Our 2013 Christmas Home Tour

Posted on 21 December, 2013 by admin

I got this idea of a Home Tour from seeing so many other amazing Holiday Spaces featured across several blogs. And, let’s face it, a picture is worth a thousand words.

For as long as I can remember, Christmas has been my favorite holiday. Being surrounded by family, the sights and smells, they have all played a part in memories that I hold dear to my heart.

It’s one of the reasons why I literally throw myself every year into “Decking The Halls”, for my family, the way my mom did for my sister and I. And the way her Mom did for her.

This is our second year having two trees. The Family Room/Foyer Tree has all the ornaments that the kids have made through the years, our keepsake ornaments, and the traditional Christmas Colors. It is the first thing you see when you walk through the front door of our home.

This hallway takes you into our Family Room, where we decorated our fireplace/mantel with our Luxe Stockings and DIY Scripted Glitter Letters.

Our Formal Living Room and Dining Room flow into each other and house our 8 ft. Douglas Fir. This year we went with the accent color of purple and I had a ball “marrying” the two rooms.

Needless to say, at this time of year, I am in my element.

So from Our Stage Presents Family to yours, Have a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!! I hope you enjoyed our home, as much as we enjoyed sharing it!!

DIY Scripted Glitter Letters

Posted on 10 December, 2013 by admin

Looking for an Alternative to Monogrammed Stockings? Last year we bought some Luxe Stockings, which I am still very much in love with. We wanted to personalize them, but without actually having to alter the stockings. So we settled on Scripted Glitter Letters instead.

This was very simple to do. I purchased the Scripted Wooden Letters, from Hobby Lobby (my favorite store according to my 4 year old).

I guess you could sand the letters if you wanted to, but we opted for a more rustic look, so just went ahead and painted them. Once the paint dried then we applied the glitter spray. Both items pictured below:

And, there you have it the completed project!!

According to my dh, my projects always turn into his, so I should add that.. we did throw in some”Hubby Elbow Grease”!! To see more of how we decorated our home for the Holidays check out Our 2013 and 2014 Christmas Home Tours.

Black Friday Do’s, Don’ts, FYIs, and You Better Nots.

Posted on 28 November, 2013 by admin

Black Friday, better known as “Black and Blue Friday” in some parts of the country, is fast approaching. Deals and steals galore, right? Not in all instances. There are some deals to be found but unless you are a die hard Black Friday shopper, your time would be better spent digesting the Thanksgiving dinner you just ingested.

Black Friday Dp's Don'ts, FYIS and You Better Nots

1. Shop at stores that allow you to wait in line inside such as Walmart.

2. Compare regular prices to Black Friday prices. I have seen instances where the Black Friday price is only $5 cheaper. Is driving around town, in the cold really worth it?

3. Stock up on clothing. There are many more stores that have deals on clothing than toys and electronics. Believe it or not, this is a good time to buy Christmas PJ’s.

4. Leave purses and other unnecessary objects at home. There are thieves that target Black Friday shoppers. Be aware of your surroundings.
5. Place purchases in the trunk, and out of view. Smash and Grabs are prevalent around this time of year. Not something you want to come back to.

6. Don’t go Black Friday shopping at all. You have a month until Christmas and there will be many more sales and similar deals.

7. Go early. Some stores give out tickets for items such as TVs and computers before the sale actually starts. When the tickets go, the items are done.

8. Don’t get your hopes up. Most stores don’t follow the rules set forth in their advertisements. Their job is to make money, not to accommodate you.

written by my darling husband (dh) – Anwar Thomas

**For more information on this year(2015 Black Friday Sales), follow this link.**(Updated Yearly)

Preparing for the Holidays!!

Posted on 13 November, 2013 by admin

I spent last night, writing the Kid’s Letter from Santa and getting them ready to send out to Anchorage, Alaska aka the North Pole. Check out the link at the bottom of the post for how to get your kid’s their very own Letter from Santa stamped from the North Pole.

There are only 41 days left until Christmas, and 16 days left until Black Friday. Whether you are going to be shopping up until the last minute or plan to make Black Friday your last official shopping day, its time to get started if you have not already.

This time of the year is always a busy one for my family, starting with my baby girl’s birthday, then my husbands’, then my Dad, then Thanksgiving and Christmas. There is a lot of money going out. So, I always try to catch the sales and get the items on my list for as little as possible, without sacrificing quality.

This year will be no different. Check out our Facebook page for useful coupons, tips, and Ads.

Check out our post from last year on Christmas Magic.

Looking for some Thanksgiving Inspiration – Check out the following posts from 2012!!

My First Thanksgiving Turkey

Our Favorite Thanksgiving Sides

Making the Scariest Day of the Year – Not Scary!!

Posted on 4 November, 2013 by admin

I was blessed with the scariest kids ever,(in other words they are afraid if their own shadows). Especially my oldest daughter, two years ago we took them both Trick or Treating. She was just 7 at the time. She absolutely hated the scary costumes and we had to eventually go home.

Last year she wanted nothing it do with Halloween so we skipped it and just handed out Candy. My youngest was 2 at the time and literally still had no fear.

Fast forward to this year and the arrival of witches as Halloween decor in our local Kroger. There was a precocious little boy who thought it would be funny to hit said witch and send her flying into the air. My little one was fit to be tied. I couldn’t get her out of that store fast enough and haven’t been able to get her to go back since.

I admit, last year I was glad to not have to deal with it. But this year feeling particularly festive, I was bummed that the girls weren’t interested. So I decided to get them excited about dressing up and thought they could at least hand out the Candy!! I got them excited and all dolled up. But, when the bell rang for the first time my oldest bolted up the stairs. She observed the rest if the night from her view on the Second Story Landing . I was able to engage the little one and she helped hand out Candy unless she saw a scary costume.

We ordered pizza for dinner and tried to make the night fun. But, I think the best part for them was the dressing up and the pictures. I hope we still made some great memories, and look forward to them getting older and having a better grasp on all that is Halloween!!

Trick or Treat — Working our Way Down the Fall Craft Bucket List!!

Posted on 31 October, 2013 by admin

Above – Remember our Fall Bucket List!!

Below – Here are the Items we Actually Ended up Making — Of Course, Fall Is Not Over Yet!!

The Spider Web Plate was very easy. I found these festive colored ceramic plates at Publix. We Used White Painters® Paint Markers to recreate the Spider Web on the Plate, and waited for it to dry then added 3D Spiders to complete the look.

I like most folks this year, got caught up in the Fun-Kin Hype, and bought a Fun-Kin Carvable Pumpkin (top right of the above picture). It seemed like it would be so much easier to carve than a real pumpkin. But, I wasn’t impressed. I did notice that they have Fun-Kin Knives and maybe it would have been easier, if I had used one of those. But, I didn’t buy one. So instead, we used a Regular Carving Knife. I intended to use it as a candy or candle holder. But, didn’t love either look, so I decided to just use it as part of our Decorations.

Last, but not least, was our Halloween Welcome Chalkboard. I truly had fun creating this, even if I am no Picasso. I think it is the perfect finishing touch to our Fall/Halloween Decor.

Happy Halloween from your Stage Presents Family!!

Fresh Herbs and Tomatoes…

Posted on 19 October, 2013 by admin

Every Spring, I have these grand ideas about all the great things I will plant and harvest. But, it seems like each year, I grow less and less. This year, I grew tomatoes and Basil and unfortunately, that was it.

But, as it starts to get cooler outside, I have been thinking about what I can do to preserve my basil. I have gotten spoiled and there is just nothing like having fresh basil in your meals, even if I am the only one who really appreciates it.

Here are some different methods to preserve your herbs:

How to Dry and Store Herbs

9 Ways to Dry Herbs

And, if you have more tomatoes than you know what to do with. Consider making your own Tomato Sauce or Canning?

How to Make Your Own Tomato Sauce?

How to Can Tomatoes

Happy Harvesting!!

Fall Into Comfort Food — All Over the Web…

Posted on 18 October, 2013 by admin

It’s getting chilly out there!! Here are some great recipes I found all over the web!!

I have tried the Breakfast Casserole, as well as the Oven Fried Chicken. Both yummy!!

Breakfast:

Crockpot Breakfast Casserole

Entrees:

Oven Fried Chicken

Eggplant Parmesan

Finger Food:

Parmesan Spinach Bites

Dessert

Easy Apple Crisp

Pumpkin Cheesecake in a Gingersnap Crust – ** I plan to try my hand at this tomorrow.

Road “Tripping” with Kids

Posted on 15 October, 2013 by admin

Recently my family of four packed into our SUV for a 7 hour trip to Orlando. I have had several people ask me how I did it. I’m not always sure how to answer that question. Since (a) They are too young to stay home alone (b) Gas vs. (4) Plane Tickets is not really a comparison (c) We do what we have to do. That being said, if the destination is not somewhere I really really want to go (as was the case this trip), I would most likely opt to stay home.

All that aside, just like everything else I have a process.

1. Plan Plan Plan – which for me translates to list list list. Which brings me back to Springpad (A SP Fave App). I have a running list of what each member of the family needs for trips, this way I don’t have to constantly recreate the wheel. I pull up that list. Add or Delete depending on the length of the trip, conditions, etc. Then print each list and use it to pack and prepare.

2. Matter – Things that Matter – when traveling with little ones you need stuff. Toys, Books, Crayons, Markers, DVD’s, Pillows Blankets, Tablets, iPads, Mobile Hot Spots, etc etc. Even if you pack what you think is an arsenal, at some point be aware that the novelty of all these items new or old will wear off. And, if you have children like mine you will have to deal with some bickering, whining and maybe even some tears. Disclaimer: My little ones are 8 and 3.

3. Bathroom Prep – I so love this subject, NOT!! Let’s face it Public Bathrooms generally SUCK. Hubby and I have talked about creating an App just for this very reason. But, since I have yet to find it, if its a route you have traveled before make note of the cleaner more pleasant bathroom stops. And, then BE PREPARED. I always travel with Lysol, Wet Wipes, Toilet Tissue, Paper Towels and Garbage Bags. I wanna add gloves but, I don’t want you all to think I am OCD!! Even if I am, a little.

4. Snacks and Drinks – Last. but not least, because this is the most important part, sometimes the only way to get some silence is to put food in their mouths. Think ahead, try to get the snacks that will create the least amount of mayhem and mess. Use your own discretion, I go for Individually packaged snacks, snacks lower in sugar, drinks lower in sugar, and smaller fluid oz, so as to avoid several bathroom stops.

It is by no means, the Road Trips of yesteryear with your girlfriends. But, even through the tears, you are making memories just the same.

Special Deliveries!!

Posted on 12 October, 2013 by admin

There are some things in life you will never understand until you experience it.

This is how I felt about the birth of my nieces. I spent the whole nine months with every part of my body crossed, praying that my sister would have a good pregnancy without any complications. Then when we were told the babies would be a little early, I prayed for a safe and successful delivery.

But being miles away and having to wait for news was pure torture. For several reasons, 1. A C- Section is Major Surgery. There is always an element of fear involved when anyone you love goes under the knife. 2. because I fell in love with her daughters with every story she told during her pregnancy about flipping, back pains etc etc. So, I literally sat in my Family Room afraid to move until I got word. Thank God, my Mom was waiting too otherwise I think I would have gone “nutso”, without someone to commiserate with.

We grew up with an Aunt who was like a mom to us. So we had an amazing example of what that relationship should be. Fast Forward some years down the line, my sister has always been someone I could share all my fears and hopes and dreams for my kids. When they get sick or something’s wrong sometimes she cries more than me.

But nothing could prepare me for the strong emotional ties I would have to these little girls born some 500 miles away from me. I don’t think I’ve cried soo much for joy, or for fear since my own children entered this world.

I couldn’t be more excited to be an Auntie!! And, I am so looking forward to the memories that we all will make together over the years!!

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