Christmas Crack revisited . .

Did anyone catch the comment I made about my Dad in my Merry Christmas post? Well, let me explain - after I made the "Crazy" Cookies - now referred to as "Christmas Crack" {hahaha!!!!!} - I tried to convince my Dad to try them. He politely said "no thank you" about 5 times. BUT then when someone would come into the kitchen, the man would offer them to everybody else!!!! As in he was saying, "Try these, let's see if you throw up or go into some kind of convulsions or possible die." You have to know him - we would crack up every time he would offer them up! No matter who ate them and said they were the best thing ever, he still didn't believe us!!

The only reason I'm bringing this up is because Allyson {my sister} just posted Christmas pictures on facebook.


This about sums it up. I was trying to convince him AGAIN to try a small bite AND I'm sure he is turning me down. But the look on his face in the picture has that "I think I'm going to ralph if she ask me one more time to try one of these" look. haha!

His birthday is in January - I'm totally making them for him then.

Merry Christmas . . .

What a Christmas. I'm quite certain everyone got what they wanted!

Hudson with his Leapster2.

Lawson with his marble maze!

Carson with his Batman Cave AND toboggan! He didn't take that thing off his head the whole day!?

And Emme finally got to see Santa . . . that is what that sweet baby wanted more than anything! I wish I had recorded it. We are still laughing at her reaction!

I just gorged myself with these {Dad, I hate you wouldn't eat any of the "Crazy" cookies - completely YOUR loss! But I'm planning on making them for your birthday next month! So you will get another chance. haha-hehe!!!}

And several little people are now asleep with some new toys in the exact spot they were just playing.

Fantastic DAY! And a wonderful Christmas!

Merry Christmas.

Sources . . .

**Edited to add the sprays!

I'm having some folks ask me where I got some of my Christmas things . . . soooo, I thought I would share!

The pink, turquoise, green and red Christmas trees that belong to my kidlets ALL came from Hobby Lobby. The pink one was from last year. And the other 3 are from this year. They had a pink one this year - BUT it looks like the other 3. My pink one is taller AND better made than the boys' trees {and I'm quite certain it was the same price!!!}


The string of beads on the pink tree came from Hobby Lobby. I noticed the last time I was there that they had a ton of colors to choose from. They have an interesting quality - I'm going back and buying more . . . the pink and pearl colors. I have absolutely NO IDEA what I'll use them for, but they are definitely worth getting for Em's room in the future!

The stockings came from Target - unfortunately they do NOT have anymore at our store and online! I only know this because I was really going to get a couple more and had bookmarked the page. Welp, homey here waited too long and the jokers were gone when I went back to get them!!! So, the 2 reds and the 2 greens will just have to do!! For those who inquired, hopefully they have some at your store! I've bought some great ones at {but where else} Hobby Lobby over the past several years. This is the first time that I've ever bought some that actually look alike. Normally they only match in color - and of course fit the "wacky and tacky" theme I try hard to keep!!


The sprays on my Christmas tree ROCK!! I'm talking about the wirey like pieces that have the flat discs attached to them. I found those THIS year at TARGET! {I see a trend in my shopping!} Apparently, if you can't find it at Target or Hobby Lobby, I won't have it?! hah! Seriously, I got them in the section where they sold all the fantastic decorations that would look awesome on a white tree! Our Target still had them - a ton of them! Selling them at $3.99 each!

I hope that helps!

Our Christmas Card . . . .

**Edited to add link**

I was wrong, the Christmas Card link is not until tomorrow {Wednesday!} Oh well, but I'm posting TODAY! hehe . . . I'm sure you won't mind!

Fabulous K {Kelly} did these. And she did a fantastic job!! I don't know if these are something she is planning on adding to her business? I did kinda spring it on her through twitter when she tweeted that she "finished" her Christmas cards. {My opinion - because we know it counts - is that she should!}

Watch what you say on places like twitter, facebook and your blog - you never know when it could give you some business!

Just sayin'!

Wacky and Tacky has always been the theme!

. . . when it comes to my Christmas decorating! I feel like time ran out and due to the fact that have a whole-lot-a work left to do - this is IT! Too bad really, I have still so much stuff! Including a village!! Oh, well . . . . on to the tour of Christmas homes!!

I must link up to my friend first - who, did you see, has a NEW blog! Obviously, I was trying to be number 1000 - BUT I'm tired of waiting for everyone to link up! hah! Just kidding - I sorta forgot . . . and then remembered. And I had most of it typed up . . . but now I had to add a few things {such as these lines!} It just takes me fo-evah to do anything these days!

I know I gave you guys this little number a few weeks ago - and it looked so good all decorated for the boys' room - ALL 27 TIMES I DECORATED IT! So, I said forget! I think they like them better plain!

But I will admit - they looked very arthritic after my kids played with them! I did have to smooth out the branches for this picture {let's see how long it last!}

Do you have an elf on the shelf?? OMword! This is the best thing ever! I linked to it, so you just go right ahead and read what it is all about on the site! Our little guy doesn't have a name - we just kinda call him Elfie.

I have always used real ribbon with my packaging - especially with items such as these. But with kids . . . .

. . . they love this mess! Kills me - but they really do prefer these bows. And yes, I do put atleast 2 on every package {normally 3!} Did anyone else buy this paper from Hobby Lobby last year!? Yeah, looks like it will be used through Christmas 2013! These rolls have NO end! Craziest thing ever! My Grandmamma Tate would have loved some paper like this!

For some reason, I keep buying stockings every year. Not my intentions - but these were classic and totally fit my "wacky and tacky" theme that goes strong throughout my holiday decor! But then again - all the stockings fit that theme or I wouldn't have bought them?! So, I'm starting a new tradition and letting my kids pick each year which ones they want to use! I mean, they all do coordinate - so we are doing it!

Em's tree - I forgot to get a bigger pic of the whole thing! I'll do that before Christmas {someone just remind me!} By the way - I think I'm keeping everything as is in her room . . . . pink trumped the blue and that will be the color I repaint the dresser, mirror and night stand - because I know so many inquiring minds wanted to know!

My Kringle! I love him so much! I really want to replace the plastic snow ball with a glass ornament filled with some kinda fake snow! I'm working on that - just don't be surprised if it is next year before it happens!

Got a few new ornaments this year.

Just a few - I thought I took a picture of the pirate one {apparently I didn't!}

And my tree - what can I say!?

I do like the bright ribbons I'm seeing everyone add to their trees. The type that just hang from the top! I'm copying that idea next year!

I heard that tomorrow there is a Christmas card linky! And yes, I have one this year! I'll tell you all about it then!

For the love of glitter . . .

I've always admitted that my main fear of paint is the "whatisitphobia." I know you know what I'm talking about. It normally lies in the domain of your children's art. But as an artist, it stretches into my own sometimes.


I love getting some ingenious idea and then try to put it on canvas.


Sometimes it works. And sometimes . . . well, let's not talk about those times.


I asked Hudson what he thought these paintings were. Either he sees them as I do OR he just might be a mind reader.


I actually started on them LAST year!


All year, they have been hanging on my wall in my little studio. And the only thing they needed was a small touch of glitter {by request!}


Tell me you see 2 ornaments hanging from a tree!

Tree is up . . .

. . . . And decorated! No easy feat with 4 little crazies running around!

Sorry for only a sneak peek - it looked the best in close up shots {and the fact that I still do plan to partake in the Christmas Tour of Homes with Ms. Nester herself on December 14th!} I have soooo many ornaments that they are dripping from the tree. I've always loved the look of the trees you shop from in a store. The ones that have more ornaments than limbs. Yeah, that's what I like!

Yes - that is a Mr. Potato Head.

I only have had 5 casualties this year {so far.} I'm sure the number will steadily grow as we encroach upon the Christmas season. It seems that 2 of my 4 little people really like to "touch" the tree and already have a sense of ownership over a few of the ornaments.


I really thought that most of the ones within their reach were UN-breakable. Not hardly. Even the SHATTER-PROOF ones are not safe . . . . they might not shatter but they make great BALLS to toss around the room!!!!!


Most all of the unexplainable "who-done-its" have been repaired, glued and sewn back together. Except for one Grinch Musical Sleigh - which states all over {the bottom} that it's "not a toy" - too bad my kids didn't see that. I'm sure they would have put it down {before dropping it} if they would have read that first. It is currently sitting beside me with all kinds of jimmied props supporting all the pieces that are waiting for the glue to see up. It looks flawless - except for one spot. I'm thinking if I can get it glued back, I'll worry with the clean-up next. One challenge at a time, people.

Because I'm just that dang cool!

Soooo, . . . I asked about your timing of Christmas decorating. I normally don't go out this early for mine . . . but I have 4 kids who have been obsessed with the Christmas decor at Hobby Lobby since they came out with it 2 months ago! In honor of my babies - I let them each have a choice in trees - lucky for me, they all went with the same kind, but different colors!!


They even picked out their own decorations {which I limited to only "strings" of something.} This is Carson's - he went on the wild side of "blue on blue" which is more like aquamarine on aquamarine . . . . but you can't tell a 3 year old that and he understand {unless it was Hudson - he could give you the recipe on how to come up with this color at 3 - I'm not kidding.}


Okay - I actually bought Em's tree last year - and good thing, they don't have anything like it this year at the HobLob! And yes, I picked out her beads, too! Don't worry, she was pleased as punch with my choice!

I swear that is all I did - these 4 trees! No lights. No busting out the big tree. Or the stockings. Nativity. Nothing like that!! I've got a few more weeks before that! And I'm not going to show anymore with the hopes that I might join the Nester's Tour of Homes this year! I said might! That takes some planning!

And don't hate me . . .

Check out this oil painting I got for the kids' bathroom! haha - unfortunately, it wasn't packaged correctly! Boo-hoo!! The creases are too deep and no amount of stretching will fix it. Now some poor soul has to paint me up another! But I love it so much - has got to be the funniest thing ever!!

Yesterday, I got the worst headache of all time! About 10 minutes before Lonnie came home, I was face down in the sofa. He had to complete supper, bathe the kids and put them in bed - without me! I slept for over 13 hours!!! That is about how much I sleep in a week! I'm sooo behind - I had big plans for finishing up things - emails - clean my studio/office - put away the last of the Halloween crap! Nothing - nada - not a single thing got done! Horrible feeling to start my Wednesday morning . . . BUT I have NO headache praise Jesus! So, I'm very thankful - I really thought my brain was going to explode. It was just that bad. I don't think it was sinus related {or flu for that matter.} I think I just had a migraine.

It's 6:15 and my day has to start . . . I just wanted to get this post up {since I had every intention of doing it last night!!!} Wishing you all a very productive day!