Monarch Post

holiday fun

 

Well it looks like Santa is getting some much deserved vacation time in Utah. Hitting the powdery slopes, and parking the old sled for awhile... We've been doing the same the last few days. Pretty lazy around here.  Eating too much, sleeping in, putting toys together, cleaning up the Christmas bomb that went off in our house December 25th!... It's so nice to have this time home with my family, and even better with Mike off work until Jan. 5th.  

Now I have to admit, I lied a little about that skiing Santa photo... Mike and the kids always go skiing on Christmas Eve.  And he took the photo of Mr. Jolly and Mr. Elf on Christmas Eve.

Here's the rest of our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. 

   They get an early start on Christmas Eve morning... a cup a joe gets the ol' eyeballs open!

   These two are always wired- no caffeine necessary.

 

This was Sophey's first time skiing. She had ski school all day. Ever the pink fashionista (this child hardly wears anything else.) Her Daddy was so sweet to buy his little girl a matching pink helmet and goggles.  But she was really bummed that she had to wear blue and black skiis/boots.  No pink available at the ski rental store! I think she looks like a pink frosted chocolate cupcake.  So funny.

 

Down.

 

Up and skiing! I'm sure it's the power of pink...

 

Of course he's a pro now- skiing for the past two years. He likes to tell you about all the "air" he gets... Jesse can tell the tall tales!

  

The older two daredevils.  Ainsley and Corbyn head to the black diamond slopes for the day. 

       

   I'm always glad when they're back home in one piece. 

     I have visions of Christmas Eve in an ER, although that's never happened. Thank heaven. But my poor Mom took a nasty fall on Christmas Eve and had to go to the ER. She cut her head quite badly, and was wrapped up like a wounded soldier for Christmas. I'm really glad she didn't break any bones. Poor thing.

I stayed home to get Christmas Eve dinner to my parents, and for my skiers. And to finally get my neighbors treats passed out. I made the labels from leftover Christmas paper.  The kids really look forward to our crazy Christmas Eve buffet. It consists of everyone's favorite foods. So it's really a mishmash. Weird but wonderful.

      The nice thing about children skiing on Christmas Eve, is very tired children. They all went to bed by 9:00.

  

Santa made it to our house after he went skiing too!!

 

 

Winston was the most excited family member on Christmas morning. He's like a three year old. If you ever get bored with life; buy a wire hair fox terrier... you'll never be bored again!

 

He opened his own present! 

 

And then happily shredded wrapping paper the rest of the morning! This dog kills me.

       And speaking of presents, well Santa Mike brought me just what I'd asked for...Emma Bridgewater pottery.  I've drooled over this pottery since I discovered it while living in England, sixteen years ago. I've always wanted to collect it, and now I'm on my way!

 

And Mike surprised me with one more gift- and yes, I've been drooling to have one of these babies too... That's right, a deluxe wood burner.  Nope, not diamonds or pearls for this girl, just give me cool manly tools- ha, ha!

 

I'm hoping you're having a cozy holiday break too, spending time with those you love most- and eating too much chocolate like me! ;-)

xoxoxo Kelly

Molly and Advent

   There's a tiny little "farm" tucked in between new houses at the corner of a subdivision in our town. The kids always want me to take this route out onto the main road.  My suburban kids love to see the sheep, duck, and goat who live in this five hundred square foot farm. 

Last week we noticed a new resident.

I had to stop and take her picture.

    

She certainly loved having her picture taken.  She gave me several nice poses.

   

 I think she's quite photogenic.  Just look at those big brown eyes and eyelashes!

 

 She really did love having her picture taken.  Walked right over for a closeup.

 

And then I noticed the stable.  And I knew I had to come back at night to see this sweetest manger scene.

        I met the owner of this beautiful, humble and so very special farm.  He was just coming out to feed the animals.

 

He told me her name was Molly.  She let me pet her for awhile. He told me he had planned to actually put a nativity scene inside the manger, but he didn't get to it this year.  I told him I liked it just the way it was. He said, "so you really like my Christmas manger?"  I told him I LOVED it.  He smiled. Our eyes met, and for a brief moment; we got each other. 

This December I've been learning what Advent really means. 

 With my Mom's health rapidly declining the past few months; I cleared my calendar of all things superficial this December. Just in case.  She's making it through, and now, in the meantime, there's been time. In a season I've never found time in before.  Before this year, Advent meant lighting three pink and one purple candle every December Sunday in church.  Not much more than a countdown until the big day. But now this season of waiting has taken on new meaning for me.  None of this intentional on my part, mind you.  But I think when I cleared my calendar I sorta cleared a space in my heart too, for lack of a better way of putting it.  It feels like a space where something new can be born out of love.  What, I don't know yet.  But this feeling has persisted all December.  It is hopefulness, expectation, wondering, waiting.  I don't know for sure what any of it really means, right now.  But I want to keep listening to Advent.

I know what I have learned for certain this month, and that is in every hardship, there are also blessings.  It's sometimes just a matter of stopping my car, and taking a few minutes to see what a good shephard has done- in a tiny town, on a tiny farm, with a string of lights and a star.

                            

 I wish a very MERRY CHRISTMAS to all who celebrate!!  

Peace and love to you all.

xoxox Kelly

 

 

Rudolphs' antlers

       Tuesday evening we made Rudolphs' Antlers.  It's the traditional Christmas goodie at our house.  I think we've been making them for about twenty years now.  I found the recipe when Ainsley was a preschooler, so yes, twenty years is about right, I think.  Wow. Time flies. 

Part of the appeal of these cookies is they are so kid friendly and fun to make.  They're also quick and no bake.  Works for me. I melt the chocolate and chow mein noodles and form them into a V-shape and the kids make the faces.  And every Rudolph seems to wind up with his very own personality.  Their little reindeer expressions range from sweet and surprised, to grumpy and annoyed.   

    I think this guy wins Mr. Congeniality.  He looks so perfectly Rudolph pleasant.

Here's the recipe for you:

RUDOLPHS' ANTLERS:

• 1 large package chow mein noodles.
• 1 package milk chocolate chocolate chips.

• 1 package peanut butter chips.

• 1 small jar marschino cherries, each cherry cut in half.

• raisins

• white ready made frosting in a tube.

• wax paper

********************

In a medium size saucepan on medium heat, melt the chocolate and peanut butter chips together on stovetop.  When the chips are completely melted, gradually stir in the package of chow mein noodles.

Using a tablespoon, form the noodle mixture into a V-shape on wax paper.  One tablespoon for each antler.  Add the marschino cherry half noses.  Pipe white frosting "eyes" and add raisin "pupils" on top of white frosting.

Chill the cookies in refrigerator for about a half hour until firm.  I've never tried, but I think these cookies would feeze well.  Makes about two dozen reindeers.

If you really want the full experience of our cookie making tradition, sing the "Batman smells" version of jingle bells while you make the Rudolphs.  We did.  Oh, ya.

It's only one week till Christmas, isn't it?  Yikes.

Keep calm and carry on my friends!!

Love xoxox

Kelly

 

baby, it's cold outside

   "Oh the weather outside is frightful" la, la, la (I can't sing) la, la, la... It's snowing away this morning. Looks like we're in for a big storm today.  Sunday was the first big snowfall of the season here, not counting that snowstorm in early October-- that was just too weird to count.  We've got about eight inches of snow on the ground now, and it really does look beautiful and peaceful outside. 

 And I'm very happy to stay indoors today, and get going on that wrapping.  I wrap assembly line assault style.  The quicker it's done, the better.  Not my favorite part of Christmas.  I don't enjoy doing things that get undone quicker than it took the time for me to do them in.  So now you also know how I feel about ironing, toilet cleaning, and car vacuuming... Well, I think before I get too far off on a domestic rant here,  I'll just show you some happy Christmas pics from around the house.

I've always wanted to make a snowy little Christmas village, so last night I attempted to make one with some quilt batting.  It's beginning.  Now I need some homemade trees, bead garland, stockings hung by the chimney with care...

 Not your glamorous Martha Stewart snowy houses, but I like my tin Woolworth's style houses, just the same.

      Now that I'm looking at  this photo closely, it's looking a little like Godzilla snowman ready to destroy the village... might need to edit the big snowman.

Well anyway, it'll  be fun playing with my little snow scene, and maybe I'll even get it finished before Christmas.  I can always dream....  

And now onto the family room tree.  It's loaded with kid made ornaments and memories.  (I've put up an artificial snowy tree in the living room and I'll have to show that one soon.)

     Please just ignore the lovely dated fireplace... one more project, one of these days... I like the blurry photo effect here. I've always liked to squint at Christmas trees... all Hallmark card soft and fuzzy looking if you squint while looking at the tree. Okay, quit laughing now, just humor me and try it, you'll see..

 

This year I added old souvenir dolls from England as ornaments.  My  British Grandma Lewis would send them from England when I was a child.  And a few I bought myself on visits to England/London.

 

 

 

     I made the red swirly heart ornaments this year.  Hearts and stars are some of my favorite things!

She's from London's famous Harrod's department store.

A teacup from a friend.  She knows me well.

 

My mother-in-law sent me a perfect condition vintage tablecloth that belonged to Mike's Grandmother.  It doesn't fit on any of my tables, but it does make a great tree skirt I think.

 
I did mention the tree is loaded with kid made ornaments, didn't I?  And I haven't shown any.  Oops! Well, here's one of my favorites.

And the ornament that started all the rest.  Our first one.  A wedding gift from Mike's grandmother.  It goes at the center top...  always.

    

Hope all your Christmas merry-making is going well!  We're really doing Ok this year.  No major calamities, hard to find presents, or overbooked schedules.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed, it stays that way.  I'm really enjoying how good that all feels AND the decorating!  Now I definately need to bite the bullet, and go wrap presents!

Love to you  all xoxoxo,

Kelly

 

     

in a one horse open sleigh

   

Okay, first I have to admit to this: when I was a kid, I thought the words to the song were, "in a one horse soap n' sleigh." I could never figure out what a soap n' sleigh was... Santa on his way to wash my mouth out with a bar of Ivory?  ...little slow, sometimes. 

I hit the sled jackpot at the thrift store last week.  Nine teeny cute ones for $1.50!  My thrifty heart skipped a beat.  Of course I stood there for five minutes debating whether or not to buy them, because I couldn't think of what I would do with them.  Bought them anyway, figured they could sit in the closet with the rest of the projects to be.

    I'm like that.  When something perfect falls in my lap, my mind goes blank and it takes me awhile to figure out what to do with my find.  A piece of junk-- no problem, I can think of a million ways to turn it into a treasure.... But watching the Jim Carrey version of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" last night, with that oversized sack of stolen goods on the Grinch sleigh gave me my idea for what to do with nine tiny sleighs.  I made the red sacks from leftover felted wool, filled them with chocolates, and tied a happy bow with berry jingle bells.  Just the ticket for the teachers and favorite people on my list.

Thrift stores around here always have a few sleds for sale, I pick them up whenever and tuck them away until Christmas time.  My December birthday request for Santas over the years has given us a nice collection.  And it's fun to put a Santa in a sled. 

   

     My Corbyn made the skinny Santa in first grade.  And my Jesse made the Winston dog last summer.  He seems to pop up in lots of photos lately-- just like the real mut.

  Elves look good in sleds too! 

     My father-in-law made this sled for us about ten years ago.  It always sits on our dining room table with a Santa trio. 

Well, this Mrs. Claus is off to wrap a few presents..

See you soon!

Love xoxo,

Kelly

fieldtrippin'

 It's Friday already, isn't it?  Where did this week go?  I've been busy, busy, but not crafty this week.  Flying through malls and being Mom have taken up my week.

Wednesday, I went with Sophey on a fieldtrip to Sweet's candy factory and The Children's museum in SLC.  Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photos at the candy factory, which maybe is a good thing after all-- me in a hairnet, not a good look.  But I did take quite a few photos at the Children's Museum.  It's a wonderful new museum, and there is plenty to inspire litle minds here...

    Art and sculptures hang from the ceiling.

  

  There all all sorts of creative play areas.

  My child seemed to spend a little too much time grocery shopping... we'll need to have a talk about this... she is a foodie though, and has big plans to become a "culinary artist" someday.  She told me yesterday, she wants to study sandwich making in London.  How funny is that? 

  

 

   I don't believe the original purpose of the crane was for hauling children... hope he survived.

  And if the culinary artist thing doesn't work out, well, I suppose we could always broadcast the local evening news .  And that's the way  it is....

I'll manage crafty in a post or two, I'm sure.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Love to you xoxoxo!

Kelly

gifts and giveaway news

   Well this birthday stuff has been fun all weekend!   I've been terribly spoiled by my loving family.   My daughter Ainsley, whisked me off for a full makeup makeover at Macy's. It was her gift and Mike's to me.  Oh my.  If you've never tried Mac cosmetics, well girls, you might want to.  A new face is a nice thing in your forties... After getting glamorized we went out to dinner, and then home to open more gifts...  A giftcard from my husband, for my favorite clothing store, Ann Taylor.  A giftcard to Barnes and Noble from my son, Corbyn.  A deluxe Body Shop bath set from my little people, Jesse and Sophia.  My favorite flowers-- yellow roses, and two good reads from Mike as well.  AND chocolate birthday cake.   I mean really, what more could a girl want out of life?  I can't think of anything else... I am a lucky duck.

Now on to that promised giveaway... I threw every comment name in a bowl this morning, and the lucky pick is Emily at Ravenhill. I love to visit Emily's blog.  Emily lives in Norway, and  makes the loveliest Scandinavian Matroyska dolls.  She also has the most adorable children! 

Well, I'm off to do my mall Xmas shopping today.  Hope I don't fall victim to the Christmas crazy thing!   If I'm found sobbing on Santa's lap, you'll know I'm having my Christmas anxiety moment.  Wish me well!

Thanks again to everyone who took the time to leave such kind comments!  I enjoyed visiting so many new blogs.  What a gift this crafting  community is!

Lots of love to you xoxo,

Kelly

 

happy birthday to ewe and me ;-)

   Thanks for all the get well wishes... I'm starting to feel a little bit better today.  I'd better be, I've got some partying to do tonight because it's my birthday!  Yippee!!  Yep, 29 again...  In fact it's the 15th anniversary of my 29th birthday.  Yes, I'm making you do the math today-- (ha,Ha)

So, in celebration of my birthday and my lovely new blog friends this year, I'm hosting my very first giveaway.  That's right, free stuff folks... Now I've got your attention...  But before I show you the goods, I have to show our cute little kids' ornament crafts we made last weekend.

      We made a dozen chic sheep with houndstooth check bows, homemade pompoms and scrap wool goodness.

      I glued on the eyes. Somehow, my crafty animals always look like they've been on a bender... partied till the cows came home I guess!

        And for no particular good reason, we also made bead and button tree elves... just because they were cute and kid doo- able.

 

      And also for absolutely no particular reason whatsoever, a half-dozen clay ladybugs...

          Okay, now  taking a momentary ornament break, I have to sneak in what I bought myself for my birthday this week...

     Is this not the cutest poster, ever?!  It's by one of my favorite artists, Karen Dupre', and I can't wait to get it framed and hang it in my family room!

      Even a Winston

      and Greta dog... now getting back to those kid ornaments here..

     Good ol' popsicle sticks and vintage button fun.  The colors the kids picked reminded me of our 2006 Bahama trip, so I'm putting those vacation photos in our "frames".  I think I'm dreamin' of a white sand Christmas...

   And because I'm one of those Moms obsessed about fairness,

    I'll have to show one of each family member...

 

 

      Well that should cover all of us... but since I'm on a roll here today, I've gotta show you this new piece of kid art by Miss Sophey.

       Isn't it the sweetest?

Well now that we've killed about an hour.... DRUMROLL, PLEASE...

     Crafty giveaway NO.1 ! One deluxe new copy of hard to find Where Women Create,  two fabulous kid made ornaments, one wooly strawberry pincushion I made last summer, and one happy Bead for Life bracelet... also made by yours truly.  Flowers and a partridge in a pear tree not included. Offer void if you don't leave a comment. Okay, now seriously, just leave a little comment right here and Monday evening I'll draw a name and let you know who won on Tuesday!  I'll send it right out once I've got your address!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Have a great weekend.

Love xoxox,

Kelly

 

EDIT-- giveaway is still open today until 10:00 pm Mountain Standard Time.  Sign up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm gonna get better

   I'm sick.  Woke up yesterday morning feeling like someone had a sander down my throat all night.  Hate it when that happens.  Nose running, body aching; you know, the works.  Such a lovely thing to happen this time of year when there's just n o t h i n g better to be doing!!!

I'd planned on finishing up the bulk of my shopping yesterday.  So far I've only online shopped for Christmas, but  instead of running around stores; I sat in my sweats and shopped online again.  I'm really starting to like Christmas shopping by computer.  I feel less stressed, less overwhelmed, less tempted to BUY just because. 

Because you see, I have Christmas issues; deep seated, long-held, highly cherished ISSUES. I won't go into detail, but believe me, the shopping-gift-giving-will-everyone-be-happy-Christmas-morning-thing gets to me.  Big time.  I am, however, determined to find a way out of some of my Christmas insanity this year. Staying out of the stores seems like a good place for me to start. 

So in the spirit of staying out of the stores, I cybered over to Hallmark to order my Christmas cards.  Last year we bought their inspi(red) cards.  But it looks like I'll have to go buy them at a Hallmark store-- they're not for sale online.  Searching around though, I discovered the whole PROJECT RED/ inspi(red) site.  This is an organization devoted to AIDS treatment in Africa. Various retailers donate a portion of their sales to the inspi(red) campaign.  

It's becoming easier and easier to help those in greatest need around the world.  And knowing there really are ways as simple as buying my cards, or my coffee, or my sneakers from companies that are a part of PROJECT RED helps me feel a little bit better about my Christmas crazy me. 

We are such a fortunate family.  I want the same for everyone else.

Anyway, that's it for me today.  I'm gonna sniffle my way along on Christmas projects.  If the sun would come out, I'd take some photos of homemade ornaments...

P.S. just repainted a thrift store frame red, added vintage buttons and my favorite Christmas photo.  Whatdya think?

Love to you xoxoxo,

Kelly 

A little birdie told me... cheap, cheap

             Well, HELLO there everyone-- long time no talk, but a little birdie just told me to tell you; mohawks look good on terriers...

       Winston's mohawk profile. Photo credit goes to Jesse, while Sophey holds dog's head in place.

       A little styling wax can do wonders for a tired old terrier hairdo.  Photo styling by Sophia.   My children are cheaply and easily entertained... just like their mama.   Please excuse lovely photo of bins in bathroom, still remodelling our bath.

Here's the rest of our cheap weekend fun...

                Elaborate blanket tent making and sleepovers with dogs, after mohawk makeovers.

           Christmas ornament making at night.  The good old fashioned way-- popsicle sticks, yarn, clay, and wool scraps.   We need to finish them off, and then we'll show and tell.  Popcorn eating and Fred Claus movie watching slowed down the ornament assembly line a little bit... 

                                                                    And the last bit of cheap weekend fun.  Meltable beads.  The  beads are arranged on forms, and parchment paper is placed over the beads.  A warm iron melts the beads together.  Come to think of it, these could make fun ornaments, too.

     I was so busy making sure Thanksgiving happened this year; I completely forgot to take any photos.  More important things on my mind at the time-- like hoping the stuffing would be edible.  It turned out fine, for my first attempt.  And so did everything else. It was good to be together as a family. And good to have a weekend "off" after.  Frankly, I was feeling exhausted all weekend.

The Thanksgiving table flowers are still blooming away, and now they're making nice little mini arrangements around the house :-) 

And I need to start working on all those "Christmas arrangements".  Like today. 

Thanks so much for stopping by. 

Lots of love to you!!!

Kelly