*Image by Oriholic Jared

They finally judged our patios yesterday and I am so thankful. I cut a few more snowflakes and had just completed my final touches when the judges arrived. I grabbed Odin and set him up in the Santa hat and we were set. I don't think anyone else had a cute bulldog on their patio. I also think the judges were impressed that I made all of the decorations. Craftiness is key. I am most thankful that it all happened yesterday before the rain and the wind started. I tore down what remained of my soggy flakes and bloated salt dough ornaments today, but am still pleased by my efforts. Fingers crossed. Merry Christmas Eve!

Post

*Image via Snow & Graham

I can't believe that I snagged such awesome cards last year. Now all I have to do is finish addressing and sealing envelopes. Hopefully I'll get as lucky with next year's cards. Speaking of paper, my snowflakes are starting to melt and I'm disappointed because while judging of porches was scheduled for Monday, they said it would happen today. Uggg... looks like I may be cutting a few more snowflakes.

Winner?

*Image by LucasTheExperience

I am wondering if I won the patio decorating contest. My goal was not to spend any money so that my total winnings paid for all of my effort, but I did snag a nice pair of LED lights for $6. My cut snowflakes fluttered nicely in the wind and my ornaments are still glittery. Trevor offered a nice finishing touch and we set the Christmas tree up on the patio surrounded by a strand of lights. I think that it looked great, and completely forgot to take pictures of the patio. Maybe I'll get some shots tonight minus the tree... especially if we won! I love being crafty. This project has got me in the spirit of the holidays.

Santa

Odin as Santa, helping me decorate the porch. He's not a huge fan of hats or head-gear, but he tolerates it. Good thing I have a good spool of elastic in my craft bin for adapting hats for the dog. This $1 Santa hat was too good to pass up. I'm usually not an impulse buyer but it was fun dressing up the pup. I'll post some of Trevor's more fantastic photos later.

Snowflakes

*Image by bugsandfishes by lupin

My salt dough snowflakes are hanging outside shimmering in the afternoon sun. I'm currently giving my hands a rest from cutting snowflakes, but this is the idea I'm going for. Trevor suggested I create some type of garland for the rail. I used the salt dough ornaments along the railing combined with a strand of lights. I've got my fingers crossed that I finish in time, this image has me inspired.

Wrap

*Image via Happy Living Design

My first wrapped gift is waiting underneath the tree. Trevor is a fan of shaking and guessing the contents of his gifts so this one is a perfect first. He is convinced that I filled the box with change or rocks to make noise but he is completely wrong. Because the box makes noise he refuses to shake it anymore. I can't wait until he opens it and sees that I have been completely honest about not adding anything to the box. He'll just have to wait.

One more

*Image by boopsie.daisy

Only one more day until vacation. I cannot wait. I don't know who is more excited, teachers or students?

Baking

*Image by dotsara

My house needs to be filled with the smells of baking. I'm missing having holiday treats around, although I'm sure that my waistline is not suffering. I need to do some more nesting this holiday. Trevor has already been taunting me with a few wrapped gifts and soon it will be my turn. Holidays are definitely a call to nest.

Red

*Image by jodyangel

Our little tree is up and all 20 of our ornaments have been hung. Now, I desperately need to make some salt dough or even applesauce and cinnamon ornaments. At first, Odin was scared of the tree. He scooted away from it pretty quickly and was sure to avoid it while I was stringing up the lights. Now he eyes it suspiciously but, I think it is because the red ornaments resemble his favorite ball.

Stocking

*Image via The Purl Bee

Seeing as this is going to be my first Christmas away from my family, I am ill prepared. Trevor has his childhood stocking and mine is at home with my family. I bravely volunteered to sew stockings for the new branch of my family, but I can't find anything that I truly love. Too bad I didn't see this lovely pattern a few months ago. I'm going to try to make something fabulous to start a new family tradition and to get in some practice before I need to make more stockings.