2015 Christmas in the Country Gift Reveal

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After keeping quiet for several weeks, I can finally reveal my Christmas in the Country swap partner!  I received a box of goodies from Miss Amanda of The Good Stuff.

Amanda is currently working in DC and utilizing her degree in Ag Communication that she received from Kansas State University.  #EMAW, isn't that y'all's hashtag?  I see it all over my social media sites because I'm friends with a host of alumni.  And the school's primary color is purple.  I can dig it!

In addition to being professionals (haha!) in the agriculture community, we share an affinity for turquoise, mason jars and wine!  What I need her to teach me... How do you create and rock that messy hair look?!  Amanda has also inspired me to get my butt in gear and create/post my 101 in 1001 that I talked about way back when...

To my swap partner I sent some cute measuring spoons and rubber spatulas from Crate and Barrel; along with a pad of notepaper.  She creates recipes and I thought that she'd be able to put those three things to good use.  In addition to the kitchen inspired goodies, I sent her a snowman figurine/photo display and some loose leaf tea.  The tea, oh the tea... What a calamity!  Unbeknownst to me, Miss Haddie got into the box of goodies I was sending and it was only after talking with some of the co-hosts did I realize that someone covered up Haddie's indiscretions.  Long story short, the tea was undrinkable.  Talk about a huge embarrassment, I felt terrible!  The best laid plans.

Okay, back to task at hand here's the scoop on the gifts Amanda sent!

First off... those caramels.  Y'all they have rum IN THEM!  Hello, delicious.  I'm also totally stoked about the glass nail file and the fact that it has a case to keep it in!  I can't tell you how many pairs of sunglasses I've ruined because they get scratched up in my purse.  And the notepad, I'm a list maker from way back and this is perfect!  Amanda also sent some really cute bev naps and a deck of wine cards that help you pair wine with your favorite foods.  Sold.  The four little jars?  They're spice containers!  They remind me of the ones my grandparents kept on their kitchen table when I was a little girl.  I love them!

Amanda did a bang up job and I hope that one day our paths cross!  The agricultural community is pretty small and I'd be willing to bet there's a good chance that us meeting IRL might truly happen!

I want to thank all the hosts (Laurie, Jamie, Kirby and Lara) of this year's Christmas in the Country swap for organizing such an undertaking!  Thanks for dreaming up this event that connects like-minded gals, that hopefully lead to great friendships despite the many miles that can separate us!

Our 2015 Christmas Card

Confession: Today is December 23 and our Christmas cards went out yesterday. 

Thankfully I just happened to choose a card that tacks on "and Happy New Year", so I'm in the clear right?!  This year's Christmas card may have went out way (way, way) later than I typically prefer sending, but they did get mailed.  And they're probably one of my favorite cards to date! 

The fact that our outfits are totally. on. point. may have something to do with that...

And that I was having a good hair day thanks to my Beauty Swap goodies doesn't hurt either!

Again this year, I created our Christmas card using Shutterfly.  They have SO MANY templates that I spent hours (not kidding) designing options for this year's card.  I got to the point where I was saving them things like "Christmas Card # no idea" and "Christmas Card what number am I on".  Matt and I had to narrow down our options twenty-freakin'-six to one!  The barnwood and coordinating red design sorted itself quickly to the top of our list of options.

I hope you all get to spend this holiday season with the ones you love the most! 

Merry Christmas!

Mom and I Agree On This

There are few things that my mom (Hi, Mom!) and I agreed on when I was living under my parents roof.  Looking back now, it was pretty stupid stuff like laundry or what color the sky was.  Teenagers.

These days, I have to be careful because sometimes I open my mouth and my mom comes out!  I find it eerie and Matt thinks it's hysterical. Mom and I might still find things to nitpick about or poke at just for the sake of poking, but we do have a mutual agreement for one thing..

Made for TV Christmas movies!!

As I sit here and type, I realize that they're all terribly corny.  But I just can't stop!  Someone on my facebook feed said this, "They're like potato chips. Each one tastes the same as the other, but you can't stop at just one!" and it's SO TRUE!  

Mom and I could both sit down and watch them for hours.  I think Dad and Matt call to commiserate.  At least there's a second TV at my parents!  I try to record as many as I can so that I a) don't have to listen to Matt moan and groan and b) so I'm not ridiculed for them when I do watch!  Even though he swears he doesn't watch or isn't listening, the man knows when one is a repeat from the year before.  

Below are some of my favorites that I've seen this year (or last year and probably the year before that too) on Hallmark!

Snow Bride

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The Christmas Ornament

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Tis The Season For Love

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Lifetime is another great option for Christmas movies!  This weekend I recorded A Gift Wrapped Christmas and really like it.  And if you're looking for some eye candy consider watching 12 Men of Christmas!

I know that my mom and I are not alone in our love of these movies, otherwise the networks wouldn't have started playing them at the beginning of November, right?  Right?  

Who else will own their love for these cheesy, sticky sweet Christmas movies? 

The Big Reveal

I opened a lot of really great Christmas presents, but the one that was probably the most highly anticipated was from my Christmas in the Country Secret Santa!  It took a lot of restraint to wait and open on Christmas Day with all my other gifts, but I tucked it under the tree and tried not to guess who had sent it or what awesome goodies awaited me...

As it happened, Matt and I opened our presents to each other later in the evening on Christmas because we spent the day with my family back on the farm.  The Christmas in the Country gift was the last one I opened and boy, oh boy was there a haul in there!!  And I have none other than one of the sweet co-hosts of the exchange to thank, Laurie from Country Linked!

In the note included in the box, Laurie explained each item and why she thought it was something I'd love!  Not only did she take some of my suggestions from the sign-up, but she also did some digging and found a few items that I didn't even know I needed until I saw them.  She did good!

Here's the lowdown on what I received...
Handmade "Farmer's Daughter" sign from a local business
Burlap wine bag
Two sets of sparkly Christmas ornaments
Homemade cinnamon bread
Popcorn from Laurie's husband's seed company
Gardening gloves

Laurie did a fantastic job picking out things that I love!  The bread she made was so stinking good that it didn't even make it to the picture, but hands down my favorite item was the "Farmer's Daughter" sign!  I'm so excited to hang it up in my new office!

Sign from Worn Slick Sign Co.

My swap partner was Emily from Belle of Beef.  She's a college student studying animal science at Penn State University.  I sent her a cute Pennsylvania charm bracelet that I found in Las Vegas last month, along with some lavender nail polish, 31 clutch and some homemade Reindeer Chow!  I hope she enjoyed her gift as much as I enjoyed picking everything out!

Thanks so much to all the hosts (This Uncharted Rhoade, COUNTRY LINKed, Diaries from the Dirt Road and The Ranch Wife Chronicles) of the Christmas in the Country gift exchange!  You gals rock!

Cookie Party

The weekend before Christmas we loaded up the critters and headed for my parents farm.  Mom and Dad had yet to meet Haddie and rather than throw her to the wolves on Christmas Eve, we thought a slow rolling introduction would be nice. 

I can report that our two dogs, my parents two and my sister's two all get along!  Now, it's not all rainbows and roses, but no one died! 

In addition to introducing Miss Haddie, I was up to decorate Christmas cookies with some of my girlfriends.  In years past, we tend to bog ourselves down with the sheer quantity of cookies made and our decorating rapidly declines after the first batch!  When we reached the point we were 'done' cookies would make a  careless face first dive into the frosting bowl only to be precariously sprinkled with whatever decoration was closest just so we could finally be done...

But this year it was quality not quantity and we had a much better time!

Not riddle me this, folks... What the H is this cookie cutter?

 I've gotten several guesses via facebook and Instagram, but tell me what you think it is?!?!

Merry Christmas

Naughty or Nice, we wish y'all a very Merry Christmas! 

I hope you're enjoying time with loved ones, partaking in some holiday "cheer" and only eating half your weight in Christmas cookies!! 

Christmas Card Outtakes

With every good Christmas card, there's is always some pretty entertaining outtakes!  And the probability of the 'bad' outweighing the 'good' increase tenfold when you add critters to the mix... 

I hope these give you a giggle on your Christmas Eve!

Sun in the eyes, sun in the eyes!  Haddie has spotted something way more entertaining than whatever we're doing here...  And Bella, obviously she just woke up from a nap!

Again with the sun!  Haddie seems to less than impressed with "Picture Time".  Bella, you're looking cute!

More frown lines and squinty eyes.  And something beyond the camera has B's attention... Squirrel.

 Hey Matt, STOP SQUINTING!!  Everyone else has pulled it together, why do you have to keep dragging us down?!

Merry Christmas Eve!  

You'll know tomorrow if you were on the Naughty or Nice List!

Ugly, Uglier, Ugliest

Every year for the last six years, Matt and I have hosted a Christmas party for some of our closest friends.  Costumes are highly encouraged as each year is a different theme! 

We've done:
Dress as Your Favorite Reindeer
Favorite Christmas Movie Character
Pajama Party
Mele Kalekemaka
Awesome 80s

This year we finally decided to have an Ugly Christmas Sweater theme!

I probably started looking for my sweater a little too late and wasn't really surprised when Goodwill had nothing on the shelves.  I resorted to making both mine and Matt's.  All thanks to a little hot glue!

This year in addition to the food, I also made a 'photo station' and came up with a hashtag specifically for the event that everyone could use on social media.  #reallyuglyRinglerChristmas 
Everyone seemed to really dig the light up frame and I got quite a few good pictures of everyone in their finery! 

I was highly impressed that so many people decide to dig up their Christmas spirit, embrace the ugly and get dressed up!! 

In addition to eating and drinking copious amounts of holiday food, we always play a cut throat game of CatchPhrase and MarioKart on the Wii.  As you can imagine, the house gets really, REALLY loud during all the games!  

Our party always seems to put me in the Christmas spirit and I look forward to getting together with our pals each year.  

Next year's theme: Cowboy Christmas!!

Christmas is just a few days away!  Are you ready? 

Happy Howlidays

'Tis the season for rushing to the mailbox to grab all the Christmas cards!  Like a knock down, drag out fight to the mailbox...

I started mailing Christmas cards as a part of my 30 by 30 list and haven't looked back!  I really look forward to sending our card out to friends and family, almost as much as I do getting cards.

Typically I spend a week or so stressing about what pictures to use, but this year I knew it was going to be best to wait since we just added Haddie to the family.  So while we were down for Thanksgiving, my photography-inclined sister-in-law snapped a bunch of pictures.  Then I tweaked them in PicMonkey and uploaded them to Shutterfly to create the masterpiece you see before you...

  

 Happy Howlidays!!

Christmas Everywhere You Look

Since I can remember, I've loved decorating for Christmas.  Growing up my mom, sister and I would decorate the tree, hang the stockings and plaster decorations on any stationary surface!

Not only do I get it from my mom, but my Aunt Pat has helped contribute to the "sickness".  Each year she would give us an ornament and later she give me her Santa collection!

It took me a while to collect all of the decorations that I have, but slowly I've accumulated a whole closet full of them.  And because said closet is reaching max capacity, I'm pretty selective about the new things I add.  Last year though, Matt and decided that we wanted a "grown up" tree.  So most of our "kid" ornaments stayed packed away and the new stuff came front and center!  The older ornaments that did make the tree this year have a special sentiment or story behind them and I couldn't help but not include them!

Our tree is a mix of glitzy, sparkly ornaments and rustic burlap with galvanized metal ornament accents, which is so totally "ME"! Thankfully, Matt likes it (and me) too!

Let's get this show on the road, eh?!  Starting with the tree...

The day after Christmas Matt and I ventured out to shop for our 'new' decorations and I totally swiped the button garland off a display tree!  I HAD to have it!!  The saleslady wasn't impressed that I took it off, but I still don't care...  The tree skirt I made a few years ago and think it goes well with the new theme.

Have you all see this pin?  The one about using two different size Christmas lights?  All the paint fumes I huffed from the frosting spray were totally worth it in my opinion!!  Yes, I could have bought frosted bulbs, but I had leftover lights from our wedding and a can of frosting spray paint...

DIY, thank you very much!

The Santa figurines start making their appearance on the entertainment center.  And of course, a nativity because His birth is the reason for the season!

So the Santas...  Like I mentioned, they used to belong to my aunt.  For years they sat on the mantel at her house, but for about 5 years I've had them!  I should have counted the tubs in takes to contain them, but off the top of my head it's something like 7...  Not only are there figurines, but wall hangings and ornaments (a whole tree worth)!

I'll never forget the first year I decorated the house with all the Santas!  I just kept unwrapping and unwrapping and unwrapping...  I couldn't even bring myself to unwrap all the Santa ornaments because of being overwhelmed by the sheer number of them!

Two of the cutest photo bombers you ever did see!

And to keep up with the glitzy and rural charm, the dining room table is decorated with a burlap runner (surprise, surprise), sparkly cranberry swags and a lantern filled with glittered light bulbs!

I wouldn't want to leave you hanging without seeing the outside decorations!  The porch isn't nearly as decked out as it is in the summer or fall, but it'll do in a pinch!

Okay, spill!

Are you as guilty as I am of being a "Crazy Christmas Decorator"?

Linking up with Lisa and Beth.

Proof of Life

No need to alert the media. 
All is well on the home front.
It'll be alright.

The last few days have been cray cray and I'm got so much to talk about, but today isn't gonna be the day for that sort of thing.  But trust me, I've got good things coming!

Until then, the pic below pretty much sums up what we've all been looking forward to since getting off the plane last week...

Ending 2014 on a High Note

Who else out there thinks December comes and goes in the blink of an eye? 

It's always such a flurry of activity!  Christmas parties.  Holiday baking.  Decorating... I cheated and jumped the gun wiht this one.  Shopping.  Wrapping.  So many things! 

Here are just a few things I'm looking forward to this month...

1.  In 5 short sleeps, we will be headed out to Las Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo!  So many things to look forward to all rolled into one: yummy food, possible meet-ups with blogging pals and  I couldn't forget...
2.  Cowboy Christmas.  Yes, it warrants it's own because the shopping is incredible!
3.  Heading home to listen to my mom sing in the annual Christmas cantata.
4.  Watching the mailbox with bated breath for all those gifts I ordered to arrive!
5.  Baking and decorating cookies with my pals from back home.
6.  Our annual Christmas party.  It's always themed and this year it's an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party!
7.  Opening Christmas cards.  It's a race at home to the mailbox!
8.  The epic 5 day weekend I get the week of Christmas.  Hoping to do a lot of crafting!
9.  Attempting to make new Christmas stockings so we all have matching ones.  Say a prayer for me!
10.  Getting our Christmas cards in the mail.  Here's a sneak peek of our adorable little family!

Are you looking forward to anything particular this month?  

Hosting a Christmas party?  What's on the menu?

Linking up with Anne

Christmas in the Country

It's a woman's prerogative to change her mind right?!?  So...

Starting tomorrow all. the. Fall. things. (here and here) will start to slowly disappear into storage for another year and Christmas will make it's appearance!  The next several weeks are going to busybusybusy, but on top of time with family for Thanksgiving, a trip to Vegas and our annual Christmas party, I'm really excited to participate in my first Christmas in the Country gift exchange!! 

 

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I'm looking forward to connecting with more agvocates, rural housewives and farmer's wives/daughters throughout the country!  If you're interested, head over to Laurie's blog for more info!