Eclipse

Sofia heard a rumor that the movie version of "Eclipse" was coming out this summer, so she thought she'd better hurry up and read the book. Should I tell her?

Just kidding! ...I'm pretty sure she already knows. Erin Hunter also has a book entitled "Twilight" - and it isn't about teenage vampires at all.

Unkept Promises

I know I promised a peak into my projects, but Annalia craziness took over for a while. So, for now, you mostly get a peak at UNfinished projects. If you don't get the vision, just trust me - they're going to be adorable!

I found a cute, rustic cradle at Goodwill the other day (for a slightly more than a quarter), and I can just picture Cozette tucking her stuffies in it not too long from now. ...and to do that, she NEEDS some doll quilts, right?

Since then, I've been moderately obsessed with doll quilts...planning them as I go to sleep at night...forcing my super-indulgent friends to make them with me...and I've still only finished one? Really?



The older girls have already used it to tuck their stuffies into Cozy's cradle.


This was my first applique attempt; the embroidery says, "rest in your nest".

The next most-likely-to-be-finished doll quilts are:
...this rosy idea of mine. Tiny "sweet" (from Moda) roses and giant pop garden roses (from Heather Bailey).



...and this bright, scrappy creation.


I can't wait to finish them - just as soon as Cozette's teething angst subsides.

Krispy Cousins

We intercepted Sarah on her way back home. I think the Krispy Kremes is our official favorite place to meet. We tried Joann's once, but the kids need a little more space to play and talk (in other words, they were very naughty!)

Everyone ate their doughnuts and watched patiently to see some hot and fresh ones cooked before their very eyes!


Even Tony was on his best behavior. :)


Too...many...donuts....

Oh, the Festiveness...of Laundry!

I just saw my friend's lovely Christmas decorations on her blog, and now I'm feeling a tad bit inadequate. All of the decorations I have up were dug out by my children (Sofia was the ringleader) before I woke up one morning. They even put lights on the porch (in a very tripping-hazardy way).
Maybe I'll get to it tomorrow, but, in the mean time, our house is decorated with Christmas projects and laundry. Of the two, I'd rather work on the projects (which is why the laundry is an issue.) I have grand plans to post a peek at some of the Romero goings-on tomorrow....only time will tell.

Hints: cradles and cuteness (and - no - I'm NOT pregnant! :)

Gettin' My Wassail On

I bought a new crock pot at Goodwill especially for the mulling of Christmas beverages. Tony looked into my wassail pot the other evening and said...

Tony: Why are you stewing old underwear?
Lia: That's wassail.
Tony: Whatsail?
Lia: Wassail! As in - "here we go a-wassailing among the leaves so green..."
Tony: Well, why is underwear the main ingredient?
Lia: It's not underwear. It's a cheeseclothe bag full of spices....Christmasy spices!



Tony turned out to be the biggest fan of my wassail - even after it cooked a little too long and became super-potent, ultra-spicy wassail.

Tony: I got a laddle-full from the bottom of the pot, and now my lips are tingling. I think they're going numb...

I'm going to try hot, buttered milk next (since we don't really do the rum thing).

Chimes, Lights, and What All Else!

We went to the Festival of Chimes and Lights again this year. Before we left, I told Tony, "You're going to go...and you're going to like it...or else!" I didn't ask if he liked it, because I didn't actually have an "or esle" ready. My family knows I'm all about empty threats.


Doesn't Port Orchard look adorable, all decked out for the holidays?

I, on the other hand, had a grand ol' time freezing my hind end off with a bunch of other people, too crazed with Christmas spirit to pay any attention to the weather. Do we look cold? We were. Sofia actually tried to wear a dress to this event - a short one. She cried about the jeans, but I think she was thanking us on the inside!


We did everything backwards this year. We did the hay ride first, to minimize the crying. Three-year-olds just don't understand the whole line-waiting thing. James was thrilled.


Cozy and me, being pulled around by a tractor.

We missed the tree lighting (boo-hoo), so that we could be the 3rd family in line to sit on Santa's lap. It's all about efficiency, people! A little cotton candy and we were out of there, back home - to defrost.

Christmas - Woo-hoo!

Want to do something super fun and small-town Christmasy? Come to the FESTIVAL OF CHIMES AND LIGHTS in Port Orchard. We went last year, and it was awesome. Honestly, every time I go downtown (to pay my weekly book-ransoms to the library), I just revel in the cuteness of all the Christmas lights, complete with red bows.

The festival was great last year, and that was with me being pregnant and husbandless (doesn't that sound scandalous?) It HAS to be even better with him. Right? :)