deck the halls

I made my frist wreath. I am proud of it. Please do not ask if I made the bow. The answer is no. I paid a precious little old lady in Michael's Craft store to do it for me. $8.00. What a steal. But I picked out the ribbon and ornaments, so it is my creation, if you ask me. Here is a picture of our tree. This bow was made by my co-woker/friend, Vassie. I should get her to teach me how to make them. Last year we had about 5 strands of Chrstmas lights. This year: one. Sorry, Melita, you would not approve. Trey decided we should go "green". Whatever. I think it is still pretty, sans 4 strands.
Laura, I should beat you for purchashing the following ornament for my dear husband. I realize you thought it to be funny, however, my husband took it very seriously, placing it front and center of our Christmas tree. A hunter married a woman who has a Christmas theme and wraps each present accordingly. Interesting life we live. How ugly is this ornament? Thanks, LT. Your time is coming.
In other, not so Christmasy news, my parents gave us a piece of furniture a couple of months ago to refinish. We finally got around to working on it this weekend. Our kitchen is rather large for a small, older home, but it is the most inefficent room ever built. Very little cabinet space and two outlets!! Anyway, we thought this piece of furniture would go great in the middle of the kitchen to serve as an island with extra storage underneath. It was originally from a very old department store in Starkville that went out of business in the '80s. I don't know how my parents ended up with it, but regardless it has been taking up space in my parent's attic for the better part of 2 decades. It was in desperate need of repair. Lucky for me, I love HGTV. We stained the wood and tiled the top. It worked out prefectly! I put serving pieces and platters on the shelves, so now I actually have room for food in the pantry. We are really living the high life now. Thanks, mama and daddy for the cabinet/shelf thing! I do not have a picture of the before, sorry, let's just say it looks better now. (no, it does not match our kitchen at all!! Who cares?! not me! I don't like the kitchen anyway! plus, I have storage!)
To thank my husband for tiling the cabinet (there was measuring involved, I dont' do numbers), I made him cookies.

Problem: 1/2 cup of flour in my less-cluttered pantry. The recipe calls for 2 3/4 cups. I didn't think it was that big of a deal. Afterall, my mom "improvises" when she cooks and her food is always fabulous. I decided to not worry about it and keep cooking. Well, the cookies didn't so much turn out as I had planned. When I handed Trey his so-called cookie, he asked for a spoon. Needless to say, I threw the remainder of the goo in the garbage.

Last, but certaintly not least, HENRY THOMAS IS ONE! He had his first birthday Saturday! His little party is on the 8th, so pictures to come, for sure. I can't believe it has been a year. I am so much in love with this little man. He brightens all of our lives! I love being an aunt to this precious little boy. I LOVE HENRY!
Check out Laura's blog for a precious slideshow of our adorable nephew. (Yes, we are 2 very obsessive, annoying aunts.)