Merry Pants

I own some fleece pants. They are warm and festive and have the word 'Merry' written all over them in red and green. I love my merry pants. I AM merry pants when I wear them. If it were socially accepted, I would wear them everywhere. Poor Cody. With Christmas coming up, my merry pants will be showcased like mad. Baking! Decorating! Wrapping! Poor Cody.

I am so giddy for Christmas I can hardly stand it. It's going to be a blast having our first Christmas in this house. However, I face the same obstacles with my Christmas decorations as I did with my Halloween stuff - I have no idea where to put it all or where it will fit, but I'm convinced it's a happy problem. We even set up our village for the first time in 3 years! My boys are drawn to it like moths to a flame, so it's a constant battle to keep the small train on the tracks and the elves glued to their bases.

It's not even December 1st, but I'm filled with festive merriment. Time for hot chocolate and cookies! And I better put on my merry pants.

Thankful

It's been non-stop over here lately...that always seems to be the case. But we're not going to talk about the craziness! No, no. We are going to touch on the things I am so grateful for.

How I adore my family. My darling sons who are so patient with me because they clearly know that I have no clue what I'm doing. They are hilarious and witty and smart and they totally dress better than I do. I love spending my days with them and this afternoon they both nuzzled next to me and fell asleep on the couch. Their warm, little bodies were so tender. I gave them lots of light hugs because I knew if I had squeezed them as tight as I wanted to, they would have woken up. Or suffered some broken ribs.

Then there is the Captain. Cody is a rare gem and my goodness, I am always so aware that I don't deserve that golden man. He is so supportive and understanding, even when I am upset for no reason or irrational (that doesn't happen very often, btw. Ahem.). I have been at the computer every spare second I have to create new items for RSVP and he allows me the freedom to do that. He cooks for me and loves me...and I am completely smitten with him.

We are so blessed to have this beautiful, warm home that looks phenomenal with Christmas lights (Oh yeah, the lights are up. Well, 'Phase 1' of the lighting, anyway...). We are thankful for the knowledge of the Gospel and the comfort it brings to our lives. The Lord is so aware of us and it becomes more apparent to me every day.

Finally, I'm grateful for you. My dear friends who are the bees knees. I hope you all have a marvelous Thanksgiving filled with big meals and naps! After picking up Cache from Pre-School the other day, he insisted on wearing his Pilgrim garb all day. He also insisted that I call him "Pilgrim" which allowed me to feel like John Wayne for most of the afternoon. At one point I asked him, "Cache, how cute are you in your Pilgrim get-up?" And he answered,

"Um...really cute?"

New Cards!

Just added to RSVP today...

Here's What I Know...

* New card and invite designs are in production for RSVP!

* I am about to throw my computer out the window because I can't fix the background on RSVP. I'm sure it's the computers fault.

* I have about 300 projects to create in a week. I don't necessarily have to do them, but I really want to do them, which means I have to do them.

* I'm super excited for Thanksgiving.

* I have at least 4 blog posts that should have taken precedence over this one.

Introducing RSVP

Here it is! My big reveal! For the past few months I have been thinking of creating a site for my cards and invitations. Voila! RSVP has arrived! I started designing weeks ago and am thrilled to finally have it up and running. There may be a few kinks to work out, so hopefully you'll be patient with me. The products shown are just the beginning, more brilliant designs are on the horizon!

So go take a look at www.rsvp-invitations.blogspot.com! I also accept custom orders, so if you want me to design something specifically for you - don't hesitate to ask!

Deep breath, here we go!

*the cool background I designed for RSVP isn't showing up! Hmmm, I'll look into that...and hopefully get it fixed toute suite!

Not Well

I'm under the weather. Not well, I'm afraid. Yesterday I was hoping to reveal something I've been working on for a few weeks...but I just couldn't get it ready in time before the sickness hit! Blast. So irritating. I'm hoping to reveal my project tomorrow or Thursday, you'll come back and see, right?

Until then, however, I must mend. I'm taking it easy. I'll work on my project here and there...until the medicine kicks in. Who knows what I'll create hopped up on that stuff.

Stay tuned! Cough, cough...

Friday Full

Yesterday was the Patch Family Lunch. This is a weekly occurrence that was started by my Grandparents a few years ago. Every Friday we gather at Chuck-a-Rama and visit with Aunts and Uncles and cousins and parents. My Granddad passed away a year ago, but the lunch appointment stands and we all make an effort to be there.

My Uncle's Birthday was yesterday and my Grandmother's is today, so we had a table full of family at lunch! It was so great to catch up with those I haven't seen in a while, and my dear Grandmother looks radiant at 88. She mentioned how sad she is that she hasn't been able to watch any Jazz games (she's a huge fan) and we promised to come over and spend the day making caramel. I love my sweet family, and I love that we still get together each week...even if it is at Chuck's.

After lunch I met up with Mindi and we drove to Gardner Village for some crafty overload. It was a perfect Fall day, it's so pretty up there. It was Mindi's first time and we had a total blast going in all the shops and perusing their wares. I think these ducks were pretty upset that we didn't feed them anything.

We bought treasure maps and fabric and tried on this fancy hat...perfect for fox hunting? No?

We both flipped over this Chandelier. A pirate ship?? Yarr! So cool, if it wasn't $598 I would have taken that home.

I have no idea where I would put this Carousel, but I'm officially in love with it. It's huge and it plays music and it spins...it reminds me of the carousel Tiny Tim receives from a repentant Ebenezer in 'Scrooge'. (The best Christmas movie ever, we'll talk about that later).

Recently these paper village houses have captured my special attention. They are selling some at Target and my sister called me last week as she was looking at them. They are SO cute and not a bit too pricey. I'm sure I could make some...of course, buying them would be easier.

All in all, a very busy/successful day. And with the SNOW on the ground this morning, it's time to keep the wood burning stove stocked and my mug full of hot chocolate. Stay tuned, dear BC readers, I have a creative reveal coming on Monday. Oh, yes...it's going to be epic.