Goodbye Christmas!

This clock was always so cool when I was a kid at my grandparents house. 

It would chime every hour and slowly turn from the sun to the moon as the day progressed.

 I was so happy my grandma still had it since she got rid of many of her possessions when she moved down south.  

For Christmas we had my grandmother's friends over to share a potluck style dinner. I made these name tags for all of our guests. Halfway through I realized I hadn't made any representing the real reason we celebrate and I made "Ronda" and "Sachie's" name tags and felt a lot better. ^^

Pretty things from around the house...

The rose paintings were another thing I was glad she kept. As a kid I thought those were the bee's knees!
... I was also pretty set on being a rose gardener for a brief period (maybe that's why I dug those rose paintings so much?) before I wanted to be a professional back up dancer, an opera singer and then to my most favorite

(which I am still to this day very much into) a wardrobe specialist for far off fantasy movies like the Chronicles of Narnia or Snow White. For now I think I'll just stick to sewing costumes for this bub.vv

Here I'm texting my mom, telling her I miss her and Washington. I missed the cold and all things green.
She told us while we were there that she wanted to be referred to as "Nana" for Onyx.
I love it! Grandma just didn't fit her. 

Table settings and more pretty things...

All of us getting our baby snuggles in before company came over.

I love him more everyday.

A Toasty Christmas

This year we spent Christmas in Arizona with my Grandmother. 

It was so odd to have the sun shining and palm trees swaying in the wind when I woke up Christmas day.

My little boy is growing, and it's happening so fast I can see it. 

Freakin' me ouuuuut.

We hope you had a splendid Christmas.

-Challice, Jared and baby Onyx.

As It Happened

'Twas the morning of Christmas, babies crawled through the house

But Maps was begging, please don't leave the house;

(Yes, Yes, I know... I should not have rhymed house with house 

but my only other options were mouse and grouse!  )

 

 

Then to my mom's we went, rainbows hung in the air.

Then next to our cousins, mushrooms everywhere.

Our family greeted with hugs, joy and smiles,

And visions of winning graham cracker contests,

Made the long trip all worth while.

Holidays are fun but in a way I am glad they are over. 

Things have been crazy around here, there and everywhere. 

It will be fun to get back to doing the things I want to do.

Excersize.

Practice violin.

Meditate.

Going back to a peaceful schedule will be really nice.

Holiday Decorations

It is always such a great day when they are being put up,

And such a sad say when they come down.

This Christmas is going to be small, but really fun.

 (Left side) You know how every year there are always strings of holiday lights that worked fine last year and are being stubborn this year? Instead of wasting a few hours trying to get them to work, I simply pulled out the bulbs and put them in to some fancy glasses. I suppose some years I will want to deal with 'em and some years I wont! 

Also sorry the top of the wood stove is messy, 

I clean that stuff off ALL THE TIME and it is right back the second we build a fire! 

(Right side) A new painted bulb I found. Pretty sweet deal! .30 cents!

(Left side) We have too many stockings, but I just love them all! 

(Right side) This is a little tree my mother in law made me for Jared and I's first Christmas.

We bought some brand used ornaments this year. I love the golden feather!

 I love my house.

 My mother always made such a fuss about having the perfect angel for our Christmas tree as a child, so as an adult I did not want to settle on angel I did not totally adore. Every year I made a different tree topper until this year. I found her! She is simple, sweet and beautiful, don't you think?!

Beautifully detailed new Christmas ornament for us!

Our tree is up and I am just waiting for the snow! 

What does your tree look like?