kismet art: December Joys 2008

December Joys, Days 17-25

OK, so I am either really early for Christmas 2009, or a wee bit late in posting this for 2008, either way I really enjoyed this project, the time spent putting it together, taking the photos, the journaling, the reduction of my scrap stash, and of course, the finished product.

Last night Dave and I took some time to look through the December Joys together, I think we were both amazed at both how busy we were and how much fun we had last month. I am planning to do another project like this sometime this year but centered around our summer activities (but don't hold me to it.)

When we were all looking at this journal last night Ben said to me,"Wow Mom, you've been working on this book for a long time, I am making a book too but I think I will be done with mine by Sunday." Gotta love him.

So, without further ado, here is the last week of our "December Joys".

Day 17, Our stockings were hung (near)by the chimney with care:

Day 18: A compolation of some our favorite Christmas songs:

Day 19: Our Christmas card, drawn by Ben. I love the bear tag, it came on a onsie for Emma and is part of the GAP's RED campaign.

Day 20: A wish for 2009 and a look at our holiday dishes.

Day 21: Gingerbread- my favorite recipe from the Betty Crocker Cooky Book. I haven't made these in years because it is so time consuming, but this year, because we simplified, I not only had the time to bake them but I WANTED to bake them. A yummy, December JOY.

Day 22: An oldy, but a goody, Let there be Peace on Earth, and let it begin with me...

Day 23: I think every November I will turn to this page and remember how nice it was to savor the quiet, simple, lack of hustle and bustle that gave us so much joy this Christmas season.

Day 24: A card I have had for about 5 years worked perfectly in this book. And yes, I believe that I am going to have to cut back on my use of my FISKARS threading water punch (or not...)

December 25: I believe that the looks on Ben and Emma's faces made this Christmas morning really special for us all.

Bonus points for you if you read all the way through this really LONG post. Happy 2009!

Posted at 12:33 PM in December Joys 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

December Joys, Day Seven: Our Tree

I am a traditonalist, I love the red, white, green, blue, silver, and gold hues of the holidays. I love to hang our stockings by the chimney with care. I love to bake gingerbread. I love to drive around and look at light displays while sipping hot cocoa. And I like to shake the presents under the tree.

But I have a little confession to make. We own an artificial tree. My sweet husband has allergies and asthma that are always a little worse this time of year due to being indoors, more wood smoke in the air, and, unfortunately, fresh cut trees. Around 10 years ago, after Christmas, I found a 7 1/2 foot artificial tree that we both liked- and it was marked down to $7.99!!! And it came with a smaller tree that has been in Ben's room for the past 7 years.

So while we don't get to cut down our own tree, or hunt through the lot, or enjoy it's fresh piney scent, we love our tree just the same (and when it is all lit up at night, covered with decorations, you can't tell me that it is any less "real" than any other tree around.)

Posted at 02:21 PM in December Joys 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

December Joys, Day Six: Wish Lists

This envelope holds our Christmas wish lists. The wish lists are pretty simple this year. Dave and I are reaching that point where we find it hard to come up with anything that we "need" but have a few little fun items that we have shared with one another. Ben, when asked what he wished for came up with "a new poster for my room and the Toa Ignika Bionicle". Pretty simple wishes. Emma would like a monkey (Santa procured a handmade one from the talented and wonderful Trisha at http://foureyedgirldesigns.blogspot.com/

and maybe some new books to chew on...

Here is my wish for Peace on Earth, good will to all.

Posted at 07:13 PM in December Joys 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)