Thursday, December 31, 2015

For 2016

 
'Found this on Facebook.  I am not sure who deserves credit, but I  * LOVE *   this simple quote!
 
 
 
 
This is shared from Facebook The Mind Unleashed.
 
Happy 2016!
 
;-)  -Marci

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

The Last Tuesdays with a Twist for 2015

We are your co-hosts!

Mary @ Back to the Basics

 Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being chosen.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!

No features for me this week!
 
We will be visiting with our sweet family and dear friends for the next couple of weeks.  Other than Tuesdays with a Twist, my blog will be quiet.

Happy New Year!

If you have been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.
We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!
*Pictures should be your own* 
By linking up you give us permission to use these photos
 (with proper link backs) in our features. 
And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci




 

Friday, December 25, 2015

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

PARTY TIME!! Tuesdays with a Twist

We are your co-hosts!

Mary @ Back to the Basics

 Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being chosen.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!

No features for me this week!
 
We will be visiting with our sweet family and dear friends for the next couple of weeks.  Other than Tuesdays with a Twist, my blog will be quiet.

Merry Christmas!

If you have been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.
We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!
*Pictures should be your own* 
By linking up you give us permission to use these photos
 (with proper link backs) in our features. 
And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci




 

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Another Tradition, Our Christmas Village


This year, only three buildings made it out of the closet.  The Church.  The Schoolhouse.  The Toy Shop.  I think the trees are my favorite part of the display and most of them are being used.



The church, of course, takes center stage.


On one side is the town's Nativity Scene.  Even though my little donkey has lost his ears, I just can't part with him!  ;-)


On the other side of the church is this lovely band playing live music along with children building snow men. 


A sweet dog lays just outside the door of the school house,

 
and the toy shop is ready for business!
 
What are your favorite things to display this time of year?
 
;-)  -Marci

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Link Party Feature

I have even more exciting news today!  Another link party feature!  Have you ever overcommitted and then need something lovely (but crazy fast) to take for a party?  My recipe for
 
 
 
is being featured today at Thriving on Thursdays!!
 
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I am sending a big THANK YOU to Anne at Domesblissity!  What an honor!
 
;-)  -Marci

Link Party Feature!

What a wonderful day!  Do you remember my post about feeling a bit overwhelmed with the holidays?  Well, my recipe for
 
 
 
is being featured today at Wake Up Wednesday Linky!
 
 
'Sending a big THANK YOU to all the hostesses!
 
 
;-)  -Marci

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

LINK PARTY!! Tuesdays with a Twist

We are your co-hosts!

Mary @ Back to the Basics

 Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being chosen.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!
 
 Y'all make choosing features so difficult!  There were GOBS of great links last week!  Thank you!  Drum roll, please...

We are winding down our Christmas shopping, finished for the most part.  I have been wrapping gifts, so am looking for lovely ways to embellish them!

How clever is this idea?  Festive Christmas Wine Tags free printable

Festive Christmas Wine Tags

from Lindsay at Crazy Organized A quick print and your bottle becomes a lovely presentation!

If you have been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.
We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!
*Pictures should be your own* 
By linking up you give us permission to use these photos
 (with proper link backs) in our features. 
And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci




 

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Gift Wrap Ideas

Can you believe Christmas is just around the corner?  Wowza!  ;-)
 
I'm not really a fan of regular ol' gift wrap.  I prefer the wrap be functional or at least hand made.  I really like using fabric, towels, blankets or even sheets. 
 
Here are some things that have worked for me.  Maybe you'll like them, too?
 
EarlyDecember006
 
Zebra Box  For this fun option, I used a plain box and dressed it up with some duct tape.
 
 photo d42f3c4b-9f41-4a03-89bc-4a90788b0dc2_zps21aeaf63.jpg
 
DIY Envelopes  Are you sending gift cards to anyone?  I made these envelopes with paper scraps!
 
 photo c5a9d2ca-42a2-4f52-8bac-b84783bffecd_zpse9d69600.jpg
 
Divided Baskets are so much fun to fill.  They make such a pretty presentation!


Tote Bags are also fun to fill as well as

 photo 7683b11d-b2a4-45db-a305-408b46b51318_zps77ca9531.jpg

Messenger Bags!
 
 
Got Tu Tus?  Click HERE for a rumple free wrapping idea.


How 'bout a silly recycled container?  Gobblin' Gus techniques could be used for young (or goofy) gift recipients!  ;-)  There's more than one "GOOF-BALL" on my list that would enjoy this!  'Just saying.  ;-)



Here's another option for an Upcycled Container.

ZebraPouch1
 
 This Quick Zebra Pouch was big hit wrapping nail polish for a chic teenager!  She used it as a coin purse for a very long time!  This one is actually a duct tape project, but, of course,

SquirrelMorning002

you could always sew a Zippered Pouch if you prefer!

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If you read my blog much at all, you know how I love Hand Stamped Brown Paper Bags!  They always make me smile!  Perfect for lotions or hand made soap.
 

Bandanas are great for lots of things, especially books!
 
What about cards?  I got ya covered!  ;-)  Here are a couple of ideas for quick DIY gift cards!
 
 
 
 
 
I'd love to hear about your wrapping techniques!  What are your favorites?
 
;-)  -Marci

Friday, December 11, 2015

Book Review: The Red Notebook

by Antoine Laurain
 
The Red Notebook
 
 
A Partial Synopsis from Bas Bleu:  Late one evening just outside her apartment building, Laure Valadier is mugged. Her handbag is stolen, and she sustains a head injury that leads to a coma. The next morning, a bookseller named Laurent Letellier finds the discarded purse with most of its contents in place: a bottle of perfume, makeup, a gold lighter, a Montblanc pen, a hair clip, keys, photographs, a small red notebook of personal thoughts and observations, and a novel.
 
My thoughts:  What a lovely little read!  Mostly mystery, but a bit of romance as well, I could not put down this book!  It was completely devoured within a couple of days!  More titles by Antoine Laurain will definitely be on my reading list!
 
So, what have you been reading?
 
;-)  -Marci
 
 
 
 
 
 


Thursday, December 10, 2015

Link Party Features AND The Winner for November!

Being a co-host for The Great Blog Train is so much fun!  It's a month long blog hop and we always feature the caboose!  (last link in the party)  So, you should never feel like it's too late to hop on board!

  Click HERE to join the party!

We are visiting all of the Engineer's/Host's Homes for Christmas!! 

Each Host is sharing a delicious recipe!


 photo GKCCholly_zpsoalgugdn.jpg photo GKCCholly_zpsoalgugdn.jpg photo GKCCholly_zpsoalgugdn.jpg 
___________________________________

Checkout the top 3 "Boxcars" (Bloggers) who received the most "clicks" from the November 2015 Great Blog Train blog hop!


 Great Blog Train
 
The 35th GREAT BLOG TRAIN was a blast! - We all safely reached our destination: PUERTO RICO.   It was a wonderful trip with 28 boxcars!!  We (the Engineers) would like to thank all of you for travelling with us and we hope that you all had a wonderful time!
 
The Giveaway Winner is: L.K. (The winner has been contacted by email)
Congrats!!!

W   A   N   T   E   D  :

The Great Blog Train by Angie Ouellette-Tower for godsgrowinggarden.com photo BlogTrainDestination_zps2925d251.jpg

(Being a "Destination Cohost" means that you get to pick our next destination!!  It also means that you will post The Great Blog Train on your blog on the first Wednesday of whatever month you will be cohosting (1 different cohost per month).  We (the engineers or hosts) will provide you with the html code for the blog hop & for the Giveaway - all you will have to do is add into that post some information on the destination that you picked (like population, known for, location etc - basic family friendly facts) and add a few pictures.  Also, if you cohost we ask that you promote it on your social media sites) (We are now scheduling for December 2015).

If you are interested in being a Destination Co-host for the Great Blog Train then please click HERE and fill out the form (THANK YOU!!)

The Caboose Feature!

Flourish & Knot's 2015 Holiday Gift Guide | Gifts for the Nerd in All of Us
Gifts for the Nerd in All of Us from Sarah at Flourish and Knot  OK, so the T-Shirt in her post is so dang funny, but all the gifts are super clever!


We are now featuring the top 3 Boxcars!  (These are the links that received the most clicks)  All of the featured Boxcars will be pinned to the Great Blog Train Pinterest Board  (click HERE to follow the board)
 
New Living Room Furniture by "SWEET Parrish PLACE"

Ashley furniture Home Store- Chamberly Sectional


Vanilla Cake in a Jar by "Treat and Trick"

Vanilla Cake In a Jar Recipe @ http://treatntrick.blogspot.com



Autumn Colours by "Thelma's Days"





Please join us for the DECEMBER Great Blog Train
going on now - CLICK HERE!


Wednesday, December 9, 2015

One Corner of Christmas

 
This little corner is staying simple and pretty monochromatic.


A rustic angel, some jingle bells, a bit of burlap,




and just a touch of red!

 
 Since these photos were taken, I've swapped the pillow for a teddy bear and Red Velvet Christmas Book!



So far, I've decorated two trees, displayed our Our Creche and my snow man collection.  Whew!  I am not sure what came over me, but more photos will be posted!

Merry Christmas!

;-)  -Marci

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Link Party Feature!

What an honor! 
 
 
 
 
My Poinsettia Wreath is being featured today!
 
I am sending a big
 
Thank you
 
to Stephanie at The Enchanting Rose!  Have you visited her link party? 
 
 
It's lovely!
 
;-)  -Marci