Birthday

I had such a wonderful birthday! It's been a weird adjustment to have birthdays away from my family (at home) and my twin sister, Taryn. I have to say that Ben takes over the responsibility very well. He took me to a nice dinner. (I love when he lets me dress up)
Among the many birthday greetings and nice little gifts was something I could only imagine... my very own sewing machine! My mom surprised me with a package at my doorstep, underneath my mat. I thought, "hm, what is that?" and then the large letters- s-i-n-g-e-r. EEEE! I shrieked!

I have been dreaming of learning to sew. And today, after some tedious manual reading, I SEWED! Check it out here:
An extremely bumpy start. yipe. But someday I'll be able to whip up a room like this:
Mom, now along with the many, many other skills/talents I attribute to you, I can add this one! (once I'm good). THANKS mom.

December Wish List

Who likes the bitter cold? The icy sidewalks, the dry skin, (the white skin!), the dirt on your car that turns all your clothes dirty? It was a long time ago, maybe the first winter we spent in Mississippi twelve years ago, that I realized if I was going to make it through the long winter, there were a few things I'd need... here they are, along with some of my other favorite holiday treats this winter.


Philosophy Cinnamon Buns
I love this stuff. It smells heavenly. I can smell it now. I used to think it could help me with my diet, like if I could smell the buns it would be like I were eating them. Not exactly. This season I want to try the "candy cane" holiday flavor.




Stephen's Hot Cocoa
Can you get this stuff outside of Utah? I was introduced to it at the creamery at BYU. I've never had so much hot chocolate in my life as I've had this winter so far. Combine the cold weather with my weird inability to eat things too cold or hard (strange dental dilemma) and get my addiction. Stephen's is yummy.




Ahava Mineral Hand Cream
For a senior graduation gift in high school I was given a tube of this. I felt like I was pampering myself at the time, but now I seriously consider this a staple. It works so well without any greasy leftovers, and I can use it year-round. Give me something else that works as well, and I'll take it. Until then I'll recommend this to everyone.



Sarah McLachlan Wintersong
I'll admit I don't have the whole cd. But I am obsessed with "River" and I listen to it on repeat when I am home alone. It makes me daydream about skating down a river. (without the whole "I made my baby cry" part)



Glass Glittered Doves
I was wandering through Potterybarn a few weeks ago, and with a little money left on a gift card, I bought a few of these cute little doves, I couldn't resist. When I got home to the tree, I just couldn't bear to separate them, so I made them kissing! When Ben came home I said, "look! two love birds. that's us" As cheesy as it is, I still think it's pretty cute and I'll enjoy putting them together on the tree from now on.



Vietri Foglia Bread and Butter Plates
After 10 months of being married, I had to hurry and decide on a few things with a credit I had at a gift shop in Tupelo. I chose these plates without seeing them in person. They are so fun! Love the green color with my current creamy plates. Now if I could just learn how to cook really fantastic meals so I could have a fabulous dinner party with these cute plates. Taryn, where are you when I need you?? I just know I shouldn't serve microwaved nachos to my guests.

Fresh Garland
In hopes of bringing some nice woodsy smells into our place (we have an artificial pre-lit tree that I love), I thought I'd buy some fresh garland to hang. I found 15 feet for $10 and hung it over a window like this. It looks so festive and was inexpensive and easy to hang.