Tending the Eclectic Kinder-Garden

…that my students and their parents ~*know*~ me:

A gift tin full of cookie-makings…

…and multiple batches of coffee, Starbucks goodies, Pampered Chef items, hot chocolate mix, sparkly ornaments, and my magic-teaching-vitamins: peanut m-n-m’s. Also received (but the photos turned out blurry) nummy smelling candles and bath treats~

Yep, my Stars and their parents see *everything*!

Merry Christmas Super Stars and Super Star parents- thank you for making me feel so special!

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Need some holiday inspiration or just want to look at pretties that other bloggers have shared?  Take a peek:

~ A Storybook Life shares the most beautiful cupcakes (could you ever really bite into these without feeling guilty?)…

~ The Pioneer Woman Cooks fruit and crumbled left over chocolate chip cookies- should there ever *be* left over cookies in my house (um, never), this is the recipe I would try.  Those of you with better self control than me, give it a try and let me know how it turns out…

~ Check out Motley Mutton and the Gangly Goat’s felt animal necklaces (VERY CUTE!) at Etsy…

~ Saucy’s bake sale goodies at Bloggedy Blog Blog just might convince me to pull out the ol’ parchment paper one more time this month…

~ Should you ever want a strawberries and cream colored Christmas, head over to Everyday Beauty’s Pretty Little Christmas for ideas…

~ Heather Bailey shares a flower pinwheel pattern over at Hello My Name is Heather- check out the poinsettia!

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Tomorrow is my 39th birthday and I am THRILLED!  Wonderful husband and kids- *check*.  Terrific family and friends- *check*.  Awesome students and colleagues- *check*.  Roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, and food in our bellies- *check*.  Hope, optimism, healthy bouts of laughter, with some quiet time for myself thrown in- *check*.  Master’s Degree… uh…

Guess it’s time to start the New Year’s Resolutions.

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~ A Little Blog of Art features art/illustrations by Emma Block- my favorites so far are her holiday watercolors featuring ice skaters (along with some cute banners and ornaments), which you can find here…

Tags: Christmas, links, students

The thought “It’s not quite right” has been nagging at me for the past three days.  A visit to Hobby Lobby yesterday *convinced* me to listen to my inner voice, use a 40% off coupon (or two~ it’s *so* helpful having Dear Daughter along to make multiple purchases!), and buy plain ol’ artificial greenery for the mantle and hallway (it’s too dark now for hallway photos, I’ll try again with the camera tomorrow).

Before:

and AFTER:

No more fabric (as cute as it is):

Much better!

Tags: Christmas, home decor

I’ll start:

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there…

(Thank you C.C. Moore)

Okay readers, now it’s YOUR turn to continue on (and remember to link back so I can see where you’ve decided to take us)…

1. Egg nog or hot chocolate?

Both, plain for the kids, occasionally spiked for me.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?

A little bit of both. Family and friends always wrap presents though, so there’s always a festive collage under the tree.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?

White lights for quite a few years now, letting the ornaments have all the color. White lights on the wreaths in the windows. We don’t string lights on the outside of the house since 1) it’s too much work and 2) we tend to live in *very* windy places, so they would just get blown down anyway.

4. Do you hang mistletoe?

No, maybe I should start. Get more smooches that way from my husband!

5. When do you put your decorations up?

Decor up after Thanksgiving (gradually) but the tree doesn’t go up until December 1. Tree goes in the living room, holiday wreaths in front windows, tchotchkes, decor and garlands throughout the house (just look at some of my blog photos!). Daughter has a mini-tree in her room.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?

Christmas ham, or cheesy mashed potatoes. Mom’s homemade baked bread.

7. Favorite holiday memory as a child?

Driving to see the lights on all the houses, picking out presents for family members at the mall…looking at the Christmas tree and listening to holiday music at home.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?

I can’t remember specifics, but loved being “in” on the story/truth- it meant *I* could contribute and surprise friends and family….strangers even.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?

Yep, but it’s always jammies.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

With lots of collected ornaments, white lights, pip berry garlands (this year)…

11. Snow, love it or hate it?

Love it love it love and miss it miss it miss it.

12. Can you ice skate?

Don’t know, never tried, though I’m pretty good at sliding across ice in mukluks or boots in the winter!

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?

The dollhouse my mother made for me one Christmas.

14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?

Letting friends and family know they’re remembered, missed, and thought of.

15. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

Cookies, though I love petit fours, yule log cake, etc.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Decorating the tree and sending out Christmas cards.

17. What tops your tree?

An angel and a large snowflake.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving?

Both, the anticipation of seeing friends’ and family’s reaction to what we’ve found for them and the surprise of what others have chosen for us.

19. Do you take photos with Santa?

Used to as a child, and have the kids do it each year… but I remember taking photos with “Santa” and Jodi in high school. Still have the photos somewhere- they’re a wonderful memory.

20. Candy canes: peppermint, red and white striped. None of those funky flavors please.

21. Favorite Christmas movie?

I have a few…. “Scrooged,” “Grinch,” “Muppet Christmas Carol,” and all of the Rankin Bass “animated” movies (Rudolph, Frosty, Santa Claus is Coming to Town). Though not necessarily Christmas movies, I enjoy “Little Women,” “You’ve Got Mail” and “The Holiday” too.

22. What do you leave for Santa?

Cookies and milk of course!

23. What do you do for others?

We donate annually to childrens’ toy and book charities, send gifts and/or cards and newsletters to friends and family, provide tray after tray of cookies for parties, and invite neighborhood kids over to make graham cracker “gingerbread” houses.

24. Favorite Christmas songs/music:

Bing and Bowie’s “Little Drummer Boy,” Bach’s “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring,”

Clint Black’s “Under the Mistletoe,” and the Muppets singing “The Twelve Days of Christmas” with John Denver.

25. It just wouldn’t be Christmas without….

Family, friends, cookies, and Christmas cards from all over the world.