The Advent Tree is Up!

Happy Advent y'all!  Today is the first day of the season of Advent...the time of preparation for the coming of Christ at Christmas and the start of the liturgical new year.  Advent is the time of spiritual reflection as well as anticipation counting down the days until Christmas.

Today's message at church was Hope...The purple 'Hope' Advent candle was lit...expressing our longing for peace, healing, and well-being of all creation.

Our Advent tree is up!  This is the same tree I started last year.  I added festive numbered treat cones...one for each day of the Advent season.  I added peppermint candy and placed a "Christmas Bucket List 2012" tag inside each one--my list of things I want to do during the season...Attend a holiday home tour, go Christmas Caroling, watch all my favorite Christmas movies, and all the other traditional Christmas holiday activities.

I bought these printable cones on Etsy last year...you can find them here.

Pedro and Pepi have been busy little elves this weekend...baking gingerbread cookies.

So, I've been running from store to store to find the perfect gifts, trying to get them wrapped, finishing up all the Christmas decorations, baking, and trying to pack it all in.  Tonight we are relaxing on the sofa watching our favorite shows...Amazing Race, Dexter, and Homeland.

Y'all have a great week!

Pepi My Sweet Little Elf Is Back!!!

  Last year I introduced little Pepi to y'all...he's the poor cousin to that rich and famous Elf.  Pepi moved up from Mexico and helps me out during the holidays.  He is a very well-mannered elf.  The last time y'all saw Pepi, he was settled in for his long winter's nap.

Pepi is now awake and ready to party!!!

Pepi travels everywhere with me...here he is, riding shotgun in the BMW!

He goes to lunch with me and is usually well-behaved in public.

Like Miss Janice, he likes an evening toddy..."Naughty Egg Nog" is one of his faves!

I'm pleased to introduce to y'all Pepi's younger brother Pedro.  He's visiting us from Tijuana.  Pedro likes taking long walks on the beach, cliff-diving in Acapulco, authentic Mexican cuisine, and sippin' Dos Equis!  Although he's a bit wild and not as well-mannered as Pepi, he's welcome in our home just the same.

Pedro says "Hola y'all!"

Yesterday they were both busy scouring the newspaper ads for the best Black Friday sales.

Pepi and Pedro enjoyed "Go-Go Juice" Hour before heading out to get a place in line.

  We decided to hit up Target at 9:00 p.m.  Pepi's been before, so he knew what to expect, but Pedro had no clue!  Pepi told Pedro..."Just be glad we're not going to Walmart."

Pepi and Pedro playing on the Target red ball!

Pepi and Pedro playing on the Target barricade..."We're saving a spot in line for Miss Janice!"

Pepi is very happy with the cute loot we found!

Join Pepi, Pedro, and myself as we get the Christmas season started!!!   

Getting Ready for the New Year!

Whew! I'm exhausted y'all! Looking for a quiet spot on the beach to relax and think with some peace and quiet:) This is what I need...
Pepi is down for his long winter's nap...bless his little heart! He's been so busy:)
My thank-you notes have been sent for all the Christmas gifts I received...You can read here and also here about my thank-you note etiquette tips.
As I've said every New Year's, I'm NOT a fan of New Year's Eve parties. I am always exhausted by this point and just want to stay home and watch the revelry from Times Square...wearing my PJ's and sipping some champagne.
However, I've been known to give these cute little "New Year's Eve" gifts to friends...
This is my go-to "New Year's" gift...the Southern must-eat on New Year's Day black eyed peas, wrapped in cello, tied with my signature gingham ribbon, with a party horn attached!
This year I'll be tweeting my "2012 Good Intentions List" on New Year's Eve over at Twitter...check it out. No goals, no resolutions...just "Good Intentions!"

Happy New Year to all y'all and I'll be back soon!