The aftermath

What time does mom go into work?

Soon?

So when does she get off?

Later?

So, all I want to know is...who is gonna clean up this mess?

And who is gonna fix breakfast, lunch, and dinner?

I'm just askin'.

Christmas memories of 1995

Starlight and Candleglow

And hearts are led each year

Into the warmth and fellowship

Of Christmas love and cheer.  

Gina

The reason for the season

Starlight and Candleglow

And eyes are given to see

The place of peace and brotherhood

The world was meant to be.

Gina

Christmas memories of 2003

Starlight and Candleglow

And memory's bright embers

Stir the thoughts of happy hours

The Christmas Heart remembers.

Gina

Christmas Eve Morning

Starlight and Candleglow 

And every shining ray

Leads mankind one step nearer

The Christ of Christmas Day.

 

                                             Helen Lowrie Marshall

Gina

Finding simplicity

Trying to understand the joy in the season is not all that hard - it's finding the simplicity that's tricky.  You can fill your life to the brim, AND focus on the important things, but it's a fine line you walk.  You want to add more thinking it means more.  Yet, you want to weed out the excess thinking you would be less stressed.  What's the formula for that?

The most wonderful time of the year!

No, it isn't the shopping or the planning, the cleaning or the baking, the decorating or  the exchange of presents, though all those things are nice and add to my memories of the season...it's spending time with those I love, doing something or, doing nothing.  Just being together!

Gina

Mrs. Claus' Kitchen 2009

I've done a lot of baking lately, and I love how it makes the house smell so good.  Everyone here loves a treat! 

Last Saturday night The Girl and I make pretzel candies with Hershey kisses and M&M's. I packaged them up for hubby's family and people at work. Scout was our taste tester and he approved!

 

The neighbors and family friends are getting cookies and Chex Mix.  Last night I signed up to bake even more cookies - the PTA needed help with cookie care packages for the teachers.  My specialty: gingersnaps.  So good warm from the oven!  They keep well and are awesome with a hot mug of cocoa.  

Gina

Cinnamon Play Dough Ornaments

I can't remember where I got this recipe from but by now it's all over the internet.  It's easy, smells good, and is fun to do. Mix equal parts ground cinnamon and unsweetened applesauce to make a dough. Roll it out like a pie crust - not too thin. You want your finished ornaments to be sturdy. Use a straw to poke a hole for hanging later.

 Use a spatula to transfer them to a flat surface where they will need to lie undisturbed for a couple days. 

Hang them on the tree, packages, etc. They last for years and hold their scent really well. I wouldn't recommend this project to very small kids who don't get the concept of not eating playdoh. It can't hurt them, maybe give them a tummy ache, but that's no fun! We've made these several times over the years and my kids really like it. I think it might have been the combination of a hands-on craft and the wonderful, Christmas-y scent. Have fun!

Gina

The Great Snow Storm of 2009 - Austin edition

It lasted about 15 whole minutes. If you blinked you would be asking "Is it here yet?" and we'd be saying "Pay attention next time!". I had to call this guy away from the computer twice because he really didn't believe me. In one photo he is examining a flake at close range as if he isn't sure I'm not pulling his leg. It wasn't even sticking to the ground. A short while later my neighbor called - it was sunshine-y and a very few flakes were flying around. She was bummed. We were robbed! It was the Great Snow Storm of 2009?
 Better luck next year.

Gina

Day off in Brenham

Another beautiful Fall day to travel - last week to Wimberley to help Maggie celebrate her birthday, and to Brenham today to help celebrate mine! Mother and I enjoyed a delish lunch with sour cream-topped lemon cheesecake for dessert. So good...We did a little fall cleaning of her pantry, picked veggies in the garden, visited the chickies (full grown now and laying many eggs), and generally had a nice visit. Next time I will have to bring the boys as Gus gets so excited with visitors and loves to run and play.

Sorry, Gus...Rustown Mom don't run!

I don't heart shopping..and actually...

...I absolutely HATE shopping for clothes for myself. When  I'm just casually strolling through a store and see something cute to buy, it almost always turns out right. The right price, fit, color, and not too time-consuming of a choice. No drama. No trauma. No hurt feelings over how the mirror makes my butt look, cause I'm not even in the fitting room long enough to notice. Everything just falls into place and I leave with a cute something. BUT...if I am purposefully looking for something, it becomes an ordeal. I went to Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Dress Barn, two Macy's, two JC Penney's, Kohls, Target, DSW, and Avenue looking for a simple, basic dress and pair of heels.  You would have thought I was on a quest for the Holy Grail!

I know how retail works; I worked at Foley's and Laura Ashley for years. Cranking the A/C down does not make me want to buy a sweater dress and boots. All I need is a simple dress!   Good grief, I finally found one and a decent pair of shoes and if no one notices me looking cute tomorrow, I'm gonna be miffed!

Gina

Fabulous Fall 2009

Hooray for a day that I can take the boys to the pumpkin patch and shopping! Bubbie had the best time running among the pumpkins - it was so hard to choose just 2 apiece. We settled on a big-ish one and a couple of small ones for each of them to decorate themselves. They also had colorful and oddly shaped gourds which we had to buy to add to our pumpkin collection. The weather was beautiful and they were in such a good mood - I love having these times with them before they are too "cool" to hang out with me. 

Gina

First Day of Fall, 2009

Hooray for the official first day of Fall 2009 which will begin at 4:18 p.m., according to the weather man! In celebration, I am posting some of my favorite Fall Art - created exclusively by the artists of Rustown with all the beautiful colors I love.  Let the season begin!