Smitty's latest

I heard about Michael W. Smith's new Christmas CD, It's A Wonderful Christmas, from a post in BooMama's blog. I jumped at the chance to get one, because who doesn't love free CDs, and who doesn't love Smitty? (Sometime I should tell the story about having supper at his house.)

Much of our Christmas decorating was already done when the CD arrived Saturday, because our baby boy is coming Monday (tomorrow! gulp!) via C-section and I wanted the house decorated and clean before the big day. But we were still getting some last-minute decorating done yesterday, so we put the CD in and listened.

I really like this! It's different from what you might expect from MWS. I didn't realize so much of it would be instrumental. It's all very well done, and felt totally Christmas-y. I was especially glad to hear a bit of "Once In Royal David's City," which is my ultimate favorite Chrsitmas hymn. I only wish it had been longer! I also really enjoyed the duet with Mandisa, "Christmas Day." That girl can flat out sang. Thank you for the CD, Provident! It's in my Christmas rotation on iTunes and my iPod already!

Here are a few pictures of our decorations! I'll hopefully be up to participating in BooMama's Christmas Tour of Homes (see the link in my sidebar) so I'll have more then. Here's a little tease! Enjoy!

My talented husband made this angel ornament several years ago from a photograph he took at a New Orleans Christmas light display. He did some fancy-schmancy stuff to it on the computer and this was the result. I know my explanation of the process is completely thorough. You're welcome.

This glittery gold star is my favorite thing on our tree. It catches the light so beautifully. I think my mom gave it to me. She's given me a big box of special ornaments the past several years.

My mom made this wreath for me several years ago. She's quite crafty. I come by it honestly. :)

Just a little glimpse of the dining room table. I have more to add, but I thought this Santa and snowman were just so chipper together. :)

Thanks for looking!

I love my kitchen. It gets so bright and cheery, especially in the afternoons. That's when I spend most of my time in there, working on crafty projects or cooking. This afternoon's light was particularly inspiring.

A happy first year.

"They" say the first year of marriage is the hardest, and in our case, "they" were wrong. It's been a great year. We've done it all since November 18, 2006: got married, bought a house, found out a baby's on the way (any day now!). We've done all the stressful things without a big fight. Without a little fight, even. It's been lovely.

Hubband's gift to me was exactly what I wanted: a heart-felt love letter. When I'm 80 years old, looking back, there's nothing material he could give me that could ever mean more than his words. (I'm no fool, though. If he wants to whisk me off to Europe one year, I won't turn it down!)

My gift to him was the beginnings of a scrapbook. I used to scrapbook obsessively but have gotten out of practice in the past couple years. I've got the itch again, big-time, thanks to the start of this project. I did a title page and then a two-page layout of photos from our first year of marriage. My only criteria was that the pictures had to have been taken between November 18, 2006 and November 18, 2007. I included the wedding, the honeymoon, our new house, our church's new sanctuary, and our kiss on new year's eve. I wanted to do more photos, but I reigned it in and kept it to two pages. No matter what else Hubband ever gets for an anniversary gift, he'll always know he can expect the next two pages in the scrapbook. When we're gone, our kids will inherit a book commemorating our entire marriage. It's the gift that keeps giving, and it's a legacy!

We also ate part of the topper of our wedding cake. It held up very well in my parents' freezer for a year! When we were choosing flavors, I asked for a sample of strawberry cake, my favorite. My great-grandmother and grandmother made it for me every year on my birthday, and there's nothing better. When I tasted the sample, I cried. I've had other strawberry cakes through the years, but nothing's ever come close to the ones Mamaw and Mo made. The cake shop came awfully close. I think I scared the shop owner with my tears! I thanked her for taking me straight back to childhood and giving me that taste I missed so much. I need to work up the nerve to try the cake in my own kitchen. I have the original recipe, but I fear it'll never be the same!

Here's the yummy topper. No fondant for us! Just ooey gooey icing. Mmm!

HALEY-LUJAH!

I do love me some Mississippi politics. Especially when it's a Governor's race with results that my parakeet could've called months ago.

Not only did the brat John Arthur Eaves get his tail whooped and handed to him in a styrofoam box by the much-loved incumbent Haley Barbour (58% - 42%), Eaves also didn't ever call Haley and concede the election. Yes, it's just a formality to do so, but it's polite and proper and by not doing it, we call SORE LOSER.

Graphic by my equally-snarky and equally-joyous husband.