Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Our Easter


Hope you all had a blessed Easter! We had a wonderful day. First we enjoyed a few goodies from our Easter basket before getting ready for church. Instead of chocolate bunnies, we each got a Russell Stover chocolate Jesus Fish, which I thought was so neat! I also picked up these vintage Minnie & Mickey stickers at a little shop with vintage postcards, stickers, print etc. My husband was sure to choose the purple Peeps for me, and I was sure to get him some Whoppers Robin's Eggs (which he gets every year all to himself as I hate those things)! We also each got a mini milk carton of Reeses Pieces, some mini caramel eggs and an egg carton of chocolate marshmallow eggs to share. The rest was just misc. fun sized candy, which were all layered at the bottom of the basket. ANd speaking of this basket, I picked it up a couple weeks ago and a thrift store and absolutely fell in love with it!


Church service was lovely and the message was inspiring. The pastor spoke out our hope as Christians in the afterlife, which was appropriate since our pastor lost his wife to cancer exactly one year ago. Afterward we headed over to my sister's for Easter dinner with the family. I made some deviled eggs and a strawberry cake (which I will post the recipe to tomorrow). We also played a fun new game called Likewise. You write answers on dry eraser paddles and try to match answers with other players for points. It's one of those great party games that is quick to learn, like Apples To Apples. I highly recommend it if you are looking for something new to play with family and friends!

Likewise

We also made some time to watch a few Easter specials and decorate. Here is a photo of our media stand with these little bunny houses I picked up at Goodwill. Some of these items I even picked up at the dollar store, but I liked how they had a bit of vintage style to them. I don't have much Easter decor, but it's amazing how much you can do even on a budget. I also got some adorable pastel colored egg lights (not pictured) from Target for only $3 each!!


I'd also be remissed if I didn't mention pulling out one of my favorite Easter records, Here Come Peter Cottontail by The Mr. Pickwick Players And Singers. It is hard to find on vinyl, but you can purchase it on mp3 from Amazon. It's a collection of fun little songs, including the title track, The Bunny Hop, Easter Parade and some other little songs not directly related to Easter, but still fitting. It also features a short reading of a story about Peter Rabbit. Definitely worth having for kids and novelty record enthusiasts.


Well, that's about all for us this year. It was a special time, reflecting on both the fun and spiritual aspect of the holiday. Enjoy the rest of this beautiful Spring as we turn to thoughts of Mother's Day and Memorial Day in May!

Monday, March 24, 2014

Yankee Candle Easter Scents for 2014


Yankee Candle has released their line of Easter and Spring scented candles for 2014. The Marshmallow Chicks and Bunny Cake look particularly amazing! Stop in your local retailer to check them out for yourself, or order online from their website.




Sunday, March 16, 2014

St. Patrick's Day Sugar Cookies

I don't go to the pub or eat corned beef and cabbage, so for St. Patrick's Day I decided to decorate a small batch of sugar cookies, with mint flavored frosting.


I also did a bit of decorating around the house, but it was also to coincide with my husband's birthday, which was on the 15th. Not a holiday I usually go out of the way for, aside from wearing green, so it was fun to do a little more than usual. Have to celebrate my Irish heritage somehow!

Monday, October 7, 2013

New Yankee Candle Holiday Scents For 2013!


Yankee Candle recently rolled out loads of all-new Holiday scents for the 2013 season! Among these include spooky scents for Halloween, Thanksgiving Dinner scents, traditional charm for Christmas, and even a Cracklin' LumiWick line! Wood wicks have become very popular in recent years and Yankee Candle offers some great holiday scents in this style. Along with these scents they also have some lovely Holiday accessories to compliment your favorite aroma!

~Halloween~




SCENTS: Candy Corn / Witches' Brew


~Thanksgiving~


SCENTS: Turkey & Stuffing / Cranberry Sauce / Sweet Potato Pie / Pumpkin Pie /
Whoopie Pie / Caramel Pecan Pie / Happy Thanksgiving




~Christmas~


SCENTS: Celebrate Christmas / Merry Marshmallow /
Snowflake Cookie / Season of Peace



SCENTS: Cinnamon / Holly / Iced Cookie / Merry Mint / Tis The Season


And you know I would be remiss if I didn't mention this 5 Star scent which shares our name - TIS THE SEASON! Ring in the season with a brisk, winter forest breeze of fresh Canadian fir, tingling spearmint, and icy cedarwood.

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Debut 10/5/13


Hallmark is getting ready for the Keepsake Ornament debut Oct 5-13th. Below are some of the Ornaments that will be unveiled, but be sure to visit Hallmark's website for more details!

Check out this Keepsake Christmas Ornament Tree weekend-only offer (October 5–6). $29.95 with a Hallmark Keepsake Ornament purchase of $50 or more (regularly $49.95). A perfect way to display your favorite Keepsake Ornament collection or series!


LIMITED QUANTITY ORNAMENTS ~ Limited quantity, unlimited fun. Get there early and collect 'em all! Get there early and collect 'em all! Limit one of each ornament per customer, while supplies last, beginning October 5.




SPECIAL OFFER ~ Weekend-only offer (October 5–6), get a FREE Magic Cord with the purchase of any Magic Cord Hallmark Keepsake Ornament (regularly $5.95). Limit one offer per customer. The Magic Cord can support up to seven ornaments total, or six ornaments and a tree topper. Connect select Keepsake Ornaments to the Magic Cord for a synchronized sound and light show.


SANTA MAGIC ~ Prepare for a jolly old visitor by starting family traditions you'll look forward to year after year. Each unique ornament includes an element of surprise that brings the magic of Christmas to life.

Friday, August 23, 2013

5000 Followers on Pinterest!


So excited to see that last week we passed the 5,000 mark for followers on Pinterest! If you haven't yet taken a peek at our page, you're in for a real treat! Just about everything you could want to celebrate every holiday and season, including recipes, decorating tips, DIY projects, printables, graphics, movie and music recommendations and much, much more! Be sure to sign up and follow us today.

Friday, July 19, 2013

QVC Christmas In July!


It's that time of year again! QVC is kicking off their annual Christmas In July sale this weekend, Jusy 20th & July 21st. 48 hours of nothing but Christmas Christmas Christmas! If you're really eager, you can even catch plenty of sneak peaks today at various times. This is something I look forward to every year because it gives me an excuse to start thinking about Christmas in the middle of summer. Here is an idea of what's in store!






PROGRAM GUIDE:

Saturday (7/20):

12am The Joy of Christmas
2am Gifts for Grandkids
3am Deck the Halls
5am The Joy of Toys
6am Christmas Shoppe
7am Heartfelt Holidays with Valerie
8am Home for the Holidays with Dan
10pm Saturday Morning Q
1pm What A Kid Wants - Sneak Peek Toys
2pm You're Home with Jill
4pm Gourmet Holiday
6pm The Joy of Christmas
7pm Heartfelt Holidays with Valerie
9pm All is Bright - Outdoor Lights
10pm The Joy of Christmas
Sunday (7/21):

12am The Joy of Christmas
1am What A Kid Wants
2am Temp-tations Presentable Kitchen
3am Christmas Shoppe
5am Mr. Christmas
6am Bethlehem Lights Seasonal Lighting
7am Jim Shore Heartwood Creek
8am Flameless Candles
9am The Joy of Toys
1pm Sundays with Carolyn & Dan
12pm In the Kitchen with David
3pm Hosts@Home with David
4pm Gifts for Grandkids
6pm Christmas Shoppe
7pm Gourmet Holiday
9pm Gifts for Grandkids
10pm Decorating with Lisa Robertson
11pm The Joy of Christmas

Check local TV listings or watch online from the QVC website.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Christmas In July Party!


This month is halfway over, but we've noticed a growing trend of people celebrating Christmas In July and hosting parties this time of year. So in that spirit, we thought we'd share a variety of ideas with others who may be planning to get in on the Summer holiday fun and host a Christmas In July party of their very own!

  • Invitations: Send your guests invitations for your party to let them know when and where the event takes place and what to bring. You can use regular store bought invitations, but there are also many free printables online as well. Another option is to use Facebook or Evite to invite your guests. Plan a theme or activity, such as crafting, making ornaments, baking, watching movies or even holding a fundraiser for a good cause.




  • Activities: If you plan to hold the party outdoors, instead of horseshoes, why not paint them red and green and call it Reindeer shoes? One way to stay cool in the hot sun is to have a "snowball fight" using white or blue water balloons! If the party is going to be indoors, you can host a cookie decorating or ornament making party. Another fun activity is simply to have a Christmas movie marathon.


  • Music: Of course you can always choose to play classic Christmas music, but a more unique approach would be to go with something more fitting to Summer; such as the Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffet or Hawaiian and Reggae Christmas music. Here are few suggestions, along with a PLAYLIST we created on YouTube to get you inspired!

There are so many creative and fun ways to celebrate this fun, quirky holiday. Just be creative and try to think of other ways to make Christmas In July a fun tradition. Feel free to share any ideas you may have as well!

Check out our Pinterest Board for more ideas on how to make
your Christmas In July party the best on the block!