dolls x 4

{ Spoiler alert..... If you are my mother-in-law or one of my sisters-in-law and you want to be surprised at Christmas ... turn away quick... }


Ok - everyone else - here's a sneak peek at some of the Christmas goodies.
The Black Apple doll isn't exactly a new project. It's just new to me. I never thought I'd get into dolls, but I guess so. I also said I'd never get into clothes, but obviously I was wrong about that!!! (the final frontier... doll clothes. I think I'll hold out a little longer on that one.)

I got a 5-pack of matching fat quarters. Each doll has matching stockings, and their own special matching dress with a monogram. If I have time, I might add some accessories (flower hair "pin", scarf, whatever else I can think of). For right now, I'm just excited about these little cuties!!
I know some people paint on faces or hand-embroider. I don't really like handwork so I just used fabric markers.
I had fun with the hair too.
Two curly-headed blondies...
And two straight-haired little dollies.
I can't wait to give them to my daughter & nieces!!!

christmas books...day 16

An Orange for Frankie - Patricia Polacco
Do you set out oranges at Christmas time? Reading this story makes me want to bring one back from our visit to Michigan!!!

Apple Tree Christmas - Trinka Hakes Noble
Farm life isn't an easy one - and these sisters find fun and enjoyment in the apple tree near their house. What they do with it after the ice storm is even more special.

oreo cookies + mint

We've been up to no good in the kitchen again! This time Abby got in on the action too. We melted red chocolate wafers, dipped the Oreos, and sprinkled! (Can you tell the kids got a little carried away????!!!)
Oh yeah - they are mint Oreos... even better... some of the sprinkles are peppermint bits.
yummmmmmm.

baby legs... wannabes

Have you ever seen Baby Legs? I LOVE them. (In fact my daughter was wearing her rainbow pair today!) I've seen lots of tutorials for them, but don't want to hand-stitch and didn't feel like doing the cuff. I just cut feet off the knee-highs and double-folded the raw edge and sewed. I used a stretch stitch, but I still ended up with wavy ends. arrrgghhh... Anybody know how to avoid that?? I did my best not to pull or stretch as I sewed.

christmas books...day 15

It's Cynthia Rylant day!!! (aka "sweet & sappy but still love it!!" day)

Christmas in the Country - Cynthia Rylant
A sweet story of an idyllic (to some) life. Although it seems too good to be true, I love those kind of stories at Christmastime.

Silver Packages - Cynthia Rylant
This Appalachian story follows a boy from his childhood chasing the Christmas train to adulthood working as a doctor in the community. It's a bit sentimental of course, but still one of my favorites.

christmas books...day 14

This is the week we start cooking up a storm at our house! Here's a couple yummy goodies for you...

Christmas Cookies : Bite-Size Holiday Lessons - Amy Krouse Rosenthal
This is her second cookie book, and it's centered around Christmas cookies this time. There is a lot of talk of sharing with neighbors, cooking for family, and other sweet lessons. We enjoy this one every time!


The Sweet Smell of Christmas - Patricia M. Scarry
This is a childhood favorite of my husband's - and my mother-in-law gifted us with a new copy so it actually smells. Scratch and sniff is so fun!!

christmas books...day 13

Ruby the Donkey - Mirabel Cecil
My brother & I got this book for Christmas when I was 4 years old. My cover actually looks different than the cover I found online - so it must be a second printing or something? In my book, the donkey has tears and the cover is quite gray and somber. I like this cover better, but it sort of gives away the ending.
Anyway - the story centers around a sad, aging donkey named Ruby. She isn't able to give rides during the summer like she used to and during the cold winter she is unable to grow a thick warm coat. Luckily she has friends to make her one! (GORGEOUS by the way!) And guess who gets chosen to be in the Nativity - Scarlett or Ruby?

The Donkey's Dream - Barbara Berger
So many gorgeous illustrations in this book! (It's also a book from my childhood - I was 9 when I got it.) The illustrations glow from the pages, and are full of symbolism (there is a whole page explaining in the back).
The donkey dreams he is carrying a city, a ship, a fountain, a rose, and a lady. The ending is rather predictable - but beautiful still!