A Mini Merry Christmas - Simple Style

     Have you ever strung popcorn for your Christmas tree? I've always loved the old timey look of it, but I've never tried it till this year. It's simple, and I love it. Sometimes simple is just the way to go. "Simple" says relax, you don't need to have everything as perfect as everybody else. "Simple" says stop, enjoy the living part of life.

        "Simple" makes memories and giggles.

         "Simple" also reminds you that you don't have to have everything that you think you have to have....like all my belongings, and Christmas decorations, that are locked away in storage because we are still working on getting permanent housing.

       "Simple" reminds me that there was a time when people were so much more grateful...and had so much less. "Simple" helps me remember what exactly I'm celebrating in the first place.

        We can make Christmas so much more complicated than it needs to be...if we let ourselves.

       This housing delay makes me want to pout and cancel Christmas. I could do that, and make everyone around me miserable. Or. I can remember that Christmas started all because of the simple gift of love....not stuff. It was all about a person, Jesus, who loved people, and chose to live a simple life for my sake. So here's to Christmas, whether glitzy and huge, or simple and small, lets keep the main thing the main thing this season.

       A 2 foot tall Christmas looks just the same as a 10 footer if the Christmas spirit is there. Although I must say, if I get to have a decent tree this season I certainly won't be complaining! =) Have you started your decorating yet, or are you a December decorator?
(p.s. the tree and do-dads to make decorations were all gleaned from the craft store. The popcorn is holding up nicely! I recommend!)

Psalms 21:3   For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness:

Happy Thanksgiving!

     Happy Thanksgiving! If you're traveling, stay safe... if your eating turkey, don't forget the gravy (and if possible, have your sister make it for you like I plan to!)...if your hanging out with relatives, don't talk politics...and if you can't find something to thank God for, just take another deep breath. Life is a wonderful gift. 

picture courtesy of my 3 year old

Jonah 2:9   But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD. 

Coziness for $10 or less...

       It's almost Thanksgiving people! This is a big news flash to me actually. With all the chaos of moving, I've not done a single solitary piece of Fall decorating, much less paid any attention to a small thing like a calender! I have, however, noticed it's chilly outside. I also noticed I forgot to pack long sleeves before sending all my belongings off to temporary storage. That, is a MAJOR bummer, I assure you, and I do not recommend anyone making that unintelligent mistake. Some warm winter coziness is definitively in order, on a budget of course! I recommend...

1. Over the knee cable knit socks from Kohls. On sale for $7.00. Even on a tall girl like me, they still went over the knee, and are sooooo comfy! They are my new favorite boot socks!

     2.   Coffee is wonderful all year, but it is absolutely essential in the winter. I tried this creamer the other day, probably shouldn't have. It makes coffee taste like fancy fall party, even it its an off-brand, not even sure it's actually coffee brand.

      3.  Cute soft slippers are must, cold floors are ick! Walmart $9.97.

     4.  Lotion. Make sure it smells nice. Flaky, cracked skin is not cute. Target $8.99

     5.  Red beans and rice. Best meal ever, super cheap, fairly healthy. Make sure to go heavy on the Cajun seasoning!

Recipe here

     
       Hope you are enjoying your Fall. Thanks for being a great bunch, blogging would be no fun without readers! =)


1 John 1:7   But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Just saying Hi!

       Well hello there! How have you been? I realize I have quite disappeared from the old blog as of late, and thought I should pop in for a quick update. We've made the jump from south Mississippi to the east side of South Carolina. As you might know, moves rarely are seamless (Haha...get it? Seamless?? HA!) ..and it seams it is an unwritten rule of nature that house purchasing can be neither quick, nor simple. We are in that wonderful state of transitional chaos as we await our house closing date. After that, I assure you, I will have no shortage of blogging content...our future house is quite in need of a MAJOR attack with paint brushes and all the "fix it up" imagination I can muster! I. Can't. Wait!! I did plan to plan ahead with pre-scheduled blog posts, but, uh-hum, as you can see, I might have failed to do that. Whoopsy! Sorry! =))
       In an effort to distract you from the lack of a decent post, have a listen to this little song I've had stuck in my head for the last week. It's quite thought provoking, and helps me to remember what are my most important goals. Have a fabulous rest of your week!

John 8:12   Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. 

Sweater Knits and why you should love them!

     I've discovered something just grand! As I have mentioned before, I'm a big fan of shopping local for fabric...I like to see it and feel it, before I buy it. That is a handicap in it's own way, because fabric stores don't always pick fabrics to sell that I happen to like! (or that are very current colors and prints!) But, this year, fabric stores are carrying a much larger selection of sweater knits than I've ever seen out before in previous years. So why is this so earth shattering??? Well my dear, sweater knits mean that you can sew anything you can buy in a store, all year long! From scarves to cardigans to sweater dresses...the sky is the limit! Fabulous, no?! To illustrate, here I have a sweater knit skirt, and a sweater knit top that I made myself. Super easy, super fun!

      Excuse the bad picture and apparent broken ankle...I didn't have time to fuss with pictures, and my ankle is in fact, not broken. So here's the deal with sweater knits...they are just like any other knit. If you've ever made anything from any stretchy knit, the same rules apply to sweater knit. Use a serger or a zigzag stitch, a walking foot is really helpful, and pat with a steamy iron when you are done. For a skirt or a dress, I would highly recommend lining it. A lining will help stabilize the sweater knit from stretching out too much as you wear it, and it will also alleviate the need for a slip.
     You know what I am dying to make with sweater knit? Leggings! How cute would that print that's on my skirt be on leggings with a grey tunic dress?? I see a new project in my future! Have you made anything with sweater knits? Did you like it?
P.S. I used the same method as this skirt to make the above...if you want to make one too!

Hebrews 13:15   By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.