Capturing December: Day 16

{ Outside Christmas Decorations }

This year I did minimal decorations on my front porch.  But really, it's better than the "no decorations" of most years.

Our poor front door.  It is in bad shape and desperately needs painted.  I just haven't felt like starting the project for fear I'll lose hope halfway through.  You see, to the sides of the door are a length of small windows divided by wood trim.  It seems quite time consuming to prime and paint all that!  And I'm a busy mama with not much un-interrupted time!  =)

I have a small tree and wooden sleigh in the corner of the porch.

I was also hoping to get some poinsettias to set on the porch, but alas, that hasn't happened either!  At any rate, the iguanas would probably eat them too!

I hung some LED icicle lights (and about knocked all the cement off in the process!)  I'm not really in love with the LED look, but they're up and there they'll stay.

And that's pretty much it.  Once again, we're just keeping things nice and simple.  We do live in a community where lots of people hang Christmas lights and decorations, so some evening we want to drive around and look at them.

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!

Christmas Around the House

 I thought I'd share a few "christmasy" things from around our house!

This year, I decided to try my hand at making a few Christmas ornaments that I had seen while browsing blog land and Pinterest.

I love these simple jute balls.  I managed to find some jute at the Walmart down here, but it only came in green.  So I bought some red spray paint, and there you go!  Christmas ornaments to match my country primitive decor.  I followed this blog tutorial here.

And then I made some primitive fabric stars.  I simply cut fabric in the shape of a star, hand stitched two pieces together, stuffed them, and then popped a button on them.  Again, very simple.  But I like them!

And here's a look at our "new" cabinets.  Depending on the lighting, the color varies between a dark blue and black.  I still have a few finishing touches to do yet, but I'm happy with how they turned out!  And I'm especially happy to have the upper cabinets to put my spices, dishes, and drinking glasses in!

I trust y'all will have a wonderful Christmas Eve!

Happy Thanksgiving!

From our home to yours, we trust that y'all have had a special thanksgiving today and were able to share it with family and friends!

I decorated the table and buffet for Thanksgiving, and also prepared a special meal for us.

We enjoyed a smoked loin, mashed potatoes and gravy, filling (or stuffing/dressing to you other folks!), green beans, homemade bread, and an apple pie! Yummy!

All ready to eat!

Now we're all stuffed from the meal! And, I think we'll be enjoying the leftovers over the next few days!

Tomorrow, I'll try to post my homemade bread recipe.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

And before this day ends, let's each try to remember to keep the spirit of Thanksgiving in our hearts, the whole year 'round!

A Mason Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas...from our family to yours!!!!

Although we were officially in Mexico for Christmas this year, we did celebrate Christmas with our families before we left the States. With that thought in mind, and with the "fun" of cleaning our house that had been dormant for six months, unpacking our stuff, and fixing the water pump, refrigerator, and toilets upon our recent arrival to our house in MX... we decided to not put up a tree this year and just open a few gifts and that would be our Christmas.

Well...that thought only lasted until Christmas Eve. With the temps being hot and no decorations up, I was just having a hard time imagining it was Christmas! So, while Michael and some people from our city church when to a Christmas Eve service three hours away in the mountains, I decided to surprise him and set up the tree!

Maybe you'll notice in the picture that there's really not a lot of decorations on the tree...well that's just because some mice invaded my house while we were away and chewed some loveable snowmen, red berries, and garland. The rusty tin stars, burlap bows, and some tinsel really do look halfway pleasing at night with the other room lights off! (lol) No really, Michael was very surprised, and it made me happy and started to feel like Christmas might be here!

The table has the only other "Christmas" decorations in our house...

And since I was on a decorating roll, I decided to go ahead and put a few homey touches on top of our desk. Once I get some of my house fully decorated, I'll post some pics. I know my sister-in-law will want to see! ;-)

And that my friends, along with reading the Christmas story, opening gifts, talking to family, and some yummy food, is "A Mason Christmas 2010!"

More Visitors and Revival

We were privileged to have Bro. Sidney Grant and Bro. Rigoberto Vasquez in our home along with Philip and Collette. As is custom around here, we served them a meal.

On the menu:
Breaded Baked Chicken
Cheesy Mashed Potato Bake
Mixed Vegetables
Homemade Rolls
and...
Homemade Apple Pie w/ Cool Whip

And since we gobbled the meal up so quickly, I didn't get any pictures. But, here's the table set before the meal.

Bro. Sid and Bro. Rigo posing for a picture outside our house.

Kyle wanted to get in on the action, too!

One of the main reasons for these men to be here, is revival at the church in Salamanca. We really felt God's presence last night, and feel that He is starting to work in certain lives and situations. Please continue praying!

Michael and I sang the special...not quite sure what Michael is doing here...maybe Collette had a certain thought in mind when taking the picture...!!
(or just consider it your "chuckle of the day"!)

Seekers at the altar.

After service, we were taken out to eat at a taco stand.

We will try to keep you updated on the revival efforts.

The Scent of Fall

Fall is probably my favorite time of year!

This picture of my sister and I was taken in the fall...October 2004, I think. Thanks to Doris Hoffman from our home church who took the picture...it will always be one of my favorites!

I don't have many fall decorations...but I do have the above fall swag that I'm using for a centerpiece on our table, along with a yummy apple scented candle!

Another favorite thing about fall is...APPLES!

My mom and sister shared with me this different apple dumpling recipe, so I'll pass it on to you.

APPLE DUMPLINGS

2 apples
2 cans crescent rolls
2 sticks butter
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
cinnamon
1 small can Mountain Dew

Directions: Peel and core apples. Cut apples into 8 slices each. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll. Place in a 9x13 buttered pan. Melt butter, then add sugar and barely stir. Add vanilla, stir, and pour over apples. Pour Mountain Dew around the edges of the pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve with ice cream, and spoon some of the sweet sauces from the pan over the top.

Personally, I'd like to try it a couple of different ways. I don't think it needs quite so much butter or sugar...and I'd like to try it with brown sugar instead of white...? I also used 1 can of crescent rolls and cut them in half. We don't have refrigerated crescent rolls down here, so the ones I bring in from the states, I try to use sparingly!!

They were good though (especially with the homemade vanilla ice cream!!). Leave me a comment if you try them, how you did it, and what you think!

This -n- That

This...is a recent picture of Michael and I. And notice the sweatshirt I'm wearing? It's actually been feeling a little like fall here recently! It gets down in the upper 50's, low 60's at night, and till morning, our cement brick house is feeling pretty chilly! And since I love sweatshirts, I'll take the chance anytime to wear one. Now it still can get pretty warm late afternoon, but as long as I'm not outside doing manual labor (smiles), a sweatshirt works great!

and that...is some recent purchases from the market. They have tons of baskets and lots of ceramic vases, dishes, pitchers, bowls, etc... (and yes...I forgot to take pictures of the market! Hopefully next time!)

More House Pictures

I really did have the best of intentions to post these like, a long time ago!

I think I've already posted pics of the kitchen...nothing new there.

Below are some pictures of the living room/dining room that's right off the kitchen.

Previously, I mentioned we had been looking for furniture...well, here it is! We found an excellent deal for a three piece set...and since the cushions are slowly softening, it's now a pretty comfy place to sit!

To the left of the table, is where we have our computer desk, filing cabinet, and printer set up...but it's not worth taking a picture of, so...just use your imagination!! Ha! Ha!

We go back the hallway, and the kids' room is the first door on the right. No pictures of that yet.
#1 - The kids have the toys out 24/7.

#2 - Sometime soon we would like to get Kyle a single bed instead of the crib and let Taylor have the crib instead of a pack-n-play. Once that happens, I'll take a picture. There are decorations up, but it just doesn't feel complete to me, yet. Oh well!

Straight back the hallway, is the bathroom.

Here is a before picture. White walls, beautiful blue trim.

This is the after picture. Tan/Gold paint, multi-colored sponged border. We added lights and the medicine cabinet/mirror.

Last room on the right, our bedroom. Let's see, I decided to put my Thomas Kincaid picture above the bed...but the best feature of the room...is the brick ledge up by the ceiling. I thought it would be neat to put some country berry garland with lights up there! It's just beautiful...casts a nice soft glow...(and might I say, sshhh...romantic?!) Well anyway...

The curtains I was talking about needing to finish...(which I did, obviously, and awhile ago, too, I might add...)!

Our bedroom does have it's own bathroom, but we didn't do an ounce of work in there, so, no pictures.

Oh, we do have a service patio outside with a sink, the washer, clothesline....but I wasn't sure if that would interesting or not...?

There you have it! If I think of anything else, you'll be hearing back from me!