December Daily - Day 4

I am joining Ali Edwards December Daily. Make sure to check out what everyone else is doing for their December Daily.  You will be inspired!

This is the photo I plan on including with our Christmas newsletter this year.  It was taken with a self timer at Artist Point this past fall. Artist Point is only accessible during the summer months and last year they decided due to snow not to open it at all.  The photo turned out so well we decided to use it as our Christmas photo. The frame is digital and is from Topsy Turvy via their Facebook page.  I love the chalkboard look.

December Daily - Day 3

I am joining in Ali Edwards December Daily Project.  Check out what everyone else is doing for their December Daily.

 

 

My oldest son has a Teddy Bear that goes a lot of places with him.  He has had this Teddy since almost birth.  It is a pretty big teddy bear, too.  The teddy bear's name is Stitch as in Stitch from the movie," Lilo and Stitch."  This is the first time that Stitch has been documented doing any mischief. He is more the strong silent immobile type.

*** edited to show actual layout in album

December Daily - Day 2

I am linking up with Ali Edwards December Daily.  Please check out what everyone else is posting for their December Daily.

We worked on getting our tree up yesterday.  My oldest was chomping at the bit to get it up.  This is something I do with my sons. We usually do this while my husband is gone. He really doesn't enjoy the getting decorated stuff. I try to let go of my tree perfection when I have them put the ornaments on.  I think I am getting a lot better at that.  I really think consciously about the memory I want to create with them. We even had Christmas music playing. I was really tested yesterday as my sick cat decided it was a good idea to pee in one of the boxes. Luckily most of the stuff was boxed so we just ended up throwing some boxes out. I just took a deep breath and told myself crisis adverted.

December Daily- Day 1

I am linking up with Ali Edwards December Daily.  Check out what everyone else is doing for their December Daily.

After much debate with myself, I decided to give this a go again. Especially since, I really enjoyed re- reading many of the stories I captured last year.  I didn't do it every day last year but I did do it for a significant portion of the 25 days. Last year, I made 5x7 digital layouts but never printed them out.  I had planned to use a 8 x 8  album. I really like that size.  So I am working in that size again.

 

***edited to add

 

More details about snowflakes can be found here.

At Home with the Sickos

I think I been at home with the sickos for a little TOO long.  My hubby has bronchitis, my oldest has a snotty nose, and my one cat has some kind of bladder thing going on.  I am ready for people and animals to be well.  Anyhow, while I was sitting at the vet today this silly song from Big Bang TV series was going through my head. I was cracking myself up. 

Survival/Paracord Bracelet

Single Color Paracord Bracelet

2 Color Paracord Bracelet

I have been experimenting with making survival bracelets/550 paracord bracelets.  These seem to be kinda of the rage with the under 12 crowd. I finally took the plunge and learned how to make these. Mrs Epi and I had some difficulty finding the bracelet buckle/clips.  We finally found a kit at Walmart that included the paracord and buckle clips for the best price though the color selection was a little limited. Micheals also sells the kits, paracord and clips when they have them in stock.  Our local sporting goods store Yeagers also sells the paracord as well. I made both the single color and double color versions of the cobra weave. I was also able to teach my youngest with this video below from YouTube to make a two color paracord bracelet.  I actually thought the two color was easier to make than the single color.

Seasonal Color

Last week, we went and picked up a couple of poinsettias we had purchased for a fundraiser.  The nursery was a sea of red, pink, and white. It reminded me of San Diego when it was not uncommon to see wild poinsettias growing in people's yard. I love the splash of color they provide.


Marble Poinsettia
 

Jingle Poinsettia

I love the type of houseplants they sell at this time of year - Christmas Cactus and Poinsettias.  I have a few Christmas Cactus -6.  Well, maybe i have more than a few.  I was really introduced to them by the Giant Man Child's Nanna.  She grew them out on her porch and they were huge.

Nanna's Christmas Cactus - Castroville, CA

I love watching them bloom.

This cactus started blooming a week before Thanksgiving
 

White Christmas Cactus that just started to bloom

I have some that bloom at  Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. This is a plant that my cats don't seem to bother, too. Poinsettias, I believe are poisonous to children and animals. These are pretty forgiving as houseplants go, too.