New Year's Eve!

So obviously time has not been on my side lately. I totally missed yesterday's post due to nursing a "dieing husband back to life." Luckily he has recovered from his "life threatening illness" and is back to normal today. I think one of the reason men get married is so they have someone to take care of them (i.e. wait on them hand and foot) well they aren't feeling very good. ;)

Anyway today is it! The last day of the year! The last day of the decade! Which brings up a question I always had: What do you call the last decade? The 80s were the Eighties, the 90s were the Nineties, what are the 00s? I've never gotten a good answer to that question. And what do we call the one coming up? The Teens? Anyway, on the theme of not having enough time, and counting down to the New Year, today's selections are all really cool clocks! Check them out, if you have the time! ;)

Moonbeam Clock Card by piebirdpress	Children Wall Felt Square Clock by evgie
Splat Blue Bamboo Modern Wall Clock by pilotdesign	Hand-Cut Paper Little Number Clock by papercutdiecut
Green Stoneware Desk Clock by botanicraft	Butter Pecan Bakelite Wall Clock by chronology

Wishing all of you a happy, successful, and safe New Year! See you next decade! :D

My Feet Are Cold!

I was sitting here thinking about what today's theme should be, when I realized my feet were freezing! I went and got my slippers and as I was walking through the living room I thought, "Ooo! Tonight would be a nice night for a fire in the fireplace!" Then it hit me, my new house isn't going to have a fireplace! :( This may be one of the last times I get to snuggle up in front of a roaring fire for a very long time! So tonight I will enjoy having a nice warm fireplace to snuggle in front of with my sweetie, and today I will give a tribute to fireplaces! To all of you out there who have them, may they keep your toes toasty and your heart warm!

Sterling Brooch with Gold Flame by TwoOfThree	Christmas Fireplace Custom Ornament by SweaterWeather
11" Hand Dipped Fireplace Incense Sticks (20 pack) by FragranceBomb	Dollhouse Miniature Log Holder by miniaturecabindecor4
Andirons The Hacienda Collection by WDMetalwork	Cozy Kitty Cat Naps by the Fireplace Print by spiraln

Stay warm everyone! :)

Walking in a Winter Wonderland!

Well our winter wonderland melted away in the rain on Saturday, but I've heard some of you out there in the middle of the US have got quite a bit of snow left on the ground! :) I personally wish there was snow on the ground around here from Christmas till Easter, but (as I might have mentioned) most of my family and friends think I'm crazy! So to keep your spirits up even in the deepest snow, here is a song bringing to mind the nicer parts of have a white winter!

Winter Wonderland was written in 1934 by Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith. It has been recorded many times by many different people, though I must admit my favorite version is in the sequel to the cartoon Frosty the Snowman called Frosty's Winter Wonderland. So here we go, a wintry wonderland of Etsy goodies! Enjoy! :)

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening,
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight,
We're happy tonight.
Walking in a winter wonderland.

Gone away is the bluebird,
Here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song,
As we go along,
Walking in a winter wonderland.

When it snows, ain't it thrilling,
Though your nose gets a chilling
We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way,
Walking in a winter wonderland.

Vintage Brass Sleigh Bells by beckysbriarpatch	Blue Wool Felt Snowflake Hat by LiDDesignsBoutique
Winter Wonderland Original Fine Art Photograph by PlanetChey	Winter Photo Greeting Cards - Birds in Snow by ShadedMemories
Primitive Snowman Wood Wall Hanging Sign by irishcorkie	Arctic Winds Textured Tweed Merino Silk Roving by yarnahoy

Have a great day everyone! :)

P.S. If you want to see all the snow we got around here (before it melted), check out my Flickr!

December 27 - Happy Kwanzaa!

Today is the second day of Kwanzaa! Kwanzaa is a seven day celebration of African culture. It is celebrated with the lighting of candles and celebrating the seven principles of Kwanzaa or Nguzu Saba. So to all of my friends and readers who celebrate this week, Happy Kwanzaa!

Hand Painted Kwanzaa Platter by GuthDesigns	Kwanzaa Stamp Ornament by ogdenarthaus
Personalized Kwanzaa Hard Cover Book by jps3dcreations	Elegant Kente Table Mats and Napkins by HolidaysAtHome
Kwanzaa Candles Small Fabric Collage by sojournquilts	Kwanzaa Polymer Clay Pin by SweetchildJewelry

Have a Happy Kwanzaa everyone! :)

December 26 - Happy Lots of Holidays!

Today is St. Stephen's Day & Boxing Day! I was going to do a feature based on today's holidays, but I am not feeling very well today (too much food yesterday I think). :( But for all of you who celebrate today, I wish you much happiness and fun, and hope you have a great day!

Today is also the first day of Kwanzaa. And, assuming I'm feeling better tomorrow, I will be doing a Kwanzaa themed post. :)

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas, and I hope that (unlike me) you didn't eat too much! See you tomorrow! :)

P.S. Happy birthday to my dad and my friend Jane! :D

Merry Christmas Everybody!

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David): To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things, which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

- Luke 2:1-20

Merry Christmas! And God bless us, every one!

December 24 - Merry Christmas Eve!

In my family we always have a huge extended family party on Christmas Eve. This year it is at my house! So, I am REALLY busy today! Which means no song, but I do have a theme. Since a big part of our party today will be edible, today's theme is sweets!

Christmas Pudding Felt Food Sculpture by britishcreamtea	Lollipop Forest 8x10 Metallic Print by kristimcmurry
Cookies for Santa Soap by RuthsFunShop	Vintage Sugared Glittery Candy by recycledwares
Christmas Cheesecake Tart 1/12 Scale Miniature by AiClay	Christmas Sweets 1/12 Miniature by PetitPlat

Merry Christmas Eve Everyone! :D

December 23 - Silver Bells

Ahh! Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and I'm not done shopping yet!!! I guess this is going to be a REALLY short post! :) Silver Bells was written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans and first recorded by Bing Crosby and Carol Richards in 1950. I have always wanted to go Christmas shopping in the city and see all the decorations and store displays, but that will remain, once again, on my wish list for next year. I do see quite a bit of shopping in my future, but I believe it will be at the local Target, rather then in New York City! :)

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks,
Dressed in holiday style,
In the air, there's a feeling of Christmas.
Children laughing,
People passing,
Meeting smile after smile,
And on every street corner, you'll hear.

Silver bells! Silver bells!
It's Christmas time in the city.
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring.
Soon it will be Christmas day!

Silver Bells Sterling Silver Earrings by StoneStreetStudio	City Street Christmas Shoppers by reniebritenbucher
Traffic Light Button Earrings by LandAndLaboratory	Vintage Inspired Silver Bell Garland by ShabbyAddict
Silver Bells Holiday Note Card by oldladybern	I Heart NYC Taxi Matt Print by ISpyNYC

See you on Christmas Eve! :)

December 22 - O Christmas Tree

We're now in the home stretch only 2 more days till Christmas! I hope you’re finished with your shopping, cause I'm not! I am hopefully going to be able to finish tomorrow, if not then I am in BIG trouble! I did however finish putting up my decorations. This is good, because this year our annual family Christmas Eve party is at my house. :) So, if you are like me and way behind, today might be a good time to put up your tree (if you haven't done it yet). ;) Today's song is from Germany and is called “A Tannenbaum” or in English, “O Christmas Tree”. This is a very old song, and there are lots of different versions. I've included the first verse in German, followed by the first verse again, roughly translated into English, plus another couple verses in English. I hope this post puts you in the holiday spirit, and motivates you into finishing up your last minute shopping and decorating!

O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie treu sind deine Blätter!
Du grünst nicht nur zur Sommerzeit,
Nein auch im Winter, wenn es schneit.
O Tannenbaum, o Tannenbaum,
wie treu sind deine Blätter!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
How steadfast are your branches!
Your boughs are green in summer's clime
And through the snows of wintertime.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
How steadfast are your branches!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your boughs can teach a lesson
That constant faith and hope sublime
Lend strength and comfort through all time.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your boughs can teach a lesson.

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!
Each bough doth hold its tiny light,
That makes each toy to sparkle bright.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
Thy candles shine out brightly!

Christmas Tree and Present Knitting Needles by weeones	Murano Green Christmas Tree Earrings by leeski
Christmas Tree Felt Ornament by thelittlereddoor	Red & Silver Christmas Tree by marysminiatures
Folk Art Santa, Sheep, & Christmas Tree Original Painting by jblake	Large Holiday Cupcake Bath Bomb in Oh Christmas Tree Scent by candycakes23

Have a great day, and good luck getting everything finished! :D

December 21 - Happy First Day of Winter!

Happy winter everyone! I guess it came a couple days early around here! And as I'm sure you've guessed, winter is probably my favorite season. :) I love all the winter holidays: Christmas, New Year's, & Valentine's Day. I love winter foods: homemade soup, hot cocoa, & cookies! And I love, Love, LOVE snow!!! (Every time I say that my father-in-law rolls his eyes at me.) ;) And while I don't get as many snow days now that I'm a grown-up (and living in New Jersey), I still get excited every time the weather report shows a big snow storm heading towards us. :D So for all of the winter lovers out there, Happy First Day of Winter! And for all the winter haters out there, don't worry, it will soon be spring again (and the snow melts fast in Jersey anyway). ;)

Frozen Time Oil on Canvas by wrinklegrin	Caramel Hot Chocolate Mix by tetoncocoacompany
Blue Christmas - 1/12 Miniature by PetitPlat	Winter Snowflake Wool Cuff Bracelet by Waterrose
Homemade Vanilla Marshmallows by TheFoodSnob	Frost Canvas Photography Print by CatsMeowArt

Have a safe and snowy winter everyone! :)

December 20th - Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!

So yesterday, into today, we got over 20" of snow! :D I love snow! Most people I know curse under their breath when I say that, but it's true I love it! I love watching it fall, I love playing in it, I even love shoveling it! So I apologize to all of you who hate seeing even the tiniest bit of white fluttering down from the sky, but later today I will be smileing brightly as I dig our cars out from the three foot high snow drifts, while next to me my husband will be cursing me under his breath. :) Today's song was written by lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne and was first recorded by Vaughn Monroein 1945. This was always the song I sang to myself at school when the white stuff started falling, in hopes the we would all be sent home early, so it really does have a special place in my heart. Enjoy!

Oh the weather outside is frightful,
But the fire is so delightful,
And since we've no place to go,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

The fire is slowly dying,
And, my dear, we're still good-bying,
But as long as you love me so,
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Love On The Brooklyn by yalegurneyinc	A Silver Lining Cloud Earrings by FirebirdJewellery
Die Cut Paper - My Snow Lady by papercutdiecut	Snow Storm 5 - 8x12 Fine Art Print by janeheller
Aspen Winter Type Bath Bomb by itsmeowornever	New York Snow Print of Oil Painting by Cleverbird

Have a lovely snowy day! :)