RESOLUTIONS!

Believe me I'm Not one to make Resolutions each New Year, but I really feel the need to make one this Year. Spend MORE Time with Friends! This has been a very High-Low year for me so a Day with the Girls is the Best. I liken it too taking your car in for a tune up or oil change! Hehehehe.. It's just Fun and who doesn't want a to have a little Fun? I met up with some Lovely Ladies this past weekend for shopping and lunch. If you are a Southern California local or are planning a trip out this way, Old Towne Orange is a Wonderful Stop for Antique shops and Great Restaurants. We were Celebrating this off the Charts Talented Friend Birthday. Stop over and Wish her a Big Happy Birthday too! Her Adorable sister came along and she also brought her dear friend Chrissy, who is so Sweet, she has the Orange Blossom Tea House, a Fantastic idea of sending a Tea Gram to someone. Cheryl was there finding all the Best buys of the day! I got a chance to meet Rebecca and get to know her a bit too, so Sweet and knows her Photography! Wouldn't it be Nice if all Friends just took a Day a Month and got together for a Day of Fun? I know I'm living in a Fantasy World but it's Nice to Dream. I want to Wish Everyone a Exciting New Year, May this next Year be Everything you Hope and Dream it will Be, *Jamie*

FAVORITES

I asked the kids what their Favorites were this year! These were their Responses, The Sassy Mouth, Her New Giant Bug SunGlasses. Mr. Elijah, lighting the Menorah he made this week in Camp! I must tell you I was a bit Surprised neither one listed their Big Gifts, It is the Little Things Right? Huh, Don't you two think I believe you for a Minute! LOL....Hope you are Enjoying your Holiday Weekend,*Jamie*

A HOLIDAY WISH

From my Family to yours, we want to Wish you a Very Happy Holiday! Wishing for everyone that 2009 is filled with Happiness, Prosperity and Good Health. Thank you for all the Support and Kindness you have shown to me and my Family. I Wish I could give each and Everyone a Huge Hug! Love, Jamie,Jeff,Sassy, Elijah and Best Baby (opening her Hanukkah Gifts this Year!)

Homemade Gift Idea

There has been lots of Homemade gift giving here in our house this year. I always Bake for the neighbors and it seems to always be well received too! This year I went with a Cinnamon Loaf, I made a tester loaf a few weeks back for the family to try in it was gone in 2 days. My thought was, our friends could warm the bread and be eating on Christmas morning while they are celebrating and opening gifts. I wrapped them in tissue paper and tulle with perfect accenting ribbon and a special message. We already received some Homemade gifts this weekend that were almost devoured already. In our house baked good don't last too long. Do you give Homemade Baked goods this time of year? A Huge Thank you to all of you for all the Kind words and Prayers for my mom. It means the world to me, mom is home and had a pretty good weekend.Have a Wonderful Week with all your Families and stay Warm! *Jamie*

not the way it supposed to be

i've been in deep thought all week remembering when i was a little girl. the week before christmas i never slept, i was filled with so much excitement and anticipation that my eyes wouldn't close at night. i remember all the sweet smells and just counting down the days until christmas morning. when i was growing up christmas was a huge event of gifts, food and so much fun. my life now different but i'm fine with that, i made a choice and i've stuck with it for 15 years. every year at this time all those wonderful memories stick in my head and i share stories with sassy and eli. they make me repeat stories of peaking and unwrapping christmas gifts and laugh every time they hear the same stories. it's been a tough week with my mother facing a very serious medical crisis. she has been sick for a long time and this week brought it to a very real and serious point. the very strong mom ive become over the last several years turns into a that 5 year old little girl when it comes to my parents. i like to think im strong ive had to battle many when it comes to my kids and i've done it with fire in my eyes, for some reason when it comes to my parents and their well being i become the youngest daughter again. after a tough week of lots of tears from me and my poor mother having test after test and a team of dr.s we have a plan for mom. after a pep talk from my husband and insisting i toughen up and reminding me im not the little girl anymore i gained my composure and control. they won't be joining us tomorrow as planned to celebrate and the kids are having a hard time but life is ever unpredictable. when i visited with mom this week i really realized how at 71 she honestly has so much life left to live. i know it will all work out cuz mom is going to teach me to SEW! i told her my little dream of wanting to learn to sew and she started laughing reminding me of her singer she used for many years that is in the garage in great condition. i know mom will be fine cuz she has a sewing student waiting to learn from the master. on a positive note the photos i took are the mountains surrounding our home this week, its been a winter wonderland in southern california. hold your family tight this week and enjoy your holidays and making memories. *jamie*

not christmas

not really hanukkah either! this year with our holiday decor i went with more of a scaled down winter theme. we celebrate hanukkah but this year im not hosting so i really won't be having boatloads of family coming thru the house. it has made it easier but at the same time much more low key. for us the low key this year works so it all worked out perfectly. also, im not hosting our new years eve party, first time in several years i chose not to have a big party. im fine with it so is the hubby, although the kids aren't thrilled they love it! i went with a silver and gold theme, with a bit of burnished brown thrown in, works very well with the decor. we do have a few menorahs up that we will be lighting next week. i also threw in a few white pointsettia's this year just cuz i like the festive look of them. enjoy the pix! p.s. both winners picked their jewels and they are wrapped and on their way! *jamie*

THE WINNERS.....

Drum Roll Please.....Lovely Cheryl and Lovely Ann BIG CONGRATULATIONS to both ladies and a Huge THANK YOU! I was so Excited and So Touched by all the Kind words that you all left. It honestly means the world to me that you take the time to even stop in. I plan to offer these Give Aways more often. So many of us overlook ourselves daily and if a little piece of Jewelry can add a special spark, than that is what I want to do! When times are tough give a little something back. Thank you all again and stop in once in a while to see when the next GiveAway will be! *Jamie*

HOLIDAY GIVE AWAY

i think im still in a bit of denial that it is that time of year again! can you believe it? over the last year i have been so blessed to make some wonderful friendships thru this blog and my etsy shop. i am grateful each and every day that people would even stop in and take the time to read about the crazy happenings in my life. im also so thankful to the many who stop into my etsy shop and support my jewelry making, it honestly means the world to me. i want to pay it forward a bit and have a give away. from today thru this sunday december, 14 just enter your name in the comments section and kids will pull 2 names. the winners can stop into my etsy shop and pick any item they would like. 2 winners anything you would like from the shop! please pass the word around blogging land and thank you all again. good luck, *jamie*

another beautiful affaire

what can i tell you ms. kim knows how to throw an event. wow...her home was like a winter wonderland filled with all kinds of gorgeous sparkly goodies. everyone had a fantastic time, they always do. i got to show and sell my goodies along sind kim who came over all the way from arizona. she had some gorgeous vintage christmas goodies.the creative and oh so funny heather was there with an amazing set up of lovelies. i had a chance to meet debby she came in from new york to teach a few of the class's. wow the projects were gorgeous too. i got to meet lots of new ladies and some that i have had the pleasure of meeting before. it was such a wonderful day! next month kim is hosting two marie antoinette events stop in to take a peak. took some photos of all the wonderful sites of the day. wishing everyone a wonderful week. stop in wednesday im having a give away from the shop! *jamie*

gift ideas

times being what they are right now (not great) I have had to get a bit more Creative with the gift giving. december is not just christmas and haunakkah but i have a few girlfriends that are celebrating big birthdays too. so, hmmm, not too much money but something they will really like. first, i know i've said it here many times before, im a orchid nut and have at this time 28 in my collection. honestly that is not many to a real orchid collector considering there are thousands of orchid species! this is a cynbidium orchid, a winter bloomer here in california, there tall and have larger flower spikes and buds. i wrapped it in some burlap i had in the garage from a thanksgiving project. approx. a 1/2 yd. floded it over a few times wrapped it, closed it with a hidden safety pin and a bit of hot glue. added a old rhinestone fur clip along with some simple vintage seam binding . a tea dyed tag dangles for my special message. done! easy peasy, cost me $20 for the orchid which is very inexpensive for a orchid of this size and the amount of flower spikes, the rest i had on hand. the bloom can last up to a month too. i did not wrap the bottom of the orchid so the friend getting it, just has to put it under the sink water and let it run for a few minutes and that is it once a week. the second gift idea came out of my vanity! no kiddin, i walk in the mornings with a friend and it is many mornings cool and foggy.when you have naturally kinky and curly hair after a walk in the fog i look like a toy poodle. i found simple knit caps at target for $1.99 picked up several. came home took some of my old millinery flowers added some vintage sparkle put a pin back on them and pin them to the hats. started wearing mine last week and have already given two of them away as gifts! just a little creativity and thought and you can come up with all kinds of wonderful ideas! im spending saturday at this lovely ladies home to offer my jewels and visit with friends. I get to see this sweet friend, this friend and this friend coming all the way from arizona. lots of other friends will be there too and i can't wait to visit and see what the amazing kim has done this time. hope you like the ideas and have a wonderful weekend. oh... next wednesday, im having a holiday give away so please stop by. *jamie*

INSPIRATIONS

last weekends visit with Best Baby! she is growing so fast and a true Angel, We absolutely Adore her.P.S. my friend Kim is having a FANTASTIC Giveaway, stop into enter.