So Sew Organized

Welcome to our first Coffee Chat of 2012! Today we're talking about making New Years' resolutions and simplifying our lives. Enjoy! Holly: So, how was your Christmas? Nicole: It was fantastic! I got to spend a whole week with family, which was a blast! You? Holly: It was really nice. I was sick the whole time, but still had fun. Nicole: Blech! Holly: Are you sad the season is over, or are you looking forward to a new year? Nicole: Well, I never am ready to leave family, and I do love Christmas, but there is something about new beginnings (aka, the new year) that is exciting as well! Holly: Absolutely! Nicole: What did you do to kick off the new year? Holly: Organized!!! I talked about some of it in my blog post the other day , but we literally spent all weekend installing shelves and organizing closets. It was amazing! We're kinda geek-y like that :) Nicole: I saw that, and I am soooo jealous! You did a fantastic job! Holly: Thanks. I love it and can't stop looking at i...

The Encounter is a fictional story of grace, mercy, and forgiveness. It is not a lengthy book, but it is full of fabulous truths from God's word. Jonathan Rush is a wealthy CEO with a surprising past. For years he has lived with bitterness toward the one person he should love the most. Bitterness and an unforgiving spirit are a downward spiral in his life, leaving him near death and at his wits end. It takes a trip to Alaska - and a surprising turn of events - to change his life and turn him around. I enjoyed the simplicity of this book and also the captivating tale. I liked the way the author turned the story line in a way I wasn't expecting and caught me totally off guard. I believe it would have been appropriate and helpful if the author had made more direct references to the truths of God's Word, but the story line does teach general biblical principles. This book also teaches the importance of seeking wise counsel and then acting on the counsel given. Although that is...

Technically we went over the bay of Fundy and through the woods, but who's getting technical...we did go to Grandmothers house! We spent Christmas day with my Dad's parents, and had a blast, as always! My siblings and I created this gingerbread house: Seriously, if gingerbread houses aren't in your list of traditions yet, they totally should be! We don't necessarily do one every year, but it is fun! This was, "one, two, okaytakeyourfingeroff, THREE!" Little late, perhaps? Somehow Justin missed this picture...and since Judah didn't help much, he didn't make it, either. See the icicles? Pat me on the back...that was all me. Came out pretty good, don't you think? I thought of it too late, but I totally should have done some "house crashing" on my Grammies Christmas decor. Because she does such a good job and has such cute stuff everywhere! Like this drawer she pulled out (under her TV) and filled with lights and bulbs...genius! So pretty! I...

If I've never crashed your browser before, this just may be the day. I apologize in advance.  I think I might crash my browser just trying to get this posted for you! But nevertheless, let the party begin. Here are some pictures to let you all in on the festivities that are Christmas. We celebrated 3+ days with my moms side of the family, totaling 41, plus 2 "outsiders" that we let sneak in this year. And can I just say...I have the cutest cousins ever. With that many people, some of them felt the need to stake their claim! I'd be scared too, wouldn't you? How do we fit that many people? This is how! For the first 5 nights I was there, I slept in a different spot every night! But that's ok, it adds to the fun! We cram a lot of things into the time we have together. Food being the most important. And we play a LOT of games. Over the years, we've built up quite the arsenal of group games! {I ended up winning this one! } We enjoyed some family football (while...

Merry Christmas from the Risingers! Clearly, someone is enjoying his first Christmas. :) May you have a blessed, fun-filled day with Christ at the center!

Notice that I did not say Christmas gift. That was on purpose, for a couple reasons: 1) This would make a great housewarming/hostess/whatever else gift during the winter months, and 2) I wouldn't want anyone to think I am giving these away as Christmas gifts. You are not allowed to know what you are getting until Christmas . So just because I made these this week does not mean they are Christmas gifts, ok? Just wanted to make that plain. Moving on...this was a super quick and fun project that left me saying, more! more! And I thunk it up all by myself, ohyesIdid. Here it is: Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix. (Original, eh?) I cheated took normal hot chocolate mix and added crushed peppermint powder and some extra cocoa. My lovely assistant helped me crush the peppermints and candy canes by smacking them with a hammer and then unwrapping them. Here is a closeup of the layers (and whats all in there): The jar is just a $1 jar from the dollar store, and it isn't as big as it looks i...

This may be the most boring Christmas post you'll ever read, but I thought I would share how we do our gift-giving around here and hook you up with some links to what I'm reading in the blog world these days. Which you probably all know and have also been reading, but I'll link you up, just in case. Just to say I did. And help the poor soul that isn't. (I think that was pretty bad grammar, but moving on...) I mentioned before how there is usually anywhere from 35 - 55 people around at Christmas.Which is a blast, but makes for a wholelotta presents. We try to keep them trimmed down some by drawing names. Everyone's name goes in a hat and we draw the lucky person we get to buy for the next year! Kids draw kids names, and adults draw adults. It works well, and keeps everyone from having to buy 55 gifts! Here is what our tree looked like last year, pre-open presents time: And yeah, that picture doesn't really show them all. Just take my word for it...there is a lot....