Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe

The first book I've finished reading in 2015 is Jenny Colgan Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe. I read this book for a couple silly reasons...1) I wanted to prolong Christmas. My Christmas FLEW by! I thought if I read a book about Christmas in London and New York it would make the season last a little longer. 2) I got an iPad mini. I have been using the iPad mainly for reading Ebooks. A coworker told me about this GREAT website BookBub. You can find books in your favorite genre for 99 cents. It's not just apple but amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe is a sweet book with recipes. It isn't thought provoking or earth shattering but it satisfied my sweet tooth for Christmas.

Minty Winter Nails

I've been dreaming of getting a mint green color. I found this on Black Friday and I love it! This color is a nice change from all the red and green of the season.

Christmas Apron Simplicity 3949

 I finished that sewing project I started in November just in time for Christmas. Since I was making a gift I couldn't share too many details. It's a little bigger than I expected. I used the medium size but I wished I'd made a small. My sister really liked it and that was the BEST part of Christmas. I used Simplicity 3949 pattern. I love the Amy Butler fabric. 

 I had a hard time picking the fabric. I narrowed it down to these 2. I really liked the retro feel of the fabric on the left. However I picked the one on the right because it has purple and green in it and that was my sister's wedding colors.

Christmas Cookies

 Christmas Eve was filled with lots of baking for Santa. I made Sugar cookies so the boys could decorate. I also made Chocolate Chip and Snickerdoodle. 

Christmas Lights

 Hotel Del Coronado

 Looking at Christmas lights with friends

California Adventure

Carsland Christmas

Christmas Bunting

 Over the Thanksgiving break I wanted to give F.W. a project to work on. I thought bunting would be a great sewing project for him. The pattern is simple. Just measure a triangle on paper. I wanted this to be something he could do on his own and be proud of. I took him to a nearby fabric store to let him pick the materials. He did it all except for the ironing. It was fun to sew with him.

I couldn't help but get a sweet picture of a sleepy Angus. I swear during the day he is part house cat...unless the Mailman comes then Angus is ALL dog.

 Merry Christmas from Disneyland!

 I love California Adventures' Main Street.

 Everything was Christmasy at Disneyland. Cinderella's castle is covered in snow. It's a Small World ride sings Christmas carols. It's a Small World was a sensory over load! I kept thinking this is what some people dream their lawns look like during Christmas.

A Prince and Princess

St. Stephen's Day

What a wonderful Christmas we had! It was filled with loving family & good food. I'm so great full & blessed. I'm not going to rattle off all the lovely gifts I received but I will mention 1 thing because it's a book. I got Soleil Moon Frye's book Happy Chaos. Who didn't love Punky Brewster? I wanted to be Punky SO bad when I was a kid. I can't wait to read it! Did anyone else get good books?

I'm looking forward to the new year & feeling creative today. I've been looking online for a new project. Not sure yet what I'm going to sew.

Tree at The Del

We went to the Hotel Del in Coranado today. Every year they have a huge beautiful tree in the lobby. This year's theme is Silver Bells.
At The Hotel Del Coranado you can ice skate at the beach! So cool. Can you see the Pacific Ocean in the background?

In other busy holiday news I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies for my wonderful hubby and I forgot to add the brown sugar! UGH Such a bummer they taste OK but not soft and chewy chocolate chip like I was hoping to make for him. I need to sloooow down and focus on one project.

Do you hear what I hear...

Rehearsal for the Christmas Pageant.

Here is what I am looking forward to this Chirstmas season. The Cutest Shepard and Donkey ever! I can't wait for Christmas Eve when they perform. I am a little worried they might freak out when they see how many people will be watching them.

Family Pictures

sign of the times

2011

Every year we do a big family picture with my side of the family. We used to only do a family picture every 4 years. However after my Dad passed away I think we all realized we didn't have recent pictures of him with the family. I always wish we had taken more pictures that Christmas. Now we do it annually. I dread the process but I feel the outcome is SO worth it. This year our family grew 5 people in one day! Instead of trying to fit 16 people in a photography studio we took it outside. My older sister recommended a friend from church that takes pictures for fun. I think she did a great job.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.