gifting fun

Ok...this is going to be quick.

I have about three posts to write, but didn't want to lump them all together so I think I'm going to make them separately.

First, this year I was so inspired by pinterest to do this...

Gingerbread play-doh.  The source is from this adorable blog.
and this adorable packaging sourced from tatertots and jello.

Except I made it a goal to just use whatever I had on hand and not to buy anything new.

So mine are a little of this and a little of that.  With my joy to the world tags I already had printed.

It helps that I seem to save scraps of ribbon and paper from everything.  Sometimes I wonder why I do,
but then when it comes in handy like this I'm glad.

Inside the grown up jars are these cookies from one of my favorite gluten free sources, the pure pantry.
They're dark chocolate dipped molasses ginger cookies, featured on Martha Stewart's whole living site.  You would never guess they're gluten free.  We couldn't keep them in the house...so we'll be making more later today.

Speaking of today...lots to do on my list still.

So I must get going.

Hope you're all having a Merry, Merry Christmas Eve's Eve!

new traditions?

I'm always up for new traditions.
So we joined a friend on one of hers.

Each year her extended family comes to visit for her child's Christmas show.

And each year, she heads to the city of San Fernando (did you know there was an actual city called San Fernando) off the 118 freeway to a tamale factory where they make fresh tamales right where you can see them.

My youngest, joined us on our field trip.

It was an event I tell you.

And I just love her excitement over nearly everything in life.
Including these tamales.

It was fun watching them being made.

And fun getting a dozen for $22 dollars...meaning I have two meals ready and waiting for those busy nights coming up where I might not know what to make for dinner.

It was a fun day with my dearest friend...(She has the picture of us together on her camera).

And a fun new tradition for us.  Boy I just said fun a lot.  It's late.  Trying to go to bed.
Decided to add this post to my to do list before going to bed.  But you know the picture loading process always takes a bit of time.  I'm not feeling too much like editing my words, so bear with me here. :)

Other little tidbits of inspiration from pinterest this week.

Oh man, it's addicting I tell you, but such a great resource really.

I signed up to bring grapes for my son's class party.

I could have brought them in a simple bowl, but seeing this earlier in the week inspired me to make them more festive.  The original pin suggests using  a star fruit for the top, I did not have time to get to the store to find one...so I cut up a lemon to resemble a star.  It took some serious effort.  But it's close enough.

And these...well these are from one of my favorite gluten free chefs.  Seriously.  Gluten free ginger molasses cookies dipped in organic dark cacao chocolate.  Scrumptious.  The tag line that the ginger adds anti-inflammatory benefits was what caught my eye.  A cookie that's anti-inflammatory for a lady battling (and prayerfully beating) lupus...I'm all over it. :)

Here they are cooling, but as you can see some little fingers already snagged one.

I have another pinterest inspired idea up my sleeve to package them for resource teachers and neighbors.

Hopefully those pictures will come tomorrow.

early christmas..cousin love

We're enjoying time with my sis, her hubby & son.
Had to share these cousin pics.  Mine are asking for another baby in the family.
Oh dear.
See how I've left the tree, decorated with all the sentimental ornaments by the kids.
Still haven't gotten around to adding garlands or anything.
It may or may not happen this year.
But I'm trying to be ok with that.
:)

christmas bliss

I have so much to say.

So much to show.

But so much to do.

So this will be brief.

We're celebrating early Christmas tomorrow with my family.

I still need to wrap

and finish up some things.

But this afternoon I have a fun scarf exchange party to go to.

A mommy day out.  I'm excited.

So quickly, here are highlights of posts I should have written.

But just haven't had the time.

We've taken the kids fishing.

(first time for the girls really catching something)

Ice skating.

(first time for all of them)

Antique shopping.

(love...love...love)

We're preparing for Christmas shows.

Blowing lots of bubbles.

Making lots of drawings. (love her paper dolls)

A fun preschool tradition of going on
their very own Polar Express.

And my most favorite tradition...

getting out the nativities.

I have a small collection of kid friendly ones.

The single most sentimental set is this precious moments one.

Purchased by the 12 year old me.

I saved my money and still remember it cost me 85 dollars
at a Christmas in July fair.  And it has remained so special to me.

I've always had a thing for nativities.  SO much so, I broke baby
Jesus as a child trying to kiss him goodnight.

I guess that's why I make sure to have kid friendly versions around
the house for our children.

OH..and soon, very soon I'll share what I've been working on.

It has something to do with this.

It was one of those, I think I can do that kind of things

that I then thought I may be in over my head.

But all in all I think I did ok.

Can't wait to gift them to friends and family this week!