Holiday Secrets

First I must tell you that I'm not one to take on a challenge just for the sake of it. Having said that, please understand that I get down right crafty when it comes to budget Christmas. I love it.
I think I do pretty well with it because of one philosophy: I think Christmas can be so festive and chitchy, ANYTHING GOES.
So, when there is an open invitational to decorate a table for the Christmas party, you bet your sweet yule bippy I'm using the glorious yellow enamel plates I use every day. And put everything on a coordinating...sheet of wrapping paper. I like to make a Christmas display by the tree, but don't do a lot to cover counters, tables, etc. I dress the windows in the other areas of the house and that sufficeth me greatly.
If I think some things are cool, I find a way to keep them: A new tradition to keep the Christmas tree trunk cuts and using them as additional decor.
I put pretty scrapbook paper in frames that were from the dollar store and originally given to me as church lesson handouts with other sayings inside.I've learned little tricks in the process. I mentioned this last year- my tree usually has 800 lights on them and it requires nearly nothing to achieve: I just lay the strands, still mostly zig-zagged from the box on top of the boughs and by doing so, I create an extra depth in lights AND the ease of display and storage because since the lights are still at both ends of the strand in the "zig-zag" form, they never get tangled before and after use. Just scoop them up with your hands and put a tie around the lot. (Note to self--do not exceed 8 strands because 9 only blows the fuse every few days. *I couldn't help my self*)
I love white poinsettias and really vibrant pink ones. Then I don't feel I have to toss them after Christmas. I leave them out and about, enjoying.Shhhhh. I cut off a row of boughs from the bottom of the tree and make my own swag for the front door.

I don't like to store things. Tree decorations mean only the absolute foundations. The string of beads and the wire ribbon go around the tree and then the rest of the spool gets tossed behind everything. When it's time for the tree to go, I just wrap it all back on the spool. And who is to be the wiser??
Jake makes the delish cookies (though they didn't get frosted. They needed to get on the tree.) In case you're wondering, the rule is, we decorate together; then nothing comes off the tree. If a gingerbread guy falls off because the ribbon or hook pull through, the kid can eat it.
The tin star is from Danielle's room. The metallic "peace" accessory is from Jake and I's room, except I had extra candy striped ribbon to use and now it's for Christmas. The wreath is from my days at college.
And I sure do testify that the best embellishments are content people. Allie and Dani play in front of the tree, in what sunlight there is to be had while I make breakfast and before the day really begins. I know I'm not super-talented-crafty- like many of you who do so with skill and ease.
I do want to always keep it simple; I hope we find meaning in Wonderful Christmas Traditions for our families.
Peace, Joy, and Love to You!! And that's no secret.

We'll Just Have to Make Some More!

(Warning. There are no photographs of the subject of this post.)

We have been "working" on our Christmas tree for days. A beautiful Douglas Fir, without the adornment. Alas, I'm up against the clock, you see, it is tradition to get the tree decorated before the big day.
It's just that the cookie decorations are sooo delicious.
Because the gingerbread men Jake made to go on the tree have been slowly "picked off."
And frankly, they've been eaten.
We have been sneaking them (I assure you I'm not the only one) left and right. Stowing away in Jake's lunch box.
Finding unfinished appendages and crumbs in front of the TV with a pile of toys.
And, well, I personally just don't leave any evidence at all.
We'll just have to make some more! And I guess I should be the one to make them to assure they don't turn out soooo well.

That Time of Year

Oh hey, you know what, little-bib-girl?
....We haven't checked our garden for a long long time!
Dare we?
Ok, but either you've gotta hold me or I've gotta hold you, because it's been raining for days.

So, this looks promising-- hopeful and quaint, even. Let's keep moving though, it gets dark at 3 o'clock around here.
There's the brussels sprouts. There's about 50 left on each stalk! My goodness. - It was sure nice of us to feed an innumerable host of white fly with it...

Flowers...seeds uncollected. Fallen moldy. Okay. That's okay. I'm glad we got such a cool garden this year to begin with!!
Still proud!

Oh, dear. Close your eyes. Those tomato cages don't do their job at all!!
Still a culmination of miraculous life and labor....

_____*frogs croaking* *rain pattering* *sun setting*________


"Oh, ya baby! It's cold outside."

I said it!
Let it begin!

The Spoils (We're Spoiled!)

We LOVE staying home for Christmas! This year, it was the first Christmas in our first house. We were snowed in a lot, and we had a great time making hot chocolate (Jake, from packets with extra marshmallows, me with whole milk and from scratch, and none for Allison, no thanks - "too spicy.") We watched Mr. Kruger's Christmas and marveled at the snow and ice from a safer distance. Though we did and are continuing to make lots of worth-while trips to Tacoma, Allie and I are pulling through with mucus and a soar throat, respectively. No worries, "Tis the Season!"
Now to the SpOiLs!:
Allie, of course, helped us open our presents besides her own. She got pretty great at it and threw in much grunting and heaving as the paper was torn, just for added effects.
If you know me, you know that I really like giving gifts and like spending money that way best but a real travesty in my life is that I CANNOT shop for Jake! He is very particular and enjoys changing his mind "on occasion." Ohh, but he loves surprises. Am I the only one that goes through this? And so I had to take him out with me for his "surprise." We went to Costco and Big5 and nothing was striking him in particular. As we were finishing up our search at Big5, I suggested a metal detector. They were on sale. *Swing, Beep!* His new love. I'm being sarcastic about all this as it's funny to me,
...but not entirely.
Beloved Mr. Claus got me gardening supplies and a bird feeder, new bedding and See's Chocolates. Most of which was an actual Surprise. He is very good at that.
Always-on-the-Nice-List AllieCat got clothes, books, a puzzle, and TOYS.
We also got fantastic presents from relatives, some fun splurges (Scattergories) some thoughtfully homemade (knitted items). THANK YOU. LOVE YOU.
So I will always think we are spoiled every Christmas. And it doesn't hurt that we left out mint truffles for Mrs. Claus this year either! ;)

A Rare Day Indeed

Though it can be treacherous, and community and church activities have been canceled lately, there is one Great Thing about being Snowed In: You're Snowed In!!
Its only requisite for us, was heading back over to Swains to buy gear so we could play in the Big White Fluffy. Swains and every other merchant in town (and neighboring towns!) is out of snow shovels, de-icer, antifreeze, rock salt, snow gloves and boots, snow clothes, and a mean lady took the last pair of red kid galoshes Allie's size. In fact, as a few of these items come in, consumers are helping themselves right from the shipment trucks!!
But No Matter! Because we got Yellow galoshes for Allie, New thick socks, mittens, and Luckily a snow coat while in Tacoma last. And YES, I am totally stoked about MY galoshes too!! We piled on the layers and layers...
So now that I've set the stage, this very day we ventured outside. It is snowing Now Again as I post, and more is expected to come! I hope you can enjoy the tactility of the Stuff, warm yourself with Kin and Coaco and BE SAFE in your holiday journeys.
Tried this:We did this:Tried this:You gotta do this:Play like this:And this:Finish up with this:...And then there's always this: (feel free to click on this one)
*Yes, I know the mitten string is supposed to go through the coat, we opened the new mittens after we got outside... :)

Christmas Nears, In Photos

Allie Cat and Grampa Claus (Jake's dad at their ward Christmas party) And yes, she was still scared; this is the bravest she got.
Tacoma Snow from Pre's Grad (see next post below)... We've all gotten several more inches since then! And C-c-cold! Who would have thought??
Getting me through the long dark nights: My salmon pink poinsettia and other needed poinsettia gifts.

One of My Favorite Things

We've made a tradition with our tree... how do we know it is our tradition? Because it makes us so HAPPY every time we see it, every time we remember, each year we get it ready! Somethin' about that tree!
First, we make a trip to Swains, the coolest (most authentic) general store ever. Though their slogan only boasts "Since 1950." We get our tree from the parking lot help-your-self-stand. It is still bundled up like a spear in bailing twine, we trust them. It is trimmed. It is fresh. It is Douglas Fir. And Jake ties it to our car. Did I mention we pay $20 here for 7 feet? All part of the tradition.
At home, he cuts the stump a couple of inches to help it take water. Then he cuts the twine! Tah Dah! In the treestand it goes. On a folded blue tarp (Goodness knows they're messy*). And we let it settle over night or more.
Then I'm in charge of the lights. I might love lights, and think they are the most effective way to enhance a handsome tree. I might love them A LOT. I have a method, too, and I'm willing to share my secret: Just lay them on top of the boughs in rows fairly close together. Keep them in the "zig-zag" form they come in from the box--it creates a double-deep layer in the tree. Now, if you put LOTS of lights on your tree, not only does it look amazing, but after Christmas is over and the tree is spent, you can just scoop up the lights in your hand, row by row, strand by strand, and Put Them Back in The Same Box They Came In!! AND They Are Not Tangled or Strangled For Next Year, Either! I will have to credit my love of lights for this ingenious idea. And I've only thought of it since having a real tree to celebrate with. --You can thank me later.
Jake then appoints me to add other embellishments like crimson wire ribbon, tinsel garland, a thin white string of beads... He is in charge of a very vital part, and this year he has an elf to help him. He is an amazing cookie maker. He is in charge! I made dough, but he rolls it, cuts it out, bakes it perfectly, and I just have to add the frosting. The gingerbread is amazing and a recipe I came across that claims to be used by Mormon pioneers in Nauvoo. And why would they make that up? Delicious. But I will add more spice next year. The frosting I'm concidering "old fashioned" as well, because I added more butter than normal. But I LOVE it now too! And on the tree the little guys go with ribbon, all having slightly different faces (I can't make anything uniformly!) and little personalities to match.
What Jake thinks I over do with the lights (nearly angry about it, hohoho):
What it actually looks like 800 lights strong:TAh DAh!! The End
(...But maybe now it just needs some tinsel...) Not so "humbug" now, are we!

Lights Out! Humbug!!!

Jake and I have been consoling ourselves with one pact as we've been knee deep in DIY remodeling the past eight months and that is this: we will do the inside of our home this year, next year, the outside (yard, paint, restaining the decks, etc.) We have reminded ourselves and found peace in the tornadoes that seemed to be making up the mid-project bathroom... And other places.
Congradulations should be in order because we are so burned out! and sticking to this agreement with great adhearance. The only sacrifice is there will be no Christmas lights adorning our house this year. No, not one. Dissapointing yes. But now you know the circumstance. So I will share with you the Griswold House---and know that we love Christmas here at Woody House & Home, though not showing it in 25,000 dazzling twinkle lights!! The message: Humbug, AND God Bless Us, Every One :)