Webbisodes

Hello & Goodbye

2011-04-27T08:00:00.012-05:00

Hey, ~~strangers~~ y'all!

It's been a while since I last posted, and even longer since I've featured regular postings and updates, which depending on how you look at it, has the potential to put me in the running for Worst Blogger of the Year. But with my lack of postings, I've had a lot to time to focus on other endeavors and in the process learn a little more about myself and my priorities.

Last week, on April 19th, this little blog of mine celebrated its second blog-a-versary. There were no balloons. No throwing of confetti. Not even a colossal giveaway or sentimental post to reflect on the past 24 months. In reality, last Tuesday came and went without so much as a single thought to this blog.

Instead the 19th, played out like any old ordinary day. There were errands that were tackled, hurdles that were cleared, and battles that were both won and lost against an ever formidable adversary, my precocious yet always lovable, Sweet Bean. There were moments of rest, amid the piles of chores, and the health scare of a beloved family member thrown in the mix, just to keep us on our toes. The sun still rose shedding light on our day and sank slowing in the evening sky despite my lack of postings.

Imagine that…

Even with the most cursory of glances at post dates, it has become apparent that I've been headed toward a major blog-related change for several months now. Webbisodes has been my own piece of cyber real estate for the past couple of years. And as most blogs do, mine began simply.

At the urging of a friend, I started Webbisodes as a way of keeping family and friends current with the big news of the day, which at the time was the impending arrival of Miss Gillian Grace.

With a following of a staggering six people (4 of which were immediate family), I could've never imagined that anyone would want to read, much less follow, something specifically about us and our nothing short of average life. Because despite the junk in my trunk, the Kardashians we are not!

But you not only read, you visited often, always leaving words of support and endless compliments about Sweet Bean, her smile, and least I forget, her extensive wardrobe.

And just like life, a blog will ebb and flow until one day, you find yourself faced with a choice---continue following the tide or change directions completely.

So go ahead and call me dramatic, or perhaps even egotistical, when I say that like all good things, this blog must also come to an end, at least for now. And since I don't know what would be considered worse---filler posts or truly wearing out my welcome, I know that it's time. Time to stop feeling guilty for not posting as often as I think I should. Time to move on with my life and truly devote all my effort to being the best mom, wife, friend, and daughter I can be. And finally, time to be content within my own life, and to quit comparing myself to others, their things, and lifestyles.

With a change like this, you know what they say, Once a blogger, always a blogger. Okay, maybe "they" don't say that, but I do. So, needless to say, between my little design shop and my desire to continue journaling our escapades, I'll still be around---just much less publicly. And knowing that you'll have to pry the camera away from my cold dead hands before I ever stop snapping away at the one subject that always makes me smile, there will always be an abundance of Sweet Bean photos to share.

Though I will miss the daily affirmations and the boost it gives my ego to read all of the thoughtful comments, I hope that many of you choose to stay in touch. And, it is said with the deepest of sincerity that I hope all the true friendships made through this very blog, will carry on. But since I'm still one of the last remaining people on the planet that doesn't have a Facebook account and still considers a tweet a sound that a bird makes, it means turning back the clock and keeping in touch the old school way---though emails, texts, and yes, even phone calls.

And for lack of a better closing sentiment, I'll borrow one from the once most trusted man in America, Walter Cronkite, and sign-off for now by saying quite simply, "And that's the way it is…"

All is Well...

2011-04-05T07:31:00.002-05:00

Almost Wordless Wednesday---A photo says it all

2011-03-23T13:33:00.002-05:00

Home Tour Tuesday---Home Office

2011-03-22T07:45:00.006-05:00

Howdy, y'all! Here it is, another week and one more installment of Home Tour Tuesday with Miss Daphne and yours truly.

This week's theme: Working hard, or hardly working---Show us your home office, has me drawing a big fat blank! I got nothing!

And as much as I'd love a home office or space to call my own, I'm going to have to sit this one out, with no pictures of my own to share. But just because I don't have an office of my own, definitely doesn't mean that I'd miss an opportunity to share a few of my favorite working spaces.

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Speaking of working spaces and craft niches, have you seen or heard about this trend in modern design---the mom cave?

Now the man cave has been around for years, but apparently women across the country are jumping on the bandwagon, claiming a space of their own.

A mom cave functions under a few basic principles:

{courtesy of Lian Dolan}

You dream of a place with no toys on the floor. The rest of the house belongs to them, the other people in your family who toss their backpacks in the middle of the living room. Your concept of home decorating doesn't include posters of the Green Bay Packers or Hello Kitty. Honor your style.  

A recharged mom is a happy mom. Our cell phones need recharging. Our laptops need recharging. So do Moms. In our non-stop world, we all run out of energy. Power-up with a half-hour of "me time" in your own personal space.  

Silence makes the heart grow fonder. From morning to night, you are there, Mom, listening to your children, from the cute stories to the not-cute whining. Think of your Mom Cave as a place to enjoy an intermission from all the drama—you're not leaving so much as just taking a break, just like at the opera. 

Your minivan or SUV is not a Mom Cave. Moms relish alone time in the car, music blaring and the seat heater turned on. Some days, ten minutes of wait time in a carpool lane is tantamount to a spa visit. But, the car fills up with kids and has no facilities. You deserve a special spot with access to running water.  

You are not just a mom. You're also a writer, a blogger, a crafter, or a voracious reader. How about your dreams to organize your grandmother's recipes or research the family tree? Every mom is multi-faceted. Create a place for those other facets.

Sounds great, right? I don't know about you, but unlike jelly sandals, hammer pants, and swatch watches, this is one trend I don't intend to let pass me by!

And in this family, we all live by the motto: Work hard, play harder! Sweet Bean even likes to pretend to work hard, putting on her lensless spectacles to better study her blocks. Wonder if we have a future engineer in our midst? Gosh, wouldn't that just make her Daddy's day---following in his footsteps one equation at a time!

Now don't forget to grab our badge and link up! But most importantly, don't forget to let us know whether you're working hard, or hardly working?

courtesy of the Keep Calm Shop

{Don't you just love this sign? With literally hundreds to choose from, find one that suits your lifestyle at the Keep Calm Shop on Etsy!}

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Miscellany Monday

2011-03-21T11:02:00.002-05:00

one. license to drive

Sweet Bean's got a new ride, thanks to a Sunday trip to Toys R' Us and one unnecessary, but still greatly appreciated, monetary donation from Gammie. Needless to say, Gillian Grace's new Little Tikes Cozy Coupe is a hit!

On another note---How long does it take and engineer and accountant to put together a children's toy?

Answer: So long, that a 20 month old felt it was time to lend a hand.

two. it's how we ROLL

Just as darkness began to fall yesterday evening, Bret came to me with an idea for playing a practical joke on our friends (and neighbors) who also happen to be some of the biggest Alabama fans around. Apparently their car, with vacant front license plate, was just screaming for a little team spirit!

We've got spirit, yes we do!
Now, thanks to us, they do too!

three. it's springtime

Saturday we ventured across the bay for an arts and crafts festival. Not only was the event jam packed with people, great for the local economy, but it was hotter than blue blazes. Of course this was the day I chose to sport my fully lined Lilly dress and wear my hair down and straightened! Ummmm, miserably uncomfortable party of 1, your table is now ready!!

Despite feeling as though I was going to spontaneously combust at any moment, the heat didn't seem to bother Sweet Bean one bit as she thoroughly enjoyed herself. When we took a respite from the sun underneath a shady shop overhang, Gillian Grace once again became the center of attention as she moved and grooved to the nearby tunes of the jazz band.

four. sweet bean

The name Sweet Bean is a familiar one, to family and loyal readers of this here bliggity blog. And now, I'm pleased to share that sweet bean is now the name of my new design company. My design shop, complete with new name and products is finally up and running! If you're in need of a design, whether it be stationery for a special occasion or a new look for your blog, I'd be glad to help! Just like my little Sweet Bean (and the inspiration behind the name), I hope you'll find my designs simply sweet!

five. yadda yadda yadda

It's Monday and the first week without The Bachelor. What will you watch instead tonight?

Is your team in the NCAA tourney? Who are you cheering for during March Madness? Go Gators!

I hope that your week is off to a wonderful start!  Make it a great one, y'all!

2011-03-17T07:45:00.006-05:00

Home Tour Tuesday---Playroom

2011-03-15T07:27:00.001-05:00

Gosh, it's hard to believe it's been a week since my last post and has been even longer since our last installment of Home Tour Tuesday!

Life really does have a way of keeping us busy, doesn't it?

Last week was a tough one, with the stomach flu making the rounds through our entire family. One after one, like dominoes on a sidewalk, we each fell ill and spent days recovering. While I promise to spare you all the nitty gritty details, let's just say I can honestly never recall being so sick, and hope to goodness to never experience such misery again! Luckily, out of all of us that went down for the count, Sweet Bean had the most mild case of all! Thank Heaven for small miracles, right?!

Even though Spring is literally just around the corner, we've been busy Spring cleaning and sprucing up around here since the turn of the page on the new calendar year. Nearly forty boxes to Goodwill and countless hours of work later, there's still much to be done. But we've definitely put a dent in our to dos and are eagerly awaiting the day we get to sit back and just enjoy the fruits of our labor!

This week's HTT topic is:  Let's Play!---Show us your playroom and/or craft room. 

I wanted to share Sweet Bean's little nook, where she sneaks away to play and enjoy some space all of her very own.

After having nearly lost what little mind I have left, dealing with the massive amount of toys constantly littering our living room floor, I decided many months ago that ~~Gillian Grace~~ I needed somewhere to stash her stuff.

No amount of baskets or drawers in the living room would do, I wanted Sweet Bean to have a place to play with her toys, occasionally leave them scattered about, and where I could pull closed a door and almost completely forget about the mess inside. I also wanted a space where GG could play, while still being within earshot and never far from my sight.

After discovering that GG loved the small space just under our front stairs, it clicked---this space would be a perfect play space! It's pint-sized, just like Sweet Bean, while still being large enough to accommodate shelves, cubbies, and most importantly, all her toys!

I'm not sure who loves the chalkboard painted door better, GG or me! This was definitely one of my brighter ideas, this door has provided hours of entertainment for the whole family!

Did you like my play space?

I sure hope so!

And while I wanted desperately to also have our gameroom makeover complete in time to share with you this week, sadly, it just didn't happen. With the new paint color (Cincinnati Hotel Briggs Beige) barely dry, it'll still be a while before I'm done putting the finishing touches on our room.

However, I'm looking forward to taking a stroll through your rooms today, gaining a bit of inspiration along the way.

Have a great one, y'all!

Fat Tuesday

2011-03-08T07:45:00.003-06:00

Almost Wordless Wednesday---Big Girl

2011-03-02T07:50:00.002-06:00

Sweet Bean's first little pony tail

She's growing up so too fast! {Sigh...}

Tuesday Tidbits

2011-03-01T07:45:00.009-06:00

Well it's Tuesday, but if you're here looking for Home Tour Tuesday, you'll need to swing back by on March 15th, when my partner in crime, Daphne, and I will be back with the next installment of HTT. With two weeks to plan, clean, organize, and snap photos, there's really no reason not to participate in March 14th's: Let's Play!---Show us your playroom and/or craft room.

With things so hectic around our home lately, I honestly don't know which end is up half the time. So for now, the best I can offer is a short-hand version of life with the Webbs---bullet style!

~~I'm loosing it!~~ I have lost it! I cannot remember anything and I constantly find myself searching for something. Just today I thought I'd lost my keys at the eye doctor. Shortly before being reduced to a blubbery teary mess, I found them in the side zippered pocket, exactly where I'd put them! Then upon returning to my car I checked both the console and the glove compartment for my sunglasses only to discover as I glanced in the rearview, that they were resting on top of my head!

Sweet Bean is talking more and more these days! As I type, I sit trying to recall all the new words she's thrown our way lately, but it's impossible---there are just too many! Though I do know that bike, outside, and ride are among the most recent additions to her vocabulary. And with her new pink trike, an early Spring gift from Gammie and Grandad (now Pop, courtesy of GG), you can probably see why these words have grown so popular!

Have you tried...

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If not, what are you waiting for? Yummy in my tummy!

The Bachelor went exactly as I {and many others} figured it would, Brad sent Ashley packing! I don't know why, but I have enjoyed this season immensely! Thinking ahead to next week, my money is on Emily. Either that, or Brad's past will catch up with him and he'll leave both woman standing at the alter, so to speak!

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We've been organizing...and organizing...and ORGANIZING! We've given away 9 medium sized moving boxes to Goodwill filled to the brim with only my clothing. But why is it that after filling box after box with clothes I hadn't worn in quite sometime, I suddenly feel like Cinderella with nothing to wear? Where's a Fairy Godmother when you need her? This girl could use some new threads!

Image courtesy of Disney

With an impending overhaul of my design blog and tons of major changes afoot, I thought I'd use Webbisodes to share some of my latest work---Spring holiday photo cards! Take a look, I'd love to help you send thoughts and wishes to family and friends. And stay tuned, as soon as I've got the new shop up and running, you'll be one of the first to know! If you're interested in placing an order, email me at shannonywebb{at}gmail{dot}com, click here, or visit my design blog for more information.

So how's your week so far? What's on your life's bullet list today?

Almost Wordless Wednesday---Sugar n' Spice

2011-02-23T07:59:00.000-06:00

Note to self: Always close the spice cabinet before leaving the kitchen to answer the phone.

Luckily for both of us, Sweet Bean grabbed the cinnamon sugar instead of the cayenne pepper! Can you imagine?

Home Tour Tuesday---Whatcha Watchin'

2011-02-22T09:38:00.002-06:00

Hey friends! Welcome to this week's installment {better late than never} of Home Tour Tuesday with Miss Daphne and yours truly.

I'm happy to report that I am now one day soda free {Woot! Woot!} But, there is definitely a downside to going cold turkey---caffeine withdrawal headaches! Yikes!

With busy morning complete with Sweet Bean's Kindermusik and lunch with Dad, not to mention the mind-numbing whopper of a headache that has barely subsided despite a dose of Excederin and bottle of water, this will be a quick post!

But before I get to this week's theme: Whatcha Watchin'?---Show us your tv/family room, I wanted to share something that I recently discovered.

Online discount shopping clubs are such a popular trend right now and I see invites and posts popping up left and right tempting our fingers to click and wallets to spend. Well, if you haven't heard of it, or simply haven't gotten around to checking it out, here's one more site to add to your must-sees, Joss & Main. Joss & Main is one of the newest sites I've discovered that focuses solely on home decorating, yippee!

If you'd like to join or just check it, click here or below to receive your invitation.

Neat, right?

Okay, now onto my family/living/tv room.

Though she's the center of our world, we occasionally get to watch a little more than just Sweet Bean television. *Note, the key word is "occasionally."

Call it a guilty pleasure or trash tv, but I do love The Bachelor! Any thoughts on last night's episode?

As you can see, much of our DVR is full of GG programming, from Sesame Street to her Disney Channel favorites! But, Bret and I do manage to squeeze a space for a few of our favorite recordings from time to time.

Even though we often don't get to watch them until weeks later, these are among some of our {okay, my} favorite television shows: The Bachelor, The Defenders, Castle, Amazing Race, Desperate Housewives, Blue Bloods, Survivor, American Idol, the Real Housewives series, and Top Chef. Of course we do find our remote landing on a whole lot of HGTV since we continue to be obsessed with all things for the home. But even with all the great shows currently on the air, we still find ourselves channel surfing hoping to catch reruns of some of our favorites from years gone by: Will & Grace, Friends, Seinfeld, Gilmore Girls, King of Queens, and Everybody Loves Raymond.

So if it wasn't completely obvious, I admit to loving television! It's my escape and a chance for me to relax at the end of the day. So don't judge, you know you love it too!

Now, y'all watcha watchin'?

Miscellany Monday

2011-02-21T08:00:00.006-06:00

With nearly two months passing since my last Miscellany Monday post, I'm thinking today is as good a day as any to join in a little first of the week randomness. After all, life around here has been nothing if not completely random lately!

c is for

{one} C is for congratulations and Cool Gal, the winner of the fabulous February giveaway sponsored by Kara Compliment. Yay!

spring fever

{two} The absolutely gorgeous weather we've been experiencing here along the Gulf Coast this past week has me giddy with anticipation for Spring. With my shorts and flouncy sundresses itching to make their season debut, I came to the realization that my heart and mind may be ready for warmer days, but my body is ~~screaming~~ saying something different. So it's time for me to kick it up a notch, work out a little harder, run a little further, and reach for those carrots instead of cheesepuffs! And until the day comes (hopefully in the not so distant future) when I can look in the mirror without cringing, these Casper-like legs of mine will not see the light of day!

But my toes, well that's another story! Even a desperate need for a pedicure, can't keep me from settin' these piggies free!

one fish, two fish

{three} Sweet Bean loves animals, as most children do. She likes nothing more than to play with the neighbor's dog or to spot a kitty cat romping through the bushes at the end of the street. Lately, GG has become so enamored with Dorothy, Elmo's pet goldfish, that she apparently decided it was time that she have one (or ten) of her very own. How did Gillian Grace's first pet come to be, you may ask? With a bottle of water and a snack cup full of goldfish crackers of course!

Bean's got great taste in pets, quite literally!

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hot, hot, hot

{four} Unless you've actually witnessed this phenomenon first-hand you may think I'm fibbing. But in the microwave, a jalapeno with light up just like a sparkler on the Fourth of July! Though I've known this to be true for quite sometime, I was reminded just the other day after popping a slice of pizza smothered in jalapenos in the microwave to reheat. Any idea why this happens? Or is it just destined to remain right up there with Lindsay Lohan's mental state and Lady Gaga's true identity as one of life's great mysteries?

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here we go again

{five} If you've read my blog for a while, you'll remember a post several months back when I admitted to being addicted to Diet Coke. And while I was able to kick the habit and go completely Diet Coke free, unfortunately I swapped one bad habit for one that is actually worse--regular Coke. My reason for giving up Diet Coke was simple, I did not like the controversy and uncertainty centered around artificial sweeteners. But loving the fizz and the taste of soda like I do, I decided to just treat myself to a regular Coke every now and again when we went out. The problem--- I'm out all the time! Like a junkie looking for her next fix, I began looking for reasons to run here and there just so I could purchase a soda. Well enough is enough! And clearly, since moderation doesn't work for me, I'm going cold turkey beginning today. Not only will giving up soda mean a healthier me, but it will also help me to be a better example to Gillian Grace. Lawdy knows I don't want her craving that sugary crack juice like her Momma! Wish me luck, friends!

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bloggy encounter

{six} Late Friday evening, after Sweet Bean's marathon nap and a day spent at Gammie and Grandad's, we headed out to a local diner for a quick bite to eat. As I sat down, I noticed a lovely family seated at the booth just behind us, and after a couple quick glimpses while setting up all of Bean's dining-out paraphernalia, I couldn't shake the feeling that I knew them from somewhere. After a while it hit me---we follow each other's blogs!  Soon thereafter, we were both able to catch one another's eye and introduce ourselves, our other better halves, and tiny tots! It was so fun to meet Jennifer from The White House in person, and for Sweet Bean to meet her adorable daughter. I see many playdates in our future! Just wish I would've thought to take a picture!

sale-a-brate good times, come on

{seven} With the best of intentions to have it posted soon, I'm working on putting together my first blog sale. While I don't have frocks that would make Rachel Zoe stop and take notice, I will have several new and gently worn garments for sale at very reasonable prices! {Shhh, just don't tell my husband!} And there may or may not be one fancy schmancy handbag in the mix! Who's to say? You'll just have to check it out for yourself!

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winner winner chicken dinner

{eight} Joni and I are super excited to announce the winners of our first-ever Valentine's Day photo contest!

Make it a great one, y'all!

My Funny Valentine---Top 10

2011-02-17T08:01:00.002-06:00

To everyone who participated in the very first My Funny Valentine cutest couple photo contest. Joni and I have had a blast "meeting" new bloggy friends and scrolling through each and every photo!

Those that know me well in real life can tell you that when it comes to making decisions, I am the Queen of Wishy Washy! Luckily for everyone, Joni kindly put us on a timeline to keep things moving along, helping to make an already tough decision just a smidgen easier. And though I would've loved to have given a prize to everyone that participated, sadly this isn't Burger King and I just can't have everything my way. So without prolonging the anticipation any longer, here are the top ten photos, in no particular order.

1. Monkey Love

2. Laugh as much as you breathe, Love as long as you live

3. Even the Most Secure Couples Need Validation

4. So in Love

5. You're my favorite Deputy!

 6. When you said you loved me, you had my heart forever valentine

7. Brotherly Love #1

8. Kisses with the Fishes

 9. My Purrfect Valentine

10.Brotherly Love #2

Now it's time to vote! Tell your friends and family to come here to vote. Everyone has until February 20, 11:59 p.m. to vote and only one vote per person is allowed.

The top 4 photos with the most votes will be rewarded with prizes from our fabulous sponsors (see left sidebar for a listing of great sponsors or click here.)

{Winner of the fabulous Kara Compliment earrings will be announced soon, stay tuned!}

Home Tour Tuesday---Little Lovelies (Children's Rooms)

2011-02-15T07:30:00.003-06:00

Happy day-after Valentine's Tuesday to you, friends! Hopefully Cupid and your special someone left your hearts full of love, wrists full of bling, and tummies full of all things decadently chocolate!

It's fun to be back co-hosting Home Tour Tuesday with sweet Daphne, after a few weeks away. With a munchkin of my own, I am particularly excited to stroll through your homes this week and take a peek into your own Little Lovelies' rooms. Considering all the creativity and fabulous, yet diverse, tastes of our readers, I'm sure this week's Home Tour will not disappoint!

I first shared a look inside Sweet Bean's room just weeks after I began this blog, and almost a month before her arrival. Though some things have changed since then, much remains the same, and likely will until we move GG from nursery to big girl room.

Though my tastes have changed, looking back there's not much I'd do differently. Yes, it's true that dust is attracted to the mahogany furniture like a four-year old to a Snickers, and the custom hand-sewn bedding needs to be ironed even after a round in the dryer, but it's what I wanted. And, thanks to the generosity of my parents, I got exactly what I wanted and more---the perfect room for Gillian Grace!

It's funny as I look back on that first posting about GG's nursery, I closed with these words, "Hopefully she will love her new digs as much as we do."

I'd say Gillian Grace loves her room, don't y'all think?

Sweet Bean's Nursery

Bret spent hours painting the stripes on the walls. We chose to do horizontal instead of vertical stripes after receiving some advice from our local paint guy who'd just recently painted stripes in his daughter's bathroom. As everyone knows, Bret is painstakingly meticulous. He measured and remeasured numerous times before, while, and after painting. The stripes are one of my favorite touches in the room!

You wouldn't believe how comfy the rocker recliner is! I spent more nights than I can count here, snuggled up with Sweet Bean in my arms.

I have many favorites in the nursery and Gillian's bedding ranks right up there at the top! We had her bedding custom-made and it's appropriately called PINK PAISLEY. Fingers crossed that she'll have nothing but peaceful sweet dreams in this cozy crib.

Of course we had to have more shelves to display pictures of family, friends, and perhaps the most important stuffed animal of them all---a GATOR!

On the wall we've placed pictures of Bret and me as babies in black and white. Gillian Grace's picture is in color in the center. When she was first born we thought she looked a lot like me as a baby. Now, she's just Gillian Grace, the very best of both of us!

The bench is another one of Bret's projects. The bench itself was something mom gave me and Bret painted white. I then got the idea to stencil flip flops and bathing suits on the bench to tie in our subtle theme---the beach.

My Aunt Helen is truly talented. After searching for pictures for the nursery and discovering that my choices were not only limited but also very pricey, she volunteered to paint canvas pictures for us. All I had to do was show her examples of what I wanted. Not only did she follow through and create absolutely beautiful and whimsical paintings for Gillian Grace, she far exceeded my expectations (which we all know are high). Having paintings done by a family member makes Sweet Bean's room even more special!

Gillian's initials and another favorite---a pink and white gingham chandelier.

I may be creative, but I'm not all that crafty! After seeing bow hangers on Etsy and in shops costing anywhere from $45 to $75, I decided I could make my own. Even after using the wrong kind of paint, my first attempt, though far from perfect, turned out okay. And best of all, we're finally able to keep track of the million plus bows GG owns.

Now it's your turn! Grab our button and link up, pretty please! We've shown you ours, now show us yours!

{I've extended the Kara Compliment giveaway through midnight tonight! Click here to enter!}

XOXO

2011-02-14T07:30:00.003-06:00

Almost Wordless Wednesday---Southern Proper

2011-02-09T08:47:00.003-06:00

Pinky up or down---How do you sip?

{Don't forget}

I heart it!---A February Giveaway

2011-02-07T15:20:00.005-06:00

And since I'm a sucker for any and every thing pink, red, or Valentines' kitsch, I'm even more excited than usual to share my February giveaway from Kara Compliment Designs.

Sweet Kara is giving away one beautiful pair of True Love sterling silver vintage earrings to a lucky Webbisodes reader.

Giveaway Scoop:

Mandatory

one. Visit Kara's Etsy shop. Tell me about something that you'd like to receive for Valentine's Day from your special someone.

Extra Entries

two. Like Kara on Facebook.

three. Just for fun---Tell about your plans for this year's Valentine's Day.

four. Copy and paste this giveaway badge on the sidebar of your blog.

five. Follow my blog, Webbisodes, or tell me if you already do.

six. Follow my design blog, Persnickety Pages {& More}, or tell me if you already do.

seven. Tweet about this giveaway.

eight. Blog about this giveaway.

And before we go it's time---

Time to share the winner of the January giveaway courtesy of the fabulous CSN Stores.

Congratulations, 

Meant to be a Mom!

{Please email within 48 hours to claim your prize!}

If you're like Sweet Bean, you'll find it nearly impossible not to shout with excitement over this great February giveaway!

{Giveaway ends 2/14 11:59 p.m. CST.}

Almost Wordless Wednesday---Tiny Tot Tumbler

2011-02-02T09:02:00.003-06:00

Just before the start of the new year, we signed Sweet Bean up for classes at the Little Gym just across the bay. With Gillian Grace's bubbly personality and energetic nature, I figured this would be a pretty good fit! And, boy was I right! After a few minutes exploring her new surroundings, GG could be found with her face plastered to the glass window staring through to the gym or hanging from the door handle, barely able to contain her excitement.

Once inside the gym area, Bean was in her element---tumbling, twirling, and having a ball!

Exploring before class

Gosh, I'm looking cute today!

Look out Heidi Klum, check out my runway walk. At the Little Gym, you're either in or you're out!

Is it time to go inside?

Enough waiting, I want to play!

On the low beam

Hanging out on the bar

Fun with bouncy balls

Sign me up for Pilates, Mom! I'm good at this balance thing!

Bubble time

After class

Mmm! I love a good sucker!

This was such a great day!

Happy Wednesday, y'all!

My Funny Valentine---A Photo Contest

2011-02-01T07:30:00.010-06:00

Happy Tuesday, y'all! I'm taking a break from Home Tour Tuesday this week to share something new with you. Fortunately, Miss Daphne will be holding down the HTT fort by keeping everything up and running!

You may remember this post, from a few weeks back where I briefly mentioned a Valentine's Day Photo Contest with a plethora of fabulous sponsors, co-hosted by Joni from Six Cherries on Top and yours truly. With today being the first day of February (How did that happen?), it's time to share all the nitty gritty details of our little Heart Day photo challenge.

And since I rarely ever post without at least one picture of Sweet Bean, I couldn't help but share a shot taken during last Valentine's. Y'all know me, I'm a sucker for holiday-themed photo shoots, so I can't wait to share this year's pictures with you. And since I love to tease, wait until you see GG's outfit for this year! I heart it!

Now, onto the business at hand---

Welcome to the very first My Funny Valentine, cutest couple photo contest! Joni and I are so thrilled to be hosting and can only hope that y'all are as excited as we are to get started!

But before getting into all the details of the contest, here are a few more pictures to hopefully inspire and motivate your inner photog.

And Sweet Bean's favorite...

All images via here

Once you have a photo, don't forget to come up with a catchy title, and then link up here or over at Joni's.

Not to be a fuddy duddy, but of course there has to be

Photo must include a "couple".
Photo must have a title.
You can use a recent photo or an older photo, but it must be a photo either taken by you or that you have permission to use. (your photo must be an original. though it doesn't have to have been taken by you, please do not submit images from any photo sharing site, like we heart it, flickr, or google images. thank you!)
you must have a blog to participate.
A blog post with your photo will need to be linked to the linky to be entered into the contest.
All blog posts must be linked back to your actual entry, NOT just to your main blog.
Grab our button and include it in your post to link back to this contest.
One entry per person.
PG photos only please.
We do have the right to delete or disqualify any entrant if we feel it doesn't follow the rules or is inappropriate.
A "couple" can include any TWO people, pets, children or items as you feel best fits the theme of "cutest couple" for this contest.
You can link up your photo through February 14, 2011 11:59 PM EST.
Top 10 will be chosen and then voted on by our readers.
4 winners will be awarded.
You are welcome to use photo editing software to edit your photo, but you do not have to.

To see a list of all our great contest sponsors, be sure to check out my sidebar to the left for a list of all ten contributors!

We look forward to seeing all of your wonderfully creative photos! Check back often to see all the new photos being added daily.

Good luck and happy picture-taking!

Smile---It's Monday!

2011-01-31T13:08:00.003-06:00

I often get comments and emails asking, well begging, for more videos of Sweet Bean! And since I'm such a people pleaser (insert a tinge of sarcasm here), I'm more than happy to oblige!

Shot yesterday evening just after she awoke from her nap, this is just a quick snippet of what life is like with Miss Priss---nonstop! No joke, from the time she wakes up until she falls asleep, Gillian Grace is on the go! Lately we're lucky if she slows down long enough to sit and eat! But above all else, our Bean loves to boogie!

{Song in video-Train: Save Me, San Francisco}

Can you see why we're both tired at the end of the day?

From morning until night, Sweet Bean is one bigger than life bundle of spunkiness! Now if I could only figure out a way to capture and market all this energy, we'd be set for life!

Hope your Monday is going well and that your week is off to a fantastic start!

{There's still time to enter to win the CSN gift certificate! Click here to find out more!}

Sweet Bean is 18 months!

2011-01-27T07:15:00.009-06:00

Dear Gillian Grace,

Last week you turned 18 months old, but your poor Momma is only now getting around to writing your update. There are many things in life I don't mind slapping together, but a milestone post is not one of them.

Fortunately for all of us, aside from a few colds, you've been the picture of perfect health. Just yesterday we took you to see Dr. Shearer for your 18 month check up. At this stage, I'm not sure which one of the three of us dislikes these visits worse, you or your daddy and me. Ever since your hospitalization last May, there's just something about a waiting room that sends you into orbit. And now it seems, you're no longer fond of your sweet doctor's voice, bound and determined to show off those great lungs of yours with screams and cries that I'm sure could be heard throughout the office. And as though you were auditioning for a spot in the World's Strongest Baby Competition, you gave the nurse a run for her money when it came time to administer your one shot for the month. If my heart hadn't have been breaking in a million pieces seeing you that unhappy, I might've found myself giggling uncontrollably as the nurse struggled as though she were wrestling an octopus as she tried to hold you down. You are stubborn and strong as an ox, and once your mind is set, for better or worse, it takes a lot to persuade you otherwise.

You continue to be the happy and content little girl you've always been. For the most part, your temper tantrums have subsided, though your independent streak seems to grow wider with each passing day. Often we find you just sitting in your playroom, thumbing through books, and jibber-jabbering to yourself in a language all your own.

We constantly marvel at just how much you seem to comprehend in the world around you. Dad and I find ourselves surprised day after day with the new words that seem to come out of nowhere and quickly become a part of your daily vocabulary. Your growing vocabulary has definitely made communicating with you a million times easier, though you've become quite the sponge, mimicking and spouting back everything you hear. Needless to say, we are all learning to watch what we say.

We still tune into Sesame Street daily and you can't get enough of reading book after book about your favorite furry red friend. Your obsession with Elmo has not wavered, and you remain Elmo's biggest little fan. Given your love for this adorable little guy, there will be little doubt as to the theme of your second birthday---"It's Sweet Bean's World", an Elmo themed bash!

We're not sure if Cirque du Soleil is in your future, but you are quite nimble and agile. This January we joined the Little Gym and there was little doubt after your first session that this class was made for you! With all the jumping, jiving, dancing, tumbling, and moving most kids would be tuckered out by the end of the hour, but not you, our little Energizer Bunny! You just keep going and never seem to slow down until your head hits the pillow during nap time or at night! I'm not sure how you keep up that pace, but it'd sure be nice if you shared some of your endless energy with your momma.

This past week we started your second semester of Kindermusik, a class you're loving more and more each time we go. You have grown accustomed to Mrs. G, your teacher, and just love singing and playing with all the fun instruments. It makes me so proud to watch as you learn to wait your turn and share with others. For being only 18 months old, you seem to be very considerate of those around you and still do not like to see peers in distress. Though you've learned not to cry, you show your concern with a scrunched up lip and furrowed brow.

You readily blow kisses, but I often find myself stealing real smooches from you since you're a little more stingy with those. I still love making you giggle, as it's so easy to do! You get tickled at the mere sound of certain words! Lately your newest trick is showing everyone how you can "pretend sleep." When you "pretend sleep", you lay your head down and make snoring sounds. It's a hoot and one of our favorite Gillybean tricks! You have a smile on your face most hours of the day and are such a joy to be around!

Sweet Bean, you’re growing up so fast! There is a part of me that wishes I could bottle up each new stage of your life, put it on a shelf, and savor it forever. But instead I'll watch, confidently knowing that each day as you grow and change, you're becoming more and more like the person God created you to be.

We love you bigger than the sky, wider than the ocean!
XOXO,
Momma

18 months

27 pounds 10 ounces

33 1/2 inches tall

Size 24 months and 2T

Size 4 Diaper (daytime)/ 5 Diaper (nighttime)

Size 5 (almost 6) Shoe

Vocabulary: Mom, Dad, bottle, bubble, bath, tee-tee, poop, juice, milk, car, book, Elmo (El-bow), plane, moon, kitty, pull, up, close, shoes, socks, boots, ice, "I sick!", go, sleep, night-night, Daddy, Momma, Pop, GG, pillow, taggie, baby, binky, eat, room, Ho! Ho!, cuckoo, frog, lemon, sheets, teeth, cheese, comb, dog---And I know there's more, but that's all I can think of now!

{There's still time enter the CSN Stores giveaway! Click here to find out more.}

Home Tour Tuesday---Pantry Raid

2011-01-25T07:30:00.020-06:00

Morning, y'all!

Hope everyone's week is off to a wonderful start! If you missed yesterday's post announcing my fabulous January giveaway courtesy of CSN Stores be sure to click here, or simply scroll down to enter.

With everyone feeling much better and all the icky sickies {hopefully} a thing of the past, I'm excited to be back at it and joining Daphne for another installment of Home Tour Tuesday.

So if you haven't already, snap a few pictures of your cupboard or pantry and join us this week. Whether big or small, cluttered or so organized Martha Stewart would be envious, we've all got a place to stash those munchies and canned goods. Go ahead and show us yours!

Home Tour Tuesday:

1/25: Pantry Raid---Show us your pantry and tell us about your favorite snack

{Our main pantry}

I'm very thankful for our nice size pantry with double doors, though my favorite feature has to be the sliding drawers that make organization a cinch!

{Pantry No. 2}

And as most of y'all can attest, there's just never enough storage. To help with the overflow, I have a smaller pantry that holds all my canned goods and baking essentials, as well as my pots and pans. Our kitchen may be on the smaller size, but thank Heavens for its ample storage!

{My favorite snack}

I could honestly eat chips and salsa every day and never grow tired of this tasty snack. I'm no salsa snob, as I've yet to met a salsa I didn't like. And though I'll eat almost any kind, my favorite salsa and chip combo definitely comes from the local Mexican joint. So yummy!

Image

{Pantry Raider}

Now that Sweet Bean is tall enough to reach the door knobs, nothing is safe. Just the other day I heard a little commotion in the kitchen and entered to find that GG had broken into the pantry, gotten comfy, and decided to reward her efforts with a tortilla chip snack! Guess the love of Mexican food runs deep in our family!

Olé!

Finally---A January Giveaway (& more of Sweet Bean)

2011-01-24T12:04:00.006-06:00

Though I'm not sure how it happened, here we are, the second to last Monday in January! If the rest of the year proves to be anything like this past month, we'll be celebrating Summer in no time, 2011 is whizzing by!

With Home Tour Tuesday tomorrow, the timing for this giveaway could not be any better. Since it's been well documented that I love any and all things for the home, from modern decor to garage storage bins...

I am excited to share with you my first-ever giveaway from CSN Stores!

For one lucky Webbisodes reader, the fabulous group at CSN Stores is allowing me to give away one $35 gift certificate to any of their over 200 online stores.

{The Giveaway Scoop}

Mandatory

one. Visit CSN Stores and leave a comment telling me how you'd spend your gift certificate should you win.

Extra Entries

two. This is a fun one---Leave a comment here guessing the number of teeth Sweet Bean now has!

three. Follow my blog, Webbisodes, or tell me if you already do.

four. Follow my design blog, Persnickety Pages {& More}, or tell me if you already do.

five. Tweet about this giveaway.

six. Blog about this giveaway.

seven. Post this giveaway badge on the sidebar of your blog.

With seven entries possible per person, you've got a great chance to win! Just remember to leave a separate comment for each entry and please include your email address in at least one of your entries/comments.

Don't think about it...

Just enter!

Good luck to y'all!

{Giveaway will end, 1/31/11 at 11:59 pm CST. You must be a resident of the United States or Canada to qualify for this giveaway. A winner will be chosen by Random.org and announced on this blog sometime during the week of Feb. 1st. The winner's name will also be posted on the sidebar.}

We're Here!

2011-01-20T07:47:00.001-06:00

Hey, friends!

Yes, we're still here, and I'm proud to report that after a week battling the sickies, with the exception of poor Sweet Bean's new aversion to tissues, we're hardly any worse for the wear. With a week passing between posts, it seems that I've neglected my little blog and have several of y'all wondering if all is well. {Thanks for all the concerned texts and emails, y'all are very thoughtful to check in on us.}

Fortunately, things could not be better!

Juggling schedules, new obligations, and a restructuring of priorities for 2011, has us all running around the house so busy at times it's easy to forget whether we're coming or going. With a full plate, only so many hours in the day, and a very active toddler demanding, and so deserving of, my undivided attention, it's become increasingly obvious that something's gotta give.

Just as I would never have dreamed of blogging when I was working, with a classroom full of children waiting to learn, I cannot with good conscience spend any of Sweet Bean's waking hours on the computer when I should be teaching and modeling, making the most of our precious and fleeting time together. And, since I can't renege on commitments nor phone-in other responsibilities, I have little choice but to try and simplify my life in other ways.

That being said, blogging is just one of the ways that I have chosen to simplify. While the thought of going days without an update, at first, had me considering taking my blog private, I knew I'd miss the interaction and many friendships that blogging has brought my way. So I will continue to blog with a new understanding, that for all the wonderful things blogging has brought into my life, it is still just a hobby. There will be weeks when I am able to find the time to blog regularly, and then weeks will most certainly pass with just a single post or perhaps none at all.

If God humors our plans, 2011 will be a momentous year for the Webb family full of changes both big and small. I look forward to keeping y'all updated on the goings-on---the exciting and mundane, happy and frustrating, not to mention the random---whenever I can.

I'd love for y'all to stick around for the ride.

And since it has been quite a few days since my last post, I couldn't close without a few pictures of Sweet Bean. These photos certainly go to show that even a cold, can't keep a good girl down!

Just remember, a smile a day will help the sickies go away!

Blessings, friends!

{Coming Soon: }

Valentine's Day Photo Contest (2.1.11)

January's Great Giveaway from CSN Stores

My Funny Valentine---A Photo Contest

2011-01-13T07:30:00.009-06:00

Sweet Joni from the blog Six Cherries on Top and I are teaming up to bring you, the first ever...

With the contest just a few short weeks away, it's never too early to start digging through your boxes of old photos to find your very best "cutest couple" photo.

Don't have an old photo you want to use? No problem. Grab your camera and snap away! Both old photos and new shots are welcome!

You can use any photo, from a picture from your high school prom, to a shot of you and your current sweetheart or special someone. You can use a photo of your parents, grandparents, or your little munchkin and their best friend. Even a photo of the fuzzy Mr. and Mrs.Duck from your daughter's favorite pond would work. Just get creative, and most importantly, have fun!

You don't have to be a professional photographer and your photo does not have to be taken by you, but please make sure you have permission to use it. (Your photo must be an original. Though it doesn't have to have been taken by you, please do not submit images from any photo sharing site, like We Heart It, Flickr, or Google Images. Thank you!)

Here are a few photos to get you inspired:

It's not easy being green, or is it?---Gillian Grace, 2011

Santa Smooches---GG, Christmas 2009

Daddy's Girl---Sweet Bean and Bret, July 2010

High School Sweethearts---My mom and dad, Summer 2008

Image

Be sure to stop back by here ( Webbisodes) or over at Six Cherries on Top, for a full description of the rules and to link up your best "cutest couple" photo on February 1st.

Photos will be voted on by all of y'all and 4 winners will be chosen.

Thanks to Joni, we have some amazing prizes available to the winners! And the best news of all, four winners will be selected.

Take a sneak peek at our fabulous sponsors!

So, what will your Funny Valentine look like?

Almost Wordless Wednesday---The Best of Sweet Bean, 2010

2011-01-12T07:31:00.012-06:00

Unless you're a first time visitor, it probably goes without saying that I'm a picture fanatic, especially of my Sweet Bean! So it should come as no surprise that when I sat down to pull just two photos of Gillian Grace from each month in 2010, I failed miserably!

Here's the result of my photo effort, all 55 of 'em!

Home Tour Tuesday---Laundry Room

2011-01-11T06:30:00.009-06:00

Hey, y'all! Here we are, another Tuesday already! I never believed it when Mom used to tell me that the older you get, the faster time seems to fly, but boy o' boy, my momma knew what she was talking about. I can't tell you where the time goes, but I sure feel like I have a whole lot less of it to spare these days!

This week's Home Tour Tuesday theme: Laundry Rooms---and Daphne and I asked that you proudly, or bravely, air your dirty laundry and show us where your dingiest of clothes come to get clean!

Since I've shared my laundry room on quite a few occasions, I decided to play hooky from my own hosted theme and instead show you a laundry room found deep within the pages of what's quickly becoming my massive inspiration book should we ever find ourselves building our dream home.

From the glass apothecary jars used to store the detergent to the open space for hanging damp clothes, there are so many things I love about this laundry room! And the best part...

All Images

A sink---Swoon!

Now link up, all the cool gals are doing it! Just teasing, but seriously join in the fun. And if you don't have a laundry room picture of your own to share, link up with an inspiration photo instead! After all, there's no such thing as too many great ideas!

Happy Tuesday! And if you're missing your Sweet Bean fix, not to worry, tomorrow's post will more than make up for it!

Fun Phone Friday---Ride em' cowgirl!

2011-01-07T07:30:00.012-06:00

After the North Face rain jacket debacle of 2002, Bret has vowed to never again give me anything practical for any gift-related occasion. So this year, despite being in desperate need of a new sweeper {Yes folks, I call a vacuum a sweeper.}, I knew better than to expect a shiny new Hoover under my Christmas tree.

Our sweeper, whom we affectionately named Smurfette, has been with us for many years, and while we've been through a lot together, Smurfette and I, nothing prepared us for the mess one tiny toddler tornado would create for us on a ~~daily~~ hourly basis. And while I soldier on day after day, Cheerio after damn Cheerio, I'm afraid my sweeper has all but lost her will to suck.

But before retiring Miss Smurfette to that big dust cloud in the sky, Sweet Bean wanted a moment to say her goodbyes.

Overtaken by emotion and apparently the spirit of Annie Oakley, Gillian Grace coped with her first loss the best way she knew how---by mounting and riding Smurfette off into the sunset.

Giddy up!

Now grab my button and link up. But make sure your picture doesn't suck, in honor of Smurfette, of course!

Happy Friday, y'all!

Almost Wordless Wednesday---Christmas Morning

2011-01-05T07:30:00.065-06:00

Five days into the New Year and I'm only just now getting around to posting a few pictures from Christmas morning. Obviously putting an end to my procrastination didn't make it on this year's list of goals for 2011! Oh well, there's always next year, right?!

And without being too braggadocios, let me just sum up our family's Christmas with three simple words, we're immensely blessed!

Little Drummer Girl

For me?

We quickly discovered that GG loves opening gifts, but enjoys the tissue paper and wrapping just about as much as the present!

And, GG wasn't the only one making Santa's nice list!

Seeing Double---

I had Gillian Grace's silhouette made by a local artist and gave them to both Bret and my parents!

Sweet Bean's favorite gift--table and chairs from Gammie and Grandad

Happy Wednesday!

Home Tour Tueday---Out with the Old, In with the New

2011-01-04T07:00:00.009-06:00

We're baaaaack!

Daphne and I are kicking off this first Tuesday of 2011 with our very own New Year's themed Home Tour topic: Out with the Old---In with the New. With so many wonderfully diverse tastes out there, I'm looking forward to gaining some inspiration and seeing the end result of your one room labor of love! It'll be like having my own personal version of HGTV right at my fingertips, only without all the hassle of commercials!

This week, I've chosen to highlight our guest bath. Soon after we purchased our current home, the renovations began. Room by room, thanks to the mad skills and hard work of my husband and father, we were able to make all of my planning and design ideas a reality.

With our guest bath seeing less action than even a Nun on Sunday, Sweet Bean is pretty much the only patron of this lovely lieu. And at just shy of 17 months, GG doesn't require a lot of primp time quite yet---thank goodness!

Before

Though I'm a huge fan of subtle yellow, the hexagonal banana colored tiles, just had to go. But before I cut the boys loose with the air chisel and sledge hammer, I was able to draw a little inspiration from this bathroom's vintage charm.

The Renovation Process

Surprise---wallpaper! Thank goodness this little patch of dated floral paper was all that we found! Lovely, isn't it?

Getting ready to tile the bathtub surround with white subway tile.

Turns out my inspiration, meant a lot of intricate tiling. Whoops, who knew? I'm just the Wizard behind the design curtain, I know nothing about the amount of labor required. My bad...

Painting is done---now the wainscoting goes up!

Custom hand-made cabinets from a small family-owned shop in Gautier, Mississippi.

The After

And now, for your viewing pleasure, the true pièce de résistance...the one, the only, Miss Sweet Bean herself, Gillian Grace. I know you've missed her!

Our nighttime routine---did you catch a peak of today's featured room?
In case you're wondering, we say "skin the cat" when it's time for GG to strip down to her birthday suit. Don't ask me where it came from, but Bean certainly knows what it means.

Okay, friends! Grab our button and link up! Show us what you've got, I'm ready to be amazed!

Daphne and I are still thinking of a theme for next week, so we'll post as soon as we've decided. Any thoughts?

Happy Tuesday!

Where are you Christmas?

2011-01-03T07:30:00.020-06:00

More often than not, I use our blog as a way of sharing our life's "ups", the good-times and the blessings. But it wouldn't be reality if I also didn't occasionally share the the pit-falls and stumbles that make my life what it is---an imperfect journey towards being the best me possible...

For years I've felt sorry for "those people" that claim that Christmas is for the kids. That as adults Christmas means a never-ending list filled with chores, errands, must-dos, and gotta-get-dones. Not to mention all the stress over finding, then budgeting for, those perfect gifts that can quickly pile up, much like unwanted holiday pounds after too many Christmas cookies.

And I used to think---that'll never be me!

But if life has taught me anything, it's that I should never say never.

I'm not sure exactly when it happened, or how, but somewhere along the way, amid the craziness of the season, I allowed Christmas to lose its magic and become a chore.

Where are you Christmas?
Why can't I find you?
Why have you gone away?
Where is the laughter you used to bring me?
Why can't I hear music play?
My world is changing.
I'm rearranging, does this mean Christmas changes to?
(Where are you Christmas?, lyrics---credit)

There have been songs written about it, so surely I am not alone, but no one, not even the Grinch himself, can be blamed for almost stealing Christmas from me this year. I only have myself to blame for becoming so wrapped up in all the holiday hoopla that I nearly forgot to take time to enjoy the simplicity and true beauty of the season. With a blizzard of emotions and distractions clouding my mind and heart, I came close to missing Christmas completely. And what a shame that would have been, not only for me, but for my loved ones as well.

But with the decorations now returned to their attic home, and the light from where the tree once stood now dim, I can say with certainty that I am no longer searching for Christmas. I have found it, though it wasn't hidden deep within a stocking, nor in a package wrapped in paper and topped with a fancy bow. I found Christmas in the hugs, laughter, and smiles of family and good friends; in my own tears as I realized what I had come close to missing; in the joy that came from discovering peace within one's soul, and contentment in the world; and in remembering that through Him all things are possible, and that without Faith, an occasional detour off life's path can leave you lost forever.

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."--- Charles Dickens

Blessings, y'all! Make it a great one.

Image

Semi-Wordless Wednesday: Our Christmas Card

2010-12-22T07:30:00.007-06:00

After capturing this shot of Sweet Bean, I knew instantly we'd found the one for this year's card.

Simply said, this card reflects, quite literally, the light of our lives.

With Gillian Grace, all our days are MERRY & BRIGHT!

Wishing you all the joy your heart can hold, at Christmas time and always.

Merry Christmas!

{I'm linking up with my friend, Daphne for Semi Wordless Wednesday!}

Home Tour Tuesday---All Wrapped Up

2010-12-21T06:30:00.009-06:00

I'm not sure where December went, but here we are the week of Christmas and the final Holiday Home Tour Tuesday post. What a whirlwind!

To be honest, as of eight o'clock yesterday evening, I had not a single present wrapped. Luckily, thanks to my ever-helpful hubby, we were able to pull off a Christmas miracle of our own, and complete most of the wrapping before calling it a night.

In our home, wrapping is a two person job---Bret is the wrapper, and I'm the bow maker. We've had this particular system since we were first married, and it just seems to work for us. {Or should I say works for "me", I'm sure Bret has a million other things he'd rather be doing that playing Elf to my Santa!}

Over the years, I've learned to be patient with Bret's wrapping, but it's probably not for the reason you think. You see, Hubs is an engineer by trade and is quite meticulous about most things, including his gift wrapping technique. His presents are always impeccable, so much so that the edges where the paper has been cut align seamlessly with no visible signs of tape, leaving you questioning if perhaps the Hubs has magical powers.

And though it takes us a while to get through our mountain of gifts, I've learned to bite my tongue and never rush perfection! So don't be mad friends if your hubby isn't quite as willing to chip in, Bret is one of a kind. And as I've told you before---I'm quite lucky!

And that my friends, is how we roll!

Bow How-To
Thanks to so many wonderful comments and emails about the bows on my trees in a previous Home Tour Tuesday post, I wanted to include a quick bow-making tutorial. And once you know how to make them, you'll find yourself placing your signature bows on all your gifts, not only at Christmas time, but throughout the year!

Oh and I can't begin without a quick shoutout to my mom, the reigning bow-making queen. She's responsible for teaching me all the tricks for making a present look like something out of a magazine.

What you'll need:

scissors
wired ribbon
curly ribbon

{one} Purchase ribbon in a large roll. I bought mine from Hobby Lobby, but Sam's also carries a large assortment of wired ribbon at the Holidays. Decide how wide you'd like your bow to be by looping the ribbon over on itself until you've reached your desired width.

{two and three} Loop ribbon over on itself at least 16 times. The more loops, the fuller the ribbon will be. Smaller bows are an exception. Because the bow is small (in width), you will not need nearly as many loops to achieve a full look.

{four} As you loop, be sure to keep the ribbon lined up as best as possible. This will help when cutting the ribbon.

{five and six} Fold ribbon in half to determine the center.

{seven} Cut a small slit in one side of the ribbon. Be careful not to cut to the center of the ribbon. Repeat same process on the opposite side, again being very careful not to cut to the center of the ribbon.

{eight} Check your slits. If your slits are cut properly, the ribbon should twist in your hands without breaking apart. If the slits have been cut too close to the center, the ribbon will pull apart. If this happens, (and Lawdy knows it's happened plenty of times to me) remove loose loops or, in a worst case scenario, simply start over.

{nine and ten} Cut a long strand of curly ribbon. Use matching curly ribbon to anchor ribbon by threading it through the two side slits. Tie the curly ribbon in a knot on the underside of the bow.

{eleven and twelve} Starting with the bottom (inner) loops, alternate sides, pulling the ribbon apart. I like to twist as I pull each loop. Continue until all loops have been separated.

{thirteen} As an optional finishing touch cut small inverted v's at the bottom of any remaining unlooped strand of ribbon.

{fourteen} Congratulations, you're almost done!

Securing Bow

{fifteen} Cut another strand of ribbon from your original roll long enough to tie around your package.

{sixteen} Use the curly ribbon hanging from the underside of your bow to secure the bow to the ribbon on your package. (Be sure to tie a knot.)

{seventeen} Viola! Now you're done!

*Note-If using the bow for another decorative purpose other than gift wrapping, use the long curly ribbon strands the same way you did on your package to secure bow in place.

Special thanks to my lil' ~~stinker~~ helper! Don't know what I'd do without Sweet Bean to show me how it's done!

With all the holiday festivities, HTT will not be posted next week, but Daphne and I look forward to seeing you back for the link up on January 4th for the first Home Tour Tuesday post of the New Year.

January 4th theme: Out with the Old, In with the New---Show us your one room remodel, reno, or makeover!

Now as always, Daphne and I hope that you'll join us in a little Home Tour Tuesday fun. Link up, don't wait! Grab our badge and show us how you wrap!

{Congratulations to all three giveaway winners!

Stella & Dot: Joni

Friedasophie: Mama K (That makes 2 giveaway wins in one week! Girl go to Vegas!)

LOL Designs: Laura S

Yay, y'all! Email me as soon as you can!}

Monday Musings

2010-12-20T07:30:00.007-06:00

We all have them---those no-good, very bad, horrible, why did I even get out of bed, days.

And, Saturday was mine.

Between ripping a hole in the knee of my favorite jeans, struggling to get anything accomplished, cleaning up after a ridiculously ginormous blowout during naptime, and the downstairs furnace going completely kaput, Saturday just wasn't my day.

And after the serviceman's estimate of an $800 replacement part or a completely new unit to the tune of a couple grand, I was just about to settle in for a good ol' fashioned pity party for one, when Bret shared news of a call that quickly gave me a change of heart. On his way out to the truck, our serviceman received a call about the stroke of his 96 year old grandmother, followed by the devastating news that she was not expected to live through the weekend.

Jeans can be stitched. Chores can be tackled another day. Blowouts will be cleaned and soon forgotten. Even a worn out furnace can be given new life with a few parts and a little attention.

I suppose that even in the most perceived of rough patches, there's a lesson to be learned. God works in mysterious ways and Saturday night He placed Repairman Carlos in my path to remind me just how blessed I am, ripped jeans and all.

Not only did Carlos leave me with a working furnace, but a fresh perspective as well.

Life is fleeting, and irreplaceable. Let go of life's little inconveniences and focus instead on the bigger picture.

'Tis the Season...to be grateful!

Hallelujah, indeed!

{Don't forget tomorrow's Home Tour Tuesday topic: All Wrapped Up---Show us how you wrap and share a favorite gift you've received as well as one you've given. And this is your FINAL chance to enter all three giveaways! Head to my sidebar to find out more!}

Fa La La Friday

2010-12-17T07:30:00.009-06:00

Crazy post title for a crazy time of year! With only 8 days left until the big day, it's go time, friends!

I was so excited to arrive home today and find a box awaiting me in the mailbox---my ornament from my exchange partner had arrived!

Since I've read Katie's blog for a while, I was beyond excited when randomly pairing names, my name matched up with hers! Her daughter is just the sweetest and I know if we weren't separated by a couple hundred miles, EK and GG would be the best of friends!

Katie sent along this fun Happy Holidays ornament that she mentioned could hang on my tree or just about anywhere in our home! I love it!

And if the amazing ornament wasn't enough, Katie sent along an extra surprise just for Sweet Bean! Won't these Christmas socks look adorable on Sweet Bean's little piggies?!

Thanks again, Katie!

Fun Phone Photo Friday

When we're visiting my parents, my dad always likes to say his favorite time of day with Bean is just after her bath, when in his words, "She's all shiny and new!"

Sweet Bean is not only all cleaned up and spiffy, but she's also at her most snuggliest surrounded by an intoxicating aroma of lavender and chamomile that clings to your clothes long after she's left your arms. It's no wonder my dad loves this time with his grandaughter, I'm quite fond of it myself!

But before GG can be all "shiny and new", we wash the day away with a mixture of bubbles, music, and laughter!

And of course...

an occasional drink from the faucet!

With Christmas Eve just one week away, and all the holiday festivities kicking into high gear, I'm planning to take a little time off, so Fun Phone Friday will return, linky and all, at the first of the year! And though I won't name names (Jennifer B.), I hope to have even more of y'all linking up today, and sharing some great phone photos! I know you've got 'em, now share 'em!

With only 8 shopping days left, I've just got to know, are you done? If you're looking for me this weekend, I'll be one of those impatient, over stressed, and under-medicated shoppers searching for a spot in the mall's packed parking lot! And if someone in a black SUV takes your parking spot or honks at you for taking your sweet time crossing the street, it wasn't me---just sayin'!

{And don't shoot me, but I've extended the Stella & Dot and Friedasophie jewelry giveaways through Monday night! And for a bonus entry (if you've already entered), just go to the giveaway posts by clicking the logo on the top of the sidebar and name one of Santa's reindeer! Winners for all 3 giveaways will be announced on Home Tour Tuesday!}

Ornament Link Up & Recipe

2010-12-16T07:00:00.005-06:00

When my dear bloggy friend, Karen, and I teamed up to host our first ever Ornament Exchange, I have to be honest---I wasn't sure how it would ultimately turn out.

Would people participate? Will it be fun? Those questions plus about a gazillion more ran through my head!

Luckily both Karen and I have tremendously supportive and fabulous readers, willing to share their Christmas spirit and give something new a try!

There's certainly no Ebenezer Scrooge in this bunch, that's for sure!

With the exception of a few ornaments still trying to make their way to their intended recipients through the ice and snow, most packages have been delivered and, from what I'm hearing, have now found a home on the family tree.

Let's Share!

My sweet partner Katie has sent my ornament, which I'm sure will arrive any minute, no thanks in part to the postal delays caused by some seriously frigid and hazardous conditions down here in the South. So though I won't be posting a picture today, thank you, Katie, a little ahead of time! I'm so excited to see what you've chosen just for me!

And since I know I'm not the only one with a delayed package, today's Ornament Exchange Linky will be open for a week. Once your gift arrives, please be sure to snap a few pictures, and swing back by to link up! After all, we want to see what sweet goody your partner has sent your way!

But being the lucky girl that I am, my mom has asked me to share the ornament she received from her partner, and my across-the-bay neighbor, Daphne!

Mom and Me

Mom was elated to discover that Daphne had chosen for her a Merry Christmas, Y'all ornament, very similar to the one on my tree that she's coveted for years!

What can I say? Daphne and I have very ~~similar~~ good taste! Lucky, lucky Mom!

Cute, right?! Good job, Daphne! Thanks for hooking my Mom up with an adorable ornament! If I didn't already have one, I might just have to ~~steal~~ borrow it!

Now it's your turn! Show us what you got!

Recipe

No one should know better the details and requirements of a weekly theme link up, than the co-host herself---or more specifically, me! It wasn't long after my Home Tour Tuesday hit the bloggy airwaves last week that I began receiving comments asking about my missing recipe! Whoops, my bad, y'all!

So as is my philosophy for many things in life---better late than never! But believe-u-me, this one is well worth the wait!

Chocolate Covered Oreo Cake

What You Need:

1 pkg. (2-layer size) devil's food chocolate cake mix
4 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
12 OREO Cookies, coarsely crushed

Make It:

HEAT oven to 350ºF.

PREPARE cake batter and bake in 2 (9-inch) round pans as directed on package. Cool cakes in pans 10 min. Invert cakes onto wire racks; gently remove pans. Cool cakes completely.

MICROWAVE chocolate and butter in small microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is melted. Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Cool 5 min.

MEANWHILE, beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with mixer until blended. Gently stir in Cool Whip and crushed cookies. Stack cake layers on plate, spreading cream cheese mixture between layers. Spread top with chocolate glaze; let stand until firm. Keep refrigerated.

Nutritional Info:

Noooo way, I'm posting that! Just enjoy, life's short. Eat plenty of dessert!

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Want proof that this cake is downright delish? Check out this face!

{Stay tuned tomorrow for the Stella & Dot and Friedasophie winners!}

Happy almost Friday, friends!

Semi Wordless Wednesday---Santa's Little Helper

2010-12-15T07:30:00.022-06:00

Don't let the candy cane leggings and velour jumpsuit fool you, being an elf is hard work.

You've got to always be on the lookout for the Big Guy and his reindeer.

You can never be intimidated by a box bigger than you.

But instead must show that box who's boss!

You never know when Rudolph will text with news of a weather delay---check your phone often!

Always take time to stretch!

Elf yoga is best!

And, I highly recommend the downward facing Christmas tree pose!

Remember to lift with your knees!

Carefully inspect all packages.

As a safety precaution, always sample any baked goods left for Santa.

Don't forget to stop and smell the greenery! And if possible, take a second to rock around the Christmas tree.

When the going gets rough, don't forget a little elf humor goes a long way!

And for goodness sakes, never get caught sitting down on the job!

Above all else, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas!

{I'm linking up with my friend, Daphne for Semi Wordless Wednesday!}

Home Tour Tuesday---Trim the Tree and LOL Designs Giveaway

2010-12-14T10:26:00.000-06:00

It's Tuesday and that can only mean one thing---it's Home Tour Tuesday with yours truly and the simply fabulous Miss Daphne from Flip Flop and Pearls! While we're both so excited to have y'all join us, after a few hiccups the last couple weeks, we felt it necessary to post a few helpful tips for those kind enough to join us for this week's tour!

{one} Visit the (2) hosts, Shannon @ The Webbisodes and Daphne @ Flip Flops & Pearls. And, if we're your cup of tea, then by all means, we'd appreciate a follow.

{two} Include our HTT badge somewhere in your post.

{three} Link up with today's Home Tour Tuesday post. All unrelated links will be deleted!

{four} Then, let the Parade of Homes begin! Swing by and visit as many participating blogs as you'd like and if you see one you enjoy, be sure to leave them a comment or show some bloggy love with a follow.

{five} You don't have to write a thank you note, but be sure to extend a little down home hospitality to any new followers with a return visit and comment on their blog! After all, it's all about the little things!

{six}And last but certainly not least, "If you can't play like a classy gal, then for goodness sakes, get off the playground!"---{Isn't Daphne clever?!}

Gosh with all those rules and such for a second, I felt like I was back in the classroom. So on to something a whole lot more fun, this week's Home Tour topic--- Trim the Tree (Share 3 to 5 of your favorite Christmas ornaments, plus the story behind what makes them special).

But first, your daily Sweet Bean fix! Aren't these ginormous ornaments just so much fun?

{Our Family Room Tree}

Favorite ornament No. 1---Glass Flip Flop

If I were a shoe, I'd be a flip flop!

S i m p l e.

One glimpse into my closet (or at my feet 9 months out of the year), and you won't have to think long before making the connection as to why this Christmas inspired flip flop ornament ranks among my favorites. Let's just say if "life's a beach" I'm more than prepared for the journey!

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.---Leonardo DaVinci

Favorite ornament No. 2---Baby's First Christmas

This ornament is pretty self-explanatory---it represents our Sweet Bean's first Christmas. God blessed us with our greatest gift to date, when He brought Gillian Grace into our lives some sixteen months ago. Any and everything that reminds me of our life's greatest joy can't help but be a favorite!

Favorite ornament No. 3---Handstitched Snowflake

Many years ago, (almost 20 to be exact) I cross-stitched this snowflake ornament for my grandmother, and every year thereafter, this hand-made ornament could always be found front and center on her Christmas tree. Since Mama Helen's passing, this ornament, with all it's memories, has made it full circle and is now back home with me. And there isn't a year that passes that I don't stop and think of my grandmother as I hang this snowflake among the brightly colored ornaments and icicles on our family Christmas tree.

{The Dining Room Tree}
Our dining room tree is decorated completely in greens, reds, and golds.

Favorite ornament No. 1---Merry Christmas, Y'all!

I purchased this ornament from Ole Bay Mercantile in lovely Fairhope during our first ever Alabama Christmas. As you may have noticed, I have a slight affinity, okay obsession, with the word "y'all"! The second I spotted this ornament in the store, I knew it was meant for my tree!

Favorite ornament(s)---Waterford

After admiring Mom's tree for years, one Christmas several years ago, she began giving me a Waterford ornament each year as one of my presents! To date, I have over 100 of these beautiful Waterford ornaments, most of which have been gifts from family and friends! What can I say? I surround myself with people that have superb taste! {Wink, wink!}

{Sweet Bean's Tree}
Since Gillian Grace was too young last year, her first Christmas, to really appreciate a tree, we waited until this year to purchase a tot-sized tree for her bedroom. From the second the tree went up, Bean has been captivated by its colorful lights and playful ornaments!

Favorite ornament No. 1---Elmo

It wouldn't be Bean's tree without ornaments of her favorite pal, Elmo, or Elbow as she so lovingly refers to him. Hob Lob (the latest nickname for Hobby Lobby making the rounds on the bloggy circuit) had several Sesame Street themed ornaments and we bought them all!

Favorite ornament(s)---Candy

Besides decorating with a few of GG's favorite characters, I used a ton of ornaments from Target to finish off my sweet theme for the tree!

And just like with the other trees in our home, Sweet Bean's tree is topped with a handmade bow in coordinating colors.

Don't you just love Christmas? Okay, now let the Parade of Homes begin! Grab our badge and be sure to link up with your post for this week's Home Tour Tuesday. Daphne and I can't wait to see how you trim your tree!

Now as though this post wasn't long enough, check out this fabulous giveaway from LOL Designs.

Giveaway Scoop

I think most everyone can agree that for as much fun as the Christmas season can be, it is also the busiest time of year! And while you don't need anything "more" to do, I know most of you have a few minutes to spare to find out about my newest giveaway from Jennifer at LOL Designs.

In her own words---
"LOL Designs is a lifetime result of being the Martha Stewart out of my 20 something girlfriends. I loved making things for friends and family and finally turned it into a business. My favorite things to do are make accessories and baby onesies. I love new challenges to anything you might want to make I'd love to make them for you. LOL Designs is really me in my craft room Laughing Out Loud at myself because I enjoy what I do and have lots of fun doing it."

Thanks to Jennifer, one Webbisodes reader will win a $20 gift certificate to her Etsy shop! And with so many wonderful items to choose from, from baby onesies to beautiful fabric flower necklaces, your only problem may be choosing how to spend your win!

The Scoop

{Please click here to enter this giveaway. I am trying to keep all entries for this giveaway separate from comments left for Home Tour Tuesday. I've created a post just for the LOL Giveaway entries. Comments left on this post will be deleted. Thanks!}

Mandatory entry
{one} Visit LOL Designs and leave a comment here about your favorite item.

Extra entries
{two} "Like" LOL Designs on Facebook
{three} "Heart" LOL Designs on Etsy
{four} Post Jennifer's LOL Design logo on your sidebar with a link to this post. (5 entries)
{five} Blog, Tweet, or Post about this giveaway. (5 entries)
{six} Follow Webbisodes (or let me know if you already do)
{seven} Follow my design blog, Persnickety Pages {& More} (or let me know if you already do)

{Remember leave all entry comments here , not on this post, to be eligible for this giveaway.}

Good luck! Giveaway will end midnight on 12/19!

LOL Giveaway---Leave your Comments here!

2010-12-13T22:00:00.001-06:00

{Not sure what's up with the Blogger updater, but please click here to view today's Home Tour Tuesday post, or scroll up!}

Please leave all comments/entries for the LOL Designs giveaway here (on this post).

Thanks!

Miscellany Monday

2010-12-13T07:30:00.006-06:00

target tunes

{one} Target hit the bullseye when it comes to attracting an audience with catchy and memorable holiday commercials. In our home, these commercials are a ginormous hit, not just with me but with Sweet Bean and the Hubs as well! So I was jazzed to learn that all the music featured in Target's commercials this season are downloadable from the Target site. And the best part is, they're free! Just another reason, I love this store!

Want to check out the playlist? Click here!

say what?

{two} Sometimes you get more than you bargained for when you accidentally overhear a conversation between strangers. And today's conversation between a man and the deli worker not only made us giggle, but showed us that apparently stupid is contagious!

The conversation went a little something like this...

Man: Yes, what kind of lettuce is that?

Deli Ditz: Um, green??!!

Man (to nearby wife): Honey, she said it's green lettuce!

Wife: Oh, okay! Sounds good!

Better get Anderson Cooper and CNN on the phone, folks! The Deli Ditz and Mr. Gullible just broke the biggest news story ever to hit aisle 13---Lettuce is green! Who knew?

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isn't it ironic?

{three} While in the car today, I got a call from a reoccurring random number. Since it's not the first time this number has registered on my cell phone caller ID I answered it hoping to put an end to these numerous misdirected calls. On the other end was Edward from the National Highway Safety Board with a survey for me to complete on traffic safety.

Three words for Eddie, "I am driving!" Click...

say cheese

{four} There is a face that goes with that adorable little monogrammed tushy from Friday's post, and all my regular readers know it well! Gillian Grace is definitely no stranger to the camera and has grown to love having her picture taken (most of the time, anyway). Now and then she'll even up the ante with a little cheesiness, goofy enough to make us all stop and smile.

{Like Sweet Bean's shirt? Mom and I made it---yay! More on the shirt later...}

making a list, checking it twice

{five} Done. Finito. Accomplished. Closed. Wrapped Up. How many ways can I say it? It may haven taken me until two in the morning Saturday, but I can finally mark Christmas cards off of my to do list. Halle-freakin'-lu-jah! And just because I don't want to spoil the surprise for many of my bloggy friends and family that'll be receiving our card in the mail, for now all you get is a tiny peek!

(Designed by yours truly at Persnickety Pages {& More}! Need a last minute Christmas card yourself? Let me know, I'll be happy to help. Click here to visit my design blog.)

housekeeping

{six} I've extended the Stella & Dot and Friedasophie jewelry giveaways (click on logos to enter) though Wednesday. Check back tomorrow for this week's newest giveaway from LOL Designs and don't forget to join Daphne and me for Home Tour Tuesday. Tomorrow's theme: Trim the Tree---Share 3 to 5 of your favorite Christmas ornaments, plus the story behind what makes them special. Get those posts ready!

an early gift

{seven} Christmas came early for my Florida Gators! Santa gifted the Gator Nation a young and energetic new Head Coach this year! A big Gator welcome to Will Muschamp, formerly from Texas. I hope this works out, since I'm pretty sure Mr. Muschamp didn't come with a return policy!

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Have a terrific Monday, friends! See you back here tomorrow! With less than two weeks before Christmas, are you done with everything?

Fun, Fails, and Photos---oh my!

2010-12-10T07:00:00.021-06:00

I believe Charlie Brown said it best---UGG!

Presents to wrap...

Cookies to bake...

Shopping to finish...

Gifts to mail...

You get the idea!

Not to mention the one task weighing on my mind like fifty elephants after an all-you-can-eat peanut buffet---the ever intimidating, Christmas card photo!

With photo fail #2 yesterday, I'm officially hanging up my unrealistic expectations, after all, I'm no Anne Geddes. The truth is, even in the homes of our closest relatives, our card, along with tons of others, is destined for the trash alongside last year's re-gifted fruitcake and this year's Walgreens' perfume compliments of Great Aunt Martha.

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No matter how you spell it, the sentiment expressed by our favorite little bald-headed friend is still the same---Ugg! Even Gillian Grace knows a thing or two about Uggs, only hers are of the much preferred soft and cozy variety!

But unlike GG, I'm willing to bid farewall to my Uggs, more determined now than ever to simply enjoy what's left of this magical holiday season, with or without the perfect Christmas card photo!

What are your holiday uggs and more importantly, how will you get rid of them?

Happy Fun Phone Friday, y'all! Hope you'll take a second to grab my badge, link up, and share your great phone photo!

Brown Smown

2010-12-09T07:00:00.008-06:00

Used to be that seeing a package on my doorstep made an ordinary day feel like Christmas with all the excitement and anticipation of opening something just for me!

Now the ever-evolving delivery methods of one unnamed service {UPS} has me seeing red! With the new ring, toss, and run approach, I suppose it's too much to expect that my package will arrive just the way it was sent---intact!

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For starters, and I know this is asking a lot, how about delivering a package that doesn't look like it's been through a tour in 'Nam, since I'm honestly one couch cushion away from having a Tom Cruise inspired meltdown and going all Mel Gibson on Mr. Brown's behind!

And just look---Sweet Bean's so ticked even the camera couldn't focus!

Have a great almost Friday, friends!

{Have you entered my Stella & Dot and Friedasophie giveaways?}

Semi-Wordless Wednesday: Christmas Card Take 1

2010-12-08T07:00:00.005-06:00

My secret has been out for days---I still don't have a picture for this year's Christmas card. Try as I might, I just cannot seem to get my act together! Hence yesterday's omission of a holiday recipe on a linky I host! {I'll post one sometime soon, promise!}

So please forgive any typos, y'all. It's hard to type while hanging your head in shame!

The other day, hoping to remedy my growing card conundrum, I headed out to the front yard with Sweet Bean for a trial run, knowing that sometimes the best shots just happen and require little, if any, planning at all!

The temperatures were chilly, especially by Southerner standards and while I love each and every shot I was able to capture, like Goldilocks, I'm not finding any of them to have just the right "fit" for this year's holiday card.

And even though I need one more thing to do about as much as the Situation needs an ab workout, I'm planning another mini shoot in the next few days. Wish me luck, with only 16 days until Christmas, the race is on!

All I want for Christmas is a couple more teeth!

Bye bye, 2010! Hello, 2011!

My little drummer girl, pa rum pum pum pum!

Christmas is a time of wonder.

Santa Claus (and GG ) are watching you!

'Tis the season for giving...

Tiny hands, big heart!

Naughty or nice? Do you even have to ask?

Peace

Love

and Joy

{Don't forget to enter the Stella & Dot and Friedasophie giveaways!}

Home Tour Tuesday---Deck the Halls

2010-12-07T06:30:00.010-06:00

Hey friends! It's Tuesday and that can only mean one thing---Home Tour Tuesday! I must admit, this week's Holiday theme has me as excited as ever to take an inside look into your homes to see how each of y'all deck your own halls! And if you can't tell by my plethora of pictures, I absolutely love Christmas!

{Warning: Serious picture overload ahead!}

The Kitchen

The Dining Room

Powder Room

Me seconds before I ...

tripped and fell over my own feet right in the middle of a shot!

Family Room

My mother made this Christmas book for me in 1980 for my first Christmas. It is an ABC book of Christmas. It's my most treasured Christmas decoration of all and one day soon, Sweet Bean will have a book just like mine to call her own.

This elf has been in the family since 1976. He finds his place somewhere among the Christmas decorations every year!

The Sitting Room

Stairs

Guest Bedroom

Guest Bath

Candy, candy, everywhere!

Outside

Our backyard

Front of the house

If you're in the neighborhood, stop on by! I know one sweet someone that'd be happy to see you!

Next week's Home Tour Tuesday theme is: Trim the Tree. Take lots of photos of your Christmas tree and get ready to share 3 to 5 of your favorite Christmas ornaments, plus the story behind what makes them special. Daphne and I can't wait to see y'all back here next week and as always, thanks for participating!

{Have you entered the Stella & Dot and Friedasophie Jewelry giveaways? You won't want to miss these!}

Be Merry!

Miscellany Monday

2010-12-06T07:00:00.044-06:00

shoppy what?

{one} Calling all bloggers and Internet savvy friends, what in tarnation is Shoppy Bag? I've gotten numerous emails from familiar names inviting me to preview a friend's shopping bag! Am I missing out?

it's over...

{two} It's been tough to watch my Gators this year and though I never thought I'd say this, I'm pleased to see this football season come to a close. With no big games left and certainly no hopes of attending any BCS Bowl, it seems the Gators, after a downward spiraling season, may just be destined for the Toilet Bowl. Maybe Santa will bring the Gators some game!

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potty humor

{three} As a momma of a 16 month old, I find myself discussing, with great regularity {haha pardon the pun that's about to unfold}, pee and poo! Did she poop today? Can you believe that wet diaper? She had an explosion!---All commonly heard conversation starters around our house. And while I love a little dose of potty humor every once in a while, I couldn't believe my eyes when I came across these two stuffed somethings the other day!

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Seriously? Let's just say I hope to never find pee and poo anywhere but Sweet Bean's diaper, yuck!

cooties

{four} All little girls know, boys have cooties! As we grow up we learn that it's probably not true, and is just a playground urban legend originated by dad's everywhere in a global effort to keep their tiny sweethearts uninterested in the opposite sex as long as possible! But cooties are real---germs are everywhere! And I was appalled to learn that our cell phones are dirtier than toilet seats, according to one ABC news study. This gives new meaning to the phrase, talk dirty to me! Clorox wipes, anyone?!

{Sorry about the unintended reoccurring theme of this week's Miscellany---I promise to refrain from any mention of the word "toilet" in at least the next dozen or so posts! }

something for nothing

{five} Have you seen these two lovelies?

Stella & Dot, chain necklace

Friedasophie, 14k large Lotus earrings

They can be yours, just enter my two fabulous giveaways going on all week from Stella & Dot and Friedasophie Jewelry! {Click here for Stella & Dot giveaway and here for Friedasophie.}

a no go

{six} Between the temps and the wind yesterday, we didn't stay long at Christmas on the Hill, our neighborhood's holiday celebration. Ready for Gillian Grace's first one on one with the Big Guy, imagine our disappointment to learn that Santa's lap was closed for business! That's right, no sitting on Santa's lap this year, Santa's only interaction with his tiny tot fan club was a two minute sleigh ride through the parking lot and even then the kids had to sit with their parents! Humph! So Mr. Mall Santa here we come! Let's hope "kids on lap" is still in your job description!

Here comes Santa Claus, here comes Santa Claus...

Say what? No getting on Santa's lap...

But I've been so good!

Just a reminder to all friends participating in our Ornament Exchange, be sure to have your ornaments mailed no later than this Wednesday, the 8th!

Swing by tomorrow to join Daphne and me in this week's edition of Home Tour Tuesday. Tomorrow's theme, Deck the Halls---Show us your Holiday/Christmas Decorations, and Holiday recipe share, will kick off several weeks of holiday themes! Get excited, link up, and show us your Christmas spirit!

Have a good Monday and even better week!

Giveaway No.2---Friedasophie Jewelry

2010-12-05T09:00:00.000-06:00

Today's giveaway comes from

The first time I discovered Friedasophie on Etsy, I feel in love with the beautifully hand-crafted jewelry.

Sandra is generously giving away one pair of large Lotus Flower 14k gold earrings to one Webbisodes' reader.

Here's how to enter:

Mandatory Entry

Visit Friedasophie Jewelry and leave a comment here telling me about an item you'd love to see under your Christmas tree this year.

Extra Entries:

{one} Visit Friedasophie on Twitter and Tweet her about her amazing jewelry!

{two} "Like" Freidasophie on Facebook.

{three} Follow my personal blog, Webbisodes (or leave a comment telling me that you already do)

{four} Follow my design blog, Persnickety Pages{& More} (or leave a comment telling me that you already do)

{five} Purchase any item from Friedasophie and leave a comment telling me what you purchased. (10 extra entries)

{six} Blog about this giveaway

{seven} Tweet about this giveaway

{eight} Post about this giveaway on Facebook

Good luck and don't forget to swing to enter yesterday's Stella & Dot giveaway if you haven't already! Click here to find out more!

{Giveaway ends 12/12 at midnight!}

If one is good, two is even better!---A Weekend of Giveaways

2010-12-04T17:50:00.003-06:00

To say that I'm excited to share this weekend's giveaways would be an understatement! For two Webbisodes' readers, Christmas will be coming early!

Both of this weekend's giveaways feature an obvious reader favorite, jewelry! Today's giveaway is from Stacy at Stella & Dot.

Stacy is kindly giving away a beautiful S&D Cascading Chain Necklace, an almost $70 value. This necklace works well for all seasons and can be dressed up or down, depending on the outfit. It's the perfect accessory for any occasion!

For a chance to win this necklace for one very lucky someone, or as a treat for yourself, here are all the ways to enter. Please remember for each entry you complete, be sure to leave a separate comment

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Stella & Dot and leave a comment here telling me about an item you'd love to see under your Christmas tree this year.

Extra Entries:

{one} Sign up for Stella and Dot emails through Stacy's site

Scroll to bottom of S&D page through the link and submit email address to subscribe.

{two} "Like" Stacy on Facebook

{three} Follow my personal blog, Webbisodes (or leave a comment telling me that you already do)

{four} Follow my design blog, Persnickety Pages{& More} (or leave a comment telling me that you already do)

{five} Purchase any item from Stella & Dot and leave a comment telling me what you purchased. (10 extra entries)

{six} Blog about this giveaway

{seven} Tweet about this giveaway

{eight} Post about this giveaway on Facebook

Good luck and don't forget to swing by tomorrow for another great jewelry giveaway from Friedasophie Jewelry Design.

{Giveaway ends midnight 12/12}

Friday Fun & Ornament Exchange

2010-12-03T07:00:00.006-06:00

Hallelujah, it's Friday {woot, woot}!

After a week of chores---holiday decorating and cleaning---I've never been more ready to see the weekend arrive! And while we plan to enjoy some long overdue down time tomorrow, Sunday we'll be taking Sweet Bean to Christmas on the Hill, a neighborhood celebration, where she'll get to meet Santa for the first time. After seeing so many Santa pictures on blogs this past week, I honestly have no idea what to expect. Whether GG decides to be naughty or nice, I promise to be camera ready when she takes her seat on ol' Kris Kringle's lap!

Fun Phone Photo Friday

Okay, so a few Fridays ago, I jokingly mentioned that I wear footie pajamas. Of course I don't, and really just thought I was being ridiculous. Never in a million years would I have thought that I'd actually stumble upon a pair of footies, much less at my favorite store! But looky what I found at Target---

And no, I resisted the urge to splurge and left them hanging right where I found them.

I think it best to leave this look to the little ones, like my Bean.

Now I know y'all have tons of pictures on your phones, please link up. I'm beggin' ya!

Ornament Exchange Pairings

First of all, thank you to all the sweet friends that emailed and signed up with us! Karen and I are so excited about our inaugural exchange! With such a great group of ladies, we have a feeling it will be a huge success, and with any luck at all, next year's exchange will be even bigger!

I've posted the list of pairings below. To maintain a bit of privacy, I've omitted all last names, instead only listing first name and last name initial. I will be in touch with all participants in the next day or so with more detailed information including your partner's full name and mailing address.

In the meantime, have fun shopping for your ornament! Don't forget that all ornaments must be mailed out no later than Wednesday, December 8th. As always, feel free to email me {shannonywebb@gmail.com} with any questions.

Any big plans for the weekend? Go Gamecocks!

What I'm loving today!

2010-12-02T07:00:00.005-06:00

Happy Thursday to you, friends!

After feeling a bit stressed with all the mounting Christmas related stuff stacking up on my plate higher than flapjacks at IHOP, I awoke this morning with a fresh perspective---Whether tomorrow or next week, it will all get done!

And after seeing Christmas wish lists popping up all over the place, I wanted to share something that I'm currently loving...a lot!

Fisher-Price Little People Nativity Playset
(Toys R' Us)

I first saw this set a few weeks ago and immediately emailed my mom with the subject line, "must-have"! Knowing how much Sweet Bean enjoys playing with little figurines, I had a feeling she'd love this too. Since opening the box, Gillian Grace has enjoyed playing with all the characters, though her favorites seem to be the animals and Wise Men. Just today, I caught her trying to cram all of the characters into the stable. Guess if GG had been in charge that Christmas Eve night, we would have had a different ending to the story---Gillian Grace would have definitely made room at the Inn.

Speaking of what I'm loving, I'm totally not loving the snippy young salesgirl at Toys R' Us the day we purchased the Nativity set.

The conversation went a little something like this...

Me: Excuse me. (Said to young girl in Toys R' Us vest and name tag). Can you please help me?

Salesgirl: Says nothing but stops and turns toward me.

Me: Yes, I'm looking for the Fisher-Price Little People Nativity set. Can you tell me where I can find it?

Salesgirl: Um, well, I got to work early today and I'm not officially on the clock. I can't help you yet.

Me: Speechless!

Funny thing is once I actually found the kit, on my own I might add, it was only about one aisle away from where I first stopped to ask the salesgirl. When I retold the story later that night to my husband, he accused me of making it up. Surely, no one could be that inconsiderate, ridiculous, and incompetent he said!

Newsflash, they can and she was! Clearly Miss Whatshername Teenybopper at Toys R' Us is in desperate need of a customer service refresher course!

I mean seriously what does this mean about the world today, when someone can't take a second out of their day to help someone else out? (...stepping down from my soapbox now...)

Geoffrey must be so ashamed!

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Not So Wordless Wednesday---Christmas Past

2010-12-01T06:30:00.007-06:00

I read so many great blogs, that I'm beginning to get a complex---y'all are making me look bad! Here we are on the first day of December and yours truly is apparently one of the few that's still unable to check off the Christmas card photo from her to do list. And what's more {or worse} is that I'm really not sure what I want this year's card to look like. Hello inspiration, where are you?

What's that you say? Shame on me! Well, you're right! And to think I run my own design business, geez Louise!

While I like to think that putting things off isn't something I regularly do, the truth is, procrastination is pretty much the norm for me. But, I like to think that I work best under pressure. Or at least, that's what I keep telling myself as my list of to dos grows longer, in hopes of postponing the inevitable ginormous holiday meltdown as long as humanly possible!

And before I can even think about snapping away in hopes of achieving the ultimate in Christmas card perfection, I couldn't help but share a few pictures from Christmas past---Sweet Bean's first Christmas.

Cue the broken record---I cannot believe how much she's changed! It's almost hard to believe this little chunk of sweetness is Gillian Grace! Oh, how I miss those days! {Sniff, Sniff}

And with a wiggly giggly now 16 month old, I'm guaranteed to have my work cut out for me!

On the bright side, she's a cutie and while just any photo would likely be good enough to make friends and family smile, we set the bar pretty darn high with last year's Christmas card photo!

I mean really, how can I top this one! Any ideas?

{Don't forget, there's still time to sign up for our Ornament Exchange!
Check out all the rules and important dates here or scroll down to find Monday's post (11/29)!}

Home Tour Tuesday---My Peaceful Place

2010-11-30T06:30:00.025-06:00

Happy Tuesday, friends! Can you believe that we are just a few hours away from December first? The holiday season is shifting into high gear, even though it feels like just yesterday that I was decorating for Fall and passing out candy at Halloween. Now the pumpkins are gone, replaced by greenery, accents of red, and all the tell tale signs that Christmas is near. As we speak, I'm knee deep in decorations and every room is in complete shambles, looking more like a crazy-elf version of Animal House rather than a home for the holidays. Tinsel, garland, and ribbon everywhere, oh my!

And in the middle of all this holiday hullabaloo, this week's theme for Home Tour Tuesday, couldn't have come at a better time! Everyone, no matter what it looks like, has a spot where they go to escape from the stresses of the day, even if it's just for a minute, or for me, in my mind...

My cozy reading nook(s)

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Amazing, right?

And while I'd love to claim even just one of those cozy spaces as my own, it's just not so. But, you can't blame a girl for dreaming, can you?

With an active toddler underfoot most hours of the day...

My peaceful place isn't decorated with designer furniture or expensive cashmere throws, and certainly doesn't resemble anything out of the pages of Southern Living. And while it'd be nice, my peaceful place doesn't need any of that. These days my peaceful place is where ever my tired worn out booty lands, be it on our overstuffed bedroom chair, or hiding away in the bathroom for an extra long shower.

Comfy is as comfy does! Okay so it's not quite quotable, but you get the point. Comfy is, for me, a state of mind. Though I must admit, having one of those beautiful rooms, wouldn't be so bad!

Oh and just for the record, I will have a room like one of those to call my own someday. And when I do, you better believe y'all will be invited for a tour!

Without further adieu, what kind of host would I be if I didn't actually welcome you into my home for a real look at my peaceful place. It may not be glamorous, but it's relaxing all the same!

This is my little space nestled in the corner of our master bedroom. What it lacks in sophistication, it makes up for in comfort! This is one super snuggly chair!

One of my favorite things about the chair is the hand-made accent pillows my mother made for us! My mom is so crafty (and thoughtful)! I'm also a huge fan of the custom made draperies in this room and throughout our entire house (more on those in future posts).

Of course it wouldn't be my space without the phone and computer! Not saying I'm always on them when in this chair, but the odds are pretty good that you'll usually find me on one or the other whenever I have any "down" time!

Speaking of holiday hullabaloo, don't forget there's still time to join Karen and me for our first ever Ornament Exchange! We're thrilled with the turnout so far and hope that more of y'all will join in between now and tomorrow when the exchange's enrollment will close.

Please check my sidebar or click here for all the details! Join us, friends! I promise you it'll be fun!

Now, it's your turn---show us your relaxing space! But before you do, be sure to grab our button and check out our list of upcoming Home Tour Tuesday topics. With all this advanced notice, there's no reason not to participate each week with Daphne {Flip Flops and Pearls} and me!

12/7
Deck the Halls---Show us your Holiday/Christmas Decorations, plus bonus Holiday recipe share (Any good Christmas morning casseroles?)

12/14
Trim the Tree---Share 3 to 5 of your favorite Christmas ornaments, plus the story behind what makes them special

12/21
All Wrapped Up---Show us how you wrap and share a favorite gift you've received as well as one you've given

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

2010-11-29T06:30:00.008-06:00

{First, a little housekeeping---

Congratulations to Mommyto2 for winning the Two Tots giveaway! Please email.

Tomorrow's Home Tour Tuesday topic: My peaceful place (Where do you go to relax and unwind?) Come by tomorrow morning to link up.}

With not much left to remind us of Thanksgiving except a few diminishing leftovers in the fridge and jeans that now fit a little snugger, it's time to now shift our thoughts and prepare our wallets for the rush that is the busiest shopping season of all---Christmas!

And while there are, and will surely be, exciting Christmas celebrations throughout the blogging community, I couldn't let my most favorite time of year slip by without getting in on a little holiday action myself! My good friend, Karen from Karen at Home, and I have teamed up to spread a little holiday cheer of our own with a first annual Ornament Exchange.

With all the craziness that's sure to accompany the holidays, we've tried our best to keep the rules and timeline for our inaugural exchange as simple as possible.

Here's the scoop:

{one} Sign up will run today (11/29) through Wednesday, December 1st at 9 p.m. EST.

{two} To sign up, please email me at shannonywebb@gmail.com. Click here to email.

In your email please include:
-Ornament Exchange in the subject line
-Your first and last name
-Your mailing address
-Your blog address if applicable

{three} Ornament Exchange partners will be revealed on Friday, December 3rd on my blog (Webbisodes), as well as Karen's blog (Karen at Home). All participants will also be notified by email with their partner's name and mailing address.

{four} Please purchase an ornament for exchange up to $15 in value.

{five} All ornaments must be mailed between Monday, December 6th and Wednesday, December 8th.

{six} We ask that all participants with blogs, grab and post our button on their sidebar until the Ornament Exchange is over.

{seven} All participants are asked to post and link up with pictures of their received ornament on Thursday, December 17th. A link up will be provided on both hosts' blogs (Webbisodes and Karen at Home).

Both Karen and I hope that our first Ornament Exchange will be a huge success and encourage you to not only join us in a little holiday gift-giving fun, but help us spread the word as well. After all, the more the merrier, right?

Even Gillian Grace is getting in on the fun!

If one ornament is good...

Two is even better!

Here's hoping you're this excited when you receive your ornament!

So y'all, what are you waiting for? Join us and let's get shopping!

Almost Wordless Wednesday---Thanksgiving

2010-11-24T07:00:00.006-06:00

Heavenly Father, on Thanksgiving Day

We bow our hearts to You and pray.

We give You thanks for all You've done

Especially for the gift of Jesus, Your Son.

For beauty in nature, Your glory we see

For joy and health, friends and family,

For daily provision, Your mercy and care

These are the blessings You graciously share.

So today we offer this response of praise

With a promise to follow You all of our days.---Mary Fairchild

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

Home Tour Tuesday---I'm thankful for...

2010-11-23T07:28:00.002-06:00

Welcome, y'all and thanks for joining Daphne and me for our second week of Home Tour Tuesday. With Thanksgiving only a few days away, today's theme sent us in search of two things we're thankful to have in our homes. And, with Sweet Bean and the Hubs off limits (everyone knows I'm thankful for those two), limiting my search to just a couple items might have been more difficult were it not for yesterday morning's unexpected fiasco!

Oh and my apologies in advance for a less than exciting share. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that the rationale behind my picks earn me a few points, or at least, a little sympathy!

I'm so thankful for...

{one} My washing machine

Boring, I know but the truth is, behind every clean child, is a good mom and an even better washing machine! Though my old friend, the washer and I haven't always lived in complete harmony (Remember the bubble incident last Spring?), my trusty machine can usually tackle most anything I throw its way. And, trust me, this machine has seen just about everything, especially since Sweet Bean joined the family!

Even GG is a fan of our washer and dryer! (This video was taken back in April. See how much she's changed?)

And, after last night, I'm especially thankful for...

{two} My dryer

Well, I should clarify---I'm thankful for my dryer when it's 100% melted crayon free.

Imagine my surprise, as I prepared to fold yet another load yesterday morning, to find a lovely shade of green splattered on almost everything from a few of Gillian Grace's towels and smocked outfits to one random brassiere that accidentally made its way in the pile. Utterly confused at first, it took a few minutes before I began piecing together what had happened to my formerly clean load. And, then I found it! A lone, rogue, green crayon half melted, lying in the dryer drum---mocking me!

While, I'm fairly certain that I'm not the first momma to dry clean her child's Crayolas, and I'm almost positive that I will not be the last, it wasn't until the Hubs shared his Google findings and the hundreds of hits for "crayons in dryer" that I began to feel a little better about my morning mishap!

With our dryer still coated in crayon, I had no choice but to hang up yesterday evening's final load of wash, the old school way, while praying that this Southern humidity would allow everything to eventually dry before becoming a mildewy mess. And it was in that moment that I realized---

Thank goodness for my washer and, most-of-the time, crayon-free, dryer. Life's just so much easier when you surround yourself with good people and well-functioning appliances!

Now, let's hear it! What household items have you feeling grateful today?

{Don't forget to enter this week's giveaway from Two Tiny Tots! Click here!}

Miscellany Monday

2010-11-22T07:00:00.006-06:00

sharing is not always caring

{one} It seems Sweet Bean will share just about anything these days---including her cold! Now the Hubs and I are both a sneezing sniffling mess and trying our darnedest to kick this bothersome bug before Thursday!

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home tour

{two} Don't forget to get your pictures and post ready, tomorrow is our second installment of Home Tour Tuesday! Tomorrow's theme- 2 things around the house you're thankful for (besides the kids and your spouse).

bite me

{three} GG's teething...again! This weekend was a mixture of skipped naps, cuddling, and out of nowhere, temper tantrums! But the good news is, we all survived, no worse for the wear. And, fingers crossed, we are nearing an end to this round of teething. At best estimate, I've counted at least four new teething setting up residence in Gillian Grace's mouth, poor baby! Teething is stressful, and Sweet Bean's crib has the gnaw marks to prove it!

{It goes without saying, but this is NOT Gillian Grace}

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two little tots

{four} Giveaway, giveaway, giveaway! Melissa from Two Little Tots is giving away a $25 store credit to her online shop. Melissa sells all sorts of handmade goodies for momma and child. All comments on today's post will automatically be entered to win, it's that easy! But for an extra entry, swing by Melissa's shop and leave a separate comment telling me about something that catches your eye!

brown delivers

{five} Thanks to my bloggy (turned real-world) friend, Laura, Gillian Grace is going to look super festive this Christmas in her custom made red, green, and white tutu! I honestly don't know how Laura finds the time to make anything with her busy household of four (soon to be five) kiddos, but I'm sure glad she decided to surprise us with this one! Now any ideas for a family Christmas card? After reading so many cute ideas, I'm seriously drawing a blank when it comes to something original!

Hmm! Anything else in here?!

Hope your Monday is off to a great start! And, let the countdown to Turkey Day begin!

Friday Fun--Short and Sweet!

2010-11-19T07:30:00.005-06:00

Not wanting to break from tradition (you know I'm nothing if not a creature of habit), I decided to still participate in all my usual Friday Fun, but in the interest of time, keep it short and sweet! And before I forget, I wanted to share our topic for next week's Home Tour Tuesday---"Two things in the house I'm thankful for..." Now with the weekend to think it over and snap your photos, there's no excuse for not linking up with us on Tuesday!

Alrighty, on with the usual Friday happenings---

Five Question Friday (with Mama M.)

1. What Christmas song do you loathe?

While I love practically every thing about Christmas, I cringe and immediately flip the station each and every time that horribly annoying song featuring dogs barking to the tune of Jingle Bells plays! Talk about ruining a perfectly good song! {No offense to my animal lover friends!}

See what I mean?

2. Do you and your significant other (HUSBAND) cuddle at night or sleep on opposite sides of the bed?

I get hot easily, prefer total silence when I'm sleeping, and need my own space---I'd sleep in a different time zone if humanly possible!

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3. Have you ever had surgery?

I am so lucky to have never broken a bone (knock on wood) and to have only been in the hospital once, and that was for Gillian Grace's delivery, which was my first and only surgery. Sweet Bean is a c-section baby, and I'd do it again in a nano second! Don't judge, I'm a wieney!

4. When do you typically have your holiday shopping done?

Like a clockwork, every year around the end of September my mom and I vow to have all our holiday shopping done by Thanksgiving. This year I'm about halfway done at this point, and hope to have all my shopping wrapped up by the end of the first week in December. Not quite Thanksgiving, but far from a frantic Christmas Even sprint through the aisles of Walgreens.

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5. If money were not an issue (and you HAD to pick something), what would your ultimate luxury item be?

If I could be completely selfish and had unlimited funds at my disposal, I choose a new home. It wouldn't necessarily be a super ginormous house, but it would be brand spanking new with all the bells and whistles, including closets big enough to host a dance party!

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Fun Phone Photo Friday

Sweet Bean having her Dorothy {Wizard of Oz} moment in Target---

There's no place like home! There's no place like home! There's no place like home!

Guess I know what GG may want for Christmas. But who could blame her? Every girl needs a pair of ruby slippers!

Now here's your chance! Link up and share your fun phone photo! I'm waiting...

{And congrats to Mommytomason for winning the Royal Blue Papers Giveaway! Please email as soon as possible!}

Thank you, Music!

2010-11-18T07:00:00.009-06:00

We've all done it---found ourselves singing along to the words of a song, not even giving a moment's thought to what it is we're actually singing, or in my case, screeching!

And, after reading my friend Aly's post the other day on the same topic, it got me thinking. What are the words to all those songs that I know by heart and find myself humming during diaper changes and in the shower?

What is it that I'm actually singing and more to the point, have I learned anything?

So without further adieu, thank you music! You've taught me...

{one} Never to forget my umbrella, ella, ella, hey! Thanks, Rihanna!

{two} Jenny's number by heart, thank you so much Tommy Tutone! 867-5309, I've got it!

{three} About cities all around the world, especially NYC. I know if I can make it there, I can make it anywhere and thanks to Alicia and Jay-Z, I realize there's nothing I can't do.

{four} Dance crazes (the Hustle, Macarena, Chicken Dance, and dare I say, Soulja Boy) are like Chinese takeout---great at first but after a few days grow old and stale.

{five} How to spell R-E-S-P-E-C-T---Thanks Aretha for being the first of many to follow that decided to give us all spelling lessons through song.

{six} To drop it like it's hot---who knew Snoop Dogg wasn't giving us culinary advice?

{seven} That I no longer live in the Deep South, but apparently the Dirty South---let me guess that great idea came straight out of the ATL, or should I say Hotlanta!

{eight} Some artists, like Gwen Stefani, should just stick to singing. There's no doubt some clothing lines should've never made it to production.

{nine} Vanilla Ice isn't the name of a coffeehouse brew, but instead, helped to show the world that some white folks really can dance.

{ten} If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands! Then I'm guessing your face will surely show it!

{eleven} Too much fame too fast is toxic and can drive you crazy. Just ask Britney!

{twelve} "Da" is an acceptable form of "the" even for those of us older than 3, especially when paired with the word club.

{thirteen} Scrub the ground has nothing whatsoever to do with cleaning!

{fourteen} If you mess with Beyonce, watch out for Kanye!

{fifteen} No matter how tough life gets, don't stop believin'!

{sixteen} And lastly, no matter your taste in music, the important thing is that when given the choice to sit it out or dance, I've learned to dance.

What has music taught you?

Almost Wordless Wednesday---Lemon Drop

2010-11-17T07:00:00.004-06:00

Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top that's where you'll find me...

Sweet Bean's Somewhere Over the Rainbow is definitely at Gammie and Grandad's. Even at this young age, it's obvious that there's no place she'd rather be than with two of her most favorite people!

And who can blame her? Gammie and Grandad spoil her rotten with love, affection, and most anything her tiny heart desires! But it's not the material things that Gillian Grace will grow up remembering, it's the thousands of little moments, gestures, hugs, and smiles that will mean the most and leave her eternally grateful.

Many years from now when GG is all grown up and on her own, she'll never pass a lemon tree again without thinking of her Grandad and the one he planted in her honor.

Where's your Somewhere Over the Rainbow?

Home Tour Tuesday---Kitchen and Recipe Share

2010-11-16T07:30:00.014-06:00

First things first...

Whew! It's been a lot of work and countless late nights, but I'm finally ready to debut Persnickety Pages {& More}'s first-ever line of Holiday cards. While I'll continue adding to the inventory of cards throughout the week, I've got many designs ready for purchase in the form of a ready-to-send digital file or print and ship cards in two sizes, 5x7 and 4x8. For those extra picky gals that want help designing their own signature Holiday card, I'm happy to oblige with a Custom Holiday card order! And for a limited time, I'm offering all photo cards at a special, one time only, Holiday price with 10% of every order going to the Salvation Army's Angel Tree Program.

I hope you'll take a moment to swing by Persnickety and check them out, but of course, I can't mention my Holiday cards without giving you a mini preview here!

{This is Laura's custom Holiday card! Doesn't she have an adorable family?}

Now on to Home Tour Tuesday!

Welcome, y'all! It's time for the first ever Home Tour Tuesday, hosted by Flip Flops and Pearls and yours truly! If you haven't been by Daphne's blog you should head over after linking up and show her some bloggy love! Not only is Daphne an Alabama girl like me (not to be mistaken for Alabama fan, you know I could never do that to my Gators), she's practically a neighbor, living only about half an hour away! Once again blogging proves what we all know to be true, it really is a small world!

I'm really excited to host a regular themed post and hope that many of you will decide to share in the fun and link up! Today's theme is: Kitchen Decor and Holiday Recipe Share. You'll have to forgive my pretty pitiful post. It's lacking a lot of the details I wanted to include but will just have to post at another time. As I'm sure you know, sometimes life gets ~~nuts~~ busy, and like Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton taught us, "Something's Gotta Give!"

If you're a first time Webbisodes visitor, welcome! I'm glad you dropped by! I hope that you'll become a regular around here because as many of you know, I do love my bloggy friends! Stay tuned for future Home Tour Tuesday posts. Daphne and I will try to get our acts together and post the next theme in plenty of time for everyone to snap their pictures!

{Do, do, do, lookin' through my back door---This picture was taken from the back door looking into the kitchen.}

{From the breakfast nook}

{From the dining room}

{From the main cooking area}

And of course, the best kitchen accessory of them all... Sweet Bean!

Now for my Holiday Recipe Share. This recipe has become a staple around our home at Thanksgiving. Not only is it absolutely divine, but it fills the entire house with the delicious aroma of pumpkin spice that will surely leave you drooling and counting down along with the oven timer!

Delicious Pumpkin Crisp

Makes 8 to 10 servings
Prep: 15 min: Bake 1 hour 5 min: Stand 10 min

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 package butter-flavored yellow cake mix (I use Betty Crocker Super Moist Butter Recipe Yellow Cake Mix)
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup butter melted
Whipped cream (optional)
Ground nutmeg (optional)

STIR together first 5 ingredients. Pour into a lightly greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Sprinkle cake mix evenly over pumpkin mixture; sprinkle evenly with pecans. Drizzle butter evenly over pecans

BAKE at 350 for 1 hour to 1 hour and 5 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven, and let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm or at room temperature with Whipped Cream, if desired. Sprinkle with nutmeg if desired.

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Enjoy! Now it's your turn to link up! Can't wait to see what's cookin' in your kitchen!

{Oh yea, don't forget to enter the Royal Blue Papers giveaway. There's still time!}

Miscellany Monday

2010-11-15T07:30:00.007-06:00

{It's baaaack...}
one. We thought we were in the clear---sneeze and snot free, but the boogies are back with a vengeance, Gillian Grace has another cold! No big events for us this weekend, we spent most of Sunday cuddling and lounging, trying our best to soothe a clearly uncomfortable Sweet Bean. But amazingly enough, even when she's feeling crummy, GG always manages to muster up a smile and occasional giggle, proving even germs can't keep a good girl down!

{Maybe yes, Maybe no}
two. In the last day, I've heard the same question from three different people, two of which were friends {yes you, Aly}, and one was a random out-of-left field question by a stranger in the checkout line at Target. Why is it that lately everyone wants to know if we're planning on a sibling for Sweat Bean? Must be because she's just so stinkin' cute!

{Am I crazy?}
three. It's been months since I've laced up my shoes and hit the street for a run, but just this weekend I found myself considering joining a relay team for our local marathon in January. Can I really get my groove back and hit my stride in time for a January race? I'm not sure, but I'm definitely going to try!

{Show us your...}
four. Tongue! Gillian Grace loves showing off her tiny taste buds these days. Just don't be offended---it's all in good fun!

{Home Tour Tuesday}
five. I've teamed up with Daphne from Flip Flops and Pearls to bring y'all a new theme---Home Tour Tuesday, where we'll feature a different home-related topic. This week's topic is: What's cooking? Kitchen Decor and Holiday Recipe Swap. Hope to see y'all back here tomorrow for the first link up! In the meantime, grab our button and get those posts and pictures ready!

{Ho, Ho, Hold on..}
six. Set to debut today, I'm postponing the release of my new line of Holiday cards until tomorrow. With Gillian Grace being a tad under the weather this weekend, I just need one more day to get all the last minute details in place. Stay tuned ---Christmas cards are coming Tuesday (tomorrow)! {And, thanks to my good friend, Laura, I've already got a customer!}

{Royal Blue Papers giveaway has been extended through Wednesday. Click here to enter!}

TGIF, y'all!

2010-11-12T07:30:00.008-06:00

Yay, the weekend is finally here! The nice seasonable temperatures that we were experiencing this time last weekend are long gone, so it looks like I'll be wearing flip flops and shorts as I head out today to begin my Christmas shopping. And while I'm excited to hit the stores with my mom, there's just something so very wrong with shorts in November, but what's a girl to do with highs near 80? Some say they just love the mild Southern Fall, but this belle could use a cold snap!

And if you noticed, I said shopping with my mom. Gillian Grace is one lucky girl to be spending the entire day with her daddy. Bret has the whole day planned with tons of playtime, bonding, and a trip to the park and fountain. Of course any half-way decent father/daughter day wouldn't be complete without a trip to Lowe's and lunch at Chick-Fil-A. I'll try to remember to bribe Bret to take along a camera, this is one date even I can't wait to see!

{Daddy and Sweet Bean, during a surprise lunch date at Bret's office}

Now it's time for a little Five Question Friday Fun with Mama M.

Five Question Friday

1. What is the most physically painful thing that has ever happened to you?

When the stars align and klutziness meets perfect opportunity, strange and inexplicable ~~incidents~~ accidents are bound to occur. One carefree summer afternoon, a golf cart drive along the sandy shell lined pathways took a drastic turn as I rounded a corner. As I turned my thumb nail got caught on the steering wheel clip board, ripping my nail and entire cuticle clean out as the wheel continued to spin. Now, some ten years later, even childbirth doesn't compare to the pain and anguish I felt that day. I can still remember how intense the throbbing felt, like my heart was in my thumb. I'm not sure how something so small could hurt so badly, but it was honestly the most painful thing that I have ever experienced, bar none!

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2. How much sleep do you get at night?

Unfortunately, the answer is---not enough! On average, I'm asleep by midnight and awake by around six the following morning.

And it's been years since I've slept like a....well, baby!

{Gillian Grace, 4 months old}

3. How long did you believe in Santa Claus? How did you find out that he does not exist?

What? Santa's not real?

And since I know this sweet girl believes in the magic of Christmas, I'm pretty sure I should too. After all, look how smart she looks!

{Since Sweet Bean loves everyone else's glasses, Gammie took the lenses out so she could have her own pair.}

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4. What was the last movie you saw in a theater?

Don't laugh! The last movie I saw in a theater was Twilight's Eclipse. Before Eclipse this past summer, it had been three years since I'd last seen a movie in the theater.

Call me a movie snob, but I much prefer watching a movie in the comfort of my own home, where my feet don't stick to the floor, no one's smacking their popcorn in my ear, and I can pause the action for a quick snack run to the fridge, and return with a soda that didn't cost me seven bucks!

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5. What do you wear to bed?

Um, hello?! Footie pajamas, of course! But I must admit, GG had a pair first, I'm just a copy cat! No really, I'm joking...

Or am I?

{Gillian Grace, November 2010}

Fun Phone Photo Friday

Bret came home a few days ago with this fun picture of GG to share. Gotta love Lil' Miss Priss---her future's so bright, she's gotta wear shades! (Gosh, I'm really dating myself with that song reference from the 80's, shesh!)

Want to share your own interesting and fun phone Friday photo? Link up!

Have a great weekend! And don't forget to enter my Royal Blue Papers Giveaway!

Veteran's Day

2010-11-11T07:30:00.004-06:00

(Lyrics from Lee Greewood's, God Bless the USA)

If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I'd worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.

I'd thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can't take that away.

And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.

That I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

And I'm proud to be and American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.

And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.

{Gillian Grace, July 2010}

"I think patriotism is like charity, it begins at home." ---Henry James

So remember your manners, and give thanks to all those that have ever served. Our lives wouldn't be what they are today, if not for the brave and selfless acts of so many.

{Don't forget to enter my current giveaway from Royal Blue Papers! Click here to enter!}

{All images but last credit source: 1, 2, 3, 4}

Almost Wordless Wednesday---Pink is my signature color!

2010-11-10T07:00:00.004-06:00

“The very pink of perfection.”---Oliver Goldsmith

Tasty Tuesday---Opa!

2010-11-09T07:30:00.007-06:00

More than once, Bret and I have discussed the many ways that Sweet Bean has changed our lives. And while it's true that we get a whole lot less sleep these days and hardly have a moment to call our own, our quality of life has improved immeasurably. Since Gillian Grace was born, we have really made an effort to get out and expose her to all sorts of new experiences. If there's a special event in town, you can usually count us in, and this past weekend was no exception. On Saturday, a day that couldn't have been better for an outdoor festival, we loaded up and headed to the Annual Greek Fest just minutes from our home.

Having grown up attending the local Greek Festival almost yearly, this is something that I was excited to now be able to share with my daughter. Not only was I looking forward to the fantastic Mediterranean cuisine, but thinking about how Gillian Grace would react to the music and dancing had me practically giddy!

And let me tell you what---Sweet Bean's reaction definitely didn't disappoint! GG proved once again that she's no stranger to the spotlight and was quick to show off her moves in front of an encouraging crowd. An adorable little guy even took a quick liking to our Lil' Miss Priss, trying to impress her with his fancy footwork and infectious grin. While Bean was entertained for a bit, she was far more impressed with the five inch stilettos of the band's lead singer, confirming my suspicion that she's a fashionista in the making!

Getting ready to go, GG was all smiles!

Opa!

Here we are with one of my former, and favorite, students! She and her mother were kind enough to give us complimentary tickets to Greek Fest! Efxaristo, y'all! (That's thank you in Greek!)

And with all the great food from this weekend's Festival still fresh on my mind and palate, I can't wait to try my hand at recreating a few of my favorite Greek inspired dishes!

Spanikopita (Spinach Triangles or Pie)

Courtesy of the Food Network

Serves:
60 triangles (or a 9 x 13 dish)

Ingredients

* 1/3 cup olive oil
* 2 pounds spinach, washed and drained
* 1 bunch scallions, white and green parts, chopped
* 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 1/2 pound feta cheese, crumbled
* 1 to 2 eggs, lightly beaten
* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
* 1 pound filo pastry sheets

Directions

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large saute pan, add half of the spinach and saute until spinach wilts, tossing with tongs, about 2 minutes. Remove spinach and squeeze out excess liquid, then chop roughly. Repeat with remaining spinach, using 1 more tablespoon of olive oil. Pour off any liquid from the pan, and add remaining olive oil. Add scallions and saute until soft, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the spinach to the scallions, along with the parsley, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat for 1 to 2 minutes, then remove from heat to cool. (This part can be done ahead and kept refrigerated).

Stir the feta and as much beaten egg to moisten the cooled spinach mixture.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Brush a baking sheet with some of the melted butter.

Unroll the filo dough on a flat surface and keep it covered with waxed paper and a damp towel so it doesn't dry out and become brittle. Using a sharp knife, cut the filo into 3 by 11 inch strips, and recover with the towel. Use a pastry brush to brush a strip of filo with melted butter. Place a small spoonful of spinach filling 1 inch from the end of the pastry. Fold the end over the filling to form a triangle, then continue to fold up the strip in triangles, like folding up a flag. Continue with remaining strips of dough, placing filled triangles on the baking sheet and keeping them covered with a towel until all are ready to bake.

Brush the triangles lightly with butter, then bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Serve hot. (These may be frozen before baking, layering waxed paper between layers of triangles to keep them from sticking. Bake frozen triangles an extra 10 minutes.)

Variation: Butter a 9 by 13 inch baking pan, and spread 6 sheets of filo, brushing each with butter, on the bottom. Spoon the spinach filling over the filo, then cover with 6 more sheets of filo, buttering each sheet. Score the top 3 sheets with a sharp knife. Bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until top is golden, let stand 15 minutes, then cut into squares and serve warm.

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Orzo with Feta and Tomatoes, Courtesy of Rachael Ray

Ingredients

* 1/2 pound orzo
* Salt
* 2 tablespoons butter
* 1 cup feta cheese crumbles
* A handful of parsley leaves, chopped
* 1/2 pint grape tomatoes, halved
* Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Heat water in large sauce pot to boil and add pasta, cook to al dente.

Melt butter in the pot while still hot and combine with feta. Add cooked pasta to feta butter and toss with parsley and tomatoes, season with a little pepper.

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