Willow Lane

It's looking like....

Christmas!!

We made it through another Christmas decorating extravaganza! We started Friday morning and finished Sunday. I didn't put quite as much stuff up this year....we have three trees instead of four. Hubby didn't put as many lights out side, because we're tired of blowing fuses everytime we flip a light switch. Now, we just can't turn the family room heater on when the Christmas lights are on, LOL! I really don't enjoy decorating for Christmas, the house is a mess while it's being done, and it just drives me crazy. I do however love the house once it's all decorated. In the evening I rarely turn on any lamps, we just have the glow of the Christmas lights and candles.

I was watching my husband put the lights outside on Saturday. He digs little trenches in the mulch, so that you don't see the trail of lights of bush to bush, each pillar on the house has the lights wrapped the same. Maybe we're a little too picky, but I like them to be "just right". Sunday we came home and our neighbors were putting their lights out, it took them about 5 minutes to throw them up, and then they pulled the plastic mums out and put the plastic poisettias in their place. I said to my husband "I guess they didn't get the memo" and he said " Oh the one that says if you're going to do it, do it right?"  I laughed and said "that would be the one" this is joke between us. Well, yesterday the kids and I were out looking at lights. We drove by one house, and my 10 year old says "Hey Mom, I guess they didn't get the memo!"  I told her I was just kidding when I said that the other day, and decided that I'll keep my decorating opinions to my self...maybe.

Here's a picture of the "staging area" for the decorations, this is just the beginning. I'll post some after pictures later this week.

Thanksgiving

I hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving! We had a nice day. I stayed in my pajamas as long as possible, read magazines, did some sewing, and then finally cleaned up and went to my mom's. Thanksgiving was my son's 13th birthday! How did I become the mom of a teenager already??  He had a great day. He's really into geocaching, so we got him a book, and some little things and put them in a box and hid it. We gave him the GPS coordinates and sent him out to look for it.  He found it pretty quick, and was happy. He didn't want a cake this year. He wanted a peanut butter pie, and made himself. It was delicious.

On Wednesday the kids had the day off school so, I had each of them make a pumpkin pie and then they delivered to the church where the homeless would be having Thanksgiving dinner. I think next year we'll also volunteer to serve meals.

Here's a pic of the kids pies. I hope the were good.

Thanksgiving Swap

I recieved my Thanksgiving swap package last week from Jennifer. She sent me a penny rug for my table, that is all done by hand. I know this had to take a long time....the stitches are perfect. I love it. I also got some yummy pumpkin bread mix and candles. It was all wrapped so pretty.  Please look at the pictures on Jennifers blog, as mine are not as good. I hope my package has made it to Alaska, I sent it a week ago, priority mail. I think I mentioned before that I had a hard time coming up with something to make. I wish I had seen this, I love these. I think I'll get the pattern, maybe I'll save it for next year.

Photos

I don't take good pictures. It's frustrating to me. I make something,take a photo and it looks terrible.  Shanna had a post about a photo box thing, so I showed it to my husband and he made one. It was easy to make, and I'm pleased with the pictures. Here's the first picture he took. It cracks me up that he took the time to pose the doll.

So Proud!

Today was so exciting! My son had his black belt test in Jujitsu. He was soooo nervous, but he kept his cool and did a great job. The test was took over 2 hours, and I was exhausted when it was over, LOL! I kept wanting to yell out "Be Careful!" Stephen started karate about 3 years ago, not long after he was diagnosed with OCD, ADHD and severe anxiety. We thought it would be good for him and it has been. Here's a picture of Stephen and his teacher, this will be in our local paper with an article about him getting his black belt. (I hope the kid that has been bullying him constantly sees the paper...just kidding, sort of.)

Only Wednesday??

Is it really only Wednesday? 

When I first decided to start my blog I thought I'd have fun things to share everyday. Before I had my blog I'd be doing things and I'd think , "if I had a blog I would right about this."  Latelty though there really hasn't been anything to blog except a bunch of whining and complaining....and that's really not like me so I'll spare the couple of people that stop by here. " This too shall pass" had become my daily mantra.

Anyway, I did get my Thanksgiving swap mailed. I'll share a picture in a few days. Coming up with a Thanksgiving decoration was a challenge for me. I made one, it was really cute, but I just couldn't figure out how to pack it to send it to Alaska so that it wouldn't get ruined. So I started over and I hope Rachel will like what I sent.

This week  I'm finishing up my Apron Swap package. This has been fun. I'll post some pictures later.

I hope everyone is having a great week!

Yummy!

I LOVE cupcakes! I saw this pattern yesterday and had to whip one up. Just what I needed...another project. This worked up quick, and I can make them while I sit at the orthodontist or doctor, or wherever else I'm hanging out waiting for the kids. I think I might crochet some cookies too.

Whew!!

Made it through another craft show. This one was twice as big as the last one. We were able to set up Friday night, when we got there someone was set up on my table. So after moving all her stuff to the right table I was able to get set up. I only had reserved one table, I really needed two, since there really wasn't room to for my hanging stuff.  I did ok, as far as sales. I made enough to pay for my son's black belt test. It was a long day, there's another show in 2 weeks, but I think I'm going to pass on that one.  I'll leave you with a picture of this delicious Fall Harvest Cake. So yummy and easy to make. Here's the recipe. Pick recipe out of magazine and buy ingredients. Sit at kitchen counter after dinner reading magazine. Wait for hubby to come in looking for some dessert. When hubby asks if there is anything sweet for dessert, show him picture of cake in magazine. Hubby asks if we have the ingredients...I casually say, "yes, we probably do" and it all happens to be organized together in the pantry.  Continue sitting at counter while hubby makes cake, enjoy magazine and chocolate aroma floating around the kitchen! A perfect recipe.

                                                         

Halloween

Happy Halloween! I'm a couple days late! So here's a picture for you.....see if you can guess what is and I'll post the answer in a couple days.

Here's a pic of the girls dressed up for their school party! I pirated maiden and Spa girl, LOL!