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I love the holidays! With all its tradition and goodness, it just caps off the year with happiness, doncha think?
I'm quite proud of myself - I got all my decorations up over Thanksgiving weekend. Now, in my family, that was always the tradition. The girls would decorate the tree and hang the stockings, and our dad would be cursing the day on a ladder hanging lights outside. The Griswolds had nuthin' on our house! So, I'm glad to keep up the tradition.
On top of decorating, the workshop is working overtime, and I love, love, love it. I thought you'd all like a little spice of what's gone out. I'm feeling very colorful and fun this year - I'm attaching myself to lots of pinks, reds, turquoise and lime.
So, tomorrow is December 1st ... what are you waiting for? Order up your cards. You know they're totally custom, done the way you want them, and turn around is less than a week.
Have you hung your decor? Decked your halls? Trimmed your trees?
Happy Thanksgiving! We're celebrating with good friends over green bean casserole, broccoli cheese casserole, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin and pecan pies, and yummy rolls. Oh, and turkey. But, I could really do without Tom Turkey half the time - I love my sides so much. I see why Thanksgiving is easy for vegetarians!
I'm thankful for:
God and all he provides us
Mr. Man, who puts up with all my antics
My dear, dear family who I miss every minute of the day
Our wonderful friends, who are really our family away from home
The freedom we are provided by being protected by our troops (who don't get to celebrate with their families most of the time)
and...All of you - my readers and supporters
So very thankful - thank you! What are you thankful for?
Outside my window today, there's snow. SNOW! I woke up to big, fat flakes falling down, and it's beginning to look a lot like...oh wait, it's not even Turkey Day yet. I was still pining away for our short summer, but I think I'm ready for the holidays now.
Gonna set up the tree this week, enjoy some turkey on Thursday, freeze my patootie off at a football game.
Got any exciting weather where you are? Are you excited about the holidays? What gets you in the spirit?
Right now, I'm going to make myself some hot chocolate and, heck, I may even turn on the Christmas tunes.
Since Thanksgiving's next week, I'm continuing my thankful posts with a big shout out to... YOU!! I'm so thankful for all of you. You call on me for all your design needs - baby, holiday, party, moves, wedding gifts, baby gifts - and I fear I'll never be able to portray the appreciation I have for you all.
So, THANK YOU!!!
The workshop is working away on holiday orders I've received, but if you haven't ordered holiday cards, now's your chance. You know you get a completely custom experience!
And, because I'm so thankful for you, I'm doing a little experiment to see just how many people stop by my blog. So, if you order your holiday cards by November 25th, you'll receive a 10% discount on your order.
Experiment...starts...now!
To pass the time on our drives across Florida and Alabama, I brought along a few books. They were so good, I wanted to tell you about them, just in case you haven't read them already. And then I thought, hey, I should tell you about all the good books I've read recently. I've hardly made a dent in my stack, but here goes.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Set in Nazi Germany during the Holocaust, and narrated by Death, I was a little worried I wouldn't like this book. But, the way the author writes, and sets the words on the page, made me not want to put it down. It is pretty depressing material (Nazi Germany, remember), but it'll make you think, and realize we have no idea what a bad day looks like.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
If you're struggling with your life's purpose, or have a hard time 'following your heart', this is the book for you. A super short, easy read, it's the story of a shepherd how sells his flock to find a treasure, and all he encounters along the way. The book was written over 20 years ago, but it has a very spiritual, religious message, and I LOVED it!
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Narrated by 3 main characters, 2 black maids and a young white woman, The Help tells the story of what it was like to be a maid in the South in the 60s. This book will have you experiencing every emotion, and have you amazed at the fact that this subject matter only happened 40 years ago. This book and The Book Thief really made me sad that people can be so mean, and that so many others just follow along. Great read! And, soon to be a movie.
This trilogy consists of The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay. Set in the future, in a destroyed North America, the trilogy is the story of the Hunger Games, where a boy a girl from each of the 12 districts of Panem compete to the death. The stories are part Gladiator, part reality TV. Yes, morbid material. Yes, science fiction. But, yes, the 3 books are superbly written. They're classified as Young Adult novels, because the narrator is 16, but the subject matter is hardly child's play. Also being made into movies (because of Special Effects, I think we have to wait til 2012).
Water for Elephants is the story of a vet student who joins the circus during the Great Depression. It's narrated by the vet, who flashes back between current day and his circus days. One of the main characters is Rosie the elephant, who you are sure to fall in love with. Said to be loosely based on the story of Jacob from the Bible. Sooo good. (Again, being made into a movie. I wish I could remember who the main actor is!! Ha)
And, last but not least...
The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer
Ha ha ha ha. Hee hee. Did you think I'd have a book post without featuring my favorite?! Especially since Eclipse came out this summer, so I was forced to read it for a 4th time? I'll spare you the synopsis - if you don't know what it's about yet, then you've obviously not been following this blog, or current events, for that matter.
So, still on my list: Love in the Time of Cholera, My Sister's Keeper, and The Happiness Project. What have you read lately that you loved? I have a huge stack, but nothing's better than curling up with a good book on a cold night.
Since we're headin' out on the open road, and I know you wait on the edge of your seat each month for the playlist, I decided to send it out to you at the beginning of the month. (what a concept!)
Big thanks & virtual high fives to all you who sent me song ideas and website ideas. Becky introduced me to shuffler.fm, if you all are interested. I was excited when I chose female vocalists, I knew a bunch of them. Not as out of touch as I thought, I guess!
So, here you go. It's a little slower this month, with a few pepsters in there. And remember to tell me what you're listenin' to.
POST-EDIT:A virtual double high five to baby sister for introducing me to Passion Pit. She put them on her girl's trip mix, and I like 'em so much I sometimes listen on repeat. Go ahead, try it.
Today's Mr Man's birthday, so I thought I'd wish him happy thoughts here. This will be the 14th time we've celebrated this momentous occasion, and I have to say, he's had some pretty stellar celebrations.
Since his birthday is so close to Halloween, we sometimes have a costume party (are you noticing a theme here?)
Then, for his 30th birthday, I "surprised" him with a trip to see his favorite college team - Notre Dame - play. That trip has created a tradition, and though it isn't always on his birthday, this year, it happens to be.
So, in a few days, we're off to Tallahassee and Auburn, where they eat, sleep and breathe football. Mr Man will celebrate for a week (or longer) with stadium tours, halls of fame, and all the BBQ he can eat.
But, no complaining here - it's his birthday, remember? And, Lord knows, he's put up with my silly requests all these years. And, he always works in somewhere for me to lay in the sunshine (like Hilton Head, down below); I've seen parts of the country I never would have; and sometimes we meet new friends, or re-connect with old friends.
We've had a running joke lately that I should win 'Wife of the Year' (I might be the only one who thinks that), because I attend all these football games. In the rain. Next to drunkards. Watching teams I have NO idea about.
But, truly, if you knew all the things Mr Man does for me, and puts up with (I'll save you the details. Ahem.), you'd see he is definitely deserved of 'Husband of the Year'.
Happy Birthday, Mr Man. I love you to the moon and back.
