until the favorites are out!  It seems for us that the holidays are just not right until some certain favorite items are put up or out.  And most times, they always go in that same spot - they just go there - and that’s it!  As I was tidying up this morning, I thought to myself, I have to take a picture of our favorite things - the things that everyone will always remember.  I wish that I had pictures of my family’s favorite things from when I was a little girl.  I think it would be so cool to share them with my kids.

So, this Christmas, I am determined to take pictures of all the little traditions, our favorite things, our decorations, baking and cooking…..the things that make the holidays - special to us.  I have decided that I am going to make an album of our Christmas memories.  I hope that one day my kids will share these things with their family.

This big guy, I love him, I won him a few years ago…..he always sits in the entrance way to our living room.

This arrangement I love , I bought the skiing snowman when the kids used to go skiing, and it’s so cute!  These three things sit in the window ledge in our bathroom!

This picture is my favorite winter picture, I love it, it just brings back happy memories.  I have it on a stand on one of our end tables.

A friend made these for us, I love them, they sit on my grandparents bureau.

This next guy, I don’t know why, but I just love him.  He hangs at the side of the window above the kitchen sink - he just fits there perfectly.

And our house is just not complete, until the Christmas door knob covers are on!

What are your favorite Christmas things?  Do you have special spots for them?  Do you take pictures of these and do layouts of them?

Posted under Christmas, Just me (Lori)

I am getting so much accomplished, it’s wonderful!  Yesterday I managed to get all of the wrapping done and also made a double batch of popcorn twist caramel corn - a favorite in our house.  Even managed to squeeze in some housework, but it was a relaxed and fun day - I like that!  I am quite pleased with how the presents turned out - I really like using the brown paper, I will do that again for sure!  I also took advantage of some scrap goodie packaging - and love how it all turned out!

This morning I wanted to dive right back in and do some more, and while I was decorating these mini paint cans for the caramel popcorn twists, and …

decorating these jelly bean containers…

Paul was busy making another one of our favorites for lunch - yummy taco treats!

Next I decided it was time to put out some goodies to munch on, first came out - one of my favorites (and I get these all to myself - no one else likes them) - chocolate covered coffee beans …

and then a big tray for everyone!  Yum!

Now, I think it’s time to bake a little more!  What have you been up to this weekend?   Are you doing last minute things, maybe a Christmas get together, or are you just relaxing?  Let’s hear what everyone is up to!

Posted under Christmas, Just me (Lori), Recipes

Who is making a quick trip to the store today for last minute things?  I was out yesterday doing some last minute pick ups, and yes, I forgot scotch tape.  I wasn’t on my way home though, I was just sitting in the vehicle warming it up, when it hit me - Lori, you need tape!  I went back into the store, and after circling around in the spots I figured tape would be, I stopped and picked up something else for Justin, for Chantel, for Paul, and of course some “goodies” (I had made it out the first time without them).  And, guess what, still no tape!  I did not get a shopping cart when entering the store, as why on earth would I need one - all I needed was tape.  But I found that my arms were full and I did need the assistance of the clerk who was asking me if she could help me.  Tape - yes, where is the scotch tape?  She didn’t know either, so off she went to look!  Aha, it is a ploy - they hide the scotch tape in the store, knowing you will go on a mad hunt for it and pick up another bundle of goods - cause who would ever think to go to the last checkout in the store and look for a stand above the gum for scotch tape???  Not me, that’s for sure, or my scotch tape bill would not have been $72.38!!  So gals, my advice, if you need scotch tape………………….ask as soon as you get in the store!

The purpose of this jabber of mine, is to assume that everyone is getting last minute things done, and if you are like me, you don’t have your wrapping done.  I love to wrap presents, and because I thought it was time for some different Christmas wrapping ideas, I went on a little search!

Last year, I picked up some rolls of kraft paper, and this year I am going to use them - love these ideas!

Here comes those circle labels again!

And I have to share these, as they are just simple and cute!

And the one that I always forget, who doesn’t need another towel?  I always forget about this clever idea, but I think I am going to save two presents, and on my last trip out, pick up a couple of towels and do this.

So, I’m curious, is your wrapping done?  Do you like to wrap?  Do you get creative, or do you just wrap?

Posted under Christmas