Christmas Decorating

When it comes to Christmas decorations -- I pretty much limit myself to "mugs and rugs". EXCEPT when it comes to Lillian's room. Last year, at the age of 2 1/2, she enjoyed it so much -- the decorations in her room needed THEIR OWN TUB at the end of the season.

And I know that THIS year -- at the age of 3 1/2, a big part of the fun would be watching her OPEN THAT TUB...

I just let her go crazy...she loves little snow globes...

She put down the rug -- and decided her Fisher-Price nativity should sit there...

I thought they'd be better on a shelf -- but she likes to lay down on the floor and play with them. So this is much more practical. (she's such a practical girl)...

I didn't realize I had over 50 Christmas books in that tub...ugh...

She loves this old fashioned sequins wall-hanging...she put it on her door...

When she visits, she likes to reorganize her Christmas decorations.

I'm planning a little Aunt Rita's Christmas Tea Party -- and I'm thinking CHRISTMAS BOOKS might be a perfect gift-a-way...
I mean -- really -- 50 Christmas books is a lot of pressure for one little girl...

1970's Technology

There is nothing sweeter than a sleeping child.... After being gone for a week, I was eager to have Lillian spend the night at our house. Her Moon Room was ready to go...we had the best day ever...lots of stuff to do, people to visit, cousins to play with. She needed a nap. But she's three now. And you can't say the words, "you need a nap"...

Instead -- I said, "C'mon, hon -- you can lay down and rest. AND you can listen to your own book on tape..."

Yes. That's right. I said BOOK ON TAPE. An actual cassette tape. I have hundreds of them. Every time I see a good title at a flea market or thrift store -- Ken Follett, Patterson, Grishom, Ludlom, the alphabet series, Sara Peretsky...I BUY THEM. Also, in the last ten years, I've been buying out libraries which were switching over to CD's. Two years ago, I bought 40 titles from my local Cracker Barrell...BOOKS ON TAPE, PEOPLE....it's a fabulous technology. You can stop any time, and start right at that spot a week later. I listen to them when I'm on my treadmill or working on a sewing project. The biggest problem is finding a cassette tape player that works. Because you can't buy a new one...
HEY -- ONE MORE REASON TO THRIFT SHOP, EH??   

So, yes, I am a big fan of the 1970's technology of books on tape. Since Elliott spends a lot of time in his shop nowadays (reloading ammo for the zombie invasion) -- I gave him a player AND a his very own big bag-o-books... But I'm pretty sure it's just me and Teresa Caputo. What? You don't know who she is? THE LONG ISLAND MEDIUM!! GREAT SHOW...it's right up there with Dance Moms and Breaking Amish....

The Power of Velvet

Here's my theory. If you want a child to know it's a special occasion -- have them WEAR VELVET...

There are so many wonderful children's activities at this time of year -- THANK GOD. Because I have at least a dozen adorable little velvet dresses just WAITING FOR A PLACE TO GO...

And I am SO VERY, VERY LUCKY to have these two adorable little girls willing to play my "Let's Wear Velvet" game...

On this special occasion -- I had tickets for a "Candyland event" at a local theater. There would be art stations, a talent show, Christmas music. PERFECT. In this picture -- Me, Landon, Ronda, Memphis, Emily and Lillian...

Landon didn't actually know he was headed off to this adventure (it's a long story) -- so he came right from school. (Boys are immune to velvet anyway...)

We started off with an early dinner at a local restaurant FAMOUS for their "Magic Mountain"....

Landon was hungry -- I told him he could order the adult version...Emily bet him a t-shirt that he could not finish the whole thing...

Obviously, she hasn't spent much time around little boys...

Best Pinterest of the week

I've decided to blog about my favorite pins of the week....just in case I have one or two readers who aren't HOOKED ON PINTEREST YET.
It is completely stunning to my how many times each day I'm in a conversation that starts with these words, "did you see (so and so) on Pinterest?"
How about this one for Christmas?? WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THIS??? What a wonderful presentation of a store bought desert. Cut the cheesecake, do the green frosting....then sit it up on a peanut butter cup??  Brilliant.  KIDS WOULD love to do this, too!!

And -- hey -- with a new grandbaby on the way -- isn't this swaddled-sleeper a great idea?? I have some very stretchy fabric in my stash...I LOVE IT... altho, I wonder if it wouldn't just be easier to cut the arms off a few Goodwill sleepers???  DUH...

I love all-things-Abraham-Lincoln. Have you seen the movie yet? We're going this week...

And, of course, one of my favorite boards...HUMOR...

And -- hey -- with the holidays fast approaching -- HOW ABOUT THIS BAKING TIP??

The best cupcake: liners filled 3/4 full. The oven is at 350 degrees...and as soon as you put the cupcakes into the oven, reduce the heat to 325 and bake for 25 minutes.
The dismal cupcake? Liners filled 2/3 full, baked 22 minutes at 350.
I AM DEFINITELY GOING TO TRY THIS...

Ritaluck and Santa Claus

Remember this picture? At the Muscatine auction -- I was DETERMINED to buy that Santa's workshop you see in the front...
There was no cord -- so I figured it required batteries. Of course -- like most auctions, there's no way to know if it even works...

After waiting for a couple of hours -- THERE WAS NO WAY I was going to let the crazy smelly lady win the bid. I got it. Of course. But it cost me $30. She must be made of money...

I could hardly wait to get it home and put it in a place of honor...

But, like most bargains -- it had a few problems. For one thing, Mrs. Santa Claus was missing an arm. Bummer. Maybe I could live with that -- but when I realized THE DARN THING NEEDS AN ELECTRICAL CORD...I was heartbroke. Darn it.  I was so disgusted with myself -- I almost threw the whole thing right in the trash.  Who wants to play with a broken toy that doesn't even work?? 

But here's the RITALUCK.  I explained the problem to John and HE FOUND A CORD THAT WORKED...Holy Cow -- what are the chances?? Because he is an electrician, apparently he keeps the cords from long-defunct appliances -- and I couldn't be happier. I didn't even know there was such a thing as an "electrical cord stash"...Amazing.

ALSO -- remember my credo -- "most days you don't know your good luck from your bad ." ?? Well -- this is a PRIME example. The very first time Lillian turned on the switch, she was mesmerized by the music, lights and action of Santa's workshop. The first thing she said was, "why is Mrs Santa's arm stuck in the reindeer's head?" And, of course, I hadn't even noticed that somebody had thoughtfully put her arm in a place where the new owner was sure to see it...

Every time Lilly comes to the house, she runs to the workshop and turns it on. She likes to turn all the room lights off and listen to the music...it plays a dozen Christmas songs...
And guess what? Her favorite thing about Santa's workshop is Mrs. Santa's broken arm. Every time she visits, she places it in another little hiding place inside the workshop. And the NEXT TIME she visits -- she runs to see if the arm is still in the same place. She ALWAYS remembers where she put it the last time...

So that's the lesson. If you worry too much about things being perfect -- you could miss the real fun...

TAKE A CHANCE, PEOPLE. 

Thanks, Lillian...

T-shirt DRESS of the week

Last week's favorite t-shirt -- I am quite sure I'll fit it into the perfect dress one of these days...

The word "SERIOUSLY" captures my snarky nature...

Coupled with this:"I can only please one person a day and today is not your day.  Tomorrow's not looking good, either."

With some simple reverse applique -- and a bit of well-placed fringe...

Starting with a great black top....I simply serge on the unique skirt...

THERE YOU HAVE IT. Another perfectly crazy snarky one-of-a-kind t-shirt maxi-dress...

I don't know why I get such a kick out of making these t-shirt dresses. I just know it's not over yet. I have not even made a dent in t-shirt mountain!!

Mugs & Rugs

The holidays are different things to different people. For some -- it's about the decorating. My sister Ronda spends two weeks setting up hundreds of nativity sets...For others -- it's about the cooking. My sister Deena is famous for making DOZENS of delicious cookie recipes. Maybe you are famous for your extravagant shopping and beautiful gift wrapping.

And isn't that part of the fun of having holiday traditions?  They are DIFFERENT for every family.  There is no RIGHT or WRONG way... 

Personally -- I like the KISS rule. (Keep It Simple Sweetie).

My holiday starts when Carrie and I put out the mugs and rugs. It's such a simple thing. But in no time at all -- every room in my house feels dressed for the holidays. My holiday mugs and rugs make me smile and put me "in the mood" for the holidays. There are rugs in every bedroom....

A lot of snowmen....

Rugs of all shapes and sizes...

If I get really ambitious and full of myself -- I might put a Christmas sweater on a chair...

Hey -- it's your holiday! Make it your own...