23 December 2009

Out of Time? Let's Get Wrapping!

Are your packages wrapped?
Goodies packaged?
Nick-nacks assembled?
Don't stress. You still have A day!
Well today and tomorrow really.
You are running out of time. And quickly.

Here are a few quick packaging/wrapping ideas
to get you up and motivated to finish those
last minute gifts.

I heart the craftyness of these.

Good luck!


How cute are these?
All you do is get some jars - the $1 store
has a good selection - and chalk board paint. 
Mask off the area you want to paint.
Apply the chalk board paint.
Write the name and wa la!



I heart these takeout boxes -
available at most craft stores.
Grab some colored paper, or wrapping
paper and punch out festive shapes.
Apply double-sided tape and place them
on the box. Finish off with
holiday ribbon and your set.
Cuteness to go!
(Please remember to wrap your treats before putting them in)



Absolutely, positively one of my faves.
Why? It's simple and inexpensive.
Grab some paper lunch bags or a roll of butcher paper.
Go through your stash and pull out buttons. Lots of buttons.
If you don't have any run to the craft store and get some.
They are cheap.  Grab a variety.
Place button how ever you want.
Add some rafia (also cheap).
And there you go.
Who wouldn't smile when they see this?

Picture source: BHG.com



21 December 2009

To Read By Lantern Light

One of Kylee's gifts from our
Christmas on the coast
weekend was the
30th anniversary edition of
Where The Sidewalk Ends.
(from Aunt Staci & Uncle Tim)

She was so excited.
She started reading right at bed time.



I guess we weren't specific when
we said 'lights out'.

Nah...This is good stuff.
We always encourage reading.



Christmas on the coast

The Holiday festivities have begun.

This weekend we spent time with family
on the Northern Coast to celebrate
Christmas.

Even though it was foggy, then rainy,
it was so much fun!
So Relaxing.
So Cozy!

Hubby was already up there so
Kylee and I drove up Friday evening.

The fog was bad along the coast in the late afternoon
so my wonderful Hubby had his
stepdad drop him off in Jenner so
he could drive us back up to the house.

The roads get pretty crazy on Hwy 1 from Jenner
 and it lasts for about 20 miles.
I did not want to drive that road if I couldn't see it!

Well, guess what? By the time we picked up
hubby and resumed our drive
the fog had rolled back out over the coast
and the roads were clear.
YIPPEEE!

Kylee was so cute.
She wanted to open a gift Friday night
like it was Christmas Eve.
Well I guess it was kind of
Christmas Eve since we
were there to celebrate the holiday
on Saturday.

So that lucky little munchkin opened a gift.
She was so excited to see what she got!

Ta da!


It's a jewelry bead loom

She was very happy. And still is!
We made bracelets and key chains
all weekend.

She has been wanting one of these for a long time.
Toys R Us has one shaped like a guitar
that she has had her eye on for a while.

Hmmm...wonder if that is one of the packages
under our tree.

Saturday we spent the entire day
making jewelry and watching
Christmas movies that my
mother-in-law had recorded.

Once the evening came we had a nice dinner
& watched Kylee open the rest of her gifts.
Her American Girl inventory
has grown...again.
She is a very happy girl.

Then we topped the night off with a
game of Apples to Apples.
Very fun. If you haven't played
I suggest you do!







18 December 2009

Lovely Lucky Lady

The other night one of my
Realtor friends invited a few of us ladies
out to a local Restaurant here in Elk Grove ~
The Brickhouse.

We had a small (like 5 minute) meeting
then she handed us all these little packages.

She got us all these cute, sparkly key chains.
Of course her thought was
the L is for Liz.


I heart how it sparkles.

However, I say it means
Lovely Lucky Lady!

This little key chain is going to bring me
some real bling and a
prosperous New Year.

I can't wait!

16 December 2009

Handmade Stockings!

We are lucky enough to have great crafty people
in our lives. 
Well great people all around really.
And, a few of them are pretty darn crafty.

Our dear family friend, Kathy Palomar, made us
these stockings years ago. 
I love them!



We also have hand knit stockings from
Grandma Flossie.
They have our birth year on them
instead of our names.
They look like big knit socks and
are equally adorable.
They will make my blog next year.

We only have 1 fireplace
so we have to rotate
the stockings. 
Next year we will have 2 fireplaces
so all of the goodness will be hanging
waiting for Santa's treats!

Ahhh, definitely one of my favorite things
to do on Christmas morning is
to dive into my stocking!






14 December 2009

The Dolphin Experience 2009

I was going through my photo folders on my laptop
and came across Spring Break.

Enjoy!

This year. Spring Break.

Jamie had a race in San Diego.

We thought it would be fun for Kylee to bring her friend Kaylei
along to spend a day with us at Sea World.

Their surprise - the Dolphin Interaction Program.

They had the best time.
They weren't even scared.

They learned some training moves.
They got splashed.
They got to pet the dolphins.

WOW! A great experience!










What a great day for the girls!
We hope to do it again in 2010.


10 December 2009

Holiday Decorating - Budget Style

Who doesn’t like to add the holiday cuteness to their home this time of year?

Who doesn’t like to spend a lot of money to do it? ME ME ME

Here are a few things you can do to add some holiday to your home without spending a stocking full of money.

***I am sure you have a vase or two lying around. Well get those out, dust them off and fill them with beads or ornaments. The Dollar Tree has a great selection of ornaments this year.

***Even glasses. Do you have an over abundance of glasses? If so, take a few of them, fill them with beads, rice, pine, etc…and top them off with a votive or tea light (in a holder). You can do votives and tea lights in the same arrangement for affect.

***You can also wrap your vases that aren’t clear or flower pots, with paper. Tie yarn or string around and add a few bells. Once done, add some water and a few flowers. Not only are they pretty but they will smell good too!

***Go to the park and collect twigs or small branches. Put them together in the shape of a wreath and add some berries. Michaels craft store is having a great sale on their holiday d̩cor right now. You can find the berries there. The berries can also be universal Рused year around. Change the ribbon color for the other seasons.



***Frame Christmas cards. Do you have any lying around from years past? If not go to Walmart or Target and get a few. These are good for bathrooms or as fillers on your counters.

***Framed family photos of the holidays are always my favorite thing to have out on the mantel along with garland and the stocking holders & a few candles. I have photos going back 9 years. This is my favorite Christmas decoration.

I hope you find these ideas useful. What do you do? Any other ideas you can share?

Happy decorating!

Your Realtor,
Liz

07 December 2009

Oh me oh my! It's freezing outside! Save your plants!

It is really cold, freezing in my opinion, here in the greater Sacramento, CA area.  It actually snowed in the weeee hours of this morning-YIPPEEE.  I am betting lots of kids were happy campers as they woke up to enough snow for a little snow ball fight.  The last time I remember seeing snow here was 1992 (I think).

Well as you know with this wonderfully fun time of year comes frost. Frost that likes to damage our outdoor plants. EEK! 

Depending on your climate, frost can form on your outdoor plants in fall, winter and spring. This frozen moisture can be devastating to not only young seedlings but well established plants, too. To protect plants from frost, you must take a proactive approach to keep the devastation from occurring. Definitely!

Here is some info on How to Protect Outdoor Plants from the yuck Frost:

Step 1
Spread two to three inches of shredded bark, leaves or straw around plants to help the soil maintain a warm temperature. Mulching plants is a great way to protect hardy plants and help control weeds at the same time.  (Keep in mind cats like bark so throw some moth balls in there too)

Step 2
Keep beds moist and free of weeds to head off frost damage in spring. The moisture helps heat rise from the soil on chilly nights and warms the plants.  This is interesting!

Step 3
Protect vines on walls with a removable shade. Measure a sheet of canvas or nylon netting large enough to cover the plants completely and attach it to a stake. Mount the stake on the wall with hooks and eyes and let the shade hang to the ground. Pull up the shade when it is warm and lower it in late afternoon to help conserve heat.  Sounds cost effective too!

Step 4
Drape an old shower curtain, tarp or unfolded newspapers over plants if an unexpected light frost catches you unprepared.  Now I know what to do with all of those papers! YES!

Step 5
Protect young spring sprouts in the vegetable garden with floating row covers. Simply lay lightweight fleece over the top of the plants before nightfall. Young leaves touching the fleece may sustain slight damage if the fabric freezes but row covers are effective against frost even if temperatures drop below the freezing mark.  Good idea. Home gardens are very popular these days.

Step 6
Run the sprinkler over tender plants all night when frost is predicted. Water gives off heat as it condenses to ice and will keep the plants warmer than the air.  Remember to first check your city guidelines on watering.


I hope you find these tips as helpful as I did.

Happy plant and garden protecting!

Your Realtor,
Liz
 

04 December 2009

Flashback!

We have been cleaning out and packing up our home office.

While doing so I came across a box of old photos.

Here are two.  Check them out!
Please note: they are pictures of pictures so please excuse the quality. :)


This is about 10 years ago.
Getting ready to go to a work dinner.
Shelby, the little one, is 19 now!

Heather & I have been friends for about 20 years.
WOW!

Heather is actually having Jamie and I and another set of
very good long time friends, Jen and Dave,
over tonight.
Can't wait!

This is Gabriel, Heather's son, holding Kylee.
She is now 9 and he is 14!
Seems like yesterday.
Boy how time passes so quickly.


Ahhh the old days.





01 December 2009

2 Cups of Thanksgiving & a Pinch of Black Friday


Well, well, well...Thanksgiving.  We had a great one...actually 2!

Round 1: Our holiday began Thanksgiving morning as we drove to Fresno. Not out of the ordinary except we also drove home that same night! Yes, we heart driving. All sarcasim intended.  :)  Hey Black Friday was calling!

We got to spend time with my family this year...yeah! Grandpa, Mom, Uncle, Aunt, Brother, Sister, Nieces, Cousins...oh my!

My Aunt and Uncle were amazing hosts.  The decor was fabulous and the family time...well, that was SUPERB as usual. In the past few years, as a family, we have been dealt some bad cards for sure.  But we have prevailed! I, being one who believes everything happens for a reason, believes that my (our) grandmother has successfully gotten the family-in her own way, to love and appreciate one another. Almost all of us anyway. :) Gosh I miss her.  We all do.  I am truly THANKFUL for my life. For my family.

Our Hosts - Uncle & Aunt

She was worried my brother wouldn't be there

There he is. He cooks!

Brother & Sister-in-law

Look at my cute little niece-Oh and her mom & dad :)

Me, Mom & Brother

Two cousins & their girlfriends (and my hubby)

Us

We had a great day!

Black Friday: We drove from Fresno to drop Kylee of at her friend's house then went to stand in line at Toys R Us with some friends-we were there at 11:30pm (Thursday).  Crazy, but fun!  We shopped and napped until about 2:00pm (Friday) then met some friends for dinner. Thanks Tammy & Hanh!  The food was great!

Thanksgiving...round 2: Sunday we met Jamie's brothers at my in-law's. We had a fabulous dinner - as usual. 

My in-laws read my blog and decided to be little pranksters. I had blogged about the leftovers we always get from them.  So....we get to their house and there is this round thing wrapped in foil.  I thought it was wierd that there was something already wrapped in foil but assumed it was something brother-in-law had brought over.

Hmmm...nope...Pops told me that was the turkey for me to take home. Since I was banking on leftovers they cooked me a whole turkey!

Yeah, well, little Mr. & Mrs. Funny had this under the foil

Yes, that is a hen. HA HA HA
It was so funny! 
That little thing was GOOD! 

By the way, we did have two turkeys and all of the fixings so YES, I had mucho leftovers.  I am bummed that I forgot my camera though.

We had great Thanksgivings & I hope you did too!