*MeRRy & bRigHt* Christmas Wishes

First of all, I would like to say that I hope that you all had a very Merry Christmas. I know, I am 5 days late, and I'd like to say that I had every intention to send my wishes on or before Christmas Day, however I came down with an awful cold, turned Flu. So, needless to say I have been feeling under the weather and not so chipper at the keyboard. Believe it or not, but I am still battling this nasty monster and I sure can't wait to kick it. What a fabulous way to end the year, argh!

On another note, I have so much to discuss (like my new banner, my etsy shop, etc.) I think I will save it for next time, so fair warning peeps next post shall be quite lengthy and all over the board.

For today I want to leave you with a couple of LO's from the Poppy Ink, Nearly Noel kit. I really loved this kit, and I extra super loved that the colors were not traditional Christmassy colors of Red's and Green's. Love those too, but the feeling that this was a bit risky for me made it sooooo very fun! Of course I nabbed all the add on's too--how could I resist all the yummy bling?

It's true, Bella & I have been in our PJ's for the last week straight, except for Christmas that is. (See cutie Patootie in PJ's above) We finally got all gussied up today all to find out that we still weren't feeling quite 100% yet, oh well, there's always tomorrow....but this photo sure makes it all better!

Until then, much happy goodness.

And the Winner is....

Thank you so much for all who visited my blog and participated in the RAK! Your stories kept all of us smiling and hubby and I even got some good ideas for next years white elephant gifts, teehee! Bella (the one with the crazy sheep dog hair in her face because she lost her bow at Target today) picked the lucky winners.

Ok, a huge Congrats to both Nikkig and StaceyFike who each scored a fabulous pack of goodies. Ok girls, when you get a minute please e-mail me your mailing addresses so that I can send off your goodies, hopefully tomorrow. This was my first RAK and really, thanks to all for making it loads of fun. I look forward to having one every couple of months or so, it helps to organize my trinkets, but especially because sharing goodness is always a good thing, what do ya say?

**1 week exactly until Christmas Day, enjoy the next few days if you can!**

Many smiles,
Jillian

In Honor of Generosity... It's RAK Time!!!

In honor of the generosity of my favorite girlies, the Poppy's, I am giving away some fun trinkets from my stash of goodness! I should warn you in advance that I have never done this before so I truly hope I have put together a super packet of goodies for you! A few days ago I thanked Happy Girl Stacey, she was giving away some fun journaling goodies and I am thrilled to say I won! Well then a few days later my friend Kimber-Leigh was feeling in the giving spirit also and was having a little RAK party at her homefront New Every Morning. As I left a comment for her I thought there was no chance I could possibly win two RAK'S in a row, and I did!!!! Thanks ladies for the contagious, wonderful Spirit of Giving you have inspired here.

Ok, I took this picture a few days ago and after I had disassembled my display, I decided that if I add a few more things I could have enough for two RAK's-so back into my stash I went. Some items are not pictured, but trust me you will not be disappointed, among the goodies are some of my favorites... lace remnants, white sharpie, alphabet rub-on's, red velvet flower's, and fun journaling bits from various notepads. I almost want to sign up myself--teehee! Ok, so here's how to participate...

Last night we hosted a Christmas Party for our Small Group. We did the whole White Elephant gift exchange, it was pretty fun actually. (Luckily, no one brought any Depend's, like they did at Mom & Dad's gift exch.) Kp and I were able to steal some great gifts, and I am proud to say that the gifts we brought were each stolen and retired quickly! Ok, so the question is what, if any is the best or worst white elephant gift you have received/been stuck with? If you have never done White Elephant, just leave me some kind of happy comment and you will be entered to win a fab pack of goodness! Two RAK's=Two separate winners! Bella and I will draw and post the winner's on Monday afternoon, I figure we could all use a Monday pick-me-up. Have fun and good luck!

When Piggies Fly

Advent of Ornament update, featuring day #10:

I used to have a funny little piggy collection, not sure how it started or why, but I have since stopped collecting. I still have a few I'll find here and there in my stuff. Anyhow, I just couldn't resist this darling flying piggy ornie, just a fun part of my Christmas decor. You have heard people say, "When Pigs Fly" well here you go folks......don't forget, you saw it here!

Also, I am so excited to be the winner of Happy Girl Stacey's Blog RAK! Stacey rounded up some fun looking journaling goodies and I participated and to my surprise t'was my lucky day, Yipee! Thanks a million Stacey!! She has inspired me and I am in the mood for one myself. Stay tuned for an upcoming RAK here, hopefully I will have it up by Friday!

Happy thoughts to all!!

Deck the Halls with *ChRisTmAs jOy*

For some reason the spirit of Christmas really hit me today. Today my step was filled with a Merry-bubbly sort of dance! For starters, I decided to get my "full body shot" today...... of our Christmas Tree of course! I am also showcasing two other small areas of Christmas joy which fill our home this season. My ornament for day #6 in the advent of ornament's with the Poppy Ink girlies is of all things, an owl. He has been with us a couple of years now and coincidently fits right in with the owl obsession which took over Poppy Ink about a month or so ago. There is no significant meaning behind him (poor little guy), he was just another unique addition to my growing glass ornament collection. (Did I mention I have become my Mother?) Speaking of my Mother, she took this cool photo of me, and I thought it portrayed my holiday spirit exactly! She is a good Mom, the best Mom a girl could ever have, more loving and thoughtful than you can imagine. Ok, here I go.....since I am all juiced up on holiday joy(I warned you) and in light of sentimantal holiday spirit lets play this game just for a moment. "You know you have a wondeful Mother when....." You are all of 30 years old and your Mother still says the following to you. Don't park next to vans, don't go out after dark by yourself-anywhere-ever. Don't drink Diet Pepsi for breakfast! It's pretty cold outside, better grab your coat....she sure keep me on my toes, but you know what? I don't mind one bit, matter of fact, I really do love that about her, and if she didn't do it something would be wrong. Ok, one last thing about Mom (and Dad too), I have to credit them for the fabulous NOEL sign atop my rustic hutch and cupboard (the one in the mirror). I know it's backwards, but cool nonetheless. Unbeknownst to me they had spotted it at Costco about 2 weeks ago. Mom and I were out last week and stopped at a cute little coffee shop we frequent. It was part of their holiday window decor and I gushed over how great it was. Sure enough, Mom and Dad came by the very next day with an early Christmas present, I absolutely LOVE my new "NOEL", not to mention that I had the most perfect spot for it! Thanks Mom & Dad, you never cease to love every bit of me with everything you have. And it's not just in the things you buy me, those are material things (nice-yes), but they are just things. Things sometimes get lost in the shuffle, things we sometimes outgrow, things are just that "things" and you can't take them with you when you go. What's more special to me than anything is your love and support for me, it has never ever wavered. I am a lucky girl to have such wonderful parents, thank you again (she said in a teary-eyed, choked up, sentimental sort of way...) I love you!

My Little Cutie Patootie

As I was uploading these pics to blogger, I am sitting here thinking about what to journal. I had to laugh at myself, while we did visit Historical Old Town Columbia on Saturday, I have chosen to post only photos which do not portray the wonderful town whatsoever! I am just so stinkin biased when it comes to my sweet little Bella Moon, and she made for some great photo's that day. I guess it's a good thing blogger only lets me post 5 at a time, other we could easily be here all day! I have squeezed in a family shot taken by my wonderful Mother, thanks Tootsie! The town was celebrating it's annual Miner's Christmas. The participating towns people were clothed in period attire, even roasting chestnuts over a campfire right in the middle of town. The horse drawn stagecoach made several rounds through town all day, it was an authentic portrayl of life in the mining days where you can even pan for gold in the designated mining area. The fascinating architecture of the glorious old buildings was a great attraction, as I have a soft spot for vintage style anything, even fabulous old buildings.

More ornaments to follow..... Much happiness until then!

"Our First Christmas" Ornament

The first ornament is pretty special, and it really does speak for itself. It serves to happily commemorate our first Christmas together (2 years ago). Hubby and I thought it symbolized us to a T! And since we were on the subject of cute cuddly snowman, thought I'd share two ornie's today. I didn't get a chance to post one for day two in our advent of ornaments at Poppy Ink and that of course brings me to my next point, I will try very hard to post every 2-3 days for the advent (just in case you are interested in my next surprise of an ornament). I hope the weekend was happy all the way around. It is important for us to make the most of family time together weekend by weekend! I am completely overjoyed with each new expedition.... oh for the memories. Sometimes historical, mostly local spots and hidden sanctuary's. I have always felt it a great chance to broaden my horizons and the perfect way to spend much necessary together time with my very best! That being said, be sure to tune in for tomorrow's post for photos from our visit to Downtown Columbia, CA for their Miner's Christmas festivities.

Thank you so much for sharing in my holiday spirit, and as always many smiles to all for stopping in!

Hot Chocolate Anyone?

I have joined my fellow Poppy Pals in the Advent of Ornaments, here is #1. Wouldn't you agree that it is the most beautiful cup of Hot Chocolate you've ever seen? It was one of my first glass ornaments when I began to decorate my own home. Growing up, we would pack our Christmas Tree full of almost 200 ornaments. Just about all were delicate glass beauties, they were My Mother's favorite. Of course I would enjoy it all Holiday long, and it was always more beautiful each year. (I am not even going to mention that part about how we had several Christmas trees of all sizes in just about every room of the house). Oh how I used to dread the packing away part after Christmas, it seemed like it would take forever to wrap each individual ornament. Funny how life comes full circle, after hubby and I decorated the tree this year I said to myself, "I think I have become my mother!" I didn't even ask what he thought, some things are better left unsaid! My best memory so far this year, he and Bella sat next to the tree and unwrapped each ornament while I hung them. It was so stinkin cute each time he had just about unwrapped the ornament, she stood over him eagerly waiting to see it and faithfully followed each time with the most precious ooooh's and ahhhs! It was priceless! I do look forward to seeing her very own Christmas Tree someday....until then I am sure she will be a handy little helper the same way I used to. She is truly a girl after my own heart!

Happy Friday to all!!!