FIRST ARTSY ORNAMENT OF CHRISTMAS

Well, looks like you guys might get to see my new blog makeover before I do! Michelle hasn't had a chance to get it installed yet, and we're fixing to head to Dallas for a few days, to celebrate an early Christmas with my siblings and their families. Let me tell you, it's killing me to drive off without seeing it up and running. KILLING me, I say! Anywho, before I go, I just wanted to share with you the first ornament I made this week, in that 12 Artsy Ornaments of Christmas class that I am taking online.

It was sooooo easy, and other than the 4x4 canvas that we used as its base, used mostly stuff you have laying around the house already, if you do any kind of crafting at all. You start off just layering scraps of old book paper, sheet music,  or whatever over the canvas. Then finish it with a bit of glitter. Who doesn't love glitter?

The bottom gets a junk bow made from whatever scraps of ribbon, lace, or tulle you happen to have, finished off with a bit of bling in the middle, such as an old earring or something. Mine got a vintage button that I found in my button jar.

The only things I had to buy were the glitter, and the little bits of bling I finished it off with, such as the jewels in the corners, and this weird metal thing. Know what I believe? I believe this was just too much fun, and turned out too stinkin' cute!

WORDS I SWORE I'D NEVER SAY

Guess who's getting a professional facelift today? No, not me Silly. My blog! Yep, it's time for the queen of Seasonality to practice what she preaches, and embrace a bit of change. I started playing with it on my own a while back -- got rid of the neon green background that I'd had since I began writing it, and even managed the switch to a funkier font that was a little more "me." Alas, that was about as far as my technical skills could take me, and I wanted more. I wanted a banner that would personify "seasonality" -- one that might even change with the seasons itself -- and would reflect the new directions in which my passions were leading me.

That's why I decided to get back in touch with Michelle over at Shabby Creations -- the gal who helped bring my vision for Miss Becky Goes Abroad to life. We've been chatting back and forth all week, and I finally got to see a preview yesterday afternoon. It's even yummier than I had hoped! We just have a wee bit more tweaking to do, before you can see it for yourself -- hopefully by this evening or maybe tomorrow. Stay tuned for the big reveal!

ABANDONING BUDA

About halfway between here and Austin is a little town called Buda. Locals pronounce it Bue-duh, not Boo-da. If you were to glance at it from the highway, all you would see is a giant Cabella's for the sporting types, a big ol' HEB, Walmart, and your typical down home gourmet establishments such as Applebee's and Cracker Barrel. If you bother to get off the highway, however, you'll find something altogether different.

We used to go over there a lot, when we first bought this place. But then Kyle, which is about fifteen minutes closer to us, finally got its own bigger, better HEB, a Target, a pretty good Tex-Mex restaurant, and a Whataburger, and somehow, we just sort of forgot about it.

Until this weekend, that is. That's when John decided to take me on one of his "adventures", and we ended up at Buda Fest.

Dying to know what this old building, which now houses antiques, started out as.

Turns out they've got some pretty good Tex-Mex in Buda as well, not to mention a quaint little Italian place, and a Cakery! I wonder if they still have that darling tea room that I once took my sister to? If so, then I probably oughtta take my daughter and Miss Paula over there sometime soon, to make up for those years of neglect, don't you think?

DON'T MAKE ME GO INTO TOWN

When I went to the last Story Circle Network conference, there was a book in the goodie bag I received with that title -- Don't Make Me Go Into Town -- written by a female rancher from the olden days. I thought of it last weekend when John and I were wanting to take a walk. I had intended to go back to the Emily Ann Theater. I figured we could combine getting a little exercise with seeing all the displays that had been set up for their annual trail of lights. However, when John reminded me that it was a Wimberley Market Days weekend, I immediately said "Ugh, forget that idea!" Unless you are a die-hard junker, you really don't want to go into town on Market Day Saturdays.

I was stymied at first, but then suddenly remembered St. Stephens Episcopal church, which is just about five minutes down the road from us, heading away from town.

I had read somewhere, a good while back, that there is a nature trail behind the church, and figured that Saturday was as good a day as any to finally go and check it out.

They even had a labyrinth for us to walk!

Not to mention a gorgeous grotto. I love grottos!

Isn't it amazing, the things you can find, if you get up off the sofa and go looking?

COLOR-MAD MONDAY

Who says there's no fall color in Texas?

Well, unless you don't think anything in December can actually be considered as "fall."

This little tree by the pump house is my absolute fave. I think it's a Chinese Tallow, which most people consider a trash tree, and it is reputed to be fairly invasive as well. But oh, when it comes to fall color, it's really hard to beat.

Still, since it came with the property, and I had absolutely nothing to do with planting it here, well, I don't see any reason why I should have to feel guilty for loving it, do you?

MY GRUMPY LITTLE ELF

Poor, poor John. In the hospital, and for a couple of weeks after he got home, he had to take this one medication every four hours, around the clock. He really, really hated having to set his alarm and wake himself up for that 2:00am dose every night. He was so, so happy when he had finished up with those pills at last, and would finally be able to sleep through the night again. Or so he thought. Guess who now pops awake at 2:00am almost every night, then can't get back to sleep again? Which means we've both been having some rough nights. I don't really mind it much myself, as long as I have a good book to read. I figure "Hey, I don't have to go to work tomorrow. I can always sleep in or take a nap later if I get tired." But John? Well, it just pisses him off no end. The unFAIRness of it all!

He's also kinda pissed about how weak he still feels, and his lack of energy. He walks through a couple of stores with me, and feels like he has run a couple of miles, which makes it hard for him to enjoy Christmas shopping the way he usually does. (Normally, my hubby loves shopping waaaaaay more than I do!) The doctors warned us that it could take eight months to a year for him to feel like his old self again but, for some reason, I just don't think John actually believed them at the time.