plans for the new year...

I had all these great ideas about things that I would accomplish before today, but I saw them fading away. But then, something happened, and in a burst of energy and determination...things came together. If you've stopped by Wild Olive before, you may have seen a Merry Tree, a Nervous Turkey, or perhaps the Chocolate That Nobody Wants. What you may not have known, is that these doodles, each with their own personality, are called "Characteristics." For 2008, I've created 12 new Characteristics, one for each month.

Each Characteristic is featured on a page of this printable calendar. Just download the PDF, then follow the instructions to create your own calendar. Desktop wallpaper calendars for your computer will be available on the first of each month (if all goes as planned), plus, there will be a printable each month to go with these goofy little doodles.

This is a bit of a commitment, but I tell ya, I'm up to it! Keep visiting and see for yourself!

happy birthday grace...

Three years ago, my sweet sister Grace was born. On the train. She's still good at making an entrance!

post-christmas promise fulfilled...

At last! Photos of some of the fun that I've had this December! Actually, that was one of the reasons that I started this blog. As a means of inspiring me to do more fun things. I think that I've gotten better about that. Now I have so much fun that I don't have time to blog about it. Well, not quite that much fun...

Now, pictures. Above are some of the Christmas cookies that we baked this year. Between my mom and I we baked 15 kinds. Some traditional, some new recipes. Below are some peppermint striped meringues (although I left them a traditional vanilla flavor) that were fun to make and so pretty.



My little brothers and sister decorated most of these cookies and it was a huge mess. Puddles of icing, piles of sprinkles. I really prefer to cook alone, and to be in control. This is one of the few things that I get really controlling about, but I thought that it would be fun to let them do this. Anna commented about me trying to stay out of it and just let them go to it, but it was so difficult for me. So, I'll keep trying to relax when it comes to this sort of thing, and next year the icing will be thicker.



Because we're crazy people, Anna and I make new ornaments for our tree every year. As in, all new ornaments. This results in things that we can make quickly and easily. This year they were all edible ornaments. Cookies, gumdrop wreaths and stars, marshmallow garland (Anna strung every marshmallow...bless her), and a peppermint star (melted, not glued). We've already been talking about what we may make next year.





Speaking of ornaments, this Merry Tree is the ornament that I made for the Holiday Ornament Swap. A brief shout out of thanks to Group 57 for the nifty gifts I'm still receiving!



The sorrowful chicken that I created some months back was the inspiration for this ornament that I gave my grandpa. It matches the print that I made and gave him for his birthday. And I have to admit, I was both surprised and pleased when he recognized that they went together!



For Anna, I made this embroidered tote bag. She loves trees. And this one is loosely based on her tree. The tree that my family planted in honor of her joining the family. (We each get one when we're adopted, and are running out of room in the yard...some would say the house too!)



Finally, here's the stash of craft supplies that I got for Christmas. Wow! So many fun things just waiting to be made!



I hope you and yours had a wonderful time this Christmas! And now, it's about time to look forward to the coming year...

twas the night before...

...and although I had great plans, some things just had to go. Blogging was one of those things. Those pictures that I promised have been taken, just not posted. Highlights will show up in a few days. Really.

But with all of the things that we run around trying to take care of this time of year, I'm once again struck with how little of it has to do with the birth of our Lord and Savior. Enjoy Jesus this year.

christmas time's a comin...

It seems like Christmas should be closer than it is. As in, I feel rushed and unsure if everything will be done in time. But then, I realize that there are still 10 days to go, and I have gotten a lot done:

Christmas shopping is finished.
Ornaments have been made.
Many cookies baked (more to come).
Decorations finding their way up.

Hopefully this weekend I can get some photos taken and uploaded to share...

when you care enough to give the very best...

It's the time of year when Christmas cards are filling the mailbox, but what about the rest of the year? First, I can't afford to be giving cards to everyone for every occasion ($3+ for paper with funny printed on it?), but second, there are so many great cards out there, that's theres no way to enjoy them all. What to do?

Solution #1: Stand in the card store/section reading all of the cards. Pro: Doesn't cost anything. Con: People stare when you keep laughing out loud.

Solution #2: Check out the Shoebox blog. Pro: Tons of funny from the creators of the Hallmark cards. Con: None.

Now go enjoy.

all pooped out...

Q. What do you get when a Smurf relieves itself on your front lawn?
A. Bluegrass!

Q. What do you get when a large white bird at Disney World relieves itself on your sister?
A. A memory to last a lifetime. And a very upset sister.

there may be something there...

How can it already be December 7? A week ago, I was still in warm, sunny Florida, enjoying the magic of Disney World, and now, snow (which I kind of like). But before it becomes forgotten, I wanted to share a few fun happenings from my trip. We like to remember the little things that made us laugh along the way, so here we go:

While traveling through the "Magic Kingdom" we saw a mom pushing a rented stroller. Her kids were walking. Her husband was riding.

While watching a Woody's Roundup show, one of the cast members walked up and touched the top of my head. That's strange, right?

At the "Norway Pavilion" at "Epcot" a woman asked a cast member, "What language do you speak in Norway?" She then expressed her surprise that there are brunettes in Norway, not just blondes. Um, yeah.

Throughout "Disney MGM Studios" cast members in shows seemed a bit distracted. They were giggling, messing with each other, and just having a good time while working.

But by far, the thing we enjoyed the most, was during the Beauty and Beast stage show. As the characters were singing "There May be Something There That Wasn't There Before", the Beast was wiggling, jumping around and wrapping his cape around him. It wasn't long before we realized that he was desperately trying to keep his pants up.

A good time was had by all.

merry wishes...

With just over two weeks left until Christmas, it's about time to get cards sent. These Merry Tree buttons are going onto cards, and will be sent out this soon. My printer decided to be evil and not print on card stock today, so the whole thing will be handwritten. Which is okay, because handmade is better, right?

with boughs of holly...

...FaLaLaLaLa

I've shared this before, but I feel that it's my duty to remind folks every year. Every day leading up to Christmas, falalalala.com has a new old Christmas song to download. My family has come to look forward to this each December, and already the site has not disappointed. During this past "non-holiday" season, I came across some of the vintage albums that this music comes from, at goodwill and even in some old vinyl records here at home. But it brings me joy to know that "The King" has the digital versions that should be on your iPod.

december calendar time...

Officially, this is a day late, but I can't help it...I'm only just back from sunny Florida. So many fun things to share, but they will wait until this coming week. For now, enjoy this Merry Tree calendar desktop wallpaper.