Sledding at the Pond

I don't remember the last time we have had this much snow in December and the children are loving it. We live really close to a pond that has a wonderful walking trail and a great sledding hill. So after much begging (badgering) off we went.


Jay built a jump for the children. It is fun to see them progress in their bravery over the years and hear shouts of awesome as they crash and tumble at the bottom of the hill. Jay thinks he looks like the wrinklie Robert Redford, makes me want to watch The Horse Whisperer.


A with his birthday sled, using it as a house. The boy is all about anything that transforms, no uni-taskers here.


B is a great boy, at one point he actually scooted backward all the way down the hill.


K was so wonderful, she did not complain once about all the climbing sledding requires, amazing for a 3 year old.


K and Daddy prepare for take off.


More K and Daddy.


B sitting so compliantly on a blankie. He especially loves his hot pink boots worn by all the Garbarino children. I took him out to walk about the outdoors yesterday and he was so cute stomping around in his boots on the decks and patio. He has been walking full time for about a week and a half.


A has become such a good sport with sledding. I remember the days when he would rather cry than climb up the hill for another run--he is so much fun now.

Christmas Glimpses

I just wanted to share a few things we have been keeping busy with this season and give you a glimpse into our Christmas traditions old and new.


Many of you know that Jay and I are venturing into the gift basket business. This is one of our baskets I completed for a friend of Jay's as a gift. It is so satisfying to be able to present something so pretty, professional and enticing and it is not hard. All it takes is a few extra details, a little creativity and a few extra steps and you can give someone a wonderful home-baked gift.

This is our collection of Christmas books. I purchase one or two Christmas books each year. This year I purchased the Mike Huckabee book A Simple Christmas. The book is filled with fun stories from his Christmas celebrations and the lessons he has learned through them. I also bought Christmas In The Big Woods. During the month of December we usually try to do something Christmas related on most nights. A lot of times is is reading Christmas books from our collection or from the library, watching a Christmas show or looking at lights around the neighborhood.

Okay, how odd she would show a picture of her hutch but I was so pleased with how it turned out that I just had to share it. On our sidebar I have added some blogs I read that have inspired be to decorate and this is the outcome of that inspiration. Jay gave me the hutch when we moved into our house 7 1/2 years ago and he bought me the dishes several Christmases ago. The dishes are perfect for Christmas but I also use them throughout the year. Also on the shelf as a nod to me new thrifty ways you can see a white mini teapot from the thrift store and a glass creamer from a yard sale. I hope to add to this red and white collection as I thrift about.


Each Christmas we make a gingerbread nativity and this is this years version. We used black gumdrops for the sheeps' legs this year instead of black licorice and I like them better. Ayden made Mary, she is the gumdrop figure in the middle with the big yellow gumdrop, that is actually her hair. And Jay was inspired to hang the star over the stable by attaching it to our cabinet. He also imprinted the roof and walls before baking so that they would look like siding and shingles. Oatmeal was used for the flooring. This is always a fun project to get us working together and the children eating a ton of sweets.

Now onto the pictures of the actual people in the house--enjoy!

B eating a Christmas ornament cookie.


E getting ready to sprinkle on some sweetness to her Christmas cutouts.


K, the girl getting "bigger and bigger" baking with Jay.

Fellas baking together.

I hope you have enjoyed our mini tour of traditions old and new. Gotta go I think they are watching Charlie Brown's Christmas without me--again!

Education and Planning Links

Okay, so another apology is due. I did not realize that our education links were not working and it has been months since I added them and referred several people to them but nevertheless they are now fixed. I use all of these links when planning our lessons. It is super easy. I usually have a theme or 2 that I am working on and just simply look them up on these links, it is a great help to me and brings some fun creative ideas and tools to our education. Enjoy!

Thrifty Fix

Oh so sorry, I think the Thrifty Home Inspirations links are fixed, I set it up wrong and now come to find out all of my education links are not correct, I'll fix that later today--so sorry everyone--now get some tea and dream decorating dreams, on a dime of course.

Thrifty Home Inspirations

I have recently been inspired by several blogs that use thrift store finds to beautify their homes and themselves. I have added a new gadget (Blogs For Thrifty Home Inspiration) on our sidebar so that everyone can enjoy the wonderful frugality and creativity of these women. In today's world where money is tight or non existent, these ladies offer wonderful inspiration for refreshing your wardrobe or home. I have been inspired to visit our local thrift store on the last 2 days of the month when everything is 50% off. I have found some linens, pillows, baskets, books and clothing. I hope to refresh our home with new wall decor using platters and plates. I also have my eyes out for a few furniture pieces that could be painted. These ladies have encouraged me to re-purpose and repaint what I have or what I find. I am having a great time treasure hunting and getting creative. I hope you to will be encouraged and inspired to create beauty in your homes and lives.