Tender Tennessee Christmas

Joshua and I have been blessed to have an extended vacation this year.  We're spending a full week back home in Tennessee and it has been absolutely glorious.  We received a light snow Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...making it a White Tennessee Christmas!  We've had the opportunity to make several drives through the country-side...something that has always been dear to our hearts.  Josh and I used to take long drives when we were dating..absorbing our surroundings and the nature just outside our windows. 

We went to Christmas Eve Service with Joshua's parents at Brentwood UMC, and the service was beautiful.  This was the church I grew up in...but prior to this year, I have only been to their Christmas Eve Service once..and that was the year my sister was born.  So...this was only the second Christmas I've ever spent in Tennessee.  Christmas day was spent with Joshua's extended family.  We had a delicious brunch at his parent's house with the family and then went over to Grandmother and Grandfather's for Christmas dinner.  I love hanging out with his family.  We all get along really well and have a good time hanging out and catching up.

We'll be here through New Year's but haven't decided yet what we'll doing.  Old Crow Medicine Show is playing at the Ryman...but obviously already sold out.  That's what we get for dealying our decision making. 

Pierre has been getting along really well with the other cats of the house (Harley, Doodlebug, and Mickey).  They have had fun getting to know one another, chasing each other, and playing.  Pierre, I'm sure, has had fun with all the extra space..and STAIRS!  It's been really fun to watch him interact.  We're just afraid he'll be depressed when we head back to Dallas with no friends for him to play with during the day.

Ok..off to relax some more.  I'll post pictures when I get back to Dallas.

Free Christmas Music

Yes..that is right.  There is free Christmas Music provided by none other than...

Target!

You get a bunch of tracks absolutely free.  Now..who doesn't love something free?  And what better free thing can there be?

.....Ok, don't answer that last question as I'm sure one could think of a lot bigger, shinier, better free things.

But with all that said, free Christmas music is always a plus.  So, get your fanny over to the Target  site and download until your heart's content.  Cheers!

(The below song is one of the featured songs on said free Christmas album.)

Holiday Tradition and Cheer

Christmas music, Caramel Apple Cider from Starbucks, and making my Christmas cards...not too much can beat that!  Friday night I got to do all of these things all at once!

I'm not going to post a picture of the final product..as I don't want to ruin the Christmas Card surprise!  But..they do incorporate the stamps in the right of the picture.  This year I learned to emboss.  I must say, the process is pretty cool.  I've been working on embossing the cards and addressing envelopes.  I'm a good 1/2 way through.  

Last year I got my card idea from Martha Stewart.  I used grosgrain ribbon to make Christmas trees on the front. Go to Martha Stewart.com for other ideas.

Mine looked similar to the one on the top  left.

This years idea came from Paper Source.  They had an embossing demonstration at the store and they had a great selection of stamps so I thought..why not! They have a lot of really cool gift ideas, on top of great card supplies.  Check them out at Paper Source.com

I guess you could say making my Christmas cards is a holiday tradition.  What is a holiday tradition that you look forward to every year?

Christmas List

Yes..I still make lists of things I would love for Christmas.  I've put together a little list below:

1. iPhone4:  I resisted for a very long time.  I didn't think I wanted to be that "connected"...but I'm finally seeing the bonus in them.  So..on my list it goes.


2.  Art easel:  found this one online at www.displays2go.com


3. Fire pit for the backyard.  I love spending time outside...but let's be honest, it's a little too cold in the winter.  UNLESS, we had a firepit to hang out around.  This plan also includes a need for 2x4 Jenga (if you haven't seen this..it's awesome!)

4. These ruffle gloves, found at Dillard's.  Love them and they are really warm.


5.  I would really love a rug for our main room.  I need something warm under my feet.
     I love this one from Target, but they don't make it big enough.  It would look perfect in our
     house though!

6.  Last but not least, I really would love Kinect, which goes with XBox 360.  Silly..but looks like so much fun...and gets you moving, rather than playing games and sitting stagnant.



Ok..that is all.  I am really looking forward to our trip home for Christmas.  It'll be great..and hopefully somewhat relaxing.

Vinyl Pinups Merry Christmas

We have some very talented friends back in Nashville: Brennan and Khara Aerts.  Below is their version of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by The Vinyl Pinups.  They recently released their first song on iTunes.  You should check it out!  Their Christmas cover is pretty good too..and a little silly.  Enjoy!