christmas cheer.

yesterday was the most productive day i have had all year.  i did not even drink a red bull.  not that i normally do.  but now i'm wondering why i don't.

this is unwatermarked for a reason.  not sure if i really want to claim it.  it gets my eagerness across.  yesterday i was full of eager energy.  it was nothing short of a small miracle.  Sage has reverted to her newborn days, waking up 2-3 times/night and i've reverted to the zombie state in which i only do the absolute necessities.  all the unabsolute necessities piled up and thursday became the day i ran a marathon without even running a marathon to get it all done so i could enjoy this weekend. 

it started out rough with a dental appointment at 9 am in which i forgot about until 8:40 am.  somehow i made it there and came out with a good report.  if my teeth look clean this is why.

next on the agenda: errands, three craft projects, cleaning the entire house, make three meals for my family, grocery shopping, and an afternoon run.  

seriously.  i told you it was the most productive day of my year for a reason.  i blame the energy boost on these:

wednesday i made oreo truffles (they are easy peasy yet make you look like a famous chocolatier that everyone will adore) and ate ten too many.  

today i will make more because we ate the ones that were supposed to be for gifts.  #noshame.

i also ate an entire jar of this Trader Joe's Christmas delight (commonly referred to as pepper jelly) over a bed of cream cheese and wheat thins.  this is my kind of comfort food.  apparently, it helps with productivity.  

on to the projects.

i am really good at pinning things on pinterest.  but then i think my memory is amazing or something because i just start and finish a project that i have pinned without even referencing it.  i think i have managed to bypass the entire pinning point of pinterest.  so, i'm sure i saw these things somewhere, but i couldn't tell ya where.

project 1: present for daddy

kelly and i don't get each other Christmas gifts.  we never have; there just isn't room in the budget, and we're okay with it.  BUT. i did have a bunch of pictures printed, i had mod podge, a canvas, and thought, how could i not?!  this will go in his office at work.  and i gave it to him right after i finished it because i can't keep exciting secrets and mostly because i didn't want to wrap it.  efficiency is key.

project 2: present for my mom

(mom, you better quit reading now.  even though i hacked your amazon account to see what you're giving my kids doesn't mean you can get even.  remember, you're the better person.)

this is so easy and inexpensive.  i bought five wooden plaques that fit 5x7 pictures.  i had my little brother spray paint them black (because he's 13 and thinks spray paint is rad).  then, after the spray paint dried, i mod podged the photos i took of their family right on top.  you can attach hanging hooks to the back of the plaques. -i wish i would've done this before the mod podge rather than after.  this is where referencing a pinterest pin would've been handy. you live, you learn.

finished product:

can't wait to see these decorating their abode!

project 3: jar snow globes.

these were a last minute decision.  when i realized i could make them for under $5, i had to indulge in a little non-necessity crafting.  in honor of the kids.  they think they're pretty cool, but Hunter thought a snow globe meant it would snow outside; leaving him a bit disgruntled.

all you do is clean out a jar, glue some christmasy pieces to the lid, pour some snow in and screw the lid on.  add some burlap and twine and boom.  instant snow globe.  kelly thought i was crazy for not adding water and said they were lame and not real snow globes.  men.  they don't get crafting.

after all is said and done, i am ready to put the preparations aside and rest in the meaning of the season. hope you can, too.  we have a powerful reason to celebrate!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given... and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6 ESV

linking with rach ~