Favorite Things

If you know me at all, you know that writing is definitely one of my favorite things! Today's Housewife is one of my favorite blogs, and today I'm their guest blogger. That's pretty cool--but I'll tell you a secret: anyone can do it. You just have to e-mail them! :) So check it out HERE. I'll tell you another secret, and the Housewives know it, too--I cheated a bit and mixed in a couple of last year's stories that I published on our blogs because they said exactly what I wanted to say, and I'd already written them. No reason to reinvent even that wheel, right?

Happy Friday! And hey, what are some of YOUR favorite things??

(P.S. I'm sitting by the window working, NOT seeing snow. There were some flakes when I unloaded groceries, but no blizzard, yet. Yup, sarcasm. But I'll enjoy it if it DOES snow--promised the kids I'd pick them up early and do hot chocolate and sugar cookies. Well, not that Noble cares, but Kayci's thrilled at the idea!)

Favorite Things

This is my favorite new Daddy story. (Click on the words, they'll take you to our family blog.)

Favorite Things

This must REALLY be one of my favorite things...it's been hanging in the same spot since last year when Kayci drew it! Looking at this every day helps keep me focused, and at this time of year, it helps remind me what I SHOULD be thinking about instead of getting so caught up in the busy-ness.

Favorite Things

Cozy Christmas quilts...









And to all a good night!

Favorite Things

I love decorating the tree...literally every ornament is a memory, a story. Every year we take our time and open each box, talk about it, find the perfect spot on the tree. It's a process. Made more festive, of course, by Bitty's hats.



From the silly...


...to the homemade...



...to the old...



...to the life events...



...to travels...



...to the angel on top.



And this year, a new memory on the tree...

WARM Favorite Things...

So I'm sitting here working...with James' wool socks, my jacket, and a scarf on top of my regular clothes. :) Oh, did I mention our heater isn't working? After lunch, I finally got smart and started layering and made myself some warm tea. Which brings me to my next favorite thing: Candy Cane Lane. I can only drink it during this season--seems wrong otherwise--but I so look forward to it! :)

(BTW--see the cranberries off to the right? Saw that idea at a Southern Living display several years ago...recreated it with a $3 IKEA vase and bring it back every year. Love it!)

Favorite Things

I was taking out the trash this morning and thinking, in totally unrelated thoughts, that maybe this month I'll just blog about my favorite things--what makes me happy. I know I won't stick to it, because it's such an important time of year (Jesus coming to the world as a BABY? To an ordinary man & woman? Like I could NOT write about that...). But anyway, I was thinking that today I'd post a pic of some of our Christmas decorations that make me smile. When I went inside and cleaned off my desk, I found something, though, that needs to go first. More often than I deserve, I find a note like this taped to my bedside table, stuck in one of my desks, laying on my side of the bed...I just never know when one will pop up. This one was in with some of her school papers to file, so I'm thinking she made this one at school during center time. What a wonderful start to my workday! Once again, Kayci has reminded me WHY I do what I do...I needed that focus today. Check out the cursive signature she's working on these days. :) How fun!