The Tradition of the Gingerbread Houses

As a little girl my mother and I spent our holidays in California. Missing out on the unknown traditions that could be had at Great-Grandma's back home. So when our own family moved back to the Midwest in 2004 I was ecstatic for my girls to create and share the traditions I hadn't had with my grandmother, their Great-Grandma. Last year was the first year they made a gingerbread house. This year they joined together to bake and decorate a mammoth gingerbread barn... as the girls are huge animal and farm fans. Which works out capitally since we call the Midwest our home. The girls enjoyed themselves... though I am certain Grandma enjoyed herself more... making the tradition complete with Santa Helper apron and baker hats. Next year I get to try my hand at it... and I already have my pattern picked out... a Gothic house. Fun fun!

Oh... and since the making of the houses (a few weeks ago)... my mother realized she was missing out... so she moved back home to the Midwest from Cali. We have her here with us now. My mom was just in time to enjoy Christmas with us all... a four generation holiday. Now next year we are going to have one serious gingerbread house baking and making party. Thank you for these priceless memories Grandma... you are definitely one damn crafty lady!!

Sisterhood of the Traveling Twilights

Fellow blogger Melissa Lee made mention of this infamous vampire romance bandwagon on her blog today. It takes a lot for me to admit reading these books... considering the average age of its readers. But with the help of a few among this growing sisterhood, we are working to raise the age of that average. After cracking open the first book you are all but lost... though I fear I was lost after seeing the movie with my girlfriends. All while I suffered from heart palpitations and shortness of breathe. If that isn't bad enough... my dear hubby admitted to having dreams of it after I dragged him to a second viewing. It couldn't have been that bad for him... since he referred to it as a dream and not a nightmare.

So whats the rage with this book series by Stephanie Myers? Is it the trend, the crowds of girls, the hype, and oh... the peer pressure, or is it the shear number on this bandwagon? Well personally, I resisted it for these last two years for every one of those reasons. I am too old for trends (so it seems... it only shows my age more), the girls are obvious and easy to avoid with their Twilight shirts and Hannah Montana montages. The hype is a bit overrated, as you cannot trust the hype for most things these days since popularity far outweighs substance these days. Then there is the peer pressure... oh I have had a few girlfriends talk it up and tempt me with it. All the while warning me I will not stand alone for long. So it was my moment of weakness when I ended up at the movies two weeks ago... begging for more. The overwhelming number of woman, and men, reading these books can be intimidating, knowing you'll be born as one of them once your times up. I didn't want to see myself on the other side of the fence... with something of such silly fantasies. Well now... I ate my words... and here I stand wishing it all were true. Ugh!

So REALLY what's the rage...? I can only speak for my own frenzied rage over this series...

First, the relationships in these books are pure, unselfish and unwavering. Something we see little of, yet I am sure it would benefit my family if I suffered an extreme dose of it. Second, I find it wholesome--well on the side of sexuality and morality. The author wrote to exclude all premarital sex... GASP! you cry... how could she... well no one else is doing it... so why not make a mark where it counts, on the side of virtue. No ones asks to be a vampire or a werewolf here. Yet when they are faced with it, they choose to make the best and most honorable choices, and fight against those who do not. And last, sometimes a sappy happily-ever-after is the best fix for the fantasy deprived.

My only moral dilemma now... I wish these vampires were the real deal. There you have it... I ATE my words!

Read it!

Kreativ Blogger Award

My scrappy girlfriend Carrie gave me a nom nod on her blog with the KREATIV BLOGGER AWARD. She nominated me with mention of my photo-takin'-frenzy around here. Isn't she a sweetie!! Thanks lovey!!

Now I would like to pass along the sentiment to some KREATIV friends who have shared their talent and inspired others throughout the blogging crowd. They have truly made blogging a welcomed haven to have in this mixed up world. So here's to you...

1. Heidi Scovel at Mt Hope Academy... what can I say... she is a genius in her vision. Her unique vision inspires her photography, book reviews, collection of quotes, journey with homeschooling, timeless decor, and a slice of something delicious on occasion. Thank you Heidi!!

2. Melissa Lee at Stretch Marks... you can't get more real than with Melissa! She will make you laugh and make you cry, and make you wish she were family all the same. Her journey through adoption, marriage, mothering, even food and most of all life is touching, hilarious, educational, memorable and entertaining.

3. Sarah Kaiser at The Update... a mother like no other I know. She should get an Oscar for all she does with a witty and handsome four year old, and triplets who give their rocket scientist parents a run for their money, and minds... and she masters it all with humor, patience and faith.
4. Tanisha Renee at Girl, Lemme Tell You... an inspiration of scrapping genius. With Tanisha's two little guys, a career, home and family... she manages to scrap it all as a true artist.

5. Erin Thompson at Erin T Photography... a long ago girlfriend from high school Erin has come so far with her family and now she has taken on her own photography business in Southern California. Erin is an inspiration in preserving family memories not only through her talent and hobby, but through her business as well. You rock!!

"Pay It Forward" loveys:
1. The winner may put the logo on their blog.
2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award.
3. Nominate 5 blogs.
4. Provide links to their blogs.
5. Leave a message for your nominees.

Vintage Dollies

Grandma always holds the best treasures....

A field to play in...

So... on the way home from my grandmother's this weekend I just couldn't resist the little flea markets on the way. The only thing better... would have been strollin' through the shops with grandma. So I trudged along and did my best to enjoy it without the company. My thought was to find some chairs to prop our kids on while taking pictures... since it gets tiring after a few hours of being snap happy. So I found this simple little thing here... and stuffed it in the car... and then just as the sun was setting... this little field popped into view like a yellow daisy around a curve. And here you have it... our little side note from our trip home from grandma's house.

Snapshots from a little town...

Just a few snapshots from our visit to great-grandma's house this weekend. Isn't it always the out of the way little places that hide these beautiful treasures. Just to be spied by my little eye, or lens... and then adorned with giggling beauties such as Hannah and Sara Kate. Grandma teased me about these doors to humor my uncle... her words were, " remember those ugly doors... yeah Aja gonna take pictures of it...." Well I am sure she will think differently with her great-grandchildren in front of them now. TADA!!

Lessons from Thanksgiving...

Just a few thoughts that have popped in my unstable mind since the holiday...

Pecan pie is the perfect breakfast food.

Leftovers can be a good thing.

It feels good to share... after the fact.

It isn't Thanksgiving without Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and Aunt Joyce's cheeseball

Cooking breakfast AND lunch on Thanksgiving is an iron clad entitlement for a nap, even with company.

Pictures should be taken before the feast... to limit the bloated look.

Must-have movies are a necessity... family classics or something new... there is no middle ground here.

New recipes are better left for another night of the week.

Sweats should be clean to wear after the feast has been had.

Splenda is not an equal replacement for sugar.

Makeup and hair is a must... to counterbalance the cheese, flour, dough and grease in your hair and on your face and clothes.

Friends are like family. Always.

Any other lessons learned...