Capturing December: Day 10

{ Homemade / DIY }

Yesterday, I was feeling somewhat accomplished.  Today, not so much!  =)  So I'll just share some things from yesterday!

I've had some knit material laying around just waiting to be made into a few skirts.  After thinking of all the horrible things that could happen while working with knit, I finally worked up the courage to try a mini maxi skirt for Jacinda!  It turned out really cute, albeit almost too small.  But at least I learned a few things of what not to do when I make one for me!  I'd really like to come up with a size guide formula that works for anyone (baby > adult).  I'll let you know when that happens!

Then, I did a few more Christmasy things around the house.  I've been eye-balling this style of burlap trees...

I basically followed this tutorial, although I cut my own strips of burlap instead of using burlap ribbon!  (How nice it would be to have a Hobby Lobby here!)

Then I added a Christmasy bow to my ever present wooden star!

I decorated a little tree on my font porch too...but you'll have to wait on that until another day!

Capturing December: Day 9

{ What We're Reading }

So, my photo is kind of un-inspiring...it's hard to show a picture of books we're reading when most of them are on an electronic device!

At any rate, here's a list (and Amazon links) for all the curious minded!

As a Family:

The Victor Family Story Bible by V. Gilbert and Ronald A. Beers

Silent Night - The Stories Behind 40 Beloved Christmas Carols by Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Little Town on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Michael:

T 4 T - A Discipleship Re-Revolution by Steve Smith with Ying Kai

Crystal:

Love In A Broken Vessel by Mesu Andrews

Radical Integrity - The Story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Michael Van Dyke

Kyle:

Riot in the Night (the American Adventure) by Bonnie Hinman

What books are you reading this Christmas?  Please share!

Capturing December: Day 8

{ Ornaments }

Well, life has been busy around here and I haven't got a chance to make any homemade ornaments this year.  But I did find these simple and cute ornaments to add to my tree.

And you'll just have to wait a few more days to see what the whole tree looks like!  =)  But if you want to see my tree and other ornaments from two years ago, you can click here.

And maybe I'll still find time to do some creative Christmas decorations yet.  (fingers crossed)

Capturing December: Day 7

{ Something Bright }

There's not much brighter here, than the sun!  It's really quite blinding when you walk out of the shadows of your house, to the blue sky and bright sunshine outside!

(This is at the park across from our house.)

Capturing December: Day 6

{ Shopping }

Does this place look familiar?  We even have lighted palm trees!  =)

Walmart.  The place where I do most of our grocery shopping.  It's close to our house (1/2 mile) and has about everything you need.  I will say, that just because it's "Walmart," does not mean it's like the Walmarts in the US!  In fact, most of their food products are Mexican, therefore they don't have all the variety of US packaged/processed type foods.  I miss things like Cool Whip, pepperoni, ground sausage, frozen biscuits, cheese crackers, good tasting butter, pickles, ranch dip packets, and Velveeta...just to name a few things.  But, I'm still incredibly blessed to be able to shop here where it's clean, where there's more variety than other places, and where it's reasonably priced.

Need tomatoes?  Also check out the Tortillería in the background.  Pick up a kilo or two of fresh corn tortillas to go with your meal!

* * * * * * *

Here's another favorite place to go "shopping!"  A fabric store!  While they don't have quilting cottons, they have just about everything else you need or want.  For cheap, too!

Capturing December: Day 5

{ Today's Temperature }

Yeah, it definitely would be hard to sing "Baby, It's Cold Outside" in this kind of weather!  And I must admit, for us Pennsylvania folk, it's kind of hard to get in the spirit of Christmas when we're experiencing the extreme opposite of their (PA's) cold and snow!  On the other hand, it's very nice not to have to worry about wearing coats and bundling up in hats, gloves, scarves and boots!

So, if you get tired of the cold and snow in the middle of the winter, come visit us!  We'll gladly share the sun and warmth!  =)

Capturing December: Day 4

{ Something Joyous }

A few things that come to mind when I'm thinking of something that causes great happiness: spending quality time with my husband, listening to Christmas music, receiving packages in the mail, eating someone else's cooking, and watching new believers as they grow in the knowledge of the Lord.  But for the sake of a picture for today, I love watching my 14 month old daughter as she discovers new things and enjoys life!  I love her smile, her giggles, her kisses, and how she enjoys eating!  =)

But really, I love all my kids and their unique personalities and I enjoy watching them do the things that make them happy!