Blitz Blog Update!

I honestly do not know where the time goes!!!  November is a blur and I am behind on EVERYTHING so I am going to do a BLITZ BLOG to catch up....

We all decided to go to my brothers beautiful home in Scottsdale for Thanksgiving....Kristen, the boys and I drove over a bit early to spend *extra* time with The Addie and Shannie.....the boys are pro's at road trips and did so well...Kristen has it down on the 5.5 hrs it takes to get there and that leaves the driving more relaxing....

 We stayed at Adam and Shannie's condo Tuesday night and met my brother, sister and mom at Cracker Barrel the next day for breakfast and to see Adam and Shannon's new home...only weeks away from completion.....so beautiful and so very happy for them.....Dylan and I got a game of checkers in at Cracker Barrel....(note my hair is now long enough for Locks of Love and want to get that done this week!)

 On Thursday a.m. Kristen and the boys came over my brothers, Steve and Brian drove over from SD, Adam and Shannie joined in and all our dogs.....we were able to take our Christmas family picture as the weather was perfect.....my brothers beautiful pool was the focal point for these boys....Brody only fell in once!

 I had to give my brother a hard time....this is his beautiful one piece huge door in his entry....

 However when you look up close....he had rigged string to hang his Thanksgiving wreath.....you might be a redneck if you live in a McMansion and use string to hang your wreath.... I did get him a wreath hanger ;)

 Side Bar:  I freakin loved shopping at the Frys by his house....just look at this candy bar section!  It had a wine bar, an omelet station, a Barnes & Noble, items you would find in Pier One in their housewares section, live trees, valet parking....sign me up!

 My handsome husband and handsome brother carving the turkey!

 Two very Thankful boys.....thankful for pumpkin pie?

 And keeping with traditions, Adam and Kristen scour the ads on line and hard copy for Black Friday....they did go on Thursday night and scored BIG!

 My brother has a love for vintage vehicles like me....he just redid a 1971 Cheyene to PERFECTION....he also has a 62.....love these rides!

 Steve and I took the boys to the Pro Bass Store...they were mesmerized!

 Loved spending time with our new granddog 'Abby' she is a sweetie and I bought her a pink leopard hoodie....girl's gotta have swag!

 We declared a girls shopping day and hit the Thrift stores up for Ugly Christmas Sweaters.....we hit the Mother Lode!

 ....and decided to model them....my brother got into the groove!  Shannie is so little hers was more like a dress!

 We played games, ate so much (yummy food from my brothers restaurant and his friend made us an authentico mexican food dinner!)

Then headed home and decked some of the halls....have lots more to finalize however got this done so far.

Put my Ana-lee dolls and changed out the apothocary jars in my garden window....

 Put up our travel tree in the family room....we have collected ornaments for years from all our trips...added an Alaska Totem pole this year....already had a Florida and DC, AZ and Washington....

 I made the call not to use the 4 bins of Snowmen this year....I wanted something different on the mantel...I decided on a Winter Wonderland....I love the way it turned out but easy it was not.  Still using my wooden Santa Fireplace Screen I made years ago....in fact I made 250 sets for Childrens Hospital fundraiser....back when I had energy ;)

 I used the cutwork linens we got in Prague last December....I got home too late last year to put them out.

 Love this Santa getting ready to get in his Iron Bed....I made the quilt for it.

 The entry has the mobile from Prague....and I used the Santa cookie plates with the boys hand prints on them...need to add some greenery around this.

 Put all the vintage ornaments and Salt and Pepper Shakers in the hutch....added some red tinsel to bling it out a bit.

 We put the tree in a different spot (picture taken from stair landing) as we are hosting the 23rd annual Neighborhood party here this year....only 2 of us original's are still in the same houses however we still get together every Christmas with the old gang.

 Up close of one of my Woodland Creatures in my Winter Wonderland Mantel scape

 I fought and fought with the glitter garland...it had a mind of its own....but I change it, but it had to 'want to change'

 And the PDR (Piece de Resistance') was a BIT#$ to complete...it took me over 4 hours and 3 kinds of glue, but it really sparkles and I am happy with it.

 Another shot of the mantle....

 ...and yet another....

 I was missing my boys and they came over Friday for sleep over!  After play and dinner we got on our pj's and painted ornaments (one of our traditions)

 This is out of order, but the boys also helped decorate the tree in the living room....I missed getting a picture of all the ornaments at 3' and below...

 So this is how I started the glass tree....so full of festivity and excitment....

 After 4 hours and 3 glues I was cursing like a sailor...but not being a quitter I hung in there and was wiped when it was done.

 I also flocked some trees for the mantle...just to soften them up a bit...love playing with spray snow.

 Another shot of a good idea gone bad....

 So although I am not done and only have dent in the list of things to do....I must sign off and deal with my office that looks like this.....

 Please send any spare energy my way.  xoxoxoxoxoxoxo