:: holiday gift exchange ::

for the second year in a row,

i was blessed to be part of

a very special holiday gift exchange.

twenty-three women, from coast to coast,

participated in this creative scavenger hunt.

with a spending limit of $20.00,

we were thrifty and imaginative.

we searched our attics and local thrift stores.

we made things by hand.

this year's six categories were:

france / china / handmade /

favorite things / food or drink / london wall

these are the treasures i received

from my dear friend, nicki:

{the french toile fabric wrapping is "france"}

{♥ thank you, nicki! ♥}

you can go here to see the treasures

dawn received from emily.

we have had so much fun,

first, shopping & gathering,

then, seeing photos of everyone's gifts.

it is a near-perfect expression

of inspired holiday giving.

♥

apples to apples

have you played this game?

it's so much fun.

two winning plays from tonight:

{emily made this blank card "people who live forever"}

at the end of the game,

we each read the green cards we have won

as a sort of personality summary.

♥

☼ merry christmas ☼

{cinnamon roll recipe here}

♥

handmade holiday :: fabric wrapping

:: something to consider ::

wrapping your presents in fabric is

beautiful & eco-friendly.

this is my favorite method:

using a long, narrow strip of fabric,

set the present in the center.

gather the long ends and tie.

no tape needed & it has a self-bow.

♥

p.s.

grandma & pa are here!

{ned taught pa how to play wii mario brothers.}

santa claus comes tonight!
merry christmas.
♥

getting ready

making a gingerbread house

making soup

grandma & pa come tomorrow!

♥

handmade holiday :: catnip mouse

quick & easy catnip mouse

{we made these in our handmade holiday workshop}

felt :: thread :: stuffing :: catnip :: yarn

fold felt in half & sew a semi-circle shape

leaving one end open for stuffing.

stuff 1/2 with fluff,

add a little catnip,

then stuff other 1/2 with fluff.

tuck yarn tail into opening and sew closed.

our cat LOVES his,

but this one is for fritz.

♥

winner winner turkey dinner

yes, it is as though we live

in a norman rockwell painting...

this lucky boy

won this turkey for christmas dinner

in a contest at our local US BANK branch.
{here is ned with a very nice bank lady earlier today.}

his "christmas wish" page was his entry.

the bank called last night

to tell us that ned had won.

even the vegetarians in the house

were overjoyed by this little christmas miracle.

someday, he will tell his children

about the year he won a turkey for christmas.

it will verify for them

that their daddy grew up in the "olden days."

♥