a little winter purging

a GORGEOUS day in Atlanta... the sun is shining and it is beau-ti-ful.. with warm temps or at least for December.... the garage is not so good... stacked totes from Christmas and gift wrap everywhere.... so... today, I am supposed to be in there organizing... and purging...

I am sitting on the computer -procrastinating-...

after this cup of tea... I am off to finish the garage... and then to the market to shop for our southern traditional New Years day dinner....

 

Post Christmas... a little happy a little sad

taking down the Christmas lights and all the pretty bright colors is a little sad, but bringing back the sunlight from the window... and the plants brought inside from the porch.. adds a little cheer.

the plants are happy to be back inside... poor scraggly little guy... my family left today for a looong road trip back home...
I have 1 more week of winter break before school starts 2nd semester.... so, I am going to spend a little time organizing the garage, and closets.... Winter cleaning.. and getting the little brown house back to normal..

(with a little New Years celebration)... :)  

Christmas Eve....

I wanted to pop in for a quick post of our CHRIST-mas celebration at the Najour House, and wishing many many blessings to you and your family for the New Year!

 

ummmm.....

 

 

 

brother and sister....xoxo

xoxo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas ..............

 

 

 

Cookie Exchange at school

This week I decided to be a team player and participate in our cookie exchange..... I was hesitant... I try to keep it real.. with Christmas cards to finish up, wrapping yet to be done, heck I still have shopping to do.... but.... I joined in on the fun.... hmmm. fun? the kitchen went from......

to.....

    & looked like this ALL AFTERNOON.....but,  I had a mission....... I wanted the cut out sugar cookies, with perfectly flooded royal icing... yes, a vision. A pinterest inspired moment....

after I cut the cookies, I gently placed them back in the freezer for a few minutes to help the cookies keep their cute little shape and not puff up like a marshmallow..

so far so good......and then.....

yes.... removed them from the cookie sheet, cooled them and put them in an airtight container.... and then DROPPED the container..... but

11 cookies did survive.....

The cookie story.

The End.

 

 

 

 

 

Bed and Tea

today was a not good day... stuffy head, achy body, coughing and just plain yuck... this was pretty much my day....

it started off with hot tea.... hallmark channel and cold meds... and ended up with a hot bath..more tea and more cold meds....

and a cute little Christmas forest beside me....

one more cup of tea and keeping my fingers crossed that tomorrow will be better..

 

 

 

Christmas-ing the little brown house

the Christmas totes have all made their way from the garage to the family room, a trail of glitter covers the floor... and I am exhausted.. I want starbucks... I deserve starbucks.. so much for the mantle.. tomorrow.. I will finish.. I am wrapping up in my cardigan and headed up the street to consume a large chestnut praline latte & hallmark movies...

Happy Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for. 

and I am so very thankful. I strive to never take anything for granted.

As I am working around the house today, trying to check off a huge to-do list before my family arrives early tomorrow, I am reminded again of just how blessed I am.  Enjoy your special time with your family & friends, and I sincerely wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving.

 

Happy Thanksgiving. 

Peace.

coffee run in pj's

rain, bedhead, pj's, freezing, coffee run...reality.

 

 

puttering around the house.

weekends...are for puttering. period. I need these hours of mindless relaxation.  my "greatest brother on earth" installed a new kitchen faucet for me this afternoon.  I believe my neighbors could see me actually doing a little  "river dance" this afternoon. The handle just plopped off a couple of weeks ago.. no prior warning just plop.
Making a commitment to a new faucet..was a huge one. I knew it wasn't going to be an easy install (the sink had to be removed, and the ugly garbage disposal disconnected), so I googled faucets and reviews until I literally became frustrated.  What I wanted, (an industrial high tech faucet, would have come above my window seal, and you have to keep a button pressed for the water to flow...if in doubt go with your gut..

this is so incredibly out of the norm for me... to just go simple 2 handle faucet, but after reading all the frustrated reviews, this moen won out.  and under the sink plumbing needed 2 pipes replaced from cracks.. nothing goes as simple as planned, new sink strainer, replace pipes, and faucet.  Then I was able to start cleaning, and puttering.. I am beyond grateful for the work he did..

kitchen-ey things... just in time for Thanksgiving preps.