Ta-Da!

Before:

The first picture is what my "craft corner" looked like. And this wasn't even all of it! But it would turn into the second picture, which that is our living room floor (as previously mentioned in the post from yesterday). So 6 hours later....my husband (wonderful, amazing, fantasticly handy with the tools) created this.....

After:

The first picture is looking from the door way. The corner desk will be more for the "office" responsibilities :) where as the other table, desk and shelves are all for my craftiness! I can't even begin to tell you how much I am overjoyed for this space! I even have storage boxes to keep some of it all organized! And, that handy machine known as the cricut (yep, with a mix between killer deals and asking for almost 12 months straight come in handy at Christmas, he he) will only help in my creative adventures!

Also, since it's nearing the end of the year and of course there are those little goals that you tell yourself you want to set and keep throughout all the 12 months that hold for the next year. I would like to be slightly more realistic on the goals I choose. In saying that, yesterday, I decided to read through my blog from when I started it until now. And I am such a cheeseball! Literally, the things I wrote...cheesssyyyyy! True, but completely cheesy! For 2010, I'm hoping to change that along with the most overused statement of my blog....to blog more. After I heard you could print your blog (yes, it seems to be true!) I've really wanted to keep up on it more. Ok, that's it for now. :)

Both Mat & I really hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and were able to be with those that you love! We miss all of our Oregon, Idaho and Texas families, but hope to see you all soon! :)

Treats, Blessings & Construction

Merry Christmas!!!

It's been a wonderful holiday season!! We hope everyone feels the same! I truly love the spirit of Christmas and all the blessings it brings!

To start the season off, I made a full load of sweet treats this year!Including:

*Chocolate Crinkles

*Russian Tea Cakes

*Cran-Orange Mini Muffins

*Pumpkin Spice Snowflakes (that look like flowers, but oh well!)

*Double Chocolate Brownie Shortbread

*Chocolate Truffles

*Samoa Coconut Chocolate Bites (mmm...reminds you of those girl scout cookie selling days!)

*Cinnamon Toast White Chocolate Pretzels

I had more on my list, but ran out of time! I even scrapbooked the treat bags this year! And yes, I labeled each treat, it worked out better than the guessing "what's this??". Which Mat about died when he came home from work on one of my "scrapbook construction" days! When I get in a mode, I can't control the amount of mess I make, but I am sure to pick it up when I'm done. I don't think I would be able to handle it if I left it this way.....

However, after this experience, Mat decided to take matter's in his own hands....sooo....for Christmas, I got a desk!
I will have my own area to do all my crafts and create my organized creative disasters elsewhere, besides the living room floor. I was so excited! However, Mat is going on day 2 of building the desk....so it literally feels, sounds and smells like a construction zone in our little place. Still, he's amazing and really did good this year! *I'll post pictures after the room is all set up, it might be another day or two...there's a lot to organize.*

Beyond that, we are having a fantastic Christmas day by spending time together, watching movies and relaxing while consuming pizza and sparkling apple cider. We have quirky little traditions, but they are definitely memorable!

O Christmas Tree!

This is our first year of having a semi-official tree since we've been married. I was so excited when I found out we were going to have a tree!! Our first year, we had a wreath, a real, live pine smellin' wreath. The second year (last year), we hadn't even decorated until Christmas Eve. We just put a few lights up around inside.....well...Mat did :) (see his wonderful creative work below)

(By the way, just for the record, I have completely decorated my dining room now, so it doesn't have the "bare bones" look and yes, that is a fishing pole. :))

This year, one of my co-workers had an abandoned artificial (that is what makes it "semi-official) tree that he found in a vacant apartment, he already had a tree, so he gave it to Mat & I! It's pre-lit and all! I was so excited, I put it up right away! Mat wasn't completely into the Christmas spirit, since well, it was the 2nd day of December...but after I had the tree up and all Christmas decorations around, Mat jumped right into it and put up lights in the windows and even outside of our apartment! We will soon have pictures to show!

It's also been snowing like crazy the last few days and I have been DRIVING!! I made a point to get over my fear this year of driving in the snow and have really pushed myself, so far so good. (Knocking on wood.) My fear comes from getting into an accident a few years ago when I was driving from Oregon to Idaho and went spinning off the road. I would seriously have a panic attack every single time it would start to snow and I had to be at work. So for the last two years, EVERYday Mat drove me to work. This year, he also put his foot down, so that was even more of a push to get me to drive. :) We'll see if I'll make it through the winter!
The Christmas season also brings a whole lotta BAKING! I really like to go all out with the treats! I like to create treat baskets for some of our friends and family members. Last year, I went all out with the cookies, muffins and breads. This year, I haven't decided exactly, but I thought I could just start with sweet and tasty mini pies! With a little scoop of ice cream on top - PERFECT!

We hope all of you are having a wonderful start to the holiday season!

And So It Begins

I LOVE the holidays and the holiday season!! Once Thanksgiving arrives, the holiday season is in full swing! We went up to Mat's parents for Thanksgiving in Idaho Falls. We were so excited to get a break from the daily routine of Utah.

On our way up to Idaho Falls we were able to stop in Pocatello to see some of our friends. Mat caught up with his friend and old co-worker, Brad and I got to see my best friend, Bethany. Mat & Brad ran off to go duck hunting, while Bethany & I did the more traditional shopping route. It was great to window shop and have some girl time. Bethany is also expecting her first child in the Spring, so we were on the hunt for baby shower ideas. She is just so stinkin' cute at 6 months pregnant!

We were able to catch up with Mom & Dad Haderlie Tuesday night and just spend a little time together, since we haven't seen them in months!

Wednesday morning, we caught up with Mat's brother, Tucker & his wife, Mary in Rexburg....it was 8 degrees outside!! I couldn't hardly believe it could get that cold, but then again, it is Idaho! We spent the whole day visiting and catching up with family members that we don't see very often. It was simply relaxing to be around those that you love and that love you for you. By the end of the day we realized it was the calm before the storm.

Thursday was full of food and food and more food! Mom Haderlie "smoked" the turkey (it was more of a marinade that I can't even begin to describe) - it was AMAZING! Then her rolls are legendary! She told me that I could make them, but I chickened out. These rolls are sooooooo yummy, we are talking the best rolls ever! I tried making them once and they hit the trash before Mat could even see them - I don't know what happened, but I was not about to take the chance on her rolls on Thanksgiving. So she did her magic and handled everything, but the sweet potatoes - that was my job. I made Aunt Jeanette's sweet potato souffle, it wouldn't be Thanksgiving for me without it! It was a small quiet group for dinner, but it was full of great conversation. We were able to see Grandma & Grandpa Haderlie, which was a real treat! And then mom Haderlie's best friend from high school, Pat and her dad joined us. Since it was a last minute change of plans to go up for Thanksgiving, Mat's siblings had already made other arrangements.

We skipped out on the Black Friday craziness since we had to be back in Provo by Friday afternoon for Mat to be at work. We really wish we could have stayed longer, but cherish the time that we had.

Also, last weekend, our friend & wonderful neighbor, Rachel, took our Christmas pictures. They turned out FANTASTIC! She also caught some great pictures that just made us laugh! So here's an assortment of what she captured.

And now for a few that you just can't help but giggle at....

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!