I'm here. And so is Christmas!

Welcome Christmas, Welcome! 

Can't say that I am totally ready for Christmas this year, 

well, as far as the material Christmas is concerned. 

Which is like the least important part, for sure. 

My Christmas cards are done.

Most of my out of town packages are ready for the post office.... and 

I am sure  as I stand in the line at the post office I'll be 

reflecting on the Grinch, the new one, and singing

"Where are you Christmas"... 

Too often we forget the 'real' reason we celebrate...

My design team goodies (from Kiki Art, www.kiki-art.com)
have arrived and I have found

time to play! So here is my first layout... I like it. 

Actually, the paper is really good quality... glad to see such good quality

product and feel good about putting my name on supporting it.

Jake and I haven't gotten around to putting up lights.

Maybe this weekend! I hope!

However I have been on the ball about the indoor decorations...

Isn't that the cutest Advent Calendar you have ever seen!

Mom and Dad got it for me at Costco, $15... 

Can't beat it!

My packages are getting ready to send out... 

hopefully no one comes on my blog that is receiving one of these..

Sorry, Mom and Dad your not on the cookie list... shouldn't have made fun of them, DAD!

And you can see my advent 'wreath' in the back ground... no worries, 

we have been celebrating advent... just haven't lit a candle. 

Last Sunday we taught the confirmation class, they loved it! And 

celebrated advent then... now we just need to get lighting at home!

Last but not least...

I made soup today! YEAH!!! It has been sooo cold here... no really..

like snow cold... like actual flakes on the ground... in the 20's.

Anywho, here's the soup and my clean kitchen!

It's been a joke this week... I have made 8+ batches of cookies 

over the last 4 days and every night I have 

ridiculous amounts of dishes... and I am finally done!

I heart Mario Batali and all his cast iron products.... 
I own them all!