.. safe ornament storage

well, I didn't manage to take down the tree today - the hubby pleaded with me to keep it up a little longer  and I was feeling lazy so I obliged...  =)  

However I did plan packing and as I recalled having found 2 of my glass baubles smashed in storage=( I pondered and perused pinterest and decided to go with  3/4 inch foam insulation board with foam cups glued on  & placed in plastic bins - and luckily I had everything I need right here at home  =)

.. my inspiration used cardboard for the platforms - but I choose foam because I had some lying around (you can get it as home improvement store like Menards - about $7 for a pack of 5 14.5x48x3/4) and the foam will not hold moisture and odor <ick> like cardboard can...

First I measured the bottom section and cut the foam insulation  board to fit with my "amazing" Ginsu fillet knife  - lol - it is amazing, seriously nothing seems to dull it...   

Then using my Tacky Glue I glued foam cups to the board  - I used  8 oz and  16 oz  - bc/ I like to put the big decorations on the tree first so, obviously I used the smaller cups on the lower trays and larger on the upper  =)

Chocolaty Christmas ♥ Spoons

please check out the deliciousdeliciousdelicious beautiful tutorial blog post - on making these cute and delicious festive chocolaty  spoons!

I made 24 spoons - using good old Hershey milk chocolate (8 oz bar) topped them with assorted christmasy sprinkles and dots  (I do not have double boiler nor a microwave - so I melted the chocolate in my 1 cup Pyrex measuring cup placed inside a gently simmering pot of water - worked perfectly!)  SO easy!  and who would love to receive a jar of these?  perhaps long with a bottle of Vanilla Coffee Liqueur     YUM!!!  =)

Merry Christmas

girls Christmas lunch get together at the office...

Today at work we girls had our Christmas lunch -  I had a HUGE Italian salad - lettuce, cucumber, tomato, onion, pepperoni, bacon, provolone and blue cheese dressing - it was Delicious!   everyone else had the amazing meatball & mozzarella sandwich on garlic bread - ya it is amazing.

The girls are great ...  whenever stuff annoys me I stop to remind myself how lucky I am to work with such lovely people!

I got them all a box of German boozy cherry chocolates, a jar of my AMAZING coffee vanilla liqueur, cute little Christmas trees soaps I got a a little soap shop in Kenosha, Wisconsin - wrapped them up in a plain brown paper bag and tied on a glittery Merry Christmas ornaments with some culling ribbon  - yea, I am all about the bow!   sorry -no photos as I wrapped them in the car on my way to work - just call me mayhem  - lol...   no no, I have plenty of time at the stoplights...  1 hour to drive 16 miles - insanity - right?   ha ha hoo hoo hee hee =D


I LOVE all my gifts - seriously!!!  

festive stuff - a jingly charm bracelet charm,  snowman pin and this ornament -   love love love it...  it is a origami crane hanging inside a glass figural glass bauble, with  white sequins, pink metallic stands and a pink confetti piece that says "celebrate" with pink and silver bow topped with a tiny pink candy cane - love it

cute Vera Bradley organizer   cute and so light weight - I totally  NEED help with organizing & lightening my load  with all my traveling  - home, work, home away for home, visiting family .  where is my home again!?  

viva la vera

a box of amazing sugar free chocolates - YUM!!!

I have been sO missing candy with my new restricted diet  (Dr's orders - no wheat or refined sugar - you know they put that stuff in like everything <sigh>  had they told me no coffee - surely I would have run out of the office screaming) - I did not know such a thing existed! wonderful - gonna savor those...

gotta take off these bells and take care of my sick hubby  -  ear infection, fever, maybe pneumonia...  poor kid...     Hope you all are taking extra time to appreciate life -relax and enjoy some time with friends and family♥

decking the halls =)

The tree is up fully adorned in lights  - twinkling white traditional minis and  AND red and green LED's!!!   I think it looks amazing!   ( will post a photos as soon as I to rack my brain to remember how to photograph Christmas lights).... 

most of the ornaments have been placed upon the the bough's with care  =)  I am pretty sure there another tote of Christmas fun somewhere - perhaps in the dungeon...   IDK - I have to get someone to check it out - too icky for me!

well, here are a few of my favorites...  

A Snowman from someone I love, our First Christmas and our First New Home 

pretty blue glass birdie, sparkly Merry Christmas , and another Snowman from someone I  love 

little boat for Ocean City, Santa and one the Hubby's few 

Angel sittin' on the moon, Hubby's melty bead star and Santa from New Orleans 

one of the Heart's my sister made, sparkly spider web and fancy white sparkly bird (Partridge?) 

little stocking my sister made me =)

I have not yet selected my topper - so, this guy is enjoying a view from the tree top for a bit

that's all for now - going to Bass Pro Shop to shop & visit Santa (I hope I am not too old!) and do a little gift shopping for the hubby.. OH and this Lore Campfire Kids Campfire  for my favorite little girl

Yes - this is totally gonna make sleepover way more for nad just was the American Girl compound needs!    I hope to find something for my favorite little boy too - something that not cause his to shoot out someones eye or window!!!