In an effort to keep the girls busy so I could get some stuff done, I set them up with some of their own crafts today.  This one was a big hit at the Brownies meeting a couple of weeks ago, so I pulled out the leftovers and Jane showed Kate what to do.

What you need:  styrofoam craft balls, fabric scraps (cut into strips), straight pins, sequins and ribbon.

You start by wrapping the fabric around the ball and securing it by pushing a pin through a sequin.  Jane did this with no problem.  Kate need some help wrapping the fabric.

When one fabric strip is finished, start using another one and wrap in the opposite direction.  My girls like the sparkles so the more sequins, the better!  When you've covered the ball and are finished embellishing, add a ribbon to hang it.

The best part?  My plan worked - the girls were busy for at least an hour.  And I only had to add the ribbon. The rest they did on their own!  Jane even went back later and came up with this "doll."

Pretty great, huh?

As for me, I am still crafting.  And cleaning.  Then crafting some more.  With a little shopping thrown in to spice it up.  The to do list is long, so I am going to take a little blogging break.  See you all in a couple of days!

The girls have many theories about Santa.  They mostly revolve around why there are so many Santas (at the mall, at restaurants, etc.) and how he couldn't possibly be in all those places at one time.  I love to listen to them discuss and analyze this.  I try not to chime in, but when I do, it is only to keep it all mysterious.  Kate has determined that one of these men is the real deal and all the others are helpers.  The problem, as she sees it, is that you don't know if you are seeing the man in charge or his delegate.  So you had better be good, she says.  I agree.

Jane isn't as worried about whether she is seeing a helper or not.  She has always loved The Polar Express and her teacher gave her a very special bell today.  She is testing everyone she sees.  She rings the bell and then says, "Do you hear something?"  "Yes, I do," I replied when asked.  Then she looked at me with a big smile and said, "You believe."  Yes. Yes, I do.  I believe.

Yeah, I actually said that to Jane.  It was in reference to a great box that arrived last week from the even greater Meg.  She rocks.  And it couldn't have arrived at a better moment.  I came stumbling home from Target with a migraine looming and found the box sitting on the doorstep.  Look at the goodies she sent me...

This little votive and the decoupaged match box are so frigging cute.  I just love that the little elf is making a littler house!  And the Ritter Sport - YUM!!  And yes, that is what I was telling Jane to keep her paws off.  Angelique may be up for sharing, but not me.  That one is all mine.

Then there was this precious tissue holder.  Would you look at the great vintage goods that went into making it?  I love it!  Now, I have been sharing the tissues....Kate's nose has turned into a faucet and needs constant wiping.  I think she wants it for herself.  I am not giving this one up, but might make one or two for stocking stuffers.

After a couple Advil Migraine, I looked it all over again.  It was such a nice surprise and even nicer of Meg to think of me.  Oh, I am a lucky girl.  Thanks Meg!

I've spent the weekend crafting.  It's been very satisfying, but I still have a long way to go.

There is still quite a bit to do.  Like shopping.  Oh, and the Christmas cards.  I think I had better make a list.  For now, though, I am hooking up the scanner and moving on to the next project.  I can't wait to show and tell.  Really, this secrecy thing is killing me. 

Chocolate + beer = Holiday Cheer

You don't believe me?  Then you haven't had this.

It's Frederick Miller Classic Chocolate Lager.  And it is good.  Really good.  Smooth, easy drinking and chocolaty without overdoing it.  In my opinion, it makes a nice cocktail, a great after dinner drink or even dessert.  Unfortunately, it is seasonal and only available in a few Midwest markets.  Even though Fatty is a beer guy, we don't have access to this brew in our town.  What's a girl to do?  Well, in my case, beg a couple cases off my dad while in Chicago over Thanksgiving.  (Thanks Dad!)

I should really have a good picture of it in a nice mug or pint glass, but it's only 3pm and I am hanging out with three little girls.  I did think of opening it anyways, but shudder to think of pouring this stuff down the drain.  It is that good.  Plus, Fatty's company party is tonight so there will be plenty of beer in my near future.  A good beginning to a nice weekend, I hope!  Hope your is as equally festive!

Not only do we collect smokers, we collect nutcrackers too.  My parents have a massive collection at their house - well over a hundred.  Fittingly, they give Fatty one every year for Christmas and, after being married 10 years now, we have quite a little collection.

This is part of the group that is standing at attention on our sideboard.  It was hard to get a good photo of the whole group, so here are two favorites.

This guy is my favorite.  I LOVE to ski.  Really, though, it's the hat that got me.  How could you not love that hat?  He looks like he stepped right off of the slopes sometime in the 1970's.

And this guy is one of two Oktober Fest nutcrackers.  Fatty is in the beer business so it's appropriate that we have him and his brother.  This one is postively Bavarian with the moustache and fabulous suspenders.  I wish I had some of that trim in my stash!

I have been getting things crossed of my list and it feels good.

What doesn't feel good is knitting along for a good while and then realizing that I cast on two stitches too little.  And there is no good way of making the increase.  Looks like I will be ripping this out and starting over again this afternoon.  Something to do in the carpool line, I guess.

I have spent a lot of time crafting, but can't show and tell until after the holidays.  Let's just say there will be an avalanche of craft posts starting December 26th.  Lots of sewing and knitting and maybe (if the girls and I find the time), some other crafts, too.

Enjoy your Wednesday!

I read this over on pixiegenne this morning and decided to play along with Meg.  Here goes!
 
Does Santa wrap the presents or just sit them under the tree?
Santa doesn't wrap at our house, but he does set up a really nice display for each girl - normally one on the couch and the other on a chair.  He did this for both me and Fatty.  I love the wow factor of seeing all the goods out in the open.

Colored lights on tree/house or white?
White lights on the tree this year although I grew up with colored lights and really tried to have both this year.

What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
Poppyseed coffee cake - it's a family tradition.

Favorite Holiday memory as a child:
Decorating the gingerbread house each year and the Pepper Valley Christmas party.  Oh - and eating under the Christmas tree and looking in the windows of Marshall Field's on State Street in Chicago.

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Yes - just one each.

How do you decorate your Christmas tree?
Lots and lots of white lights with many mercury glass ornaments.  We have lots of other ornaments, too, but they only made a brief, five minute appearance this year.  But I am over it.  Really, I am.

Snow!  Love it or Dread it?
LOVE it!  Can't ski without it.  Wish we got more here - I have great memories of all the sledding and snowman building I did as a child.

What is your favorite holiday dessert?
Cookies - all of them baked by my mom and made just so.

What is your favorite Christmas Song?
There are so many good ones...I like the ones I know all the words to although you probably don't want to hear me sing!

Candy Canes!  Yum or Yuck?
YUM!  Especially with hot chocolate. Mmmm.

Favorite Christmas Tradition Growing Up:
Decorating the gingerbread house and trimming the tree.

Least Favorite Christmas Tradition Growing Up:
Ah - having to wait to eat the gingerbread house until after New Year's.

Breakfast or Presents First?
Snacking on coffee cake and drinking champagne while opening presents.  Brunch later.

Thanks Meg - that was a fun for me.  Now, off to make some more gifts...