My Christmas Tree

Even though I love Christmas, I don't go all out with decorating.  I don't seem to have the energy.  Plus, our house is pretty small and too much decoration would look cluttered.

Here's my tree plus a few ornaments:

Tree at night:

Ornaments:

This is part of my snowglobe collection. They're on my roll-top desk...one of my favorite pieces of furniture:

Thanks for stopping by!  I'll post more picture of my holiday decorations (minimal though they are) on another day.

Favorite Christmas Song

Trans Siberian Orchestra's Christmas Canon  (Click the link)

Dotcetera Sunday (for the love of all things polka dot)

Since life has knocked me to my knees lately, I've been complacent about doing my Sunday ode to all things polka dot!  Let's fix that!

I've been doing some browsing online and I wandered over to one of my favorite places to find gifts:  Etsy.com.  I don't have experience with any of these sellers personally, but all the items I'm featuring look well-made.

Here are some lovely holiday-related items I found.

Beautiful Christmas stocking

So, this Ribbon Initial Necklace isn't Christmasy exactly, but it would me a darling gift!

This Christmas bell ornament would go well with any decor.

Christmas Hair Bow

JOY Hand-Painted Wooden Letters

Picture Frame

Blown-Glass Ornament

The last item is also something that might make a cute, unique stocking stuffer...a handbag holder.

Finding My Way Back

For the past couple of months, I have been totally consumed by my job...and totally miserable.  I have faced major changes brought on through no fault of mine, and feeling some major pity for myself.  This week has been the pinnacle of hellishness.  I need to find a way to rise above all of this, because it's starting to take a toll on my health.

Let me acknowledge publicly how thankful I am for my blessings.  It's time to focus on something positive instead of the negativity I've been engulfed in.

I am eternally thankful for the day I first laid eyes on my wonderful husband of almost 26 years.  He has been my rock and has always supported and loved me, no matter how much of a tendency I have to be self-absorbed in my problems.  I am the luckiest woman alive because I have him.

I am equally grateful for the incredible, strong, kind, bright children God gave my husband and I the privilege of raising.  They amaze and delight me every day.

I cannot forget my wonderful, generous parents who have loved me unconditionally through thick and thin, as well and my kind, loving mother-in-law.

When I look at these awesome people who surround me, I have no choice but to let go of some of the pain, uncertainty, and fear I've been feeling over the last few months.

And of course, most importantly, the reason for the season.  The birth of our Savior all those many centuries ago.

I hope to get back to regular blog posts, because I really do enjoy them.  I've lost sight of so much that's important to me.  Thank you for reading this if you've made it this far.

I wish all of you joy, love, and peace now and always.

Christmas in Tucson

I absolutely love my city.  Tucson is a little slice of heaven to me.  Here are some of the places I love to visit during the holidays.  Most of them are traditions that my family and I wouldn't dream of missing!  I've included links.

El Nacimiento, Tucson Museum of Art

This Mexican nativity scene takes up an entire room and takes months for its creator to put together every year.  She does it in honor of her mother.  I so appreciate that devotion she has for her mom, because I feel the same about mine.  The display stays up until early spring, then has to be dismantled and totally put back together again in the fall.

Old Town Artisans Galleries

Whenever we visit El Nacimiento, we make a point of browsing through this group of shops which is right down the street.  It's synonymous with Christmas for us.  The adobe buildings that the stores are located in were built starting in the 1850s and they are on land that was the site of a Spanish fort in the 1700s. These shops feature hand-crafted pottery, metal-work, jewelry, and home furnishings.  We never fail to find gifts here.

Winterhaven Festival of Lights

The huge light festival that the Winterhaven neighborhood has put on every year for the last 61 years is legendary around these parts.  Almost every house for blocks and blocks is decorated, some of them very elaborately.  Unfortunately, Winterhaven is experiencing financial difficulties in these hard economic times.  They are relying on community donations, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that they will succeed.

Zoo Lights at Reid Park Zoo

We have been attending this event since my children were little.  There's something magical about walking around a zoo at night when every tree and bush has been draped with Christmas lights.  It's just breathtaking!

Enchanted Snowfall at La Encantada

This event is such fun!  It's rare that Tucsonans get to see a snowfall, but it happens at this upscale shopping center through most of December.  La Encantada is home to one of our favorite stores, A.J.s Fine Foods, where we find some of our most-loved Christmas goodies that just aren't around most of the year, such as marzipan.  Yum!

The Nutcracker Ballet

This timeless ballet, performed by Ballet Tucson, is a yearly tradition.  This is the classic version, and there's also a Southwestern Nutcracker that we sometimes attend.  It just wouldn't be Christmas without this event!

I hope you've enjoyed a glimpse into my world at Christmastime.  I'd love to learn about some of your traditions!

Pink Christmas

Well, since my job has me down, stressed, and overwhelmed, I'm going to concentrate on happy things today, since it's a day off for me.

I love Christmas and I love the color pink, so I've decided to find some lovely pink Christmas items and display them here.  There will also be a link for each item so that you can purchase them if you're so inclined.  I'm not doing much buying today...just window shopping for the purpose of relaxing.  Enjoy!

Mrs. Potts and Chip Ornament.  Favorite holiday, favorite color, and favorite Disney movie.  Score!

Pink Ballerina Dance Slippers Lights

Pink Christmas Bottle Brush Wreath

Pink Christmas Tree Ornaments

Blown Glass Ornament

Pink Christmas Tree

Pink Floral Stocking

Snowflake-Detail Pink Tree Skirt

Bead and Ribbon Garland

I hope something caught your eye.  More Christmas postings to come...after all it's the most wonderful time of the year!!

Thanksgiving

I had to use this graphic...it looks a little bit like me as a child LOL!

Have a happy, blessed Thanksgiving!

Homemade Glitter Ornaments

Aren't these pretty?  These are made with clear glass ornaments, glitter, and floor wax!  Go here for a video tutorial to see how Robyn from My Pink Stamper and her crew make these lovelies!

Cute, Easy Christmas Projects

Many of you out in Blogland are expert crafters who can whip up amazing projects in seemingly the blink of an eye.  Then there are people like me, who were born into the role of appreciator of other people's creations.

But I've discovered as I've been reading blogs, there are a few cute Christmas items that even I could make.

At "Craftapalooza" I spotted these cute button wreaths.

Over at "The Speckled Dog", I found this beautiful Christmas Ribbon Wreath

From "A Pumpkin and a Princess", I am in love with this simple Peppermint Garland. I'm envisioning alternating red and green candies on this one.

At  Fireflies and Family, I discovered a darling kid's project.

Birgit Kerr has created these simple, lovely Tinsel Filled Ornaments.

Look at these pretty Christmas Candy Trees I found at "Life is a Party".

Dreaming of a Decadent Christmas

I've been putting together a mental Christmas wish list.  Money is super tight this year so I doubt I'll be getting much of anything, which is absolutely fine.  I can't think of a thing I need.  It's fun to "window-shop", though.

Here are some items on my imaginary list.  These photos all come from Nordstrom.com

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir Scented Travel Candle

MAC A Tartan Tale - Sassy Coral Lassies' Lipglass Set

Couture Couture by Juicy - Couture Holiday Set

Lagos 'Mini Torque' Caviar Sterling Silver Bracelet

Marc by Marc Jacobs - Totally Turnlock Large Zip Around Wallet

Philosophy 'Unconditional Love' Layering Set

NARS 'Sweet Disposition' Holiday Mini Multiple Set

Dior Deluxe Travel Palette

Swatch 'Full-Blooded' Watch

Nordstrom Glass Stretch Pearl Bracelet

Juicy Couture 'Yorkie' Charm

Well, that's more than enough for now!  I'd better stop before I get too carried away.

What are you hoping to see under your tree or in your stocking this holiday season?

Soup for A Cold Winter's Night

Okay, so maybe we haven't actually experienced a cold winter's night here in southern Arizona, but one look at the calendar says it's almost time!  After all, we're supposed to reach a high of only 70 degrees in a couple of days.  Woo hoo!  So I've listed a few of my favorite soup recipes for those wintry eves to come.  Click on the name of the soups for a link to the recipes.

Baked Potato Soup

Cheeseburger Soup

Crock Posole

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup & Curry Condiments

Most of these could be eaten as a meal, perhaps with some bread as an accompaniment.  Let me know what your favorite soup recipe is!