It's the thought that counts?

In some ways, I actually have it together today when it comes to blogging. But in the most important way I've completely lost it.

I can't figure out what I did with my camera.

Yeah, I know! What good is a blog post without photos to share?

So even though I have our advent calendar nearly done (well, I'm behind on that, but Big Sis is only 2 so I'm sure I can sneak it in without anyone noticing my shortcomings), a quilt I've been putting together for Little Sister, some holiday ornaments and a special package I got in the mail that I want to tell you about—I can't.

So I'll leave you with this little gem that I learned last week:



Apparently, you can't wash pull-ups in the washing machine. Or at all, probably. There went my money saving strategy!!!

OK, but seriously, no idea how that ended up in the washer. Surprised that it wasn't an explosion of goo when I found it though. And if I even have a spill and no towel, I think a diaper should clean it up pretty efficiently.

xoxo—Lori

Contents of my pocket

The other day at work we were discussing how to make a giant book for a skit at our Christmas party. I suggested using screw posts—But no one knew what those were. So I pulled one out of my pocket.

They were so shocked that I had one in there that they made me empty my pockets to see what else might be in there (and take a picture of it).



That's not so random, is it? Still not sure how I didn't notice I had a nail in my pocket though.

What random things do you have in your pockets??

xoxo—Lori

Our house looks like Christmas!

I'm late—but you're getting used to that by now, aren't you? Last weekend, after we wrapped up the Thanksgiving festivities, we pulled the boxes out of the basement and started decorating for Christmas.





I love that special magic feeling of Christmas and it is so much fun to see the wonder on the girls faces as we unwrapped all our decorations which for me, are so full of memories.



My family is a family of traditions I suppose. Every year, my Grandma gets each of us grandkids a special figurine. I always got angels, my brother Santas and so on. In addition, she would purchase an ornament for her own tree for each of us, which she just divided between all of us 2 Christmases ago. Just looking through those two collections put a huge smile on my face.

To carry on the tradition, my husband and I are doing the same for the Sisters: Big Sis gets snow men & Little gets Santas. It's so much fun searching for the "right" one which will be a cherished part of their Christmases for years to come



Hope you all are getting into the spirit of the holidays!!

xoxo—Lori

Christmas can begin—I've made peppernuts.

Traditions are a funny thing. Sometimes you don't realize how unique a family tradition is until you get away from your family.

So it is with peppernuts and me.



Every year, RIGHT after Thanksgiving, my Grandma would start baking batches and batches of peppernuts. Growing up, I didn't even really like them, but couldn't resist popping one after another in my mouth. Peppernuts taste like Christmas to me. Simple as that.

So, imagine my surprise when I moved to Tennessee and discovered that NO ONE knows what peppernuts are! (My Kansas readers may be shocked at this news, but it's true.) Since moving here, every year, I get a package in the mail right after Thanksgiving from my Grandma full of peppernuts. (I guess some traditions can't be contained by distance) Even though I wasn't home I felt a little bit closer just by tasting those yummy little irresistible cookies.



Once I got married, I too began to make peppernuts right after Thanksgiving—sharing an old family tradition with my new husband and my new family. I even started bringing them to work to spread the joy of peppernuts!



This year was especially fun because the sisters were able to "help." They at least thought it was fun to stand on the stool and help pour ingredients into the bowl and watch the mixer's paddle go around. Big sister even helped make snakes—although I am somewhat confident that she ate all hers before they ever got to the oven.



So for those of you who are new to peppernuts, here's my family's recipe. I know my Grandma has been making it for the almost 30 years of my lifetime and who knows how long before that. I hope you enjoy! And if you give it a try, I'm willing to bet that you'll be hooked. :)

Melt in Your Mouth Peppernuts

1 cup butter
1 and 1/2 C. sugar
1 beaten egg
2 T. dark syrup
3 and 3/4 C. flour
2 t. soda
2 t. cloves
1 t. ginger
2 t. cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
1 t. anise oil

Cream butter, sugar, syrup and egg. Add dry ingredients and anise oil. Chill dough. Roll out into long rolls the size of you little finger. Keep chilled. Slice into small pieces and bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes or until lightly browned. (my gas oven only takes 7 minutes)

Let me know how you like them!

xoxo—Lori

The Holidays are Here

Something new I'm trying—and loving.



I'm doing some other paper cuttings, but as they are going to be presents, you'll just have to wait! I'm sure I'll have more done soon that I'll be free to show.

Happy Holidays! (Don't eat TOO much tomorrow.)

xoxo—Lori

Dressers: Finished!

So, I realized that amidst the craziness of loosing the knobs and the upheaval that is my life, I forgot to share the finished photos of the dressers with you! (I know, you're not surprised in the least.)



This one has taken over the role of changing table which enables us to get rid of one piece of furniture which helps with the overwhelming amount of clutter the girls have managed to collect in their short life times AND allows us to pass it on to a little someone who will be needing it more than us come early March!! (Yeah for babies!!!!)

(oh, and please ignore that window. . .Eek! It still needs some help. Speaking of which. . .any ideas on how to cover up an ugly air conditioner unit that is an absolute necessity in the summer? I would love to hide it somehow, but have not yet come up with a plan to do so while keeping it functionable. ???????)





I am loving the way these turned out!! And to think they were on the brink of heading to the junk heap.



It's especially great because these aren't just some random dressers I found. They were my husband and his brother's as they were growing up. And I'm guessing based on the style, that they had another life even before that. I'm going to have to get that story. . .. But I love pieces with history—but even more I love breathing new life into pieces with history!! Now every piece of old furniture I look at I want to recover, repaint or redo in some way!! My poor husband!!! I'm not sure he completely knew what he was getting into when he married me! Oh well, he has his quirks as well. . ..

xoxo—Lori

VW Bus

I've been busy sewing, but not for myself.

At work we've undertaken the task of redoing a VW Bus with the intent of driving it to CES, an annual trade show in Las Vegas. As the resident seamstress in the marketing department, I was recruited to reupholster all then interior. I'm having fun as it's a little bit of a stretch for me—I've never done this level of recoving, but it's turning out nicely. Whew! Don't know what we would have done if it wasn't!!

Check out the the CES Bound website to see how we're doing, watch some funny vidoes concerning the project and at some point catch a glimpse of my handiwork!! Oh, and I'll probably never write about work again. . . but this is a bit of an exception. . . :)

xoxo—Lori