Eve At The Ranch.

 Friday morning we went to Dad's for a Sattler holiday. 

The 3 J's couldn't make it but as you can see, the rest of us did.

 Dad, trying out Dawson's new scooter. 

Ivy chased him about, calling after him that he was a big kid just like her.

 Some of us girls.

 Dawson showing Ivy the ropes.

 Fun with Big Wheels.

 This face explains exactly how fast this feels. I clearly remember soaring my own Big Wheels down this very same driveway a million years ago.

Our Holiday.

 Everything wrapped and ready.

 Evidence that Santa came, reindeer too.

 "How did Santa know?" was a common comment from both Little Girls.

 Ivy's elusive blue shoes.

 What Santa brought me!

To You And Yours.

This...

 ...is the view from where I sit. 

Jackson happily snacking.

 Little Rambo-tting.

Savannah redecorating.

Weekend Wonderland.

When the holiday season arrives and in celebration you look around the room at all the people you celebrated with the year before, you can't help but count your lucky stars, say a prayer of gratitude and savor the time you have together because thankfully everyone made it back together safely and happily. The weekend was wet and cold, but we filled our days with warmth and love by celebrating the holidays with friends and family. 

Keszler's Christmas Party 

 Petit artists, warming up before the party.

 Santa was there, a big hit with the kids, "he" brought The Little Girls new DVD's. Savannah is still wondering how Santa has our same wrapping paper...oops.

 Ivy wanted NOT to get close to Santa or anything else to do with him for that matter.

 The Treadaway girls and their boys.

 Happiness.

 Blurry but really nothing is sweeter than seeing little William sing Christmas carols while holding a candle. Precious.

 Jeni and I with our elves. Thank you Jeni and Robbie, your holiday party is amazing and I so look forward to it. You are so lovely to spoil your friends the way you do.

We spent Saturday at the Combellacks (my aunt and uncle's), most of my Mom's side of the family was there. It was so relaxing and homey, I forgot to take pictures. But the day was reminiscent of all of my childhood holidays both Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was so normal and happy for me, it hurts when holidays go by and I don't get to celebrate in this way. My Grandparents, Aunt and Uncle, cousins, my siblings, their children and family pets...it was a perfect day. And yesterday Dee Dee hosted a cookie decorating party. More on that to come!

Art Class Interrupted.

Something happened yesterday when 80 kids got their hands on old fashioned clothespins...Art. The kids were focused, serious and creative. I didn't hear the usual, "I don't know what to do." or "I'm not good at this." They happily painted these wooden ornaments, a project my Mom used to do with us four Sattler kids, and couldn't wait to take them home to show their own parents. I must take a moment to thank my sidekick, the incredibly imaginative and artsy Taylor who came up with so many ideas and brought them to "life" on 2-3 inches of wood. The kids love her and tried in earnest to copy her designs.

 My and Taylor's ornaments.

 The students final peeps.

Kid Heaven.

 Every holiday season The Little Girls and I make Gingerbread houses. They pick out the candy and wait anxiously for me to make frosting, build the graham cracker homes and place them at the table.

 Two fresh graham cracker canvases.

 The sweets.

 What happens to a gingerbread house when it is overladen with heavy sugary candies?

This just about broke Savannah's heart.

"Mommy can fix anything" she said, so I did.

 

 Ivy's "ginger-man house", she licked every piece of candy she touched.

Antique Faire-December Edition.

 The thrill of the hunt never dies at the Sacramento Antique Faire. It was a beautiful Sunday morning for December, a month very testy weather-wise for an outdoor market. I took very little home, spent more on food than antiques, but I found myself finding objects I would love to give as gifts if only it were in my budget.

 For my sister-in-law Jenny, we drove ALL OVER Orlando, Florida looking for lawn flamingos-to no avail...here they are in our own backyard.

 Joshlynn, we were just talking about chenille throws yesterday!!

 

This poster I really wanted for myself, I adore it. But could I afford the $85 price tag, I would have given it to Sharon along with these baskets and burlap sacks...very French.

 

 

For Bethany of Rinse Repeat, this is your color and seems like you, and can I just say...I am completely starstruck from your comment on this blog. I admit to squealing and jumping up and down. For reals.

These are the real deal. $255, never worn and a complete deal in terms of Louboutin. Size 8. Too big for me and I am so unsure of my girlfriends' shoe sizes...I couldn't think of an owner for these girls but had to post their photo.

 These tinsel trees were fancy, and not a one for sale (why, oh WHY?). 

These for Jeni, I wished you were there.

 

 

Weak.

Honey Hutters, 

Just stopping by briefly to check in. My creativity (and life) has been under the control of a searing headache these last two days, I simply cannot kick it's shadow but desperately wish to. Wishing you a happy weekend, I'm hoping to beat this thing and do that baking I crave with or without Tim's help reaping the rewards. Have a happy weekend and as always, thanks for stopping by The Hut.

(photo as dated, traveling by train somewhere between Austria and Italy)

Stick It To Me.

 The Little Girls got large sticker books from their Aunt Angela, they spend at least a half hour before bed playing and arranging them on...the wall.

 Savannah's

 Ivy's

Last night when Ivy asked me to snuggle her in her bed while Tim and Savannah read The Chronicles of Narnia in the living room, it was I who was the canvas to her artistic sensibilities. What is really wrong with this picture is how I've passed out and she couldn't be more awake!?!?

 

Yes, Please.

My Baking Itch needs some scratching...if I knew that I would have Tim's help consuming Christmas cookies, I'd be in the kitchen instead of drooling over this post. But alas, Tim has cut out sugar (cold turkey, literally no sugar except 1 cube in his coffee each morning) since early October. So between The Little Girls and I well, I'm just not sure we need this quantity (including Tim's portion) of sugar during flu season. I might break down, and if I do I will make these holiday treats. Someone will have to come over to help me in the joy of celebrating...any takers?

 Peppermint Whoopie Pies

 Chewy Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies.

 Surprise Cookies.

Buttery Lemon Squares.

Chocolate Thumbprints.