O Christmas Tree

We put up our Christmas tree yesterday. Traditionally, I do it on Black Friday, but for the past few years it hasn't worked out that way. Last year, it went up in mid November, due to my surgery. The year before, also due to surgery, the tree went up before Thanksgiving. This year, it was "late". But definitely well worth it. Our Krazy Kat could not wait to climb up it. Little Man was so excited to start decorating. This is the first year he's really able to truly help. Especially rescuing the cat. (Check the Facebook page for more pictures) We had one of my favorite Christmas albums, Mindy Gledhill's Winter Moon and drank hot cocoa and ate hot chocolate cookies. Hot cocoa cookies 1 1/2 c bisquick 1 c milk 2 bananas smashed 1/2 c baking cocoa 1/2 c applesauce 1/2 c brown sugar 1/2 c chocolate chips Preheat oven to 350. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix dry ingredients except chips. Add bananas, apple sauce and blend well. Mix in chips. Drop on cookie sheet and bake 8-10 minutes.

10 years gone

This weekend my son turned 10. Double digits.
He's officially a tween.
I'm not prepared.
He's definitely becoming independent and (more) opinionated about things-tv, clothing, and more.
Our tastes are maturing-gone are the nick jr shows, and in are Disney XD programs. Character shoes are gone, and in are skateboarder ones. He's growing up.
10 years ago, he was born early. He had some health complications, including respiratory distress, and had a NICU stay. He was small, and despite all that, he was a fighter. Today, he has no lingering complications from his early health issues. Im forever grateful to the staff that took care of him in those precious early days. That laid the groundwork for him being healthy today.
As a thank you, I became involved with the march of dimes. Part of their mission to help prevent NICU stays. If it does happen, they are there with support. Im grateful for that. I'm hoping that my little role can make a tough beginning for a family a little better.
Another organization I recently became involved with is Every Mother Counts. They help to educate women around the world on prenatal care, maternal health and family planning. The maternal death rates worldwide are appalling, despite advances in the first world. Something as simple as a hygiene kit to allow a woman to give birth in a sterile environment saves lives.
It's hard to believe that my little guy is growing up, and I'm treasuring each moment we have because he's only this age once.
10 years gone, like a flash.
Time flies.

Our March for Babies video, featuring the incredibly appropriate Hourglass by Mindy Gledhill:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afCHJMLWEK4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Winter Moon

I am not going to lie: I love Christmas music. I can't wait until I can start playing it on the iPod (guilty pleasure: Christmas in July). I am usually in search of something new and entertaining, and I was so excited to hear one of my favorite singers was recording a Christmas album; the great Mindy Gledhill.
What? You never heard of her? No way!
Her Anchor album was my summer soundtrack. I love, love LOVE that album. Check out the video below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URR_4i5gIFU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

It's a little snippet of her peppy, positive music.
And I love the fact she's a wife and mom, and able to balance all that with following her dreams. That's cool and inspirational.

I was very excited to download her Winter Moon album from iTunes (or you could get it here: http://bluemorphmusic.mybigcommerce.com/cart.php)
Owning both Feather in the Wind & Anchor, I knew it would be a little quirky, a happier Tori Amos/Sarah McLachlan sound, and perfect to play in the car or at work, or when im just admiring the Christmas tree sipping my peppermint hot cocoa.
My favorite song is the title track, Winter Moon. There are two versions of it, one with puppets and one without. My son & I have been known to dance around the living room to the puppet version, especially after watching the video on you tube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBuBjFwDj-E&feature=youtube_gdata_player

We have been known to act out the video too, because we are a bunch of goofballs, little man and I.

My second favorite song is Little Soldier. I love the line "let me dance like I was 10/even if it's just pretend". That's the purity and innocence of children, and seeing the season through their eyes.

My son's favorite song is Patapan. He sang it last year for his 2nd grade caroling from school. It was exciting to see a traditional carol included on an album that was not by Lorenna McKinnot or Enya!

One of my all time favorite carols is Silent Night. To me, it needs to be plain and simple, which is how it was intended. The origin of it was the church's organ broke on Christmas Eve, and Silent Night was born. In my home church, the Christmas Eve service ended with Silent Night. The lights would go out, section by section, until the sanctuary was bathed in candlelight. Then, the bells would ring, and it would give you chills.
Mindy Gledhill's version is, in choir terms, plainsong. No frills, just letting the message get across through the music and voice.

As an added bonus, there are some really great versions of classic Christmas songs. I am particularly fond of Little St. Nick, which is not a song I liked previously. The Big Man's favorite song, the Christmas Waltz, (and I am not a Carpenters fan) is also included so there truly is something for all of us on there.
If you are going to get just one new Christmas album this year, make it Mindy Gledhill's Winter Moon. You won't be disappointed.

Its Ladies Night!

I am so excited to be one of the hostesses Thursday night for the Twitter Girls Night Out party (hashtags are #GNO and #CookieHQ) with Hershey and Mom It Forward! We will be talking all about the holidays, baking shortcuts and of course CHOCOLATE!!
Grab a mug of hot cocoa, put on some really awesome Christmas music (I know I will be listening to Mindy Gledhill's Winter Moon holiday album!) and join in on the fun.

Here's how to get in on the party!

Go to Holiday Baking Shortcuts and RSVP there.

You can also search the Twitter hashtags #GNO and #CookieHQ

Also, if you follow me on Twitter you can join in the fun that way. You can find me at @Craftychicky

Hope you can join in on the fun!

Heavens to Etsy! Harry Potter edition

This week, the final Harry Potter movie comes out, and its the end of an era. Other than its darn good story telling, I am glad that it has encouraged kids to read again.

So, in honor of the Deathly Hollows coming out, here is my Heaven's to Etsy treasures list for this week:

I think fairy wings are super cool, especially since Mindy Gledhill rocked a pair in her Anchor video

these are not quite the same as hers, but equally beautiful

And a fairy wouldn't be complete without a wand

or a pretty dress

and a deathly hollows ring

I really like this fairy print

Its very Pre-Raphaelite, which coincides with one of my favorite literary eras-the Romantic era
And of course, a bookmark to hold your place

crazy love

Decorated flip flops are super easy to make, and have an endless set of possibilities for how they look.

You need:
flip flops

eyelash yarn

tacky glue

1. take your flip flops and at the left side of one of the shoes, put a dab of tacky glue

2. wrap yarn around flip flop strap

3. at the other end, tie off and make a knot around strap. wrap end and glue

4. do for other flip flop

Follow the directions here for the yarn flip flops; hot glue ribbon roses

I'm Ok

I love, love, LOVE Mindy Gledhill. Her music is a Sunday kind of music: quiet, peaceful, relaxing. Its also a reminder that I need to take time for a Sabbath. Its a reminder that I need to shut things down and step away from it all.

Ive had a rough few weeks, but sometimes you need the valleys to appreciate the view from the mountain top.







Some things that I have done in the past few weeks:

• not eaten healthy (boo)
• not exercised (boo hiss)
• bought an amazing book: Women's Uncommon Prayers. A must read if you are a woman and lead an extraordinary life.

 I also have painted my nails a fascinating shade of bronze (not brown, but bronze)














I also spent an amazing evening teaching a group of teenagers about hunger and poverty. We did an activity baking muffins (divided into 3 teams 1st world, 2nd world and 3rd world) that we later brought to the Mission to serve their clientele. It was a great experience for the kids.
I went to an ordination.
I watched 6 of "my kids" swear an oath before God and congregation to get confirmed.
I took a nap.
I ate a lot of really good food.
I even ate chocolate ice cream. With rainbow sprinkles.

I watched a storm blow in on Friday. I prayed and wept for those who were affected by the tornados in the south.

I've decided I love cupcakes. Lots of them. More please
http://www.ohmycupcakes.com/
They are the best cupcakes in Sioux Falls, next to mine of course.

I may not make a fortune off my cupcakes, but I have my fans!

I also have fallen in love with http://whippycake.com/shop/bon-truffle/ Amazingly beautiful hair art. It makes me happy to have grown my hair a little longer again.

Its been rough for the last few weeks, but I'm realizing that I needed this darkness to see the light.
I realized that I need a Sabbath, to encourage myself to rest.

A book can't really do it for you, but it can guide you to what you need to rest.














I am a shameless, hopeless romantic. I love Keates, Blake and most of all, Lord Byron.

My faith in fairy tales was restored this past week with the royal wedding.

But I have my own Prince Charming:

He still knocks my socks off after all these years! (18 and counting)

Despite all the ups and downs, and inside outs, I'm ok.