Gifts - Week 1

This year I am beginning a new tradition with my daughters and E. I mean I celebrate my birth all month long so I thought wouldn’t it be fun if I did something similar for my peeps. They happily go along with anything I want to do for my “Birthmas” so why not spread love right?


I made cute little tags in Word, printed them then laminated them. I made a different one for each gift.

Anyone that has been reading me for any length of time knows that my kid usually accessorizes her pajamas…um, yeah I am soooo not kidding. It is not uncommon for one of us to go into her bedroom to give her a kiss and she has an arm full of bangles or a pair of her colored ‘pearls’ around her neck. She ALWAYS has on a pair of earrings.

So her gift this week is a new pair of pajamas. She will get some fresh accessories next week. It wouldn’t surprise me if she wore ALL of them to bed at once. LOL

Let me tell ya’ll a thing about E, he HATES shopping, HATES it. This joker will wear his t-shirts and socks until they are literally falling apart and will look at me like I am crazy when I tell him it is time to replace them. This is fools talk because replacing them would require him actually going into a store! LOLOL…so E gets a box full of fresh, white undershirts and socks. One of the really cool things about E is that he will appreciate this little gesture as if I have given him gold!


The gifts get bigger as the month progresses. Neither knows what the other is getting except for the usual dinner of your choice on your actual day. I love good surprises…these folks in my house are spoilT (the T is for emphasis!) LOLOL


What special things do you do for your birthday celebration?

It's Party Season!!!!

As many of you know, I LOVE a good party! Oh do I love a great party: great people, a little booze, good food, and old school music…can’t go wrong! I am currently planning two corporate events for October and November, along with birthday celebrations for B and E for October; but I am also planning one final party in December for myself. That’s right I am planning my own birthday party!

Full disclosure, I have never had a birthday party. I have had some memorable birthdays mind you but an all out party…nope. This party will be one of my weekly gifts to myself…cause y’all know I celebrate all month!

I’m thinking a game night party: card tables set up in the formal living, a spades table, dominoes, karaoke, Wii/PS3 games, Scrabble, etc. A buffet spread of gumbo, various seasoned chicken wings, fresh fruits and vegetables, cupcakes, good wine and liquor, old school music, roaring fire and a gang of people I like and love…..GREAT TIMES right!? I mean the house will be Christmas dressed, everyone will be in the holiday spirit and my people are truly fun to be around…TRULY. You can’t help but have an awesome time when we are in the building.

The ONLY reason this would not happen is if that darn bathroom remodel is not complete…still waiting on the insurance company and the adjusters to get it together. However, I’m going to plan anyway; guest list, I have a great idea for invitations, etc. I can’t even tell y’all how excited I am!

*Party over here*

The Friday Five - Stuff I've Purchased



With some warm maple syrup!!!! Child please! These were so good.

Patti Patti! Haven't tried this yet.

Find this stat! I can't even describe how awesomely scrumptious this tea tastes.

I actually received this free with a meal deal. Will plank some salmon directly

These cheese slices are really good with a sweet bread or even a croissant to offset the spice from the horseradish.

Beginning To Look...

A lot like Christmas…

OK. Not really. I mean we are still in summer wear around this piece.

However, in the midst of everything I have going on I am thinking about Christmas: the color scheme I want to use, gift wrapping, gifts to purchase, mantle display, Oh I get to buy NEW trees this year!!!!

Um, don’t judge me OK? No Seriously….Stop it! LOLOL


I LOVE Christmas. Every year I have to talk myself out of putting my trees up November 1st Thanksgiving evening. #TrueStory.

This year I will have two big trees and fewer smaller ones on display. The main tree in the formal living I want it to look more traditional, similar to this:

The one in the family room more whimsical, like this:

I also know my kid is going to want her usual one in her room but she hasn’t decided on colors.


I also want to make some of these:

And this:

All my gift wrapping will be done in Kraft paper. I am teaching myself how to tie fancy bows (there are a ton of web tutorials); I am upping my craft supply purchases in preparation; I have ordered a set of alphabet stamps all so I can become one with my inner crafting self and do stuff like this:

About my mantle though? I have no idea what I want to do. I just know it will have to "coordinate"

I’m not going to even ask have y’all been thinking about Christmas because, save for one or two other people, no one has this Christmas decorating sickness but me. *smh*


All pictures from various www.Pinterest.com Boards...I'm addicted. If you want an invite leave a comment!

Now Churning: Chocolate Toffee Walnut

You need this in your life!

Chocolate ice cream, toffee pieces and toasted walnuts, mixed in and on top! Mercy!