Simplify

2009

Whew... what a week! So much to post about, and so little time... Keep an eye out for a crazy amount of posting, and an insane amount of pictures (don't say I didn't warn you).

I've got a lot to cover:
*Christmas- one of the very best yet
*The amazing handmade gifts I received this year- I can't wait to show you! I have some talented friends (and mom) that's for sure.
*DISNEYLAND! Just got back late last night. We are beat. But the good kind of beat. The kind where you had way, way too much fun.
*A look back at 2008
*What's coming up in 2009

Oh, and one more thing. Amy over at The Quilt Shoppe in Rigby (my hometown!) is having a quilt giveaway on her blog you don't want to miss. Head on over and tell her I sent you!

Better scoot, only 9 minutes until the ball drops.

Happy 2009 everyone!

Wishing you...

a very, very Merry Christmas.

I'm taking a week or so off to spend some quality time with my little munchkins and the husband, so if you don't hear from me for a bit, you'll know that things are just busy. Great, wonderful, crazy holidays busy. Oh how I love this time of year...

All the best,

Camille

PS- Santa, ya did good.

A white Christmas

Yesterday started out harmless enough, just a few snowflakes during breakfast. I told Mr. 4 yr old to come take a look and he ran toward the window yelling "Snow? That was my Christmas wish!" He was ecstatic.

He loves the snow, and has been wishing for it for months, no, YEARS now. He threw on his jacket and shoes and ran out the door to try to catch a few on his tongue. Since we've lived here for several years and know how things usually go around here, he knew he had to hurry or he'd miss it. Or so we thought...

A few hours later, we were driving home from the store in this:

And when we got home, we found even more of this:

Causing the backyard (the view from the door, I'm not real fond of the snow... have I mentioned that?) to look like this:

School was even was cancelled in the valley. A snow day? What?

(Picture stolen from the talented Marylin. Isn't it beautiful?)

I really don't think it could get any more Christmasy around here.

This morning, after the UPS man dropped off the packages from Grandma, the kids were certain those were Santa's footprints in the snow....

And our gingerbread house (Thanks Tracy and Nick!) bore a strong resemblance to our real house, minus the candy on the roof, of course....

A white Christmas? As much as I hate that white stuff, I have to admit its kinda beautiful.

Especially if its just for a day or two. But most especially because after all that wishing over the last few years, my little Idahoan at heart finally got his Christmas wish.

Find JOY in the season

Yesterday was a good day. Remember how I said I have wonderful friends? Well, it's true. Yesterday the mailman brought me two very thoughtful surprises. The first, a box from Nadine at Material Girls may have seemed like an average trunk show box from the outside, but the inside was a different story. Nadine was sending back some quilts that had been visiting her for the last little while, and even though it was like pulling teeth to get them here ;-) it turned out PERFECTLY.

See, I never get to enjoy my quilts in my home because they are always in trunk shows visiting quilt shops across the country. And if these quilts would have arrived as scheduled, they would have been off to the next store, and I wouldn't have been able to enjoy Peppermint Posies and JOY through the holiday season. So really, Nadine, you did me a huge favor, my house finally FEELS like Christmas now. Thanks to you!

Did I mention she filled the extra space in the box with Material Girlish surprises? A darling pink stocking that will hang in my sewing room year round for sure, filled with Dr. Pepper (she knows me well) lip gloss, Sentsy, Milky Ways, a copy of the latest Australian Quilters Companion featuring my friend, the lovely Barbara of Quilt Soup AND cute green socks, which I'm sure she knitted herself and put a tag on to trick me. That Nadine, she's full of surprises. Thanks Nadine! Love all you Material Girls!

Moments after Nadine's package arrive, I received one from my friend Jill as well. Do you know Jill? You should. She is one of the most thoughtful, inspiring people I've ever not met. ;-) She saw this Simplify sign and thought of me, and being the amazing soul that she is, sent it my way. Along with a beautiful card, of course. I've been the recipient of many of her beautiful handmade cards, and they put my Target boxed cards to shame. Love ya Jill! THANK YOU! It's perfect.

So what am I doing today? Simplifying. :-) Kicking up my green sock covered feet, reading my new magazine wrapped up in my Christmasy Peppermint Posies quilt, and most of all, just finding joy in the season and especially great friends.

It's a Wonderful Life

I don't like "It's a Wonderful Life." I watched it again late last night while I was working on a few Christmas gifts, and came to this conclusion near the end, after crying through the last 20 minutes. I think anyone could identify with George at least I little. Do you? I know I do. There have been an awful lot of George Bailey moments in my life, both the good and the bad. If the choice is to be George during the show (how come it takes so long for him to believe Clarence? Geez Louise...) and the George at the end, I hope I'm leaning more toward the George at the end.

Love the ending, and love the inscription in the book:

And here is where I get all sappy and sentimental and thank all of you for helping me to not be a failure. I can't thank you enough for your sweet comments and kinds words on days that are... less than wonderful. Simply put, you guys are the best. A huge heartfelt thank you to each of you.

Happy, happy Holidays.

c

This post is for you, Santa

Dear Santa,

Now that I have your attention...

I hope you got the letters we sent you. We were smart this year and didn't put our return address, so hopefully they don't make a reappearance. Just in case you didn't receive them (or you can't read pictures) AND you happen to read my blog, here's a summary.

C: "I yont Star Wars the Clone Wars toys. Darth Veeder, Obi Kan Obi, Geneyal Gevyus, R2D2, and Storm Droopers. And a space ship. And a yightsaber. And..."
Me: Have you been good?
C: Umm... No....

A: With his brother poking him in the side "I guess I want Star Wars the Clone Wars toys..."
Me: "And what do you actually want?"
A: Leans in and whispers "Art supplies."
Got it.

Jarom
Says this:

Means this:

Will probably get this ;-)

As for me? World peace. That's all. Okay, and maybe this:

(But if you find an extra one of these floating around in that big red sack of yours, I wouldn't complain)

Thanks Santa! Merry Christmas!

Love, Camille (and family)

PS- You've got 16 days 'til Christmas, so good luck with that.
PSx2- If only it were this easy...