Enough Said!

Found this quote while blog-hopping tonight after dinner.  I thought it was way better than anything I could come up with on my own.  Thanks Becky Higgins: you've said exactly what I was feeling.

Happy New Year everyone.  I wish you happiness & peace...today & always!

"It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year"

It is indeed.  Days 1 thru 7 of my "25 Days of Christmas Countdown" have been nothing short of amazing.  I have enjoyed every bit of it!

Day 1 was filled with excitement as I informed my family & friends about my acceptance back to UCONN!  After many-a-year, I took some time in November deciding if it was the best decision for me and if it was the right time to go back and finish my degree.  My answers came.  And starting in January, I will be a full-time student studying for my Bachelors of Science in Psychology.  Go Huskies!

Day 2 was family night...a very important component to the Schimanski household.  We took a drive to Springfield, MA to see "Bright Nights"...a drive-thru light spectacular.  Complete with hot cocoa, of course!

Day 3 was super fun: Movie Night at our church.  The night's premire event: The Polar Express. 

Days 4 was spent baking treats for a cookie swap with friends.  I am much more of a "chocolatier" myself...so I made CAKEBALLS instead of cookies.

Day 5: spent with friends old & new.  A yummy potluck, a cookie swap and belly laughs.  Jen, you were the perfect hostess! 

Day 6 brought joy to my heart.  I spent the evening with my in-laws as we watched my son and fellow band members put on a winter concert.  This year Andrew is playing both the clarinet & the saxaphone.  That boy makes a mama proud!

Day 7 was spent with a friend buying gifts for people in need at our church.  She has a daughter Andrew's age and the two of them enjoy hanging out with each other.  They both came along as we shopped and tried to pick out the perfect gifts.  Before we left for Target, I snapped this shot of the setting Decemeber sky:

Merry Christmas blog readers!  Thanks for following along on my first week!  Hope yours was just as delightful!

The Stockings Were Hung.

Hubby's schedule has him leaving us next week till mid-December.  So yesterday, we got staright to work to get the house decorated so that he could enjoy the the season before leaving.

We watched the Macy's Thanksgiving parade (that I DVR'd from the day before) while we decorated the tree.  Yes...all of our ornaments are snowmen!

I can enjoy the holiday festivities and not worry about the hustle & bustle. 

Taking time to remember the "Reason for the Season" is what Christmas is about.  Hoping you take time to enjoy your holiday season too!

Taking Time To Play.

Some people I know have a lot to say.  Not me.  I figure no one wants to hear my schedule.  Everyday.  My life's not too-terribly exciting.  And I kinda like it that way.  Don't get me wrong...I've got a LOT going on...but we ALL have a lot going on.  And really, I have no interest in re-hashing it all.  Where am I going with all this?  A daily post on my blog is just something I can't get done right now.  Until I reach a point where I can show you all something I've made everyday, I've got nothin'.

I do, however, have something today. 

Saturday I spent the 1st half of the day at my friend Cookie's house.  She recently moved to the sticks (for you locals...that's Norfolk, CT) with her hubby to a gorgeous, sprawling ranch with lots of woods.  Beautiful!  We spent the afternoon downstairs in her scrap room.  I was so excited to start my "December Daily - Christmas Countdown" mini album designed by Stephanie Ackerman. 

(Pay no attention to the Twix bar in the corner...)

All the ingredients to create a beautiful Christmas Countdown are included in her kit.  I changed mine up a bit to reflect my personal style and my pictures, but I love how she put the coordinating pieces all together.  I'll get back to this in a moment.

Here are some pics of Cookie's scrap room:

Organization is KEY to a great working space.

Her cardstock is color-coordinated.

She has everything she needs right at her fingertips.

And the island in the middle is great for spreading out.  I've got to get my act together & re-do my stiudio space!

As for my Christmas Countdown album, I worked on it again on Monday.  I'm finished thru page 19, including the cover.  I can't wait to get it finished this weekend.  Then, I'll be all ready to capture my December moments, one day at a time.  It's important to stop and celebrate the season each & everyday.  After Christmas, I'll print my photos and adhere them to my completed album.  And my memories of the season will be saved forever.  Take time this holiday season to remember the moments that matter.  Create a keepsake of your own and have it for many Christmases to come.  Wishing you & yours a very happy Thanksgiving holiday!