I can't say 2011 tops my list of favorite years. And that is saying something because 2010 wasn't stupendous either.
2010 we lost my Grandpa, many friends lost grandparents actually... then 2011 Aaron was gone for over half the year.
I have high hopes for 2012 though. Tina posted this ecard to Facebook and I agree wholeheartedly.
2012 will be the year of fresh starts and new beginnings. I can just feel it.
See you later 2011... don't let the door hit you on the way out tonight.
I had decided that 2011 would be the year of the Glitter Christmas. I started off by glittering some plastic deer. That went pretty well.
This was my first plan for Glitter Christmas Handmade Craft Gift... it was based on this idea on Pinterest. I ordered the little deer online, glued them to jar lids and glittered the entire thing. Turns out glue and glitter doesn't adhere well to plastic jar lids. One twist to get to the candy and entire slabs of glitter would slough off. I tried sandpapering a lid before glittering it and that seemed to help but I was miffed and ready to try something else.
So I had lots of little plastic deer and lots of glitter. I was pretty excited when I saw these clothespin toppers on Pinterest! The glue and glitter stuck to the wood much better.
I glittered different kinds of deer in different colors and then clipped them to stamped gift tags. Tah-dah!
Glitter Christmas was saved.
Glitter spilled over to my gift wrapping too. I used stencils, glue and glitter to add gift recipients initials to their packages.
I also glittered some letter cutouts to tie to packages.
There is now a fine coat of glitter covering pretty much everything in the house now. Even the pugs. I believe this will be the last glitter holiday. Well, maybe just Easter. Glitter EGGS!
Aaron went with a bird theme for my Christmas presents this year.
So cute!
I picked a more "manly" wrapping paper for him this year. Black and silver! (and glitter - heh)
How do dogs know how to open presents?
Hugo seemed to know instinctively.
He couldn't wait to get at his duck.
Either way... gift opening is exhausting.
Awesome name. "Where you going?" "To pick up some kitty litter for His Royal Majesty."
His Royal Majesty is a nearly 6-year-old male cat. He is at Lollypop Farm for the third time this year through no fault of his own. He was originally found in Marion as a stray in February. Since then he has been adopted twice and brought back because the other pets in the house did not like him. This handsome gentleman has a beautiful sleek coat giving him a very majestic look. His Royal Majesty is looking for a home that will provide him the love and attention he deserves as kitty royalty. He is very confident cat and does well with dogs, but might do best as the only cat. He loves to play with his toys, especially his spotnip flower toy or a feather on a wand. He's also content to lounge around and relax while watching the birds out the window. If you are looking for a fun loving boy that just likes to hang out with you or your family, then come see this lover boy!
Prez, the dog from last week was adopted!
It was a good Christmas at our house.
Everyone's stockings were filled.
Yup. Everyone was pretty pleased.
Today we packed Oscar, Hugo and Stewie into the car and set out for PA for Christmas. When we stopped at Starbucks for coffie, Hugo and Stewie had the baristas crowding around the drive-thru window.
Here is another great gift I discovered at the Clothesline Festival... Joe Guy paintings and prints. Colorful art to brighten walls.
Recently I discovered a little store in Rochester called Plastic. They carry the little designer plastic and vinyl toys that come in blind boxes so you don't know what you are getting. They are really popular with collectors... such as myself.
I was thrilled when Plastic moved into a store front in the South Wedge. All the better to feed my habit.
My favorites are the Dunny collection but I have been known to branch out.
If you have someone on your list that is a collector of cute things you should definitely stop by Plastic and check it out. They also have some interesting prints, clothes and other items.
Prez is a 1-year-old male Miniature Poodle mix. He came to Lollypop Farm because his previous owner did not feel he was getting the time and attention he deserves. This little guy was a little timid when he first arrived at Lollypop Farm, but he seems to have come out of his shell. Prez will need an adopter willing to help him feel comfortable and secure. Training classes will be a great way to develop a bond. You will receive a discount when you enroll in your first 6-week class at Lollypop Farm. Prez would really like to be the only dog so he can have all the attention to himself! He needs to meet everyone in the household before adoption and would do best in a home with children over the age of 16. Prez has been at Lollypop Farm since October, and is crossing his paws that he will find a new forever home for the holidays.
Scooter, the cat from last week is still waiting to be adopted.
Discovery. It's hard to open Christmas gifts with two nosy pugs and cat.
You can distract them with treats...
But they will still be more interested in what you have.
They like to be the center of attention.
They like it when gifts focus on them too.
What a striking likeness!
So smug.
Yesterday we had our annual Christmas brunch. Thanks to Pinterest I was able to try some new recipies. I even made breakfast nom Pinterest board.
Actually I made this one up myself, a berry parfait, inspired by this recipe. I mixed Wegman's Greek yogurt with honey, then layered it with raspberries, blackberries and vanilla granola.
Tina brought pop open cans of Pillsbury sticky buns and I put them in the waffle iron! I saw the Waffle Iron Sticky Buns first on Pinterest. They cooked so quickly and were delicious! Especially with the frosted topping. Ignore those burnt ones lying to the side. The recipe said to leave them in there for 2 minutes but my waffle iron only took one.
I also found these on Pinterest. Bacon, egg and toast cups from Martha Stewart.
They were so easy to make!
I even added a little swiss cheese to the tops.
Thanks to Pinterest we had a great brunch!
Who doesn't love chocolate for Christmas? Ok I have a few friends that aren't chocolate obsessed but really it's hard to resist Hedonist Chocolate.
They have a cute little store front now in the South Wedge. So nice to go in and peruse.
They have such creative flavors... egg nog, fig, ginger molasses.... this one is POP ROCKS! It was awesome!
If you want to do some local shopping - check out Thread! I snagged several gifts for folks on my Xmas list (sorry can't reveal) but you can find cool stuff like Shanna Murray's decals there!
Love their window displays!
I saw these silverware flowers at the Clothesline Festival this summer. I think they would make great Christmas gifts!
They are made by The Salvage Gallery - a local Rochester artisian. You can find the flowers at Rehouse on Main Street in Rochester. Or you can contact them on their web page - if you have stainless steel flatware, they will give you a 25 cents per piece credit for merchandise!
UPDATE: You can now purchase silverware flowers on Salvage Gallery's Etsy Page!
