Scenes from a busy week

Two dozen cookies for preschool teacher gifts.  Two dozen cupcakes for preschool holiday party.  Five trays of M&M pretzel treats for preschool friends.  One busy week.

Holiday Love

1. Wallpaper Snowflakes, 2. gypsy garland, 3. Snowflake in my window, 4. Untitled, 5. Bakers Twine Samples Close Up, 6. kraft-paper-box-packaging-bakers-twine-500x750, 7. little gift packaging + tag, 8. shari's packaging, 9. Pretty Polka Dots, 10. Couldn't resist.... {My first Explore!}, 11. happy friday!, 12. mantle, 13. A Very Merry Christmas to All!14. happy friday! 15. mantle 16. A Very Merry Christmas to All!

Some of my favorite things right now...

paper garland

snowflakes in windows

vintage bottle brush trees

hand stamped packages and shipping labels

baker's twine

christmas light bokeh

starbucks peppermint mochas

Snow

It's days like today that remind me why I do love the change of seasons.  It doesn't get much prettier than newly fallen snow.  Today's was gorgeous.  Not to mention the fun of sledding and snowball fights with my two favorite four year olds and my Dad.

Vintage Bottle Brush Trees

309: 12.6.07, originally uploaded by girlhula.

I would love a forest of my very own. And actually, I'd take the maps and the letters, too.

Elf on a Shelf

This little elf is on its way from Etsy (er, I mean The North Pole) to our house and should be arriving any day.  He's coming, along with a letter from Santa that contains strict instructions for EJ and Olivia and will be with us until Christmas.  His job is to watch over them and report back to Santa nightly with any naughty behavior.  Then, the elf returns to our house every morning and finds a hiding place.  EJ and Olivia have to find him and make sure he is placed back on the mantle for the day so that he can continue to watch over them.   There are also some rules for EJ and Olivia to follow.  They are never to touch him.  When they find him each morning, they are to tell one of us and we are to put him back on the mantel.  The elf is not allowed to talk to them although EJ and Olivia are allowed to talk to or write to him.  He can, however, leave notes from Santa or in reply to something they asked of him.

I'm excited for his arrival.

PS - this oh-so-sweet idea isn't my own.  Google "Elf on a Shelf".  There is even a book.  I just fell so in love with this tradition that I decided to start one of our own.