Life on Mars - Holidays and Restless Nights

I had so much design work to do this week it was just NUTS. I had a birthday too. There was so much going on this week that I almost forgot I had one. I didn't get to enjoy it much. I worked for 14 hours to complete one project. Then I worked another 14 hours straight on Thursday to complete another project. I did, at least get to have a very nice dinner my daughter made me for my birthday. Lamb chops and my favorite "cake". A meringue torte with whipped cream frosting.

The sun was out a lot, and with the sun comes the neighbors. Poppy's MIL is feeling better and out and about working in the yard and not getting any sleep. After 14 hours of work Thursday, I had to watch some videos to unwind. Just after I fell asleep around 1 am, apparently she needed to go out and look for her cat. Of course she forgot to check the lock on the door (again) and pounded, screamed and cried at the door, until someone let her in. I would have called over there, but they don't answer their individual cell phones, in case it's a collection agent (at 1 in the morning).


Saturday, she decided to decorate for Easter. OK, so it's her yard and she can crap it up as much as she wants, right? But did she have to hang those plastic Easter eggs from twine and a big ugly bow on Our Fence post? Technically it's her fence post too, but they seem to not know that their property is not theirs when they are renting it out. BTW this fence post is just in the middle of the yard with no fence. When we first moved here, there was a piece of wood making a step that stuck out above the ground about 3 inches and it made a nice pond of ice. I slipped on it and caught my wrist on the post and almost impaled it.

So out in the front yard in her planted old tire that is cut, turned inside out, and painted, she put some kind of green fabric, and some stuffed rabbits. The rabbits didn't stand, so she grabbed one of my tomato cages to stand them up. Again, anything that's in the yard is hers, like my shovel that I finally got her to return after she uses it, after two years.

And there's the Basket on the lamp post. That's her knitting basket. I'm not even sure what's in it, because she hung it to high for anyone to see. She must really love her decorations, because she takes that knitting basket everywhere with her. That's some nasty old wooden cross tied over the basket.

We don't let her decorate for Halloween, and I think that annoys her.

Sharing Time - Holiday Gifts 2011 Part 4

Getting so close to the Holidays and I am looking all over for gifts and decorations to make for friends and family. Did you get your gift from me yet? I think it's in the mail.

I do wish I found this one earlier for you, but if you run out now you might have time to make it. This is the cutest ever "Book Bag". A little handbag recycled from a vintage book binding.

And you can't fool me. I know some of you have not finished decorating yet. Here is a Fabric Yo-Yo Tree.

And Better Homes and Gardens has some cute Decorations for you.

Back to gift ideas, how about a quick easy Monogram Mug? Fill it with a bag of Cocoa.

Here's another easy one. Lemony Kitchen Hand Scrub. I think I want this one for me.

I love this Etched Trifle Bowl, and I have etching paste. Why didn't I think of that?

Oh and a handmade Wooden Wax Seal I have all I need for this too. I better get busy!

Polymer Gift Tags. They would make such cute jewelry charms too.

OK enough for today. I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday with Many More Joyous Days to come.

Sharing Time - Holiday Gifts 2011 Part 3

Country Living Decorations

Hope your gifts are almost all "wrapped up" Here are a few more gifts and decorations to make.

Had to share this one - Rolo Turtles - CANDY - So good I'll let you know how they turned out.

How about these awesome Hand Carved Rubber Stamps? I used to make them. I might have to dig out my tools.

Here is a group of DIY Christmas Decorations from Country Living. I love the Wrapping Paper in little picture frames. I might come up with some cute wrapping paper ornaments too.

This one is the most awesome thing ever. You have to click to see this wonderful Waterless Snowglobe. I'm definitely making this one. With maybe a felt or polymer cover for the base.

Life on Mars - Babies and Holidays

Another Hectic week. Luna is still settling in and I've forgotten how to handle a babe. Well it has been 8 years since Poppy had her last. So this week I grabbed Luna from Poppy to help her out and sat right down in a plate of leftover Riggie Sauce. Had to hand her back to change my clothes.

Tried to put up some Christmas decorations. Had such a horrible winter last year that most of the lights were ice damaged. It happened so suddenly that there was nothing we could do about it. Heavy Snow melting from roof froze. Our Penguins were one big block of ice, but I was able to save them - until sometime this fall.

The Penguins were under the porch in plastic bags. I looked and looked, but only one bag. I swear there were two. Maybe I was wrong. Nope only 2 penguins holding the letters O and Y. No J penguin. Looks like Poppy's FIL thought one of the bags was garbage and threw it out with the recycling. Not too angry, just kind of sad, I set out the two penguins and was resolved to have a Hanukkah display, spelling Oy! instead of Joy.

Then I had a brilliant Idea. We had Candy Cane path lights. I took one and hung it upside down in front of the O and Y Penguins. And this is what it looks like.

Not the Greatest Picture. But you get the idea. I didn't feel like setting up the manual settings, so I shot on auto. What's that saying? Desperation  FrankZappa Necessity is the Mother of Invention?

No one will dampen my Christmas Spirit I say! Can't wait to see what Thanksgiving has in store for us.