Against the wind...

      That's the weather here today! The winds are very strong and gusty, so who wants to embrace that? My hubs has, all day working on his step-van. I think he's finally done with everything, changing the oil, replacing a bearing,etc., actually, no, he's going out again for more of the wind. I would be walking outside, but my ears just can't take it, so when I'm done with this post, it's treadmill time for me! 
      Christmas was wonderful this year, as usual! Everyone was here and enjoyed the food and gifts. I'm busy today trying to clean and get my thoughts straight. The stencil arrived today and it is beautiful! I chose Gabrielle allover and it has two parts. It's very large, so I'm not sure if it will work on my little cabinet, but I'm going to try! I have it laying flat and weighted so that it can come un-rolled. It needs to be flat before I can use it. Did I mention that I received a Silhouette Cameo for Christmas? I was so surprised for I didn't expect one at this time! I thought I could download graphics like from the Graphics Fairy and use them on the machine but I can't seem to find out how to do that yet. If anyone who may read this post has done this, please leave me a comment on how to do it. I would really appreciate it. It's fun learning new things, but can be frustrating at times. I hope to go thrifting some time this week, hopefully tomorrow. I'll let you know what I find. Blessings from Bama!

Since I can't afford a maid, this is the next best thing, Miele for wood floors.

The blue package is the Silhouette Cameo.

The exercise equipment was an unexpected surprise. When we were at our friends' house the other day, he said he was going to run an ad for someone to get it for free! Needless to say, that ad was never run! I just got off the treadmill you see in the background, and I love the rush I feel afterwards!

The dough ferments for 12-18 hours and tastes amazingly like sourdough!

Hubs reading the Christmas story from Luke chapter 2.

Smoking ham and turkey breast in the rain!

Smoked ham and about to be smoked baked beans. They turned out delicious!

Marinated slaw made with a whole head of cabbage. It didn't make much, and none was left!

Son sneaking a bite of ham.

Winterlynn, Woody, and stilettos!

They loved playing in the box the best!

My Dad got in this picture!

What's left of the bread!

The bread cooked in this dutch oven, in the oven.

Windy day!

He tears up his bed and looks like this!

What a rainy Christmas!

      We got in just in time for the bottom to fall out! I was  dressed for a cold rain but I should have had on shorts and a T-shirt! We went to the mall to watch the children while their Mommie shopped. The mall was crowded and cell phones don't work in there, which makes it difficult to find someone when you get separated from them. No worries, he was still where I left him, that sixteen-year-old boy! Last year we had snow at Christmas which was quite a shock for the South. This year is like all the rest, rain! Oh well, at least the water table is filling up again! I'm thankful for rain, even though it may sound like I'm not, because I'm a gardener. I realize how important it is for plants and trees to acquire water, even in the dormant season.
      With all the business of the season and that headache I had, I forgot something important and exciting that happened to me. I won a stencil! Yes, me! I entered a giveaway at fromgardenerstoburgers.blogspot.com who was hosting a giveaway by Cutting Edge Stencils, and I was randomly chosen! I'm so excited! I can't wait to get the stencil in the mail and try it on my little cabinet that I just painted. I've never actually used a stencil and have recently tried to make my own stencil. It turned out pretty good, but I haven't used it yet. Hopefully soon, (is what I always say) I'll have the opportunity to try it out. I will snap a picture of it as soon as it comes in. I better hurry, the lights are blinking! Merry Christmas!

Liquid snow.

Need a drink?

The little mountain is covered in fog.

I need some rain barrels to capture this water!

Looks like snow but the dog chewed a hole in his bed and the wind blew the little white pellets onto the ground. That is a lot of water! We don't usually get that much at one time.

Tearing down a deck, family Christmas, and dirty santa!

      That's what we've been doing these last few days! We've been in a whirlwind of activities, but I love it! We also went to an estate sale and a thrift store. I purchased some goodies I'll share later. The deck was attached to an above ground pool and we finally got the rest of it down! Now, all we lack is getting the pool down. I wonder if this project will be done in time for summer?
      If anyone has any advice for migraine sufferers, please leave me a comment. I had one all of Thanksgiving week and again this past weekend. They stop me in my tracks! I did have an ease during the day long enough to attend the family Christmas, thank the Lord! I totally sympathize with those who suffer from these terrors!

      We attended a fun gathering last night where we played dirty santa. I really liked the gift I took. It contained a nice metal, holiday basket with a bow that I purchased at the thrift store for a dollar! I put in it a pizza cutter, measuring spoons, and tongs, all purchased new at WM. I really could use these items, so when my time came to choose the gift, I chose my own. I was the first to go and I was so afraid someone was going to take it away from me but they didn't. I was so happy to bring it home! Is that selfish of me? The other gifts were nice too, but I liked mine the best! Blessings from Bama!

The dirty santa gift.

Do you like his doll? (This is not my house. Wished I had that picture!)

He loves playing with the children.

Oh it's not a sunk pump, it's a clock!

Get me off of this thing, it's alive!

I'm working on some projects

      I found a burn tool that seems to work better than the Dremel. I purchased this a while back at Michael's with a coupon because I couldn't find the Dremel. Of course, as always, the Dremel showed up. I decided to use it first since it is a Dremel. I wasn't satisfied with the results. I like the Hot Marks better because it has more points that can be utilized on more projects; such as cutting out stencils. The point I used today worked much better and was able to cut the small curves. I like the more detailed look I get from using it. Another project that seemed to take hours was making my own gift tags. I searched Print Shop for just the right graphics, which took a long time, then I added the names. I saved these, so next time it won't be as time consuming.

      We celebrated my birthday yesterday at Red Lobster, and I have to admit, the food was not very good. I ordered the Admiral's platter since I wanted some fried shrimp. Normally, I order the grilled tilapia, but like I said, I wanted fried shrimp and this platter had everything. It all tasted like Gorton's frozen food from the grocery store! I was very disappointed! I guess that's what I get for eating at the Bonefish this past weekend! Bonefish is sooo goood!!! I didn't take photos of my cake because even though it tastes delicious, it fell! So I cut it in pieces and put it in the fridge. We had Winterlynn Tuesday and Wednesday so I have photos. She's really changing! Enjoy these photos. Blessings from Bama!

I've really been captured by our beautiful sunsets lately!

The last two days have been in the lower 70's here and this Iris opened.

Christmas name tags.

The top stencil was cut with the Dremel. The tool you see here is the Hot Marks. I like that fine point.

                                     

Here are the tools.

I have a hard time climbing the ladder to reach this. I actually couldn't do it the other day! I'll have to try again.

The ladder will reach; it just scares me a little.

Winn riding the horsey.

Winn and Mommie.

Winn riding  the human horsey!

Laughing and having fun! Cluttered counters, as usual.

Sights from this past weekend

      I believe blogger is working for me now. I can see all of my followers instead of only half of them and I can see the blogs I'm following in reader. (uh oh... I only saw seven followers when I previewed this, and dashboard says I have thirteen! What's going on?) I don't know what was wrong for so long, but I'm glad they fixed it; or at least I hope it stays fixed.(Please fix it!) Y'all are such creative little bees! I'm so impressed when I visit you blogs and see your projects! Such creative minds you have, my dears! I can't keep up with so many projects, but it's sure fun trying!
      

      Hubby and I went to a couple of antique stores over the weekend, but everything was so high, we only got  a couple of things. The stores I've seen are not decorated in the shabby chic decor I'm seeing on the blogs. I'm wondering how much it costs to have a booth and if it would be worth it. Do any of you know a ballpark range? I may call one that is several miles down the road just to see how much a booth costs. Who knows, y'all might just get to see me in a store one day! (while visions of sugar plums danced in her head!) I'll try not to keep y'all so long this time. Enjoy these pics. I'm reading the booklet to my camera a little at a time so hopefully after these photos, I'll be taking better pictures. Blessings from Bama!

The Magnolia in its hole of chirt. I hope it can live in this!

My white Christmas tree from the antique store. How do you clean these and other dusty, smelly things?

I am now an official picker! I picked this box full of goodies off the curb from the estate sale I went to.

Not sure what I'm going to do with the panels; that is an old stool that I plan to re-upholster; a can of rubbing compound for vehicles; and old planter; some dryer vent.

Josh and Tammy's wedding at the Noccalula Falls Wedding Chapel. Can you say ROLL TIDE! The theme of the wedding was the team Alabama. They even walked out to the Tide's theme song!

Such a beautiful bride in such a blurry photo!

Noccalula Falls is our local tourist attraction. It is situated right outside the Chapel.

I can't believe I took this good of a shot!

Same here!

Why didn't I zoom in?

Me and hubby outside Chapel, just before the bridge that crosses the creek.

Seriously...I didn't eat all of these... did I? Where's that elf!