Thankful Giveaway

I was so thankful to see my little Kinder-Bear on Friday. I know our hearts still remain with the grieving families who lost their loved ones. As my mind wanders in their direction I find myself saying little prayers. I know all of our little prayers will add up. I hope the families find comforting arms to hold them.

Tonight my hubby and I are being featured at Fun in 1st Grade. Thank you Dana for finding us!

The 12 days of giveaways will be ending soon, so hold tight and enter daily. It is almost time to announce the winners!

Today’s giveaway is fabulous.  It is Fabulous in First actually! Michelle Oakes is letting you go shopping in her store!!!! Can you take me with you? I love shopping in her store and reading her blog.  This lady is sooooo talented. I would love to be in her class. I mean seriously, can I go back to first grade and every month hop from one blogger’s classroom to another?


OK, so I have to tell you. I threw away one of my most beautiful Christmas decorations.  I did. I threw it away because it was not making me happy anymore. As a matter of fact, it was panic inducing hanging it each year.  It was the most fabulous of all Christmas garlands.

15 feet of pre-lit gloriousness.

Full and fabulous Spruce

Pinecones

Burgundy and gold ornaments

Delicate burgundy and gold butterflies landing and taking fight….

Right into the trash can.

Why, you ask?
It is a pain in the pa-toot to put up. Every year for 6 years, I wrestled this 40 pound behemoth over our 8 foot windows.

It scratches me up every year.

I almost fall off the ladder every year.

One year, the whole damned thing fell down while we were sleeping.

This year was no different. As a matter of fact, this year, it was worse. When I plugged it in, half the lights were blown out. BLOWN OUT! I was deflated…..

My husband put his hands on my shoulders and said the kindest thing.
“That sucks. Are you ready to let this go Katie?”

Can I let it go?  I have a really hard time letting go.  You name it, I hold on tight.....

shoes

purses

photos

movie stubs

friends and family that continuously hurt me

things that are good for me

and things that are bad for me.

I hold on tight. 

So could I let this go? Yes, I could because in the end, it was the most  beautiful pain in the butt. But in letting it go, I chose to wait until something sweet and easy presented itself to replace it. The criteria for replacement was….

cheap

not breakable

15 min or less to put up and down. (7 min each way)



Ta-Da! This my friends was what I found at Kirkland home!

It met all the criteria, and at 8 minutes to get up, I am very happy with the results! The 8 minutes does not include making the bow, but now that it is done… I don’t have to do it again.


Here are a few of my favorite decorations. I’m going to take you on a little tour of my house…

 

This little elf was new to us this year. He a great reminder to slow down and enjoy the “younger years” with our Kinder-Bear. The candy above the fridge make our kitchen look much sweeter.



My husband’s Grandmother “Momo” painted this portrait of Mary.  As a surprise to my husband and mother in law, I had the original professionally photographed and reproduced.  They got their gifts on Christmas morning. My mother in law must have called me 5 times to tell me how touched she was. I don’t think I will ever be able to top this gift, and that makes me happy. 

I posted on the Tinker Tree and Uncommon Ornament already. But they are worth mentioning again.

Thanks for going on the tour with me. Did you black out? My hubby said you would black out.

For today’s giveaway, please comment below and tell me the decoration in your home that brings you the most joy! If you win you get to go shopping in Michelle’s store. Be sure to follow, since you must be a follower in order to win.


Did you enter the BIG 33 blogger giveaway? There are only 3 days left!