We were "Mint" to be friends

Even though I was traveling this week, we managed to get Colton's Valentines goodies done for school. His favorite color is green and when I saw this awesome printable from The Celebration Shoppe I knew we had to do it!

I hope you all had a Great Valentines Day!

Holiday Break Round Up

Well, I am officially back at it, settlin' back in to school, work, and extra activities. I know everyone is most likely done with the holidays, but since I just downloaded over 200 pictures from my camera, I thought I would give you all a lil' round up of what we have been up to the past few weeks. I will try to be short & sweet (like me) LOL!

Of course there Rex made his way around a few more times then went back to the North Pole.

We had our annual Fieseler Christmas Eve Dinner, which is always a blast! Here is our family pic with Nana, the most wonderful woman in the world!

My Secret Santa did awesome with my gift this year! Check it out!

Then we were lucky enough to have a surprise "White Christmas" in Texas!

It was a great holiday! I enjoyed having the time off to spend with family & friends! We have the best ones ever! We are so blessed! I hope you are all staring the year off with a BANG, I know we are!!!

Deck The Halls

Well, its officially only one week left until Christmas! I have finished all the decorating, shopping, and wrapping. Now just have to do the grocery shopping (which I dread the most)! I hope you are all well on your way or done as well.

I have been obsessed with the Country Christmas channel on Sirius! I heard "Somebody Snitched On Me" today....I had forgotten about that one! Colton is getting a little annoyed with me singing in the car....he is growing up for sure (I'm starting to embarrass him)!

Here are a few pics of our Christmas decor. Please excuse some of the photo quality, I am trying to learn to use the manual mode on my camera and it is rather tricky (any tips are greatly appreciated). I wish I had more time to spend really learning it.

This little ceramic tree was made by my aunt, and is as "antique" as I am :) but I love it to pieces!

I didn't make any additions to the village this year, it is already getting pretty cramped in its spot. We may need a new home for it next year.

Our stockings were hung by the chimney with care.

Our tree is VERY traditional, and I was thinking about changing it to a cool trendy color. Truth is I can't imagine giving up all of my sentimental ornaments which are a mix match of our entire lives.

90% of these ornaments where made or given to us, and all have a "story". That to me is what makes a true Christmas tree!

Do you prefer a designer tree or a traditional tree?

Our Christmas Card

For those of you that did not get the mailed version, here is our Christmas postcard from Minted.

Merry Christmas!

Elf on a Shelf-Recap

We are so lucky with Colton being 8 that he is still a "believer", and it hasn't been spoiled yet. I wonder how many years we have left? I just hate that he is growing up......LOOK-OUT....pre-teen is next...heaven help us! He has been so into the Elf on a Shelf, but I'm not sure if its more fun for him  or the us....lol Anyways, here is just a little recap of a few things our pesky elf "Rex" has been up the last few weeks.

Rockcrawlin'

T.P.'n

Bubble Bathin'

Hole Punchin'

Booby Trappin' (colton is in there still asleep)

Sleigh Ridin'

Target Practicin'

2 more weeks to go, any other ideas are greatly appreciated! Have a great weekend!

Our First Thanksgiving @ Home

Well, I'm back from a much needed break from everything. I didn't touch the computer for over a week! I couldn't even if I had wanted to since Colton has discovered Minecraft, he has taken it over. Things are back to the normal routine this week (what ever that is).

This was the first year we have had a Thanksgiving dinner at our house. Terry smoked the turkey and ham and everyone brought a side or dessert, so it made it fairly easy.

But you know me I was more wrapped up in the table scape than the food anyway :)

I didn't spend much, which was nice. I didn't have anything at the start of this year except my jumping off point, the gold flatware, given to me by my Nana. The largest purchase I made was on the dinner plates. I didn't want a set where everything matches, but want more of a "collected over the years" feel. So I went to the Dillard's outlet and scored these Mikasa Metallics Rings plates (originally $26 ea...I got for $3 ea) SCORE!

The napkins, I got on clearance at World Market for $1.50 ea. I debated on the top piece for a while, but never really found "IT".  I wanted something whimsy and more "ranna-esk" :) I finally found these elk plates at Target. Even though they are melamine, they were exactly what I was looking for, and for $3, if I don't like them in a few years, no problem.

I had bought this pumpkin at Hobby Lobby a few years ago. I also mixed the glasses, all given to me by family for that more "collected" feel. Oh...and the gold charges were recycled from my friends 40th bday that I had here....bonus.

For the foundation, I just used plastic tablecloths (easy clean up/maybe I will get real ones next year) and paper napkins unfolded as the placemats (that is one of my secrets) You can get them on clearance at HomeGoods all the time. They give a lot of pattern and punch with not a lot of money! I used my Kohl's cash for the mercury glass candle holders and hit up the dollar spot at Target for the other decorative items.

I think everyone had a great time, and we have started a new tradition for our family. Next year I think I will need to add another table :) 

I hope you all had a nice turkey day....now ramping up for Christmas!

A Steel of a deal-Christmas Card Discounts

I know its Halloween, but I just couldn't let a deal like this go to waste!

While my Hollie Hair color was processing, I saw an ad for a printing sight called Minted. After some research I found a great deal for these personalized Christmas Cards that we all love, but they tend to get a little expensive! Who doesn't love getting this kind of cards?!?!

Here how to save $50 on your HOLIDAY order at Minted. 

1) Create an account HERE and get a $25 credit on your next purchase just for signing up! 

2) Go HERE and get a discount code for $25 off HOLIDAY orders (must be used by 11/4/12). 

HERE IS WHAT TO DO: add at least $50 worth of HOLIDAY merchandise to your cart. The first $25 credit will be automatically applied to your cart and you will have to enter the second $25 discount code into the promotion code box during checkout. 

There is also a way to order now (to get the discount) and edit or add photos later. At the check-out in the "Special Request Box" simply type "I need to edit my details later" then you will be able to long in and change before submitting your proof for printing.  

This only works for holiday products and you have to add at least $50 to your cart.

I already have a great idea for our cards, and can't wait to send them out! I haven't even taken the photos yet, so I will be editing later for sure!

Oh yeah, and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!