Is it Snowing Where You Are, Too?

Happy Wednesday to You!

 

How has this week started out for you?  I know my friends in the UK are experiencing unusual amounts of snowfall and in the U.S. we are in danger of losing a lot of citrus trees in the South.  I heard that over 2/3 of our country would be affected by this new round of snow storms.

Our forecast here in Northern Illinois promises anywhere from 8"-12" of snow between 10pm tonight and lasting until at least 7pm tomorrow.  So here we go again!

I have been out doing a bit of shopping for some crafty things over the past couple of days.  I know, I know...I told you that one of the things I vowed to do in 2010 was to use much of what I already have here in the studio.  I still am.  Each project I make WILL contain something that has been waiting to be used.

For this little card, I pulled out the 'Weathervane' stamp set from October Afternoon and 'Life's Possibilities' from Tim Holtz...that is my something 'old' as I have had these stamps for quite sometime, but had yet to use them!  The paper is from Cosmo Cricket.

Not much to do here but a little layering and a little glittering.  Simple!

There are still a couple of days left before the big giveaway!

GCD Studios is celebrating their brand new collections and they have given us some 'Homespun Chic' JUST FOR YOU!

You do NOT want to miss out on this, so CLICK HERE and make sure you leave your comment at the end of the post!

Back tomorrow to introduce you to a brand new challenge from  
The Play Date Cafe!

Sharing a Lovely Christmas with You

I think this photo tells the story...a very tuckered out pussy cat after a very lovely Christmas Day!

As the Christmas holiday winds down, I thought I would take this opportunity to share some photos of the day with you.  I think it's one of the few days in the year that you can actually get family photos taken, don't you?  I thank you in advance for indulging me.

I managed to get 4 trees up total this year.  This is one of my little vintage ornament trees.  I love anything in miniature, especially Christmas ornaments, so this is one of my favorite trees.  I also have another with miniature Santas.  The tree in the background is a tree that I leave up all year and decorate with the seasons.

For Christmas, it's all done in greens, blues and golds
in a nature theme.

I used a bit of creativity for my table this year.  I used fun Christmas paper from Paper Studio for placemats.  With the candy cane napkins and acrylic plates, it was very festive.

With all the little ones at the table, paper and plastic
was the 'safest' way to go!

The glow from the mosaic candle centerpiece was so beautiful,
but I just couldn't capture that on my camera.

You may recognize these two little ones because
I speak of them often.

This is my daughter Mallory and her boys, Caleb and CJ.

This is my son Alex and his fiance, Jayme
with my grandson, Alex Jr.

The little one was so tired out but beforehand,
he was a bundle of energy as he

opened his presents and then helped his mommy and daddy too!

I absolutely LOVE this photo of all of them together.

I am so proud to have had a part in creating this lovely crew!

I don't share my own photos often, but I had to show you
the 3 loves of my life...

Before I close, I wanted to share a couple more photos...this is what we awoke to this morning.  After nearly 2 inches of freezing rain between Christmas eve and Christmas evening, this was a welcome sight.
Make sure you click on the photo to get the full effect!

The flakes were just lovely.

As of this posting, we accumulated over 5" of this lovely white stuff and tomorrow promises 3"-4" more.  Brrrrrr......

Last but not least, it was such a lovely coincidence today that I had planned to post this photo.  The sweet fuchsia elephant at the top left was a gift sent to me several years ago from the UK by my dear friend Sarah.  You know Sarah as one of our designers over at The Play Date Cafe and as the host of her own blog, The Art of Moodling.  If you have been following me for very long, you also know that Sarah and I have been friends for nearly 10 years.  The coincidence comes by way of a phone call I received today from dear Sarah.  We spoke for nearly 90 minutes, but the time sure flew by!  I love having a friend who, even though we don't speak by phone very often, we can just pick up where life has left off and never miss a beat.

I love putting that ornament on my tree each year.  Of course it reminds of me Sarah...but more importantly, it reminds me of a friendship that has flourished over the years.  Some would find the distance to be an excuse not to try...Sarah and I find the distance a reason to try harder to stay connected.

Funny thing is, we don't have to try all that hard..... 
love you, my friend....

The Play Date Cafe Challenge #8 and yes, a little sadness...

Bet you didn't expect these colors this time of the year, did ya?!  Well, when you pop over to The Play Date Cafe and see what our Miss Alison has to say about her inspiration for this week's challenge, you may begin to look at Christmas colors
in a whole new way!

Some great surprises over there this week including our December Guest Designer, Mona Pendleton of Cupcake's Creations. 
So head on over and we really hope you will play along this week!

Well my friends, this is what 14 inches of snow looks like out of Julie's Open Window.  Not much but a vast wasteland of white.  As many of you know, if you have been following me since the fall, our wonderful city tore out all of our existing tree lines and shrubs to make way for the 'road to nowhere' (click here to really get emotionally attached).  Last year at this time, this would have been such a lovely scene with the church just in the background, but those days, as they say, are gone.  Sad....yes I am.  I have found myself feeling a number of emotions that I never thought I would attach to the scene in my own backyard. 
But there they were, rearing their heads all day long.

This is one scene that hasen't changed.  The tiny view which comes with 14" of snow from the front door of our condo.  The winds were whipping around over 30 mph last night and this morning,
so my poor holiday flag just gave up.

I have lived all my life, with the exception of a few months here and way over there, in Northern Illinois.  I always thought that I would be sad if I couldn't spend this time of year right here with the snow and yes, the cold.  But I have to say, after a day like today, I am seriously re-thinking that idea!

So here is what I want to know from you.....

What have you given up by moving from your roots that you never thought you would miss, but now you reeeaally do?   
Please leave me a comment. 
I know I am not the only one who has experienced these feelings of 'should we, shouldn't we' and your response just might be the medicine I need!

As my 4 year old grandson Caleb used to say...
'See you Umorrow!'  : )