Monthly Archives: December 2011

Saying Happy 2012 with my Top 5 of 2011!!

Posted by Leanne on December 31, 2011 4 comments

I’m assuming all of you are out partying while I am writing this post?! And I hope you have a ton of fun!!

I thought I’d try to write just one more post before the new year rings in. This for us is going to be our most laid back New Year celebration EVER. Even when our other 2 kids were small we’d at least have a couple of friends over for a little party, but this year, with hubby still getting over a cold and flu, and me just always a little under the weather with constant headaches, and a little baby who is scared of almost everyone, we decided a night by ourselves was just what we needed… so at this moment, hubby is watching a Canucks hockey game, and I am writing this post… a little lame, I know. Long gone are the days when (since there is always a hockey game New Years Eve, us girls would make the best of it) we would draw a players number, and would have to drink a shooter every time our player would touch the puck. My best year yet was when I drew the goalies number!

So I thought I’d share with you my top blog posts in 2011! I began blogging in September, after I discovered the blogging world while researching on refinishing furniture. I was so hooked so quick, I wanted to start my own. This is definitely just a hobby for me, something fun to do just for me (and you!), and although my numbers are small compared to most bloggers, I am happy and love my little pet project!

In the past 4 months, I made 50 posts, and Because (I think) I Can was viewed about 2800 times! My busiest day was November 30th with 140 views… personally, I find it shocking that many viewers would have any interest in what I have to say! The most popular post that day was A Teacher’s Christmas Gift.

So here you are, my top 5:

5. Meet A Table Named Abby.

This was one of my favorite projects for sure. Abby is still here, upstairs showing off her gorgeousness. Hubby and I are not disappointed she has not sold yet, we both love her so much!

4. The Perfect Crib Mobile.

Yes, again, very proud of myself. Anyone who knows me knows that me with fabric and thread is a bit of a joke. So when my friends see this mobile in person, they are a little shocked! But I wanted this bird mobile badly for my baby, and I love how she squeals with delight every time I play it for her! Plus, this was my second posting ever, so it’s cool it makes the top 5.

3. For The Love of Mason Jars.

This really has nothing to do with me. Without knowing it I had chosen some very popular pictures of Mason Jars, and “Mason Jars” happens to be googled a lot, which brought me more traffic!

2. What was I thinking?!

This beast definitely got a lot of attention! The desk is still downstairs in the playroom, shoved to the side, as I have to put him on hold until the New Year. I look forward to getting on my mouth mask, safety glasses and gloves, and sanding this baby down and making him gorgeous once again. I have big dreams for his future!

And number 1. A teacher’s Christmas Gift!

I was so happy with the response I got on this one. It was my first attempt on making a board sign, after drooling over so many in blogland and on Pinterest… I loved the way it turned out, and loved all of your responses even more, thank you for that! I have since made many more board signs, and will share them with you in the new year (when the kids are back in school and my life is back under control!)

But our personal biggest achievement in 2011 was the arrival of this little superstar!

This little beauty turned 7 months on Christmas Day, and is such an amazing little person. She couldn’t have made it easier to have a third baby!

Thank you for reading my blog, & following if you are a follower. I truly appreciate all of the support! So from my family to yours…

~ Leanne

The Eve of Christmas Eve

Posted by Leanne on December 23, 2011 1 comments

Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Every time I read that verse, I just want to burst into the song from Handel’s Messiah. You don’t want to hear me sing it, but it’s a good reminder of what we are celebrating this season!

How was your Eve of Christmas Eve today? Our kids are beyond excited, and we really didn’t know what to do with ourselves for most of the day, and I assume that tomorrow the day will be worse! It’s been fun watching how Anna, at age 3, knows we are celebrating Christmas because it is Jesus’ birthday. And fun watching Jordan trying real hard to remember this, but being more concerned about presents instead. He has a true passion for Santa, and we can see his personality change every year in December… he’s always a good kid, but every December, he becomes really…nice. It becomes a little obvious he’s being nice for Santa’s sake.

I haven’t been able to blog at all while the kids have been home for Christmas break, life obviously gets a little crazier having the kids home all day, and fitting all preparations for Christmas in between. I have also been busy finishing up some last-minute presents, and can’t wait to show them off to you after Christmas. And thank heavens for my parents who took the 2 older kids overnight, and a friend of mine (who I could just hug) for finding me a wood helicopter kit for Anna. Anna is insisting she will receive a pink helicopter from Santa. Do you know they don’t exist?! So it took me all day and evening to build the kit, then take it apart to paint and decorate it, then build it back together again with glue to keep it together. But she should be pleased!!

While I haven’t been able to blog, I’ve certainly been entertained by the ones I love to read, and by the photos on Pinterest. Here’s a bit to share with you… and in the meantime, Merry Christmas!!

xoxo

source: google.com

source: bing.com

source: womenfashiontv.blogspot.com

source: designetcllc.blogspot.com

source: thecreativeimperative.blogspot.com

source: crumbsandchaos.blogspot.com

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

House Tour for Christmas

Posted by Leanne on December 16, 2011 10 comments

All the fabulous blogs I read are now showing their beautiful Christmas decorations and displays in their homes. Most of them are just breathtaking!

Our home is no show home, and that includes at Christmas time. But our home at Christmas time is all about memories, and stories behind the decorations. The kids participate in decorating, and as much as I feel a pang of jealousy when I see a fabulously decorated tree, I love how ours tells where we came from, and how we have grown as a family. So here is my tour for you, especially for my friends who live far and wide, and I won’t be able to see this year I love you all!

Our piano area, in the corner of the living room,

The collection of angels were given to me by 3 different “prayer pals” (a secret person who promises to pray for you for the year, gives gifts, etc, from the church) over the years,

Our mantle. Jordan’s stocking is the Vancouver Canucks one, and he shares his spot with the dog’s stocking. He couldn’t stand the fact that I wasn’t going to hang the dog’s stocking!

A little gold in the corner of the dining room,

and more branches in the other corner.

The stone vase I inherited from my grandpa. He passed away when I was 13, and from a little girl on, I loved this vase. He always had large, tall feathered grass in it. I was so happy to have this vase passed on to me!

A very bad picture of our kitchen window (I’m still working on the photography skills – I have a long way to go!). The stars I picked up at Dollarama this year, they are adorable and sparkly. The candle holders I scored at a gift exchange game party last year.

Our Christmas Tree. Usually we make a big deal of getting our tree, going to the tree farm, having hot cocoa and the works… this year because of having the baby along, and scheduling, and it being dark out by 4:30, we hit up the Great Canadian Superstore. 15 minutes, and 20 bucks later, and the kids couldn’t have been more excited. Success!

The star was from our first year of marriage. Like most couples, we were so poor the first couple years. I had a good job as a flight attendant, but my husband was still in school. This star was one of the things we “splurged” on, costing maybe $10. The rest of the decorations on our tree that year consisted of bells and candy canes. I remember it being a bit of a head-butting Christmas, as we were both trying to figure out which traditions from our childhood to continue, and which to drop… I love how now, 11 1/2 years later, we totally have our groove down!

We always have at least one bell on our tree, to remind ourselves of our first year, and to celebrate our family now.

My kids have the same love for chandeliers that I do and we have no idea where this ornament came from, but we love it so much!

We always have our favorites of the kids handmade ornaments on the tree. All the others they come home with are in “special” boxes in their rooms. And we do sit and look through them each year!

It cracks me up how kids always want to hang their favorites all together…. and I can’t fix it. I’ve tried. They always notice.

My mother in law is amazing with themes, and she has been wonderful with giving us an adorable ornament for each stage of our lives, and an ornament for each child. I love that they will have a beautiful little collection when they grow up and out of the house.

My husband’s side of the family always lighted a candle and did devotions after dinner every night of the 4 weeks of advent. So when we started having children we decided to carry on this tradition. It is very hard to find an advent wreath around here, though, and in the past have always made one (but they always fell apart in storage). Last year hubby’s mom found this for us. It is beautiful. Last year by accident we began the tradition of having fudge after devotions (in part as a bribe to make the kids eat their dinner and listen during devotions). So Hubby with the kids make the fudge each year. Sooo yummy.

Anna’s advent wreath is getting fuller, and the count down to Christmas chocolate is getting shorter! … see the “snowglobe” underneath?

Jordan love , and is sad we don’t have any, so he drew one for us.

a few extra photos to practise my photography skills (or lack of),

This nativity scene is one I picked up before we got married. I was living in a VERY small basement suite, and bought this…..

…and this. This was my Christmas tree that year.

When I was around 15 years old, I fell passionately in love with this doll. A friend of mine bought it for me for Christmas that year. I don’t know why, but I can’t get rid of her, I still love her just as much as I did back then. Her name is Sandra, after the friend that gave it to me

And my Santa Cookie Jar. I don’t think anyone in the family has a clue he is a cookie jar. hehehe… my little secret

And that is it for my tour! What kind of traditions do you have in your family that are unique? And are you like me with quirky Christmas things from the past, or do you go new, fresh and stylish each year?

Thanks for reading!

If you are just visiting my blog, thanks for visiting! I love comments, and I love, love new subscribers… to subscribe, and receive my postings by email, just find the spot at the top right hand corner where it invites you to add your email.

I’d also love for my readers to click on “Like” (below) if you liked today’s post, and of course give me your comments, anytime! Just click below where it says “Leave a Comment”. Thanks!!

I’m partying here!

Mexican Spice for Christmas

Posted by Leanne on December 15, 2011 None comments

Ahh, Christmas Cards are sent, house is decorated, many gifts are bought/made and wrapped (except, still for the immediate family. But I have a day set aside for that). I’m finally feeling settled for Christmas to come! Which reminds me, my 3-year-old daughter has her heart set on a pink helicopter from Santa. ?!?! I have not found one yet!! I will check out Michael’s soon to see if they have wooden ones I can paint, but if not?! Any help?

I was procrastinating a bit this year about what to do for all the other teacher (and miscellaneous other people we wanted to gift)… until I hit some inspiration in an insert of the Canadian Living Magazine… Mexican Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookies… yuuummm…

We went with the family to Mexico 1 1/2 years ago, and loooved the spicy coffee and hot chocolate we had there, but had forgotten about it, until we happened to order Mayan Hot Chocolates last February at a local coffee shop, and we swooned… soooo yummy. As soon as we were back home, hubby hit up Google, and researched his way to a recipe. So now we always have a bottle of this,

sitting around to add a teaspoon or so to a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Definitely a favorite for hubby and I. Would you like the recipe? Here you are!

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

1 teaspoon (plus a little) Chili Powder

1 teaspoon (minus a little) Nutmeg.

We make a jar full at a time so we always have it on hand.

So then I found this recipe of Mexican Spiced Cookies. The recipe looked just so yummy, and as a gift wrapped up with some Mexican Hot Chocolate Mix, I figured it would be a great little treat to give out.

Now you have to understand that this present comes from the heart… because I have a real love/hate relationship with baking. Hate baking, love eating it! My baking never turns out. My mom and my sister are amazing at baking, somehow I missed that gene. So I was really taking a chance with this one. Wanna know how they turned out?

Perfect! And oh, so yummy!

The recipe for you:

1 pkg Semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup salted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 Large eggs

1 tsp each instant coffee granules and vanilla extract

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 salt

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Melt 1 cup chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water. Cool to room temperature.

2. Beat butter with granulated and brown sugars until fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Stir coffee with vanilla; beat into butter mixture. Blend in melted chocolate. In a separate bowl, stir flour with cinnamon, baking soda, salt and cayenne pepper. Add to butter mixture., mix on low until just combined. Stir in remaining chocolate chips.

3. Drop dough by the spoonful, 1 inch apart, onto baking sheets lined with Parchment Paper. Bake for 10 minutes or until set but still soft. Cool for 2 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes 48 cookies. (I made about 60 with this recipe)

Packaged together with a bag of hot chocolate mix with ”Mexicanizer” added, and some Marshmallows, and ta-da.

Hopefully the recipients enjoy spice as much as we do!

Thanks for reading!

I’m partying here!

An Easy Solution…

Posted by Leanne on December 13, 2011 2 comments

We have two pieces of art hanging in our living room, and I absolutely love them… however, they do not match the Christmas decor!

A custom piece made for me by my friend Taneane at Taneane Twele Photography…

and the other is a picture from IKEA,

They are both very spring-like, which is why I love them, but with the season change, these photos needed a change… I was discussing this with hubby (voicing my needs for a large house with a huge basement so I can change things up with the change of seasons and have a great place to store everything…) but the next day my friend helped me come up with an easier – and cheaper – solution.

This is something probably many of you already do, but for me it was an ‘Aha!’ Moment.

Wrap them!