Christmas at the zoo

Happiness is Christmas at the zoo.

Hoping your Christmas was merry and bright,

Denise

Christmas project #2

I had some second thoughts about giving Erin something that she needed to work on each day.

But the idea was so lovely, I thought she might actually enjoy it.

Having seen many versions of the perpetual calendar,
I loved the version from Design Sponge using old berry boxes.
I have three old berry boxes,
but decided on using a blue Anthropology berry bowl, since this was a gift.
If the daily journaling became too much,
I figured Erin would make good use of such a pretty berry bowl.

The idea behind a perpetual calendar is to have a one sentence entry each day of the year.
I figured with August around, there was always something to write about.
The real treat comes during the second year (and each year from then on.)
As you write your second year entry, you can relive that day from the year before.
You just need to be patient to get through that first year.

The procedure is quite simple:

1.  Find the perfect container.
(Garage sales, antique stores, thrift shops, and of course Anthropology are full of  inspiring containers.)

2.  Find something fun to divide the months.
(I used old post cards, but colorful paper, old notecards, photos, etc. would work equally well.)
Again, check the above places for some fun possibilities.

3.  Stamp each month on your dividers.

4.  Cut and stamp enough 3 x 5 cards for each day of the year.
(I needed to cut my cards a bit to get them to fit in the basket.)
(This is time consuming.
Plus, if you get interrupted, you might miss a day or duplicate a day.
So, be sure to check each month before you wrap up your gift.
This may or may not have happened to me.)

5.  Finally, arrange your calendar.

I really do love this idea.
Who else needs one?


Take care,
Denise

Christmas project #1

Wanting to make presents for  Christmas, I always run out of time.

This year, I was determined to complete as many as I could.

Two were completed (of course, it was Christmas Eve by the time they were ready to wrap.)

Anyway, both of these were inspired from crafts I found on Design Sponge.

Finding this old wooden hanger from the antiques store in town,
I knew I needed to create something to give to either Ted or Erin
(they both once lived in Ottawa, Illinois.)

Putting this together was as easy as could be.

Hot glued three ribbon strips.

Made copies of photographs and cut to desired size.

Stamped initials on each side of small clothespins (T = Ted and J = Jessica.)

Clipped photos on ribbons for a fun display that can be changed up anytime.

I will share the other gift in the next few days.

Take care,

Denise

Visiting Mrs. Harrison

Mrs. Harrison is Michelle's much-loved high school gym/health teacher who also works with the Speedway High School Key Club, of which Michelle is president.

Mrs. Harrison and her husband bought this cottage on a lake, south of Indianapolis.

Steve has been helping the Harrison's update/remodel this wonderful weekend home.

This Christmas, Mrs. Harrison invited us for lunch.

We bought along Savannah and we were happy to see Ms. Kaito
(Michelle and Savannah's elementary school gym teacher)
was there too.

The cabin is beyond cozy with a wonderful view of the woods.

Although I don't have a picture,
 as we were eating,
a fawn came close to the house to munch on some corn. 

He casually looked in at Michelle.

We loved it.

Mrs. Harrison and her girls.

Silly Steve.

Take care,

Denise

Surprise, honey!

Five years ago today,

I quickly headed out to the pet store

to grab some cat food before Christmas Eve.

Whenever I would go to this pet store,

I would always avoid glancing over at the rescued pets that were up for adoption.

Well, this day

I heard a couple of women talking about this dog that was blind.

So, I headed over to that area of the store.

Right by the blind dog

was the cutest, little ball of fluff.

When I picked him up, he still had that new puppy smell.

I was in love.

I was told he had been in a foster home, but was up for adoption.

I was also told that the foster mom was thinking about adopting him.

Okay, I had a million things to do, so I said so long to the little fella and headed home.

After finishing up some last minute chores and taking a shower,

I remembered that little dog and told Michelle the story.

She looked at me and suggested we get over there, at that moment, to see if he was still there.

So, off we went (me with wet hair on December 23.)

Circumstances being what they were that day, the foster mother (and her high school son)

were there, looking in on little "Dopey."

(This family's name for him.)

"Dopey" was the runt, and the only one left.

I immediately asked her if she was going to adopt the puppy.

She said, "no."

Well, my hair was a mess, and we had to be somewhere soon,

so, as Michelle was smiling ear to ear,

I went over to buy this puppy.

The clerk asked if I was going to foster or adopt.

I must have paused because she said it would take around

one hour to adopt and about five minutes to foster.

Five minutes later, we were a foster family,

ready to adopt this cutie pie in a week, when I had more time.

Wow, I usually over think purchases.

Not this time.

On the way home, it dawned on me that Steve didn't

even know about "Mr. Cutie Pie" since he had been

out and about that afternoon and unaware of our plot.

Living with a man who really likes dogs helps.

The minute he walked in and saw the little guy,

he was also in love.

Best Christmas present!

"Dopey"/ "Mr. Cutie Pie" quickly became Henry.

Boy oh boy are we happy Mookie was almost out of food on that day.

Take care,

Denise

The Red Lanterns

The weekend we bought our Christmas tree,

I filled our windowboxes with evergreen

from our tree and from Lowes

(they kindly give away anything they have cut off from the trees.)

Finding some old red lanterns in our basement,

I placed them in the windowboxes,

nestled within the greenery.

Simple and perfect, except the lanterns were old and so was the glass.

As I took them out,

I decided that before next year,

I would buy a couple of cheaper lanterns,

paint them red,

and use them next Christmas.

Then, I promptly forgot all about them.

Last weekend, Steve went shopping

(at Walmart on a Saturday - what a brave man!)

Later that day, he gave me an early gift - two red lanterns!

I thought this was the sweetest gift!

Take care,

Denise

Christmas around the house

Although part of the kitchen is torn up, we are enjoying Christmas in other parts of the house.

Take care,

Denise