Inspired

I was scrapbooking last night! A friend told me about this new scrapping message board (they have an online shop, too), where I uploaded some of my favorite layouts: http://allmomentsremembered.com/bulletins/index.php

That 6 x 12 size was inspired by the February issue of Creating Keepsakes (which I just got, super early, right? but I'm very happy)! On page 14 (in the back section), there's a page by Mitchell Kraft (a 19 year old artist, a photographer, a guy who scraps), I love this size...now I just need to find an album to house this, or else put it in my 12 x 12 next to another 6 x 12.


Rob got the girls a train set, that they totally love, their Polly Pockets fit inside it! My parents came over and gave the girls each a quilt and Rob and I got some soft LL Bean slippers. I am almost finished with the calendar for them, so it will be a "new year" gift. Anytime is a good time to give someone you love something special, right?

Joyful

Going backwards for the past few days....

It's such a joy to see so much family, from far away places and near, to spend time together.

Zoya, Chris and their little Harriett came for lunch today.

Sarah and her friend, Mike, came, played music with us and shared homemade raw chocolate.

My mom with Juliana.

We gave Emma her first sippy cup! She seemed to like it, but I don't think she actually got any water out of it.

Sunday afternoon, we spent with my in-laws. Here is Rob's Grandma, who is 97! Then, Saturday, Hannah earned her yellow belt in karate!

Our friend, Nicholas is 6. Friday was Emmelia's first time in a pool. It was so much fun swimming, I even got in with the kids! Click HERE for more December photos!

Recipe, anyone?

Aren't these adorable? I wish I knew how she made them, I'd be afraid they wouldn't last, if I made them myself.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8473445 Click on above image, to see the recipe better...this is one of my favorites!

Today we worked on our gingerbread houses...we had a friend and then, my niece come over... they each made a house and took it home, too.

I loved this scalloped page:
http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/mag/article.ihtml?index_field=2050

There are lots of cool digital papers, fonts...I don't have the best software, but I can play around and see if this is something I'd like.Here is a free digital card for you to print:
http://www.digiscrapdiner.com/product-info.php?pid88.html

Lots of good things...

I fixed Olivia's into looped braids (she thought she looked like Cindy Lou, you know the one who befriended the Grinch?)!! We had a Christmas program in the nursery school, I work with children ages 3-5. There is a morning class and an afternoon class...which Olivia is in, and here she is with her sparkly star-headband that she made last week. They sang "Away in the manger" beautifully.

Being an Orthodox Christian, we follow the Julian calendar, which is 13 days after the Gregorian calendar, that most of the world follows. Today we celebrate St. Nicholas, the one who is remembered for giving to the needy. It's been a wonderful day and I'm sure it's a blessing from St. Nicholas. My little sister, Andrea (she's 23), is officially engaged. She is in Italy right now with her fiance, his parents and little sister, visiting the grandparents. They went to church last night and he proposed to her on the church steps! I can't wait until they come home and we get all the details! My girls are so excited and want to be flowergirls. Back to St. Nicholas, his remains are in Bari, Italy. He is an amazing intercessor to God for travellers, especially.
Although I celebrate Christmas with many on December 25th, we will go to our church and really celebrate the Nativity of Christ on January 7th (which is December 25th on the Julian calendar). It's really nice to focus on the real meaning, not on presents...

Bliss

When I got up this morning, there wasn't a snowflake in sight...then an hour later or so it was like fluffy white feathers falling from above, so quick! So, we went outside and 4 of us had a *blissful* snowball fight!
I love these ATCs (artist trading cards...2.5 x 3.5 works of art) so inspiring. Who wants to make some & swap? http://sarahbowen.typepad.com/pieceofwork/2007/12/an-atc-christma.html

I wanted to buy this Gingerbread house kit at Trader Joe's...but thought I could do it myself, so far, all we've made are the trees (ice cream cone with green frosting and candies, sprinkles all over it). Maybe next week...

I saw "Miss Potter" this weekend, and it's such a great movie, all about the life of Beatrix Potter, the artist and writer of Peter Rabbit, Tom Kitten, Jemima Puddle-duck, etc. I felt akin to her, she was independent, artistic, imaginative, romantic...


Zulu Cabbage (Recipes from the AFRICAN KITCHEN)
1 small white cabbage
1 onion
1 green bell pepper
2-3 tbsp sunflower oil
12 oz canned tomatoes, chopped with juice reserved
1 tbsp mild curry powder
salt and pepper

I sliced the cabbage, onion and bell pepper. Heat the oil in a frying pan and saute the onion and pepper until soft, then add the cabbage, cover and cook until it begins to wilt. Add the remaining ingredients and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. We ate it as a side dish and it was really scrumptious. Here, I'm eating a bowl of it, as leftovers. I used a medium cabbage so it made extra! Thank you, Kim!!!


Today it got very warm, maybe 60 degrees, and I'm so glad, because I forgot to plant a bunch of Apricot Impression tulip bulbs I'd gotten a while back and the ground was soft enough for me to dig it up! We played in the backyard this afternoon, Olivia was wearing a short sleeved shirt and wasn't cold, nor was I concerned. The girls rode their bikes, jumped on the trampoline, chased Minty around the neighbors yard (like a sheep herding dog...back into our yard) and then we walked to ballet class. Just last week, we paid the costume fees (for their spring recital, the total was $91.50 for the 2 of them). Hannah is eligible to promote to a yellow belt (from white) in karate! It's $35...why does everything cost so much?

Vanity

I cut my hair.I like my new perky ponytail. Three inches off...yes, I did it myself. I'm kinda afraid to wear it down, but a ponytail hides any imperfections!

If you want to make a cute pretzel wreath to eat, or use as an ornament, or give as a gift to someone...it's on page 2. Great to make with kids!!!

Here is the snow...today, just
4 days later. We've had a TON of rain, it would've all been snow, if it were a few degrees cooler. When we got home from church, the girls were totally surprised to see their pile (here) that they'd shovelled on the deck and their snowman...just a little evidence left from their play...