Merry Monday, it's beginning to look a lot like it's supposed to look.

Welcome back,

It was cold last night..44 degrees! Finally!!

Now it feels like the holidays are here:)

It rained the other night too!!! It was awesome!

Next week is Christmas...

Are you ready for it?

We are pretty much done..

We have some last minute groceries to get before Christmas eve, but that's it.

Do you make something extra special for your family?

I make the usual, either ham or turkey dinner, but I always make

a cream cheese dip, It's so good!

Here's the recipe in case you'd like to try it:  

1 8oz package of cream cheese

1 8oz can of crushed pineapple (very well drained)

2 teaspoons of dried, minced onion

1 medium diced red bell pepper

1/2 teaspoon of salt

soften the cheese and blend in the ingredients.

 chill for at least an hour

you can shape it into a ball, then roll it in chopped cashews or pecans.

 I made another batch of the cake mix cookies on Saturday.

These were a funfetti flavor, which is just vanilla with sprinkles..

We also made this..

it's like rice krispy treats but instead of the cereal we use popcorn.

It's always fun to add food coloring..I thought it was going to be red but this is pretty too:)

I've been busy making gifts..

I always create something for my girls.

Most of the time, they put in their requests, haha!

I take breaks from painting and felting

 and make a few little ornaments for the little tree by my bed.

I tried to make this look like a snow globe.

These are my favorite!!

Aren't they adorable? they are all made of salt dough!

I colored the edges with a little pastels to give them a "baked cookie" look.

I'm obsessed! lol

Here's a great place to find the recipe

 These are our stockings..we officially have more pets than people here!

our tree..

Can you see my Kane angel ornament?

If you don't already know, he was my big, fat, gorgeous, kindhearted pit bull.

I lost him to cancer five years ago..there isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss him.

I made this out of felt about a month after he left us. 

It's in my room year round, but during Christmas, it goes on the tree.

Remember the kitty?

She has a name now..

Tabitha.

She has bonded with our monster cat,

Peeves.

We never would have guessed!

He's such a mean kitty to the others.

This is them, relaxing after ripping up some toys.

meanwhile...

Spanky tries on a tennis ball hat.😂

A while ago, a friend of mine wrote me a short story.

It's called the 'Christmas Faun'

It's about a little girl (me) that meets the Christmas Faun deep in the forest.

He gives her a gift..it's the last wish he has left, one that he has kept for thousands of years..

One he has saved just for her..

it's in the shape of a very bright star.

The story is beautiful and wonderfully written.

It was given to me for my birthday and I was very surprised and moved by his thoughtfulness. 

I wanted to share it with you, but it is long and  most of these posts are already long, so

instead I made a little digital picture to show you.

Before I go I'd like to talk about a couple of really cool blogs.

I've followed these for a long time.

The first one is called Altered Book Lover

I've been following it for six years.

Not only will you will find instructions on creating your very own altered book,

you will be shown different art projects and techniques. 

There's plenty of tutorials to choose from.

I love this blog because Elizabeth shares both her artful success stories and her failures.

She's sweet and talented!

The other blog is called

Calamitous Botanicus 

(following for three years)

You'll find the house skeletons

Burt & Ivy

on various adventures during the Halloween season..

They always come to play on Haunted Humpday.

Other times, the gardens, the cathedrals and the visits to the fair are chronicled

and brought to you with plenty of pictures and history.

Hope you get a chance to visit these amazing sites.

they're both a lot of fun!

This week we are going to watch 'Meet me in St. Louis'

'Little Women' and 'Untamed Heart'

It wouldn't feel like Christmas if we didn't.

Do you have any holiday movies that you just HAVE to watch?

Well, I'm done for today, I will be back later this week and for sure

next weekfor my last Merry Monday post of the year..

Until then, have a magical week, stay safe and keep warm!!