Love Where You Live: Gingerbread House Tour; Waxahachie, TX

I always thought my mom was a reader of my blog. But when I talked to her this weekend, I shockingly found out she doesn't read it. BUT she reads The Pioneer Woman & NieNie religiously.
Thanks Mom.
So I was going to email these photos to her, but thought I will post them here and send her the link. (Yes, I am THAT daughter.) I will get her to read this blog, one way or another.
At the beginning of December, my neighbor invited me to lunch and the Gingerbread House Tour. I had read about this Waxahachie, Texas tradition last year when we first moved, but didn't have time to attend. Each Saturday for 3 weeks, they open 3 different homes up for visitors. You get to see each of the homes in all their Christmas splendor. The first home we toured reminded me of my childhood home and all the decorations!


This was my favorite picture! So gritty!!
Can Dad make a love seat like this? It was made out of an old crib. Loved it & the porch it was on! Maybe this will also entice you and dad to come and stay with us this December! We can tour 3 different houses for 3 weekends! Pretty please?

Sharing Christmas: Post Report

A few people have asked about how everything turned out with the Sharing Christmas Advent Calendar. Here is the scoop:

I really was only going to share our Christmas with either my parents or Craig's parents. But as the end of November came around, I really had the feeling that this was needed for each of them. Then I went to Utah for other reasons, and saw my Grandma for the afternoon at her new assisted living center. She had just recently sold her condo, which had been her home since the late 1990's. I felt she was lonely and also needed a little pick-me-up each day. So after Thanksgiving I made 2 more sets of Sharing Christmas cards. It was so fun, and if it seemed like a lot of work, it wasn't.

As the month of December started, this became a daily joy for us, especially me. This time of year is about family and since we were far away, it felt like everyone was a little closer. And I think they loved it more than any gift we could have purchased for them.
Here are some pictures that they sent to me recently of all the cards and photos!

The card that started it all....

Some of Nana's cards & photos...

Grandpa & Grandma Garner's cards...
Craig told me this is how they displayed their Christmas cards when he was young. I think we will throw out the Christmas card tree and start this tradition next year.

Grandpa & Grandma Burton's Cards & Photos...

If you want to read more about Sharing Christmas, you can find the original post here.

One Little Word 2013

There is lots I have to say about this word, but I just typed it all and blogger deleted it.
Blah.
One Little Word is choosing one word to inspire you for the year. It can have personal meaning, and/or maybe something you want to work or focus on for this year.  With just one word, it is easy to remember throughout the year.

I have fallen in love with this Fancy Pants line: The Good Life.
I also have fallen hard for flair. Especially by Joscie.

If you haven't heard of One Little Word, you can read about it over at Ali Edward's blog. 

And here is where I wrote about OLW for years past:
2012
2011
2010