CANDLERUG MATS

I received the most wonderful surprise today when these two candlerug mats were given to me. I had received an email from a friend telling me she was sending me a gift that she thought I would like. As you know I was out of town for several days last week and my daughter did not get them to me until today. I absolutely LOVE these. I was at an antique mall weeks ago and saw this friend there. I told her how I was changing my decorating to primitive. By the way....it's extremely hard to find things here that fit that style. I don't get to see her very much anymore and was blown away when I saw these two gifts. I LOVE THEM!!!!!

FAMILY DAY

This morning at 6:30 a.m. m y middle grandson, Zack, called me and said, "Gigi, today is Family Day. We're having a special breakfast." I didn't know what he was talking about and thought that there was something going on at his school. I asked him to tell me what it was. He said, "You know, it's Famil y Day. We have balloons, candles, and a special breakfast." I asked him if Granddaddy & I were supposed to come or if he just needed some money (still thinking there was something special at school & he was calling me about it). You are going to think I am a horrible grandmother (Gigi) because I know my grandchildren's birthdays, but it never crossed my mind that on this day four years ago the two older boys were officially adopted. My daughter has always made this a special day. In fact, she & her husband have sent flowers to their attorney on this day each year. You must go to my daughter's blog and read about this day for them (get your kleenex first). We are so blessed!!!

OKRA ORNAMENTS

I made it back from our Ladies Retreat late yesterday and must say we had a wonderful time. On Thursday night we went to a Murder Mystery Dinner and Friday night we did the Dinner Boat Cruise. Both nights were so much fun. I was tired when I got back, but it was great to spend time with the other ladies from our church. I haven't had a chance to check in with all of you but will do that for sure.
I want to show you something that I have been working on and and it really costs nothing (if you have these things already at home). When I taught school years ago, some of my co-workers and I made some of these and I have them hanging on my tree to this very day. I'm sure those of you who have a garden with okra will have the okra at the end of the season that usually just dries up. Perhaps you use these in arrangements---this is what I'm talking about girls.



I cut these pods of okra and I painted them red (sprayed them of course). It took two coats of paint.

Next I took some flesh colored paint and painted a spot big enough for a face. Then I took white paint and painted around the face to make a beard and hair (all the way around). I also made a place for white fur around the bottom of the okra.

When that dried I added some black eyes and a little red mouth. I also used a tiny pom pom for his nose but you could paint it also. At the tip of the okra I glued a larger white pom pom and a piece of ribbon to hang him on the tree. I'M NOT AN ARTIST at all so I am sure most of you could do a much better job but these are so cute. I have comments every year about my okra Santa's on the tree.

You can make quite a few at one time....just get your assembly line going.

This will be a busy week ....may put up a few Christmas decorations (everywhere but the den). Also, I'm mailing my stocking for my stocking swap partner tomorrow!! (I didn't forget you Debi). AND...if I post like I plan this week my 100th post will come at the end of the week and I have my giveaway ready...Be watching for that!

DRIED ORANGE SLICES

Thanks to some of you for giving me directions I tried my luck at drying orange slices last night in my oven. I didn't want to try too many in case they did not turn out well, but I will be doing more next week. I had two oranges and sliced them in about 1/4" slices. Then I sprinkled just a little cinnamon on them and rubbed it in. Next I put them on a rack on a cookie sheet and put them in the oven set at 250 degrees. About every 20 minutes I turned them. It took about 1 hour to 1 1/2 hrs. The smell was wonderful! Even my husband (who had said earlier in the evening that he was NOT going to eat anything else after dinner) asked if I was just doing those oranges to tempt him! I want to hang these on my Christmas tree.
I need some help.....several weeks back I visited a blog and saw the most beautiful personalized jewelry. She had a cuff bracelet that was engraved that I fell in love with. It would be perfect for all my grandchildren's names to be on. I cannot remember where I saw this. If any of you might know where this blog is PLEASE leave me a comment. I have been searching and have had no luck.
Also, I will not be posting again until Saturday night. The ladies from our church are going to Tennessee on a retreat tomorrow and returning Saturday. Say a prayer for us!!

12 DAYS

It's only 12 days until these precious girls will be here for a whole week!!! One of the reasons I love Thanksgiving is the fact that my family is home. My son and his family come for the week of Thanksgiving. They stay at their home for Christmas but always come to Alabama for Thanksgiving. We have so much fun eating, shopping, enjoying all the other family members who come for Thanksgiving Day, and playing games. Besides that.....when you mix these three with.................................

THESE THREE who are already here-----the fun begins.
I can't wait!!!

Making Gingerbread Ornaments

It's Beginning To Smell A Lot Like Christmas at my house today. A few weeks ago Linda from Behind My Red Door posted about making her gingerbread dough ornaments and I decided then that I would try my luck at this. I've never made them before. Yesterday I mixed my dough and the recipe said to refrigerate overnight. Believe it or not...I was patient enough to do this. I only rolled out one baking and there's enough dough left to make about four times more. I will spray these with the satin finish. Linda had tried dipping hers in wax and didn't really like the finish so she saved me that step. I couldn't wait to see what they would look like with a ribbon so I jumped ahead and tied one. I'll tell you one thing....they smell good enough to eat however I think I might break a tooth if I tried because they are definitely hard!! I'd like to try drying some of the orange slices to hang. Does anyone know how to do this or would I be better to buy a bag????

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE

Yesterday my daughter and I went to Christmas Village and had a wonderful time. I will say that it was extremely crowded (shoulder to shoulder at times) but over 700 vendors presented some BEAUTIFUL and unique wares. I was real pleased with my "will power" because I didn't buy as much as I normally would. I guess I can say I'm trying to cut back and then again I will look at something and think I might find something a little later I like better and pass it by. I think this happened yesterday. I will show you some of the things I purchased.
I'm sorry this picture posted sideways. I'm telling you ... I'm having problems lately! One of the longest lines was at this booth. These bread bowls were made by the vendor. He had stands for sale to sit them on (but I didn't buy one of these). From the line of ladies buying, he probably sold all he had yesterday.

When I went to Homestead Hollow last month, this vendor was there. She had the most beautiful clothing and also had t-shirts with cute sayings. I saw this one then but didn't buy it (I bought too many other things). I knew she was going to be at Christmas Village so I found her and grabbed this shirt. She remembered me (that's NOT a good sign) .....shows that I did buy too much. Seriously, her clothes are so unique and she designs them all.

I found these for my precious granddaughters. Breanna and Maddie (the two oldest) LOVE shoes! When Amy & I saw these shoes when we first got there we knew that we had to get them for the oldest two girls. They are painted in bright colors and some of the colors are painted with glittered paint. Breanna and Maddie will love them. I can't wait until Thanksgiving to give them to the girls. Emma is only 9 months old so she's not much on shoes....YET! I found her this darling little dress that had the ballerina shoes and outfit painted on it. They had tons of Christmas ones but I called her mom and she already has too much Christmas clothing. That's one thing....these girls dress for the seasons (thanks to their mom). I'll be able to be with them a WHOLE WEEK at Thanksgiving. Get ready for lots of pictures after then.

Christmas Village was so much fun. I did get some neat ideas. I had my camera and had made one or two pictures when I heard the announcement ..."VIDEO AND PICTURE MAKING IS ABSOLUTELY PROHIBITTED IN THIS SHOW". I slipped my camera right back in my purse. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.