Ringing in the New Year

Ryan's parents where able to stay with Mr. H tonight while us adults enjoyed a pleasant dinner than didn't involve milk or crackers. We tried out a fairly new tapas restaurant. This was our first experience with this type of restaurant and we loved it. A little bit of this and a little bit of that, simply wonderful. Happy New Year!

Magic Time

While demolishing the bathroom, I told Ryan we needed to keep the bathtub because it's the original (1920's) and it's super deep. Well, it wasn't until we moved in that I really looked at the tub. There are horrible water stains around the sides. I first tried natural cleaning methods - vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, etc. then I broke out the big guns - bleach, Comet, Bar Keepers Best Friend and nothing worked. I've had a box of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers for quite awhile and decided to try it out. Okay, I'm REALLY excited, it worked!!! I scrubbed a little bit on the right side. It's going to take quite a few and some serious elbow grease.

Done Yet?

These two are waiting for their favorite person to be finished with the bathroom. It's a good lesson in patience.

Peace

Okay, I know I have several photos of Harrison sleeping but I just love seeing him so peaceful and innocent. Sometime I rock him to sleep and I cherish this time because I know it will be gone way too soon. Oh, my little baby.

Tuck, Tuck

Harrison's new favorite word is "tuck". Ryan helped "tuck" Lucy in for her afternoon nap. We've been having cold weather lately so Miss L was very appreciative.

Not Hard For the Ware

We needed a new shower hose and decided to check out the local hardware store just a few miles down the road. Man, am I glad we stopped here. I could have spent a couple of hours browsing around each jam-packed isle. The top photo is of the scale for weighing your bags of nails. I love all of the handwritten signs! The employees were helpful and friendly, plus we graciously accepted a free 2010 calendar. I'm definitely going back when I don't have a toddler in tow.

Blessed Christmas!

This is our first time to host a Christmas dinner. I was pretty busy leading up to this day so I didn't get much time to plan the table. Everyone had a wonderful time and this is a tradition I'd like to keep :) Hope everyone had a great day.

At Your Service

Harrison jumped right into the auto mechanic role. He kept the goggles on for about an hour. He's such a little entertainer.

It's My Birthday Too!

We celebrated me turning a year younger at Shogun's tonight. I figured Mr. H would enjoy the chefertainment. It was a very good day plus my sister was able to fly in for the festivities :)

No Peeky!

When I returned tonight I found Harrison's evidence of peeking. When the cat is away the mice will play . . .

Festive Skies

I'm traveling today and tomorrow and dread the holiday chaos at the airports. But we're off to a good start and these wreaths are keeping my mood festive.

Planting Ahead

Harrison and I decided to plant these daffodil bulbs today. He didn't want to get his hands dirty but he had no problem telling me what to do and where to put them. He's definitely a chief.

Before and After

Here's a Before and After of the back bedroom. I'm not sure how they ever found anything. This is a great guest/play/fold the laundry room. The couch is an antique that has storage in the base and folds out as a bed. I keep bedding in the wardrobe on the left so it's always right there if needed. I placed the rug there because our floors are so cold but now I kinda like it. Ryan's not so sure if it.

Convex Mirror

I've heard that convex mirrors are supposed to bring you luck. My mom found me this one a couple of years ago. I have it hanging right by the front door so I can glance at the room before I leave. Back in the day when I was taking an Art History course, I remember discussing the details of the convex mirror in The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck. This painting is full of unbelievable details and symbolism, and considered one of the most complex paintings in Western art history.

Party Time

One of my friends hosted an all-girl Christmas Party and it was just what I needed this Holiday Season. We had great eats and a Dirty Santa Gift Exchange. Luckily, all the gifts were good so no one was stuck with a macrame owl.

Black Doh

Orange, white, black, pink and teal are the newest Play Doh colors in our lives. Harrison's favorite is the black (blaac, blaac). Can you spot the animals?

Discharge Your Static

As I was filling up the tank today, I noticed this warning sign. First, I think the graphic is pretty funny with the lighting bolt striking the stick arm. Then I decided to read the instructions for discharging your static electricity. Apparently if a fire does start, you're to back away and tell the attendant. I don't know about you but I would get the heck outta there and call 911.

Is it just me or do you stop and read random warnings, labels, etc. I always read my shampoo/conditioner bottles (several times) or boxes of cereal. I check out the fonts, spacing, design, choice of words, wonder how long it took them to decide "luxurious" was the perfect word. On a side note, I used my niece's Shampoo For Long Hair . . . yes, I was a rebel that day.

Lock Down

Is it just me or do these fake rocks REALLY stand out?! Apparently, someone is worried about theft for this beauty. Note - the chain is spray painted to match the rock (great camo).

Hang ON!

Looking at this image, one would think I'm an over protective mother and worried about each little scratch. Well, this is Harrison dressing up like his "dada" and he's ready to GO!

Fresh Pecans

I'm making homemade holiday gifts this season. I always have good intentions but sometimes they aren't represented in the goodies. Keep your fingers crossed, this year will be a winner.

Joining the Fun

Sometimes you have to dump everything to find the bottom of the tub.

Choo, Choo

Harrison = Trains = Ryan = Big Kid at Heart. Ryan told me H really wants trains and Legos for Christmas. Hmmm, notice the little kid is missing from this photo . . .

Outside Decor

Ryan spotted this house on his way home from work. Of course, I had to check it out the next day. This is the first time I've seen ornaments displayed like this on a front porch. They hung different shapes and varying shades of bright pastels. I might have to steal this idea for next year!

Family Photo Shoot

As I was looking for a photo of Harrison and myself, I realized I really didn't have any. I'm normally the one behind the camera so I decided to have family photos taken. My friend Kerrie took these wonderful pics. As you can tell, Harrison was having a wild hair day.

Toddler Madness

We finally enrolled Harrison in a Gymboree class and he's already made quite a few little buddies. This was the calmest part of the evening . . . imagine 10 toddlers running crazy while trying to teach the concept of push and pull.

Christmas Mantel

The mantel is almost complete. This is the first place I've lived that actually has a fireplace (however it does not work). I tried to go with a "natural" theme. Pine cones from the neighborhood sprayed with snow and red berries from the front yard. My favorite part is the "ho" coming from the steam of the snowman's pipe.

O' Tree

This tree has been with me over a decade. I know it's small but that's part of what makes it so perfect. Maybe someday we'll get a bigger one or start a tradition of finding a Christmas tree farm. I have fond memories of those cold, Nebraska December days hunting for the biggest tree. When you're little, you don't realize it's 20 degrees with a wind chill in the single digits.

I've been collecting a new Santa ornament every year since Ryan and I met in 2001. I haven't found one yet this year but I still have time.

Craft Friday

Yes, it's Friday and it's craft time. After a long week of a lingering cold, it felt good to sit on the couch and finish decorating the mantel. I found this idea on Design Sponge.

Grateful Days Ahead

I purchased this piece before Christmas last year at Target. I was pretty pumped to unpack it this year. I've put Jolly Ranchers candies behind each door but in order to get one, Ryan or I must write down something we're grateful for. I read ours from last year and apparently we were pretty cold and we're thankful for warm sheets (this was mentioned more than once).

Craig's List

For those of you who don't know, Craig's List is awesome for selling junk and finding bargains. We sold half a dozen items before we moved. They sold within a day of listing. I found this hickory cabinet at an awesome price. Ryan said it was the heaviest piece of furniture he's ever carried and I'm stuck with him when he has a broken back. Note - there are some crazies on Craig's List so don't give out too much information :)

Fu Man

Fu Manchu - Signs of Infinite Power, that's the first site that pulled up when I was trying to check my spelling. This extra growth lasted approximately one day. Harrison kept bringing Ryan the razor and pointing to his face saying "no, no, no". Little man always gets his way.