Happy New Year! (And Gulf Coast Snow)

Yesterday hubby & I celebrated our anniversary! We went out for a nice quiet dinner after he came home from working hard all day. Then we came home & he hooked up the plumbing to our kitchen sink because...the day after Christmas, while Ari and I were battling traffic in an attempt to go to the mall (WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!), and had just pulled into a (rare) parking spot, we got a call that went little something like this: "while you were out 'leisurely' driving to the mall (???-*#@*!!! Yes, I did preceed this by saying we just celebrated our anniversary AFTER this transpired. Christmas miracle? Maybe... ;-)), the kitchen sink caved in...". Well, all's well that ends well. The sink got fixed Monday evening.

AND I DIDN'T HAVE TO DO MUCH COOKING FOR A FEW DAYS!!!

(Kind of soothed my frazzled nerves that resulted from my "leisurely" day at the mall AND the "leisurely" comment.)

Here's a few photos of the snow when we got back from our trip to visit family (in Loozy-ana y'all):

My car

A couple of views of the backyard. Those hibiscus flowers must be in shock!

The patio furniture. Notice the citrus trees in the background. I think they survived.

"The Survivor". My lonely little winter tomato plant with a tomato hanging on for dear life.

The view from our front door and the front yard.

I just wanted to add that while sitting, listening to a couple of family members singing Christmas songs ala duet during our Christmas dinner visit in LA, my heart swelled with pride to know I was blessed enough to be a part of my family. That heart swelling thing happens often while gazing at family members...I'm such a marshmallow inside. All covered in a cool, crispy, crunchy porcupine-y shell :).

Never Say Never

Hahaha! My last post, before we went out of town for a few days, spoke of how we don't have white Christmases in Houston (very often anyway). Well, yesterday evening IT SNOWED!!! I love it! I'll post pictures as soon as I can but for now, I have to concentrate on finishing up some Christmas gifts that I'm working on so I won't be blogging too often until that's done. And cookie making tomorrow also. Busy, busy, busy. But aren't we all this time of year?

White Christmas in Houston? Not Likely

I heard this cute song on the radio and thought I'd share the lyrics. So cute and so true! I've spent more than one Christmas here growing up on Galveston island and in the Houston area wearing SHORTS! I found the lyrics at christianoriginals.com. Enjoy. And if you have snow, savor it while it lasts...there's nothing like sweatin' on Christmas day ;-).
Merry Christmas y'all.

White Christmases In Houston
song lyrics from the album Merry Christmas by Branded

If you dream of horse-drawn carriages
Dashing through the snow;
Before you move to Texas
There's something you should know...

That they don't have White Christmases in Houston.
I've lived here most my life and I should know.
I've prayed and I've pleaded for way too many years
But they just don't have White Christmases down here.

I've heard of winter carnivals in Aspen.
It looks just like a winter wonderland.
But remember while you're freezin' throughout this Christmas season
We'll be down here with Christmas cheer and flip-flops in the sand.

I've seen all those Christmas shows on TV.
Blankets of white powder; my, how grand!
But while you've got snow and holly, I'm feastin' on tamales;
Sittin' on my back porch with an iced tea in my hand.

That they don't have White Christmases in Houston.
I've lived here most my life and I should know.
I've prayed and I've pleaded for way too many years
But they just don't have White Christmases down here.

And the Winner Is...

Joan!!! Congratulations! email me: tjssweethome@hotmail.com to let me know where you would like me to send your Pocket Purse! Thank you all for participating.
Also, Joan (as most of you did) voted for an apron to be my next giveaway item (to be held in 6-8 weeks)! I guess I better get busy sewing...

This was so much fun!!!

Super Easy, People's Choice Giveaway!!!

Just a few more hours until midnight!!! Can't wait to see who the winner is!

I've decided to do a giveaway. A People's Choice giveaway! The first giveaway item will be this cute dark denim, daisy embellished pocket purse. It would be perfect to give as a gift to any little girl (or the young at heart!) in your life. The rules for this one are easy.

1) Visit my Etsy shop, http://www.tjssweethome.etsy.com/ and look around. Then decide which section/category you would like my next giveaway item to be from (pocket purses, etc.). Come back to my blog and leave a comment with your choice. That will enter your name for the drawing for the pocket purse this time and if your name is drawn, an item that would fit the section/category you chose will be the next giveaway item to be held in 6-8 weeks! Be sure to leave a way to contact you in case you win! (To clarify, choose a section/category. Not a specific item. The specific giveaway item will be of my choosing. ;-) )

2) Mention this giveaway on your blog along with a link back to my blog and this giveaway info, and receive another entry! (Let me know in your comment that you will be doing so, along with your blog address ;) )

3) If you don't have a blog, you can simply refer a friend or family member to my blog for the giveaway, but make sure each person lets me know you referred them. This will give you an extra entry per person referred. (Again, make sure they let me know you referred them so you can get the credit!! And the entry! )

And for a whopping FIVE extra entries...

4) If you see something you like at my shop and make a purchase, that will earn you five more entries in the giveaway for the pocket purse for each item you order!! (Just be sure to let me know when you comment so I can follow up!!!)

Spread the word! The more the merrier! This giveaway begins today, November 18, 2008 and ends on Tuesday, December 2nd 2008 at midnight.

Good Luck!

***This post will remain at the top of my blog until the giveaway is over. Scroll down to see all new posts!***

A Little of This and a Little of That

Is it December already!!!

How was your Thanksgiving? We had a great time, a full house and many full tummies. Much to be thankful for!
I know you all have been waiting with bated breath to see my window treatment that cost me just a little over $2. OK, maybe not. Anyway, here it is: I found this fabric on sale for $1 a yard, took all 2 yards and 26 inches they had left on the bolt and came home with the intention of making something else out of it. But then creativity took hold of me. I grabbed a tension rod that I had on hand and played with the fabric a bit before just folding it in half and then hanging it over the rod. Then I found a string of pearls laying around that belong to my DD (a good reason to pick up after yourselves children!) and draped them over the rod as well. A bit of ribbon from my ribbon stash and...there you have it.

On my way to type up this post, I passed by my window of African violets and thought I'd share their beautiful blooms:

Pretty Babies!

Before I sign off, be sure to check out the great recipes Joan is sharing on her blog! Also, The Vintage Rose is showing off some beautiful handcrafted cards. Planning on doing a little quilting? Scrapbooking? Spy out all the vintage looking quilting blocks and other neat items the SunBonnetSueLady has to help you get started on those one of a kind Christmas projects!

Let the baking and ornament hanging begin!!!