Sigh...It's Clean Up Time!

Sigh...

It's clean up time. Time to focus back on the basics and just clean, sparkling and clean lines too!. Counters, walls floors, beds. Yes, every Christmas we clean up and decorate, then we entertain, then we clean up. I am cleaning up and then excitedly...(I think one must wait till after new years, but I know I won't make it this year) clearing out! I will get to fill the still yearning, burning desire to simplify. I will be clearing every surface! Abolishing every knick Nack and then sitting back and thinking...New Years Resolutions... really?!!? I will post cleared out pictures in a couple days. Anyone want to pick my accent colour this spring? ha ha ha.  Let's be honest...maybe I will think about them tomorrow. not to mention new years. Let's stick with one simple gorgeous picture to inspire the clear out.

Thank you... www.akadesign.ca  for where I found the picture to inspire me to get in gear this year! Where are those floors from??


Thank you Graphics Fairy! for the non holiday blog background!  www.graphicsfairy.blogspot.com 

Prince, high heels, friends, family and cookies

Wow! I went to see the amazingly talented Prince on Friday night. The man is 53, short, and wearing lipstick and heels and still... Made my heart flutter. Did I mention he was wearing sparkly gold sequined pants? Should that not be a complete statement of "not attractive" ? Well, Prince, shimmied, shook, sang and rocked the guitar with such intensity that it made my knees weak and made me a lover of gold sparkly pants. The performance covered some of his hits as montages and then featured a few in entirety. I mean, how could an entertainer cover that much material? The moments he let his band take the lead only worked for musical solos. Prince had such a prescence that the stage lost electricity when he was in the background or changing outfits. I've learned that one human can have so much magnetism that they dwarf all around. He was awesome. For the complete picture...hmm. I never go downtown, in evenings, without my handsome husband. I actually felt nervous and a little anxiety at the prospect. Having my besfriend at my side eased the nerves and I bravely stepped out of our hotel in 3 + inch heels and a lovely off the shoulder black crepe frock. Champagne always makes me braver. So off we went for cocktails...I wanted to check out the new Rosewood (Georgia street hotel) lobby lounge and hmm... Standing room only? Did they see my shoes? No thank you! So into the Vancouver hotel. Wow! Flocked Christmas trees decorated in red and white, fake snow, and a stunning gingerbread entry. Completely full but a few seats gleamed and glinted in the crowd. Perfect! We alighted at the bar. Champagne in hand I cozied down in my seat and enjoyed watching my friend speak with others. We then took a cab to Rogers arena, partook in a great concert (my friend got us amazing seats!) Then we went outside and .... Ugh! Every cab was full! A couple of blocks and I decided that's it. Cozy pants and sustenance was all I needed to complete my evening. Thus it was so. I adore my best girlfriend and I hope she was not disappointed... I must say out with me is a trip on the karma scales...amazing things seem to happen but I always pay with a tainted meal or lack of an empty cab. ( another day I may explore the a and an part of our language... I love the an) I returned to my family and then went off for the final advent dinner at my Mom's and yay! My brother is home visiting for the holidays. Now it's Monday at home with the babes... I invited our friends over and we are now going to spend our afternoon baking cookies, assembling pies and making Christmas cards. Wish me patience with a kitchen and four kids!

Cookie Exchange!...but well let's face it... I am not good at baking!!

  

Whew... I have finished my greens outside. Thank you to the tree that fell over in the forest next to me :) I love free things! I am just sad that it did not have a cute enough top for me to remove and use as a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree in the family room. I think when the wind blew it over the poor tree bounce around for a while before nudging my neighbors fence.

   

I have a new prospect today, my first cookie exchange. The packages are in freezer bags, wrapped and tagged. I actually struggled to ensure they look cute because I think I am breaking serious Cookie Exchange rules...I am bringing squares... and well they (very sheepish I am) have peanut butter in them. Sigh! Problem is..I am not very good at making cookies. The invitation thrilled me... prospect of my family getting bites of cookies that are not akin to lead. But uhm..what do I bring? Lead, hard as rocks or more lead. So I purchased a cookie making mix...then realized...that might make me a cheater. So I made my stand by Trailer Trash Bars... otherwise known as Confetti. Wish me luck!

 

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas with a hint of blush!

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas with a hint of blush! by meganbaecker featuring jeweled heels

A reluctant Wednesday.

Every wake up with the best intentions but a serious lack of motivation? It seems that I am feeling the twinges of a serious episode of the blahs... I am now craving something ridiculous...and not my 4th+ (let's just say I am a coffee junky) cup of coffee ! I am craving January. Why? Well, January represents fresh, cleaned out and sparse. I am almost drooling over modern clean lines and desiring every surface of my home to be bare.  But the blue door above is hinting of an action plan, you know an extension of my to do list.

Okay. Back to reality. It's December, sparkle, glitter, laughter and merriment. I promise. I will go do my floors, dust, and wash windows. I am commiting now. I will not minimalize the holiday decor. In fact I will add more. I will make a garland and wreaths for some windows. Okay... www.marthastewart.com  here I come. The busy hands will help the blahs stay at bay...yes??

All images are from Martha Stewart's awesome website. Look up wreath, or garland and then find one you like, she has a tutorial for everything. (must admit I quick read then wing it!!) I will post images of my completed trials :)