Insta-Friday Christmas

I grew up with real Christmas trees my whole life and Jase for the most part, has always had a fake tree. Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a fake tree; they are convenient, cost effective and less of a fire hazard. But with that said, I have so many special memories of going to pick out our tree each year and really, really wanted to bring that 'tradition' into our own little family. It took a little bit of begging and a pouty face (or two) but finally he agreed and off we went in search for our perfect Christmas tree. 

Being surrounded by all the variations of trees made me feel like I was back in Colorado. Just one suggestion for the Holiday Hills tree lot ... Next year why don't you invest in a snow machine because then it will really be legit, please and thank you. 

Red. Green. White. 

We chose to stick with the traditional Christmas colors and what a beautiful choice it was! 

I am in LOVE with our tree. 

One of my favorite ornaments, a knitted "S" for Stowell (obviously). 

And see those lights on there? It took me not once, not twice but three trips to the store in order to get the correct amount of lights that would wrap around the tree from top to bottom. Silly me for thinking that one box of 200 lights would be enough or even 2 boxes for that matter. Hey! It seemed like a lot at the time of purchase. ... You live and you learn.

Man of the house puttin' on that tree topper. 

Blaykleigh's very first Christmas ornament. I got the idea from pinterest, but changed it up a tad. The one on pinterest had a baby/child's handprint in paint on the glass bulb. But I didn't think I would be able to get a clean impression of Miss B's handprint that way. So I opted for a fabric cut out of her traced hand and mod-podged it on instead (hence the cloudy look to the bulb).  

Blaykleigh's 1st Christmas 2011

Yup! That little girl with the bow on her head, by far the best present under the tree! Nothing could ever top a gift like that. 

Our collection of Christmas cards! Which, I LOVE receiving. There have been a few added since I took the picture ... displaying them is the best part!!! 

Little bird with Santa AND Mrs. Clause. This was round #2 of sitting on Santa's lap, perhaps this means he will bring her extra presents? Hehe. 

A Christmas light stroll

Friday night started off with a trip to Starbucks. Shocked, I know! After coffee was in-hand we made our way over to Everhart Road where we parked the car in the C.C. Country Club 'members ONLY' (that of which we are not) parking lot. Shhhh, it's not like we snuck into their pool or anything! Once unloaded we made our away to Candy Cane Lane!!! Talk about Griswold-esque Christmas display(s) ... And people we're not referring to just one house decked out in probably trillions (yes, TRILLIONS) of lights bright enough to be seen from outer-space, that of which I am sure of but streets upon streets of houses so bright it almost makes your eyes hurt. 

Here are some pictures. Enjoy! 

annnnnd

If you live in C.C., I highly recommend going to take a gander at all the TRILLIONS of lights.

And walk, don't drive ... pretty sure it's not as fun! 

OH.

 Two more things, you can 'like' them on facebook - annnd they even have a parade! Makes it even more bona fide, right?

(Like) 

Insta-Friday

Life around the Stowell house as of late. 

Our little bird has been working hard at getting her a set of chompers. 

So far her two bottom ones have come through & it's been rough, rough ride - although one would never know with a sweet face like that. 

Jason gave her a taste of his donut ... BIG mistake. She couldn't get enough & got a little 'tude when he tried to pull it away. 

Christmas cards & postage! 

We recently introduced Miss B to fruit and veggie puffs - she loves them! 

And so do the dogs, they eat the trail of them that she leaves behind her. 

love. her. so. so. much. 

Sooooo much studying. But well worth it ... got an A in the bag!!!

Play-dates. 

Blaykleigh just loves seeing Caleb!

Pulled out the sewing machine to make B's stocking. 

Her stocking!

perfection. 

(yes, even all the furries have a stocking hung.)

Love having such a smily baby. 

She melts my heart about a 1,000 times a day.

Definitely not a beer fan but I loved how 'cheery' this display looked. 

DIY countertop cleaner

Okay, I swear by this stuff. I pinned it awhile back and have been using it for the last few months and it is amazing!!! We have granite countertops in our kitchen and after I wipe them down with the homemade countertop cleaner, it's like the entire room sparkles. I have used it in the bathrooms too where there isn't granite and it works just as well. 

All it takes is about an 1/8 of rubbing alcohol, a few drops of Dawn antibacterial soap, a little bit of scented oil (I chose Lavender) and water. Then you shake it all together and done! Now you have a bottle full of what I would consider to be the world's best countertop cleaner. I promise, once you try this stuff you won't want to use the store bought cleaners ever again!!!

A Christmas Wreath

I am smitten over all the yarn wreaths on pinterest. 

And we were in desperate need of a little something over our fire place mantel. 

Sooo I found this pin and got to work. 
(had help from the husband - don't want to steal all the credit)
From start to finish the project took about 4 hours with only a few hiccups along the way.
Tell me what ya think?

We think it looks pretty snazzy. 

Just what the mantel needed.

** next on the list is Blaykleigh's Christmas stocking and to finish up the fabric balls for the tree. 

Insta-Friday

and a video. 

A little bit of life over the last two weeks. 

It was a Holiday Hotcake kind of date! 

Got to love your local ihop!

My pumpkin caramel praline pancakes; sounds amazing right?

Well, I insure you - they were!

Jase got eggnog something or other pancakes (gag me)

but he liked them so whatev. 

B sleeps

Jason plays AngryBirds

and

I shop for some new ridin' boots!

Story goes: Jason's parents flew into Austin the Friday before Thanksgiving because there was a KState game to be won on Saturday. Jason was to meet them in Austin for the game. Then Sunday his parents were going to drive down to Corpus for the Thanksgiving week. Well, little did they know but Blaykleigh and I decided to tag along and surprise them in Austin - they hadn't seen her since she was born! Once they headed off to the game, her and I had plans to meet up with a friend of mine there and get some 'girl time' in.

**I told Bonnie early that day that B and I were home cleaning "dust bunnies" hence the "dust bunny" remark and genius me hit the 'stop record' button too soon, therefore the video cut off before you get to see B getting her some Granny love! 

Grabbed some coffee with Keli while in Austin.

We went to Mozart's on Lake Austin. Horrible view right?

One of the neatest coffee shops I have ever been to!

Totally worth stopping by there if you are ever in the area.

http://www.mozartscoffee.com

I got the Mozart Mocha.

It had caramel and some other ingredient in it.

Ah-mazing.

Got our grub on at Maudie's TexMex.

Soaking up that precious time.

Jason turns 60! 

Ha. I kid, I kid. 

But I have no doubt in my mind that he won't look 

much older when he actually reaches that milestone. 

One would never think with a youthful face like his

 that he is nearing the big 3-0. 

Such a handsome fella. 

Cupcakes for Granny ... the real birthday girl.

What? Who says the cook can't taste? The batter is the best part.

My version of "Silent night". 

Letterpress love ...

Oh. man.

I should reaaally be in bed, going to sleep but I am on a mission.

     "operation christmas cards."

          ... at the rate I am going, I'll be lucky to get them out before the New Year. *sigh*

           here are some that I am eyeing in no particular order:

found at eggpress.com 

found at smockpaper.com

found at sycamorestreetpress.com

found at elumdesigns.com