Pajama Day

The porch is deserted... the streets are empty of loved ones' cars...

Toys and toiletries are gathered to store.  Pack-and-play folded and removed.  Books put away.

My Little Men are in their second day of travel -- heading home.  I'll confess to still being in my pajamas... sad, but doing better today.  We had such a wonderful month of sharing good times.... so many little hugs:  "Hold me, Noni."  Books read.  Songs sang.  Snacks eaten.  Chocolate "mulk" shared and drank.  Naps taken.  Hills climbed.  Cars (Lightening McQueen) washed and raced.  Converstations enjoyed. All still warm my heart.

And laughs and grins from Littlest Man... and his falling asleep in my arms.

You'd think that in the third year of this it would get easier.  It doesn't.

So for today, I will comfort myself with the soothing, simple, repetative task of moving my knitting needles along... I will remember the good, great, grand, glorious times we shared... and I will give thanks for those precious moments... thanks... and thanks... and thanks...

blessings ~ tanna

Christmas 2011 - the Porch Pictures

We are hoping each of you had a very merry CHRISTmas today!!  One of our "traditions" is the Porch Picture.  Have you ever tried to get a small herd photographed?  Ha!  We had a few new peeps and we were missing Troy from this year's capture; as always, we were happy to have our regulars. 

2010 here. 

2009 here.

All in all, it was a grand day around here!!  And, I wouldn't trade a moment of it.

There was a little silliness... and lots of love.

I hope to have time to catch up on my blog reading tomorrow!!  Blessings to all and to all a good night ~  Merry Christmas!

Restoration Hardware Inspiration a.k.a. Noni's Copycat Tent

Have you ever caught sight of something that just excited your creative fires?  Well, the cover of the Restoration Hardware Baby and Child catalogue was a spark for this Noni!  I just loved this tent!

... which prompted a trip to Home Depot early on a Saturday morning while Pop Pop was off hunting and the Little Men were with some of their other folks.

Drop cloths and shoe mould (we use the things we know) became the materials for magic (at least in my own eyes.  lol.) A plan was developed...

I haven't sewn much in a long time... so it took me most of the day between searching for the supplies, coming up with a plan and then whipping it out. (And, yes... I have stuff strewn all over the kitchen, which was a little messy to start with... but, hey... I was on a mission.)

I was probably more excited with the outcome than the boys will ever be playing in it!  LOL!  Creating does something good for the soul... creating with love for someone, well that brings a whole other level of joy... Joy, I tell you.

We took it to The Weekender and set it up; so, it was ready when they got home from their other visits...

Little Man was just a blurrrrr... as he climbed in his new hideout.

Quick as a cat, he simultaneously reached to close his flap and put that little thumb in his mouth.  Priceless!! 

Yes, that is a dog bed instead of the expensive things in the RH catalogue.  Now... I just need some stencils and some white lights....

Hoping each of you find some inspiration in your day!   Check here at Kim's for some sparks:



Blessings ~ tanna

AThankful Heart, a Must Read and a Giveaway You Won't Want to Miss

While many of you are long past the beautiful colors of fall, we are in the midst of some glorious sights!  Nanny, this gingko is for you.  ;)

After our brutal summer with a record breaking number of days well over 100 degrees... and a drought that killed so many, many of our trees, then gave fuel for multitudes of fires... the survivors are putting on their best show!!  It makes my heart sing songs of deep, deep appreciation... for all things that shine in the face of adversity. 

This crepe myrtle provides beauty summer and fall out my wavy kitchen window.  There is almost always a little bird show going on in there, too. 

I am going to soak up all this beauty my soul can stand... soon it will be gone.  I'll be enjoying each moment I am given with a grateful heart.

There are two things I have seen I really, really want to share:

First, a blog post my daughter shared with me: 

Lil' Light O' Mine

I say AMEN!!  If  you have children or grandchildren or are just wanting a great perspective on what this season is all about, take a look!

Second, (I almost hate to share because it will decrease my odds of winning, but...) Tricia at Saving Room for Dessert is having this amazing giveaway of homemade Christmas Goodies!!  Oh, my!!  Today is the last day to enter... so, you may want to hustle on over. 

blessings ~ tanna

Under The Big Top 3-Ring Holiday

Things have been fast and furious and full of fun!  Yesterday, we took the boys to our public library for a big time "Under The Big Top."  I love libraries... I am thankful that due to my daughter's taking him frequently, my Little Man loves them, too.

Let me tell you the folks at the Tyler Public Library had outdone themselves with fun things for the little ones this time.  And, though the Littlest Man was not quite old enough to join in the activities, he was an excellent spectator for the sports!

There were all kinds of games and after each station, the child received a sticker.  You KNOW how they love their stickers! 

Note Blue Speed between those tiny feet participating in the holiday fun, too!

Little Man really enjoyed himself and so did the other children.  My hat's off to the staff and volunteers of our local library.  They did an outstanding job.

This gentleman was the BEST story teller!!  He held his young audience spellbound.   Little Man was lurking behind the tree!  ;) 

This was the favorite of the activities... since our Little Man LOVES to play in water!! 

It is amazing how tirelessly he could dip them out, put them back and do it all again!  LOL! 

Hoping each of you are enjoying the season.  blessings ~ tanna

Knitting Errors, Wide Eyes and Canton Fun

This Noni is obviously past being able to focus!  LOL!  I worked to get this second stocking done last weekend and as I was finishing the toe... I noticed, "Houston, we have a problem!" Oh, no!  The Snowflake had gone bad in the last half.  Doggonit! 

But, for now... there is just no time to start over.

This is what it should have looked like...

 But, the errors are just going to have to hang for this year... It will still hold some goodies!  Now, to find those stocking holders so it can move to the mantle and wait for Santa to fill it. 

The Littlest Man was wide-eyed with excitement yesterday morning as we hit the Canton Trades Days for a wonderful good time!!

After all, Santa was there early, too!  (Little Man still wanted no part of him!)

I was very excited about this little shop!  LOVED the banner and the owner was super nice; he is also a blogger at  the Junk Exchange!  These are the only photos I made the whole day!  I have to confess that time holding and keeping up with grandsons takes huge precedence over photo taking. 

We stayed from 8:30 in the morning until almost 5 in the afternoon.  Ate lots of goodies; enjoyed good visits with our friends Barbara and Troy; and, Amanda made a pretty substantial little haul.  It was a delightful day!!  Delightful!  The smells, sights, and sounds of Canton are a real treat.

I came home with only one little treasure (no photo)... Obviously, having grandsons along must slow the purchasing process as well as the photo process.  hee hee.  Their Pop Pop would like to send them along everytime!

Blessings ~ tanna

Joy to the World - Salt Dough Ornaments Phase 1

There has been a ton of fun happening around these parts!  Salt Dough Ornaments Phase 1 has been completed.  The joy of whisking is being demonstrated here.

Serious concentration on the finer art of dipping your cutter in the flour before using.  Serious concentration, I tell you.

Please note that "Blue Speed" a.k.a. Lightening McQueen is present and assists in EVERY activity.  He also slid down the big car slide (so I guess, technically, Little Man didn't go entirely on his own).

These little hands are so precious to me... next to some slightly larger little hands that have been precious to me much longer.

Yep, Blue Speed was the final inspector of the ornament forming process.  Stay tuned to see Phase 2.  ;)  But, for today, it is off to Canton Trades Days!  Woo hoo!

blessings ~ tanna

Tidings of Comfort and Joy...

As this season rolls in at full speed, I just wanted to take a moment to send tidings of comfort and joy to all who may pass this way.

This season celebrates the gift of our Lord Jesus Christ... our Hope and our Salvation... our King of Kings...  our Lesson on Love and Loving...  

May your hearts be filled with that Love.  Blessings ~ tanna

Sunday, it was "our turn" again with the grands!!  And, we all bundled up to head to the Christmas Tree Farm.  Brrrr... it was windy and cold!  And, cold and windy! Windy and cold!! 

But, the trees were circled and examined and considered... in spite of the cold...

 Little Andrew checked them out from ground level...

Pop Pop and Alex... well, they were more interested in other activities...

Finally, a tree was chosen!

After that, it was on to the 'fun stuff!' Yes, our tiny Little Man would slide down this giant slide all by himself!!  He's two years old, people!  LOL!

Then, get himself out and run back to the entrance saying, "Again! Again!"  It was pretty amazing.   He wasn't ready to go when we finally had to drag him away.  LOL!

Yep.  We enjoyed Our Turn!!  And, there will be lots more fun to be had!  blessings to all ~ tanna

Vintage and Co.

One last turkey swan song for Thanksgiving... I am giving a big thanks to Jodi of Vintage and Co. for this wonderful vintage turkey planter AND....

This fun, whimsical gobbler!  It was such a pleasure to meet Jodi when she dropped these little turkeys off Tuesday afternoon.  I was the lucky winner of one of her giveaways and I just LOVE these two turkey treasures!!

Jodi has three wonderful sales a year; and, if you are anywhere near enough, you should try to make the next one!  You won't regret it.  Jodi, thank you again!!   Just love 'em!!  Hope we get to visit again soon.

We are about to shift from enjoying fall into the Christmas mode.  Seasons shift so quickly.  I sure have appreciated our splashes of color... Gifts from Above.  Thank You, Father.

blessings ~ tanna