Saturday.

Brightly colored scraps of ribbon served as napkin rings. The punch glasses were thrifted for the vintage table last year - at 15 cents each they were a steal!

My favors were stuffed felt ornaments, complete with "sprinkles" and hand sewn by me! (cause hand work is the only sewing I can do!)

Another little favor was inside each cup - a small canister of sprinkles with the a label attached: "Taste and see the Lord is good. Psalms 34:8. The measuring spoons are heart shaped - $1 from the MOPS garage sale back in the summer.

As always, the food was both beautiful and delicious. The speaker was excellent. But by far the best part of my day was spending it with these two special friends. You know the kind...the ones who are almost like family?

 mushroom/woodland theme

 Snowmen are always a popular theme.

 It's a little dark, but this jungle theme has some fun stuff going on.

 LOVE red and white for Christmas!

Finally, Miss M models a birthday gift for a classmate. $2.99 for an apron from Hobby Lobby, plus fabric left over from a Valentine shirt for Miss M = a very inexpensive but special birthday gift, especially since it was a cooking themed party. We paired it with a cute little necklace from the mall.

Friday Funnies

It's a day late this week...my parents were in town and I barely had time to check email let alone blog! Anyway, this really did happen yesterday - Friday no less! You need to know that yesterday was my dad's birthday, so the "old" jokes had been flying all day. Somehow, Mr C and my dad got on the topic of eating pet food.
My dad: Well, I have heard that old people eat cat food sometimes.
Mr C, without any prompting: Does that mean you eat cat food Popa?

Maybe I will catch up on some posts/pictures in the next few days since Mr C flew home with my parents today. It's his first "away" trip and we won't see him again until late Wednesday night when we drive in for Thanksgiving. Even Miss M misses him a little bit already.

Friday Funnies

My kids are big fans of the Chipmunks, so when I realized they were on TV tonight and would be over by bedtime, I knew they would be excited. This is a conversation from our house tonight:
Me: I have one word that I think will get you out of the tub quickly.
Miss M: (without missing a beat) Spanking?
Me: No, but I like the way you think!

I was right...chipmunks made for a quick bath. Silly girl....

Trunk or Treat, Minnie Mouse, & Go Fish

Our church hosted a trunk or treat for the first time this year. Even though we have known about it for several weeks, our family didn't decide on our theme until last night! We put it all together in just about an hour after church today and everything we used came from our house - no additional purchases!

The giant suckers are part of my porch decorations for Christmas. The candy and jars were collected from around the house and in the pantry.

Minnie and Jason from Go Fish, with our porch ghost and Scooby jack-o-lantern. (Minnie costume purchased at a thrift store after Halloween last year. Go Fish track suit was a hand-me-down from friends. Total spent for both costumes: $15.)

 a blurry tiger...it was pretty windy and I was shivering! They even had it rigged up to ROAR!

 The rockin' Wright family

The winning car, as voted on by the children. Judging from the comments and kids who said they were going to vote for us, Miss M thinks we must have been a close second.

Finally at home again...posing for one last costume shot with the addition of Hudson "Super Dog".  Now excuse me while I go raid some trick-or-treat bags!

Friday Funnies

My husband's grandmother, aunt, and her friend are in town for a few days this week. Lots of eating, laughing, and playing have ensued. At the dinner table tonight, Grandma Dee (turning 87 next month) told Miss M to eat her veggies or she wouldn't have big muscles.
"I already do!" she replied.
Our visitor Gywnn quipped "Where, your jaw?"
Miss M laughed after we explained the joke to her and plans to use on another big talker she knows soon. I love that my girl can enjoy a good joke!
We also looked over at Mr C at one point to find a noodle sticking out of his nose. Really not sure where he gets that from...must be his dad!

Friday Funnies

Not sure why this didn't post on Friday!
Conversation at my house this week....
Me: Wow, Hudson (our 6 month old beagle pup) is really on fire today!"
Carter: Yeah Mama. He feels really hot to me too.