On my mind...

• As of Wednesday, it has been non-stop cleaning here at our house and it feels so good to be cleaning and organizing and purging junk from this home of ours. Soon it will sparkle!


• This blog continues to inspire me with it's beautiful boards. Here's a favorite of mine. I don't know why, but blue + green = fresh and clean = New year!

• For the new year, instead of making resolutions, I am taking this challenge. On my next post (New Years Day) I will talk about my one little word for 2008.


• I still have some unfinished projects that I need to devote precious time to. Creating.


• Music. Now that Christmas is over, I've put away the Christmas playlists and have been listening to my favorite music of all time. The Standards. The Great American Songbook sung by my favorite musicians ever. Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, Rosemary Clooney. I.Am.Loving.It!


• I am seriously considering a blog makeover, nothing too drastic. A little hint, I am kind of getting tired of the pink...

I hope you have a Safe and

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas to All!

These are a few of my favorite things about Danyelle...

• She loves music as much as I do, and she appreciates the cd's I make for her. Every time I go to her house, she is playing one that I've made her, and I've made her a ton.
  

• Her house is ALWAYS spotless. She might say that it isn't, but she's totally lying! Really, she just has VERY HIGH standards. I admire that about her.
  

• She has a million great ideas and she inspires me to be creative everyday.
  

• She dated my brother many moons ago and I really wanted her to be my sister in law. I felt like she was the sister I never had. But she married my cousin so we're related after all, and I have wonderful sisters-in-law, so I can't complain.
  

• She used to babysit for me when she was in high school (isn't that weird?), I only had Madeline and Jocelyn back then.
  

• We are so similar and think so much alike that sometimes it's like we are twins and it freaks us out. Except we OBVIOUSLY don't look like twins. That part is kind of unfair!
  

• She introduced me to Desserts by Kelly's lemon bars...so delicious.
  

• She is a wonderful mother and she gives me great advice on parenting. She is wise beyond her years.
  

• She is really funny. For example, she shares her birthday with my nephew baby Jack. Last year when he was born she suggested that Mitch and Nan name the new baby "Jack Danyelle's". Get it?

Happy 1st Birthday Baby Jack!

• She is a wonderful friend and I love spending time with her.

Happy Birthday Danyelle!

A Fun Project

This weekend I worked on a few projects, but this one was FUN! And they were easy. And I think they are cute. I hope the little people on my Christmas list enjoy placing their lost teeth in the little monogrammed pockets and then finding what the tooth fairy has left them the next morning. The little pockets are the perfect size for a couple of quarters (the going rate at our house) or a folded up dollar bill for extra special teeth.

Tooth Fairy Pillows...

Must Share!

Thanks Nan for sending me this precious radio clip!

Enjoying the Season

I'm going to be a busy little elf these next couple of weeks as I finish some Christmas projects, so my blogging frequency may take a nose dive. I will probably still post about some upcoming traditions...for posterity, of course. So in the meantime, I thought I would leave you with some favorite Christmas quotes and some favorite links...

"There seems to be a magic in the very name of Christmas."

~Charles Dickens

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree."

~Roy L. Smith

"There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries."

~W.J. Cameron

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time."

~Laura Ingalls Wilder

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." ~Author unknown, attributed to a 7-year-old named Bobby

"I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month." ~Harlan Miller

Now for the links...

Bella Dia has a great advent idea, it's too late to start it for the entire month of December, but you could just do it for the 12 days of Christmas, starting tomorrow. I love how she offers a craft project to go with each book. Excellent ideas!

Ali Edwards (of Creating Keepsakes fame) has one of my favorite blogs because she is all about documenting life. She is inspiring.

Absolutely Beautiful Things is one of my ALL-TIME FAVORITE blogs because it is just so beautiful. This Australian interior designer and store owner has amazing taste and I love to be inspired by her posts. She also has a Christmas compeition going on, and if you go here, you can see my entry. I have stiff competition though (and I wouldn't mind living in their enchanting Christmas home.)

The Pioneer Woman is another favorite of mine and she has a HUGE following. I just love the way she writes...plus she shares great recipes.

As always, this is a daily stop for me. I love finding another treasure to add to my favorites! I won't be doing any more Etsy boards for a while, I just plan on savoring every last bit of the Christmas season that I can!

Enjoy the Season!

Christmas Tradition #3

(For the record this is last years picture, my camera isn't cooperating.)

Last night we put together our gingerbread kits at my mom's house. Here's a review in numbers...

6 children

6 kits

6 gazillion pieces of candy

4 tons of frosting

1 patient grandma

2 amused mothers

1 grandpa watching football

1 dad asleep on the couch

1 dad helping with baby Jack

One great Christmas tradition.

Christmas Tradition #2

For several years now, my mother and I have taken the girls to see The Nutcracker. We love it, I kind of tear up every year when the tree begins to grow and when the snow starts to fall. It is so magical and the music is so powerful. But this tradition may have to come to a screeching halt, at least for my pre-teen girls. You see, their giggly personalities can't seem to handle seeing a grown man in VERY sculpted tights, if ya know what I mean. It was embarrassing to be sitting near the girls as they laughed and snickered and giggled every time the "balleweiner" (according to Brandon this is what a male ballerina is called) turned around.

I was actually quite disappointed (mad) that they couldn't act more grown up and less...tween-ish! So to help them appreciate the privilege of seeing the show, they may have to sit a couple of years out. Madeline and Jocelyn have seen the show 7 times, you'd think it wouldn't be an issue, but, apparently it is.

On a side note, this week is spirit week for the girls and today was crazy hair day...

Have a wonderful (and cold/snowy) day!

Earrings Etsy

I have a love/hate relationship with earrings. I love to wear them, but I hate the way they make my ears hurt. I used to feel naked without earrings, but as of the last few years wearing them has made my ears feel sore and swollen. Some kind of reaction to the metal.

But recently I decided to give them another try. I put up with the pain for the first few days, and now it's not so bad. Now I have a lot of earring catching up to do! I only own a couple pairs, but there are many pairs I adore on Etsy. Aren't they pretty?

Dangle Please by April Kawaoka

Flirty Verdigris (my personal favorite) by Stamp

Forged Pearl Hoops by Lisa'sLovlies

Little Pearls by lostbuttonstudio

Pink Celine (this artists shop is my favorite to look at, she does a great job of presenting her jewelry) by eliwill

Two Turtle Doves by starrydesigns

Three Stars by brightonmoon

Pantaloon by lake

Simple Hoops in Silver by lostbuttonstudio

Red Square Glass by kpglassjewelry

Vintage New Delhi by starrydesigns

Little Tinies-Red by gemmafactrix

Pretty Little Earrings by damselflycreations

Posey's by gemmafactrix

Copper Petal Drops by gemmafactrix

This would be an attractive and unique way to display earrings...

Folding Jewelry Frame (this can also hang on the wall)

by Morgan Design

Happy Christmas Shopping!

Poodle Hair

So yesterday I got a phone call from my brother telling me to check out his newest blog post. He rarely posts, so I'm thinking, what could this be about. So I go to his site and basically he is mocking me. That's what my brothers do, they mock me. They always have, and it's about time I realize THEY ALWAYS WILL! (Plant pizza pizza) That was an inside joke.

I have a lot of stories I could tell about my brothers and about how mean they were to me growing up. But instead, I will humor them and prove to them that I DO have a sense of humor, in fact, a self deprecating sense of humor and that I do NOT take myself too seriously.

I'm probably gonna regret this, but it's all in the name of brotherly love...er, I mean, I want my brothers to show me some love. Whatever.

That is me front and center, circa 1992, after a bad perm which was given to me by the lovely blond (Jonea) behind me in matching boxer shorts (what.were.we.thinking.) Also pictured is Jill B. in the red sweater, and Janell, who was kind enough to post this (and other embarrassing photos) on her blog FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO SEE! Thanks Janell!

Holiday Suggestions

I love to hear others holiday suggestions, tips, favorites, so today I thought I would share some of my favorites with you.

#1. Buy a fresh cut Christmas tree. I just finished decorating our fresh tree last night and it looks so pretty...and it smells even better! There is nothing that can compare with a fresh cut pine tree. This is our 5th year of selling Christmas trees, and maybe our last. If you live in the same area as me and would like a $5 off coupon to buy a Christmas tree from us, then e-mail me at lomaril[at]aol[dot]com. I will email you back a $5 off coupon and information about where you can buy a fresh cut tree, wreath, and garland.

#2. Purchase some adorable tags to adorn your presents. I did, and I can't wait to receive them! I also am looking forward to seeing what else Danyelle puts in her shop.

#3. Decorate your computer for the holidays. As much time as we bloggers spend at the computer, this is a great way to spruce up your screen. Free wallpapers to download and install as your desktop background. There are a few to choose from, I picked this one...and it makes me happy when I walk by my computer.

#4. Read Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". I started reading this last week, and to be honest with you, it is my first time reading Dickens, and I LOVE IT! No wonder his works are considered classics, the way he writes is so beautiful and pleasant to read. I am reading a little bit each day and plan on finishing some time before Christmas. It is only 52 pages long. I picked up this copy of Dicken's classics at Costco for $12.99. It looks beautiful sitting on my end table.

#5. Watch "Eloise at Christmastime" with your favorite little people. At our house, Eloise in any form is desirable. We have several books and both of the movies, but this movie is our favorite. We watch it every year many many times. If this movie doesn't make you smile and feel the Christmas spirit, you may want to have your heart checked out by an expert. Plus it has Julie Andrews and she makes everything perfect.

#6. Eat grapefruit and drink wassail. This time of year, I love to eat grapefruit. They are in season and taste so sweet and delicious. Another favorite this time of year is wassail. I made some last night and it was so easy and tastes so great. Here's the recipe...

Holiday Wassail

• 2 qt. apple juice
• 2 cups orange juice
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 12 whole cloves
• 1 cinnamon stick
• pinch of ginger
• pinch of nutmeg

Simmer all ingredients for one hour.

(P.S. It makes your house smell lovely.)

That is all of my suggestions for now,

enjoy your day!

Christmas Tradition #1

One of the best things about Christmas is the way that it brings families together creating memories. Traditions. We do some really fun activities every year. Last night we did a rather new one. We started this tradition last year, and it was so much fun, that mom decided to do it again.

We were so busy glueing and glittering and beading that I forgot to take pictures of the actual activity, but I did take a couple of pictures of a few finished products. These were pretty simple crafts. Cam and Lily needed some help glittering, but could easily bead the wire and pipe cleaners. I think they turned out pretty darn cute.

(Upside down pinecone bird nests. The pinecones are rolled in a bit of white paint and then rolled in glitter so that they look like they've been snowed on.)

(Beaded pipe cleaners, shaped into stars.)

(Beaded wire spirals.)

(This is actually one of last years crafts, but I love the way they turned out. They are just painted and glittered popsicle sticks glued together to make a star, and then little crystals glued to the ends.)

Thanks mom for providing such a fun tradition. Hopefully you can recover from all of the glitter strewn all over your home.

The stockings are hung...

...and the presents are wrapped. Now that it is December, it will be Christmas all the time here at Passionista! This Christmas playlist will stay for the entire month, and most (if not all) of my posts will have something to do with this most sacred holiday. It is my favorite time of year when hearts are turned and we think more of giving than receiving, when we think more of our Savior's birth, life and mission.

Many of my thoughts are about what I would like to give to those I love most, and about what the Savior has given to us.

I also would like to share some of my favorite Christmas quotes every now and then, like this one...

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.

~Norman Vincent Peale