Christmas Wishes

My French Life by Vicki Archer just arrived in the post today on Christmas Eve. I have been waiting for this book all year and boy was it worth the wait. It has a beautiful floral binding and the end pages are heavily textured. The book features gorgeous color photographs of France on every page and it even has a lovely red silk page marker.

In Northern, IL we are in the midst of an ice storm and have lost power twice. The trees are covered in a thick coating of ice and branches droop down to the ground. If any of them are fortunate enough to survive, I am going to treat them to a feast of fertilizer and food this Spring. Poor things. The hens are snug in their barn, the cookies are all baked, and little one is tracking Santa through Europe at the moment on the NORAD website http://noradsanta.org

So, I plan on wallowing in this wonderful book all Christmas Day. Even if the power goes out again, teacup candle at the ready....

I hope you all get your heart's desire this holiday season. Merry Christmas xo

1 Year Blog-iversary

1/12 Hook Shelf

Time flies! This month marks my one year anniversary of blogging. The first post on December 3, 2008 was about making Christmas cards from Etsy supplies. Not much change there, I just did that again last week. It's been so fun to meet all of you in blogland and get a peek into each other's lives.

What a year this has been. Is it me or was 2009 very eventful? Bit like a spin in a washing machine in Jemjoop land. Not even just the recession and money issues, just everything else too. No doubt I'm not the only one looking forward to 2010 and good times to come. I hope everyone has a safe, healthy, and happy new year and maybe a little bit of fun thrown in for good measure.

I'm hoping to find more balance, probably you're hoping for the same. I'd like to be a little more organized with my time. It's a rae every weekend to keep up with the errands, chores, and ever present TO DO list. Things got a little wonky when the baby was born (he's 1 today!) and then again when I got a full time job. Oliver is an angel, no trouble at all. Give him a snack and he's happy. The new job quickly got out of hand and has pretty much required overtime every week since September. No complaints but things do have to slide around the house when Mom gets busy. Nevermind the fun stuff like hobbies and blogging. That 100 Books in 2009 almost worked, I'm currently at 61 and can probably squeeze in two more library trips before December 31st. Not a bad finish. But, I've not blogged as regularly as when I began but it's a goal. I have managed to keep up with Etsy orders and every once in awhile even add new stuff to the shop. It's been a real treat to make miniatures on a day off or before my shift starts. They are a real de-stresser and the chance to be creative sure helps to recharge my batteries.

Pancakes, nom nom.

Many, many thanks to you all for peeking in from time to time and saying hello. It's a treat to read your blogs. See you soon...

1/12 Winter Crates

And finally, since the holidays are upon us again, I'll repost this little tidbit from little one's elementary school newsletter-

Top Ten Requested Teacher Gifts:

1. Books

2. Gift Cards

3. Board Games

4. Stickers

5. Stamp/Stamp Pads

6. Coffee

7. Fun Magnets

8. School Supplies

9. Fun Pens & Pencils

10. Food