Detroit is Beautiful

Being born and raised in Detroit's 'burbs, I have developed a protective love for the "D".

Whenever someone bad-mouths it, I get offended and am saddened that the city is not what it once was, even though "what it once was" is not something I have any direct memories of it being, since those days existed before I was even born.

I surely don't know ALL of Detroit. I know it on the periphery...season tickets to the Tigers, season tickets to the Fisher including performances at the Gem and Masonic, a handful of Red Wings games, many trips to the Fox, a brief stint at Wayne State University, a time or two visiting the DIA or the Detroit Opera House, a couple of months working at the Renaissance Center, a couple of trips to the International Auto Show, getting lost at Cobo Hall when I was 5, and things like that. Heck, I've never even been to Eastern Market, (although I hear great things about it)...so I don't claim to know Detroit intimately.

But, I still love it as if I knew it inside out. And I long for it to thrive.

Certainly the trouble (o.k. the enormously deep shit) that the Big 3 are in doesn't provide a bright outlook for the city. And that makes me very, very sad.

For those of you who, like me, love the "D", (and even for those that don't), check out this guy's photography of our city posted on flickr. I started going through the collection entitled "Detroit is Beautiful", and can't wait to find time to sort through the rest of his Detroit collections.

These photos simultaneously evoke my feelings of love and sadness for this city.

I pray that it once again will thrive.

The extra-special December continues

Tonight it was Owen's pick for our Christmas-y / winter-y family countdown to Christmas activity.

He picked "listen to Christmas music". So, after returning from dinner at Bdubs, we popped in the Rockin Around the Christmas tree CD, made some break & bakes, and ate them ooey-gooey fresh out of the oven with a little bit of milk. Aaahhhh.

I'm really loving this December.

I was going back through some old blog posts and came upon one where I talked about my feelings LAST December.

Last year was lonely and I only really got to experience the season on the weekends when I was home.

I'm so glad I get to enjoy the holidays with my friends and family this year...every single day of the season.

This December truly is extra-special.

You'll poke your eye out

I was browsing through some blogs when Liam came into my office. I was commenting on one of my friends' blogs when he saw a familiar face on the computer screen...my friend Amy's son Carson...who also happens to be one of Liam's best buds.

So he insisted I click on it. It was a Youtube video of Carson singing along to Singstar.

"Mom! Mom! I want to be on Youtube! Take a video of me being funny and send it to Amy!"

So, I did. And here it is.

If there was ever any doubt that we descended from apes, this clears it up.

Delicate Snowflakes

As part of our daily December calendar activity, Jordyn got to pick what to do last night (each kid will get their turn to pick). The rule is that the activity has to be Christmas-y or winter-y.

At first, she thought about going sledding, but it's too dark (and cold) to do that after dinner.

Then she decided she wanted us all to go out for dessert. While that would have been a fun thing to do, it didn't really follow the "rules".

So, I gave her some more guidelines, "Jordyn, pick a Christmas movie, a Christmas book to read, or a Christmas craft."

She chose a craft (more work for me, but hey, it's all in an effort to make December that much more special). "Ok, so what craft do you want to make?" I asked.

"Let's make snowflakes!"

Wow, I haven't made paper snowflakes in forever. As a matter of fact, I sort of forgot how. Fortunately, Kevin (of all people!) recalled the proper paper folding technique and all was well with the world. And we went about creating the most beautiful, delicate, white paper snowflakes.

Just as delicate as the snowflakes, however, is Liam's emotional state.

He ended up having a melt down because his snowflakes weren't any good (according to him). So, that translated into nobody liking him, and he went to bed in tears.

Not EXACTLY how I had intended the extra-special December evening to pan out, but that's my little drama queen for ya.

Fortunately he woke up today in a good mood. I think he was just tired.

Anyway, the snowflakes turned out quite nicely and they look spectacular and festive gracing the sidelight windows by our front door.

Now the inside of the window matches the outside of the window.

Snow.

And the winner is....

The Stouts...First Christmas Card of the season.

Did I mention how much I love Christmas? Send me your cards, PEOPLE! :)

Thanksgiving Envy - an oxymoron?

I'm very envious of this lady's decorating ability. Next Thanksgiving, I want my kitchen table to look just like hers.


(Seriously, click on the link and let me know if you are as utterly amazed and as thoroughly envious as I am.)


We're both Heathers. It's within the realm of possibility that my house might look like hers next Thanksgiving, right? I mean, I've got an entire year to plan for it and purchase the necessary items, how hard could it be? Granted, she's some sort of textile designer and a master seamstress and crafter, but I've got skillz, too, man. Or, at least I TRY to have skillz.

Instead, my Thanksgiving table looked like this...
Not even a tablecloth! For Shame!! And certainly no silk fall leaves adorning the adorably slip covered chairs. What was I thinking?!?

and this...

At least the boys' table had a table cloth and matching cloth napkins. Oooh! Oooh! Don't forget the pumpkin centerpiece!! Nice touch, dontchathink?

and this... Now, I must admit that while the girls' table does have a table cloth, it certainly needs to be pressed and it is certainly NOT festive. At. All. And they had a centerpiece pumpkin not sure where it went, but there was a pumpkin at one point! I try. I try.

and this...
Poor Jordyn and Bailey are relegated to eating at the counter. No table cloth, no placemats, no pumpkin, not even a BACK to their stools. Sorry girls.

But, look, I did adorn these special cream soda bottles with a cute little label and ribbon for each of the kids and then put them in a cute copper tub. I thought that was kind of special. But really, during the holidays (and at all times, I gues) it's not the decorations you surround yourself with (although, I do really love, love, love them), it's the people you surround yourself with that matter. And here are my peeps.

Let the Countdown Begin!

I love Christmas.

I just absolutely love this time of year.

I love the songs, and the lights, and the decorations, and the presents, and the festivities. All of it. I love, love, LOVE it.

And I love the fact that I already put my Christmas cards in the mail (this morning). All 143 of these handmade goodies. Yes, I stayed up until 2am last night putting the finishing touches on them (even though I started them in October) and signing & addressing & stamping them, but it was worth it. One of my biggest holiday projects has been checked off the to-do list.

And the shopping? I FINISHED all of that on Black Friday and the subsequent Blacker Saturday (Santa Bucks, baby!), with the exception of 6 presents - 4 of which are gift cards. AND everything that I've bought is already wrapped (gift bagged - same thing) and under the tree (or in Santa's workshop...a.k.a. in hiding).

And last night I made up one of these countdwon to Christmas calendars. I made one of these two years ago and Jordyn requested that I do it again this year (seeing as how I'm home this December instead of in NJ every week, like last year!) So, of course I obliged. I'm glad she remembered this calendar and enjoyed it enough to ask me to do it again. It's our way of making December extra special as we count down to the big day. We do something Christmas-y or winter-y on every day of the month leading up to Christmas Eve and Day.

Let the COUNTDOWN begin!

And, OK, when the snow is this gorgeous, sometimes I love that, too. However, it would make me extra special happy if it would all melt away on January 1st. I would just love, love, LOVE that!