a few of my favorite things - november

better late than never huh? screechin' in with 1 day left in the month!

moon & lola monogram necklace | boston (the city) | cuppow

elf t-shirt | infinity scarf | sarah mclachlan wintersong 

indigo bird ornament | hot chocolate and whipped cream vodka

i've been coveting this necklace for years. not sure why it's never on a gift list i send family, but that's gonna change! lurve it. how cute with mr man's initials?? | ok, we just got back from boston. have you been? no? go, i say, go!! i could seriously live there. the history, the cobblestone streets, the restaurants, the history. GO! | ok, since mason jars are all the rage right now, these cuppow lids that make it easier to sip out of them are genius!

welp, december's upon us, and that means christmas movies and christmas shirts! i have an embarrassing collection of both. what? elf's one of my faves, and buddy has some fantastic quotes.  | a gal pal gave me this scarf, and i seriously love it. who knew world market sold scarves?! it's super warm, way cute and held up well in boston. | december also means christmas muuuusiiicc!! and, wintersong on heavy rotation. i love sarah. i love christmas music. the two together? STOP IT! her version of river rivals RDJ's. | so, last winter when we were trapped in snowmaggedon, i did a little cocktail creating and let me say hot chocolate spiked with whipped cream vodka is the key to keeping you warm on cold nights such as these. try it. you'll most definitely like it! whipped cream topping optional. (but, totally necessary.)

jingle bell rock

december means those christmas tunes start gracing the speakers! and, since turkey day was so early this year, i'm puttin' out the tunes early, because, let's be honest, i start listnin' to them the day after turkey day!

this is totally a highjack of last year's playlist. but, i know some new bands are putting out christmas cds. so, if you've heard somethin' new that's becoming your fave, do tell!

what's your fave christmas song, cd, carol, etc, etc, etc?

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holiday goodies under $25*

i was going to create a new post all about the gifties you can have from rosita, but realized, hey! i've done that already. so, maybe you haven't read it before, or maybe you need a refresher. here ya go:

*with the exception of custom canvases, all gifts are $25 or less. how awesome is that?!

some people start shopping for holiday gifts in july, some people wait until dec 24th. whatever people you are, check out some of these goodies, that are sure to brighten anyone's (holi)day! the best part is, you get custom fun without breaking the bank!

i always say, let's bring back the written word! ok, i don't always say that, but maybe i'll start. because, everyone loves finding something fun amidst the junk mail, so why not stuff some stockings with some fun notecards? personalized. thank you. an assortment. your choice.

have kiddos? then, i'm sure grandma and grandpa would LOVE this personalized desk calendar full of pictures of the little ones. no kids? i'm betting the hubs would love gazing at you instead of staring at that spreadsheet!

if photos are too personal, but there's someone on your list who realllly needs a calendar, i've got ya covered.

how about a little art to fill some wall space? dream up an idea, and i'll put it to canvas. or, have a favorite saying framed for a wall. personally, the crosses are my favorite (prolly the NM roots talkin'). or, there's always the ever-popular hand cut name framed up to match a room or nursery. (rosita updated her site so you can see all the workshop's goods)

if you're looking for more stockin' stuffers, magnetic clothespins are super cute and perfect for hanging fun things in lockers, or on the fridge. (a picture of robert pattinson, por ejemplo...)

and, every girl's crazy for a little hair bling.

many of these items are sittin' on my shelf waiting for the perfect home, or we can do a custom order. to receive gifties in time for the holidays, you gotta place that order before december 15th.

gift wrapping (with gift tag) is available on all items for an additional $2.

in case you were wondering, there are less than 30 days until christmas! yikes!! oh, yeah - and order your holiday cards! (do i sound like your mother? eat your vegetables!)

my gift to you

i got y'all a present! it's the season of giving, you know, so i thought you'd like a little prezzy.

aren't i sweet?! 10% off orders placed by 12/5. new year's cards too. if you want 10% off, order by 12/5. it's too easy! hurry! there's not much time left before the holidays are here. 

if you needa take a look see at some cards to get the wheels'a turnin', check out this post, or this one, oh, and this one, or the ol' website. or maybe you have an idea whatcha want? ready...go!

and, since we're talkin' gifts...you've bought all yours, haven't you? ugh, don't tell me - i haven't bought one darn thing. and, i need to start, so they'll get here on time! maybe those crazies who finish shopping in july are onto something. who'm i kidding? never gonna happen. ok, we were talking about gifts, so...

gifts under $25 (except the custom artwork)

custom photo desk calendars

the online workshop (aka etsy shop)

and, if you don't see something here, but you've got it in your mind, let's have a little chat about it.

happy holidays! merry christmas! happy new year! feliz navidad! happy hanukkah! season's greetings! whatever you celebrate!

21 days of gratitude - days 7 - 9 - my girlies

day 7 - i'm grateful for food on my table
over the last few months, i've been volunteering at a food bank. and, man, if that ain't humbling. the first night was a very eye-opening experience, as roughly 200 people pass thru the doors in 3 hours. all walks of life, living below the poverty line, only able to purchase the bare minimum, seeking the rest at the food bank. i'm so grateful we are blessed with the means to put food on our table.

day 8 - i'm grateful for my sweet, sweet nana
this year, my nana will be gone for more years than i knew her sweet heart. this woman. not one for church, she surely embodied my idea of a true christian. she gave, she welcomed the less fortunate into her home, she stood up for what she believed in, she cared for the sick, and she took care of me like i was her own, while my parents worked. holy moly, i miss her every.single.day, and wish upon wish that i could have just one more day with her. the last time i talked to her was thanksgiving 1993, and i was too concerned with getting home to see my friends from high school to even notice her. the next day, she went into a coma in the ICU, and died 3 days after christmas. oh, nana, how i miss you so and i hope you celebrated your birthday yesterday with an iced coffee and a dallas cowboys game.

day 9 - i'm grateful for my girlies (mamacita, middle sissy, and baby sister)

the mamacita has had to pull herself up by her bootstraps over the last 7 years. her overcoming what seemed impossible is pretty inspirational. and, when she's down, i like to remind her she's pretty durn strong! when her marriage ended after 30 years, she went to nursing(!) school, moved her 80 year old father in with her, sold his house, then her house, then packed them up for a new city and state. and, now, she takes care of people all day, and comes home to take care of the pops so he doesn't have to endure nursing home livin'. and, this year, she married off the baby and treated herself to a much-needed vacation in italy! i love you, mom and your heart o' gold! and really, you're kind of a bad-a**.

you know how big sisters are typically supposed to be the strong ones, paving the way for the younguns? so not the case in this familia. ok, maybe i was cool and hip back in the day, but lately, middle sissy has been playing the role of atlas. she takes my crazy on pretty much daily, and never ever says she doesn't have time, or 'seriously, this topic...again?!'. she's creative, smart, an amazing cook, and was made to be a mama. those kiddos of hers are destined for greatness! she's an inspiration, my hero, and i wanna be just like her when i grow up. love you sisty, and i'm so grateful we were twins born 5 years apart!

did you know baby sister came along when i was 13? and, wrapped me around her finger. a carseat the day after i got my license meant carting her everywhere. when people ask me why i don't have kids, i say 'i do...she's 23'. it drives her crazy i'm like another mom, but i'm old, y'all, and i made all the mistakes, so she doesn't have to. not sure why i worried. at 23, she's run circles around the rest of us! she has a wonderful husband, two dogs, a furnished home, a rock solid faith in God, and a job she loves, where she's making a difference! and, that, y'all is all i ever hoped for her - faith, hope, and love! mama loves you, deedle-dee-dee! ;)

you never know what you're gonna get with family, and even though we have more drama than an episode of kardashian, we are family, stuck together like glue. i love my family, and thank God he blessed me with one so darn special!

what are you grateful for today? have you joined 21 days of gratitude?

21 days of gratitude - day 3 to 6 - aka sweet music

so being out of town without wifi makes bloggin' kinda dificil. and, that means we're doin' a little combo today of the last few days of thankfulness!

day 3 - i'm grateful for sunshine
being in socal really reminds me how much i love me some vitamin d! and, that i needed to make more of an effort to soak it up! thank the lord for sunshine and palm trees!

day 4 - i'm grateful for sweet, sweet music
i'm sure you're wondering why i'm not thankful for another family member or something different, but i wanted to get you the november playlist early in the month, so today, i'm thankful for music!

music is such a major part of my life, and i'm so grateful my favorite musicians use their god-given talents to the benefit of our ears! music's on the minute i wake up, it's gotten me thru many a 'problemo' and certain songs can take me back to a specific time or place in an instant. perfect example...the cure's just like heaven is on at this resty and i was instantly transported to my senior year of high school!

you know i love finding new music, love listening to old goodies, love playing 'omg! this is my favorite song!', even if i just said that about the last song! i maybe might have hundreds of fave songs! you do, too, right??

not sure any of these songs qualify as my fave...yet! you know the drill...what's pumpin' outta your airwaves these days? keep me hip, or tell me your faves. i truly do wanna know! and, now: november's notes:

day 5 - i'm grateful for travel

getting close to election day, you start thinking about your freedoms, and travel is one i take for granted. i'm so grateful we are allowed to move freely between state lines, borders, and overseas to see wonderful destinations and other ways of life.

day 6 - i'm grateful for the right to vote

thank god women like elizabeth cady stanton and susan b anthony and eleanor roosevelt stood up for what they believed in to give us women the right to rock the vote!

21 days of gratitude - day 2 - that man o' mine

day dos - i'm thankful for mr man

since it's mr man's birfday, is it not perfectly fitting that i be grateful for him today? why, yes, i think it is!

now, if you know mr man, you know he is the kindest, most open-minded, happiest man you might ever encounter. and, boy, does he love his football. it might border on obsession. he maybe might love it more than me. harumph. i try not to get a complex.

on this, his b-day, we're headed to the city of angels to - guess what? - watch football. back-to-back games, might i add. you're shinin' up my wife o' the year plaque, aren't you?! i know - i'm a saint.

wait, that is so not true. if you had any idea what dude has to put up with from me, you'd be thinking 'serves the chick right she has'ta feign interest in game after game'. seriously. i can whip out the crazy.

in celebration, here are 36 things about mr man i'm grateful for:

• his patience
• his giant heart
• his loyalty
• his silly jokes
• how much he loves me
• his friendship
• his hand in mine
• he's my biggest fan
• his support
• he'd do anything for me
• his compassion
• he makes me feel good about myself
• he takes care of me
• he loves me just the way i am
• he always kisses me goodnight...and goodbye...and hello)
• his passion
• his laugh
• he listens when i talk
• he likes my cookin'
• his blue/grey/green eyes
• his big bear hugs
• he lets me steal the covers
• he indulges my crazy
• his trip planning skills
• he asked me to be his wife
• he keeps me warm when it's cold outside
• he takes me to church
• his witty conversation
• he rubs my feet...if i say please
• he can fix anything
• his good-nature
• his kindness to my family
• he's way cute, maybe even a hottie
• he doesn't care about 'the joneses'
• hearing 'how was your day' every evening
• he lets me put my cold feet on him

and, the list goes on and on and on. i love that man with every ounce of my being, and i pray each and every one of you feels love like this at least once in your life.

happy birthday, loverboy. i'm excited to see what the next 36 years have in store for us. i love you more than one tiny blog post could ever portray. thank you for showing me what unconditional love is.

21 days of gratitude - day 1 - little nudges

you know it's been a struggle around here lately. and part of that struggle has been realizing i need to focus more on my blessings, and less on my shortcomings, and throw up a little gratitude. like every day. maybe even every hour. well, the best laid plans...and, then i saw middle sissy was part of a group of bloggers spending the next 21 days focusing on gratitude, so i jumped on that bandwagon as it drove by. care to join me?

day uno - today i'm grateful for little nudges
this morning, i woke up at 4:40. maybe i went back to sleep, but i checked the clock again at 5:35, then got up at 5:45 when i felt a nudge saying 'get up with me and read your bible'. i really wanted to turn over and try to go back to sleep. really. but, i knew where that nudge came from - the spirit i've been looking searching for, so i climbed out of bed, grabbed my bible, journal and a blanket and set off for another room.

i got comfortable, and was a little nervous about opening my bible. it's truly embarrassing how little i know about the bible, so i was worried i'd turn to hellfire and brimstone, and just be full of fear for the day. well, when you're nudged outta bed, there's likely a plan. and, darned if i didn't turn to - out of 1500 pages - my most favorite scripture verse ever. the one that's gotten me thru yikes after whoa after you-have-got-to-be-kidding-me. the one i mighta posted as a facebook status. just.last.week.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  ~jeremiah 29:11

now if that didn't knock me on my rump! let me just say again - out of 1500 pages! the next verses are awesome, too. so imagine my surprise when i read middle sissy's gratitude post, and she had jeremiah 29:13 in hers.

after a little reflection and some praying, i decided to work on my homework for bible study, and guess what scripture showed up there?! pay attention to those little nudges - you'll never know where they might lead!