we hope you and your loved ones had a very merry christmas!!
lots of blog love,
a boy, a girl and a pug...and another pug :-)
Monday, December 26, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
leopard ornaments part 2
mama enjoyed my leopard print ornaments so much she showed up with some glass ornaments and threatened i wouldn't get any presents this Christmas if i didn't make her some too.
i kid. although i was surprised she didn't drop the fact she was in labor with me for 36 hours. i would have.
she politely asked and i told her absolutely, but had to break it to her they probably wouldn't be gracing her tree this year. my fingers needed a mod podge break.
i've gotten some e-mails on what i used, so before i forget and with all the materials pretty much on sale i thought i'd kind of explain how i did them. sorry there's not a picture tutorial...i'm just not coordinated enough to mod podge and work my camera at the same time.
i used this shiny leopard print wrapping paper from hobby lobby. it was like $5 a roll and truthfully for the dozen i made i only used a yard or so. then i peeled the white backing off so your left with just a thin foil. then i cut the leopard foil in dime sized squares.
i grabbed some craft glass ornaments in a variety of sizes (the large ones are actually the easiest to work with i thought) taking off the tops. pour some mod podge in a container and add a little water so it's not so thick. then i dipped the pieces in the mod podge and placed them overlapping a little on the ornament. once i covered it and it had dried, i went back and brushed about 4 coats of mod podge over the ornament letting it dry after each coat. on the last coat i sprinkled clear glitter over it and that's it!!
i kid. although i was surprised she didn't drop the fact she was in labor with me for 36 hours. i would have.
she politely asked and i told her absolutely, but had to break it to her they probably wouldn't be gracing her tree this year. my fingers needed a mod podge break.
i've gotten some e-mails on what i used, so before i forget and with all the materials pretty much on sale i thought i'd kind of explain how i did them. sorry there's not a picture tutorial...i'm just not coordinated enough to mod podge and work my camera at the same time.
i used this shiny leopard print wrapping paper from hobby lobby. it was like $5 a roll and truthfully for the dozen i made i only used a yard or so. then i peeled the white backing off so your left with just a thin foil. then i cut the leopard foil in dime sized squares.
i grabbed some craft glass ornaments in a variety of sizes (the large ones are actually the easiest to work with i thought) taking off the tops. pour some mod podge in a container and add a little water so it's not so thick. then i dipped the pieces in the mod podge and placed them overlapping a little on the ornament. once i covered it and it had dried, i went back and brushed about 4 coats of mod podge over the ornament letting it dry after each coat. on the last coat i sprinkled clear glitter over it and that's it!!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
hot chocolate bar
we hosted a little family get together last night. it was super causal and we just got to hang out and play games and eat some bbq. i ended up having a little hot chocolate bar set up for dessert and it was so easy and fun. not to mention yummy. i'm lactose intolerant and i can't remember the last time i had a delicious warm cup of hot chocolate from starbucks. so when i recently found a lactose free recipe i was thrilled and it totally makes up for the real deal. so, i've been making up for lost time with my hot mug of cocoa over the last few weeks ha!
for the cocoa bar, i had a little set up of some add ins for everyone to kind of make their own.
i did plain marshmallows, dark chocolate dipped marshmallows, marshmallows dipped in dark chocolate then dipped in crushed oreos and some candy canes dipped in chocolate for stirring.
seriously super easy to put together, so we will be doing this again for sure.
hot chocolate recipe can be found here. if you're making it lactose free you can either use soy or almond milk.
for the cocoa bar, i had a little set up of some add ins for everyone to kind of make their own.
i did plain marshmallows, dark chocolate dipped marshmallows, marshmallows dipped in dark chocolate then dipped in crushed oreos and some candy canes dipped in chocolate for stirring.
seriously super easy to put together, so we will be doing this again for sure.
hot chocolate recipe can be found here. if you're making it lactose free you can either use soy or almond milk.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
christmas brain
how is Christmas only 10 days away y'all? i feel this month has just flown by and with that this week i'm thinking i'm suffering from full on Christmas brain.
i'm self diagnosing here because my i feel like i have this never ending list of stuff that needs to get done and normally i don't go around leaving my back hatch on my suv wide open when it's sprinkling out (for who knows how long) or the best part driving down the road and exclaiming out loud "i forgot to but a bra on today". this was after i had been to the grocery store and various other shops. at that moment i'm just thankful the Lord didn't bless me in that area if you know what i mean.
i love the bustle of this season though, i'm just praying i get my ducks in a row for fear out of what else i might forget to wear that day.
i'm self diagnosing here because my i feel like i have this never ending list of stuff that needs to get done and normally i don't go around leaving my back hatch on my suv wide open when it's sprinkling out (for who knows how long) or the best part driving down the road and exclaiming out loud "i forgot to but a bra on today". this was after i had been to the grocery store and various other shops. at that moment i'm just thankful the Lord didn't bless me in that area if you know what i mean.
i love the bustle of this season though, i'm just praying i get my ducks in a row for fear out of what else i might forget to wear that day.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
a memo to pug #9
To: Pug
From: Upper Management
Date: 12/10/11
RE: The Christmas Tree
Dearest Pug,
As you may have noticed our usual pre-lit Christmas tree has not made an appearance this year...nor will it ever again. Instead a brand new one has taken it's place. This is sadly do to the fact that we as upper management, felt the old tree needed to be placed to the curb do to a series of unfortunate events. The first being it had obviously become a fire hazard with the growing number of lights that had been bitten, chewed and gnawed off over the last few years. Also, if you stood next to the old tree in just the right spot as a breeze passed through the room, our old tree gave off a scent from you trying to claim it as your own. Although faux trees don't have a scent, if it did I'm pretty sure we'd all prefer a pine scent to urine. And finally, the branches on the new one hang perfectly. They haven't been violated from a certain pug trying to pull them or climb up to sit on them.
So, pug we'd be ever so thankful this Christmas if you'd respect the tree and not give baby bro. Landry any ideas.
Much love,
Girl
P.S. No, you will not be getting a Christmas bonus.
past memos to pug can be found here 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8}
From: Upper Management
Date: 12/10/11
RE: The Christmas Tree
Dearest Pug,
As you may have noticed our usual pre-lit Christmas tree has not made an appearance this year...nor will it ever again. Instead a brand new one has taken it's place. This is sadly do to the fact that we as upper management, felt the old tree needed to be placed to the curb do to a series of unfortunate events. The first being it had obviously become a fire hazard with the growing number of lights that had been bitten, chewed and gnawed off over the last few years. Also, if you stood next to the old tree in just the right spot as a breeze passed through the room, our old tree gave off a scent from you trying to claim it as your own. Although faux trees don't have a scent, if it did I'm pretty sure we'd all prefer a pine scent to urine. And finally, the branches on the new one hang perfectly. They haven't been violated from a certain pug trying to pull them or climb up to sit on them.
So, pug we'd be ever so thankful this Christmas if you'd respect the tree and not give baby bro. Landry any ideas.
Much love,
Girl
P.S. No, you will not be getting a Christmas bonus.
past memos to pug can be found here 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8}
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
decking the halls
it's been really cold here in texas.
i don't think it'd be so bad if the fact that the day before it hits miserably cold weather, we have 70 degree weather.
it messes with you and your wardrobe selections.
despite the chilly weather, i was anxious to get some outdoor lights put up, not on the house, i just do the plants in front with a few topiaries. i love just love outdoor Christmas lights! i did this on my own for two reasons, i'm a bit ocd about just the right amount of lights here and there and boy was working like crazy last week so i tackled them myself (which i don't think he minded missing out on this debacle). i got them spaced just right and decided to call it quits. but later i thought maybe i should go all "clark griswold" and add just a few more strands to add some zest.
note to self forget the zest.
the next day my sinuses are killing me and i feel a cold a comin', but one must persist on for Christmas cheer, so i head out to buy a few more boxes during some errands and then put them on. they work for all of an hour then go out. next day boy fixes them, pretty lights for a few hours then out again.
by now i've got a full blown cold and lights that don't light.
these bulbs are going to shine this Christmas even if it kills me.
so while staring out at my light-less lights and sneezing away...i tackled the interior decorations. i had ordered landry his very own stocking to match all ours, so i was thrilled that came early.
and then i really wanted to incorporate some of the leopard print from the stockings onto the tree (kind of going for a ballard leopard theme here). i looked everywhere for leopard print ornaments, but couldn't find any so i made some with wrapping paper. i love how they turned out, even if my house still has the faint smell of modge podge leangering in the air.
i'm so excited the house is decorated because i love having all the lights off and just the glow from the tree next to a few pugs that use it as a personal tanning bed. it's my absolute favorite!
i don't think it'd be so bad if the fact that the day before it hits miserably cold weather, we have 70 degree weather.
it messes with you and your wardrobe selections.
despite the chilly weather, i was anxious to get some outdoor lights put up, not on the house, i just do the plants in front with a few topiaries. i love just love outdoor Christmas lights! i did this on my own for two reasons, i'm a bit ocd about just the right amount of lights here and there and boy was working like crazy last week so i tackled them myself (which i don't think he minded missing out on this debacle). i got them spaced just right and decided to call it quits. but later i thought maybe i should go all "clark griswold" and add just a few more strands to add some zest.
note to self forget the zest.
the next day my sinuses are killing me and i feel a cold a comin', but one must persist on for Christmas cheer, so i head out to buy a few more boxes during some errands and then put them on. they work for all of an hour then go out. next day boy fixes them, pretty lights for a few hours then out again.
by now i've got a full blown cold and lights that don't light.
these bulbs are going to shine this Christmas even if it kills me.
so while staring out at my light-less lights and sneezing away...i tackled the interior decorations. i had ordered landry his very own stocking to match all ours, so i was thrilled that came early.
and then i really wanted to incorporate some of the leopard print from the stockings onto the tree (kind of going for a ballard leopard theme here). i looked everywhere for leopard print ornaments, but couldn't find any so i made some with wrapping paper. i love how they turned out, even if my house still has the faint smell of modge podge leangering in the air.
i'm so excited the house is decorated because i love having all the lights off and just the glow from the tree next to a few pugs that use it as a personal tanning bed. it's my absolute favorite!
