Dinner--At Last!

Last night all the Gardner adults went out to eat dinner for the first time in. . . well, so long that none of us can remember! Jon is home from Savannah for the holidays, Megan and Nate came up from Price for the weekend, and the rest of us were already in town—I enjoy having everyone together!

The company was wonderful, the food was delicious, and the entire evening was relaxing. We chatted about the upcoming holidays and scheduled a few family things, but mostly we just enjoyed being together.

I took a photo, of course, because since I’ve started the blog I take a LOT more photos than I ever did before! The kids made fun of me a little because earlier this week I texted them and asked them to all wear either neutral colors or brown tones. I had a page (plus three coordinating cards) that were created for a publication, but they ended up not being used.

 

I fell in love with the projects, though, and wanted to use them somewhere, so I decided I’d post them on my blog. However, I needed a reason to post them. I decided last night would be the perfect occasion! So we had a photo taken, and I came home after dinner and put it on the page!

And it’s a good thing I did, because the first heavy snowstorm of the season started last night while we were eating. We sat inside and watched the snow come down; it was beautiful and just added to the cozy atmosphere. (It wasn’t nearly so beautiful driving home in it!)

So the “fall” feel of these projects feels pretty much out of season, but I’m glad I got a chance to share them with you! I’m also glad I got to spend the evening with my family!

Thanksgiving Gifts

At our last fall regional, I showed a gorgeous fall box and mentioned on my blog that I had an idea about using the box as a gift for the girls and their Thanksgiving vignette. Well, the idea I had didn’t work out (that happens to everyone every once in awhile, right?), but I was talking to Shanna, and she had an idea as well.

Well, her idea turned out beautifully, so I thought I’d show it off. These pine cone ornaments have lots of sparkle and bling, which I love!

So I’ll tuck the ornaments inside the box to give to the girls, and they’ll have both to add to their Thanksgiving décor. (Can you believe it’s less than a week away!)

Shanna also posted these on her blog, along with a step-by-step. Check it out if you’re interested. And have a great day!

10,000 in 2010--Check Out the Videos

Earlier this year, Stampin' Up! announced a 10,000 in 2010 campaign based on our goal of having 10,000 new demonstrators join Stampin' Up! this year. We're getting close, and I'm recording a handful of video blogs as we near our goal. I've done two so far, and will do more as we get closer. They're a little cheesy, but they've actually been kind of fun to do! And I'm so thrilled with the wonderful, new demonstrators joining our Stampin' Up! family! Check out the video posts on our 10,000 in 2010 website.

Makai's Announcement

Makai’s birth announcement is finished! Sara offered to help out, and she created it in My Digital Studio. It’s darling—and very Sage! (Her style is clean and contemporary.) I think it looks great. Sara talked about it on her My Digital Studio post, so check it out here!

A Quiet Weekend

Friday morning, Shalae and the Brown grandchildren left for Savannah for a week—to give big hugs to their daddy, whom they haven’t seen for several weeks, and to bid a fond farewell to their Georgia home (something they didn’t get to do in May, when they thought they were just coming to visit for the summer).

Thursday evening they all ran frantically around the house, packing and getting ready and mostly letting out a lot of energy about the upcoming reunion with Jon. It was noisy and chaotic and exciting. Sterling and I helped when we could but mostly watched and thought, “It might be kind of nice to have a few quiet days alone!”

After they left, we talked about going out to eat and seeing movies and sneaking a few date nights (when they’re here, we tend to stick around instead of going out). While we’ve loved having them here, we had to admit that we were kind of looking forward to having our home all to ourselves again.

And that feeling lasted clear until Friday, early afternoon. . .

Yep, within a few hours of them leaving, the house was sounding way too quiet and the rooms were feeling way too empty! I was missing them already! 

We have gotten out a couple of times already, and I’ve enjoyed some highly productive work time (I’m sure there will be even more next week), but I’m ready for them to come back! Next Saturday won’t come soon enough for me!