Christmas time is the time...

for family, family, family! We are so excited to be home for Christmas and feel even more blessed to be home for the month of January too. It is a much needed family-time-marathon!

Christmas morning brought many blessings, a few surprises, and some really special gifts! First off, hubby and I feel so blessed to be able to spend Christmas Day with both of our families. We squeeze everyone in to one FULL day and haven't had to change either of our family's traditions.

Good morning Christmas! { at home with my family }

{ I love this picture! } All morning Dallas had determined that he "knew" every present...this one he didn't!

lovely love!

Christmas mid-morning at hubby's parents

Hubby and his dad

lunch at the c grands

time together!

Christmas dinner...YUM!

When hubby heard the Christmas dinner menu he was determined that it needed to include my grandmother's cheese potatoes...so he made them! { too sweet! }

Dad carving the turkey and hubby playing with fire over the sweet potato creme brulee

Mom's beautiful table setting

One of our favorite traditions is the Christmas boxes that Mom made many years ago. They are at our placesetting and filled with a sweet gift. This year mine was this bracelet...

a wonderful meal together in celebration of a very special day!

o come all ye faithful!

hello faithful readers! I am so sorry to have disappeared for over a week! I hope that everyone had a blessed Christmas with those you love! We landed in Texas {with 2 yorkie boys} last week after a delayed flight and I found myself cripled with a migrane for several days. We had a wonderful Christmas with our families and have been enjoying all the munchies and laughs! I hope to pop back in soon and at least share some pictures! Until then...may you all have the loveliest new year too!

recover, repair, repaint, redecorate...

{ Recover... } Do you remember last month when hubby and I recovered this antique buffet table off the side of the road? {If not, see here... the recovering was a story in its self!} Well...the damage of the hail, rain, and snow left the buffet needing to be completely re-done. We didn't care for the finish on it anyway...so this wasn't a surprise. Well... my precious husband insisted on repairing, repainting, and completely re-doing the buffet table this weekend for me! He spent all weekend making sure it was just perfect and just the way I wanted it...I just love him! Take a look at the transformation! ...

{ Repair... } He completely sanded down all of the old finish to reveal the bare bones and the different woods it is made of.

{ Repaint... } He then primed the whole piece...this step is important too to make an even surface for the paint to adhere to...especially since the woods are different and soak up the paint differently.
{ Re-color? } ...this is where hubby's patience came in as he wanted to make sure that he only had to paint the table once! We tossed around white...not a good color for us and our moves, red would be too much with all the red accents I use...black it was...as originally thought!
{ Redone... } We both are so impressed by how well this "thrown-away" piece now looks lovable and wanted! It turned out wonderfully! Hubby did a fabulous job and gave me such a special early Christmas present!
{ Redecorate... } It looks so good in our apartment! It goes great in the entryway along the striped wall. I now too have the perfect spot for the twin vintage lamps that have always had to "live" on separate tables! If only I was patient enough for it to "cure"! As soon as hubby determines it is "cured" and dry I will upload a pic of it fully decorated in its new home! How sweet of a husband do I have to spend his entire weekend on a special something for me!!!

new fallen snow...

"Blizzard-like conditions"...they weren't kidding!
We got at least 3 inches of snow TODAY!
This is our biggest snow hit this season {thus far}
{ All of these pictures were taken from inside...this Southern gal was not about to head outside...even for pictures. }

Stanley was so curious about the snow falling...he decided to head over and check it out for himself...this is his favorite spot on the couch!

lovely made...

may another set of newlyweds enjoy their wedding invitation on my signature plates!

little elf...

Oh Stanley! Not sure if he thought he was helping or not! I was working on some Christmas gifts and wondered why he wasn't whining at my feet to be held ... he was busy of course unraveling a ball of trim!

vintage christmas...

I just love this wreath. I enjoy bringing it out every year! Mom made it our first Thanksgiving married so it has hung in our home every Christmas!

I love sitting and staring at it... it has some of the sweetest ornaments! Here is Santa in his vintage sleigh...and away they flew!
Then one of my favorites...this precious little cloches has the manger scene complete with 3 other matching cloches...one for each wise man!
This little guy has to be just about one of the most precious sweet faced reindeer I have seen...complete with a little velvet bowtie!

merry christmas...new zealand!

I sent a T&T package off to New Zealand this week. Too cool that New Zealanders know about T&T! I hope some little precious kiddos love all the board games that are coming their way...all the way from Ohio, across the ocean, a little jump from Australia, and under their tree on Christmas morning!
This got me to thinking...what is Christmas like in other countries. I remember learning about it in 4th grade, but quite a lot in my world has happened since then, that I do apologize, but I can't recall the differences... So I took a quick search on google...

New Zealand...Christmas is based liked ours, but much different than ours in weather... it coincides with summer break so "when are we headed to the beach" is also on their minds! Many of them have Christmas Dinner celebrations over BBQ as of late! Meri Kirihimete!

Then in Bethlehem where it all began...Christmas Eve is celebrated with an annual procession..."galloping horsemen and police mounted on Arabian horses lead the parade. They are followed by solitary horseman carrying a cross and sitting astride a coal-black steed." Many others follow and they solemnly end up at the church. Down winding stairs at the church can be found a silver star marking the site of the birth of Jesus.

If you'd like to find out more about how other countries celebrate Christmas check out here ...and here ... {unless of course YOU remember it still from 4th grade!}

{ image borrowed from newzealand.com }

Blueprint no more...

Martha Stewart announced today the fold of the newly designed Blueprint magazine. I really did like this magazine! I loved the layouts and design elements!!! I really enjoyed the photography, got inspiration from their use of clean color, and really liked their fonts. I wasn't crazy about the fact that it didn't seem to arrive in my mailbox consistently and was late most of the time and I wasn't very crazy about this Christmas issue...just wasn't very "holiday-ish", BUT not kidding...I really did like this mag! Their last issue will be the January/February 2008 edition. A fair end to a rough day!
Here are some of my favorites from the last issue...well...next to forever last I suppose!

{ great shot!...fab skirt! }

{ the dresses...yummy! }

{ all images borrowed from Blueprint online }

anthropologie...just lovely!...again!

Ever since the first time I stepped into Anthropologie that winter's day in New York City I was smitten! I just love this store. The clothes are beautiful...but pricey, I know. However, oddly that wasn't my favorite part. I have always been drawn to their visuals...the texture, colors, design mediums...I love their merchandising! I confess...I order their catalog for eye candy. I have not been impressed as of late...the lack of colors, "messiness", and bland feel has left me not looking forward to it arriving in the mail.UNTIL...this little beauty landed in my mail box. First off...how can you not love the front...the style, the color palette, and the precious sweater. The inside is full of color, design layering, and cute clothes! I was gaining respect again! Then when the next one popped in my mailbox I was "wowed"! I was so impressed with the front and the whole way through...I love the fresh flowers! Just lovely!They have precious coats this season...too bad I can only wear one at a time...at least my $50 gift card that I have been holding onto would make a small dent in the cost! If only I could decided on just one!
{ images borrowed from anthropologie.com }

"born in my heart..."

Some of our very dear friends recently got back from China with the newest addition to their family...Miss Avery! She is just precious and her personality is shown in all her pictures. We are so looking forward to meeting this bundle of miracles when we are home for Christmas! We feel so blessed to have been standing on the inside watching our friends go through this amazing journey for a 2nd time. The prayers, the tears, the waiting, the waiting, the waiting...now little Avery is finally home where she was meant to be all along!I came across this song by Third Day this week and soon thought of Avery's journey...and the longing of her by her sweet sweet mother...who finally on this Christmas Day she will be in the arms of!

Check out this moving and amazing video here...

jolly dish!

Its no secret...if you know the girls in my family you know that we love {...ok, we are obsessed} with dishes. My mother taught us well...I already have at least 4 full sets of dishes {including the set back home under my brother's bed}...5 if you count my china. This is FULL sets mind you. My sister loves the dessert sets...cute sets of 4 in all different flavors and patterns...we lost count on how many sets of these she has. {This makes her the perfect hostess for tea parties} My mom...well...I think I lost count because there is no telling how many she has "acquired" since we moved away.
I have simply been smitten with this set since I laid eyes on it! I would be more than happy to have a new plate for all 12 days of Christmas...it would be worth the patience to have the entire set by the end.

I was headed over to their website to look at the set again...and came across these! Oh my! They are right up my mom's alley! They are the cutest and I WANT them! Don't tell hubby...he thought one set of dishes was enough!

should be, would be...I don't wanna!

In creating this blog I wanted to give a little insight into the inter workings of running a business, not just share my love of pictures and great web finds... I have realized that I haven't yet shared that part of me... here's a glimpse! ...

On a daily basis I love my little web boutique and on a daily basis I feel drained by it. It is my creative outlet and my drain of energy. It is my passion and my exhaustion. A bundle of love!

In knew going in that it wouldn't be easy and it wouldn't be guaranteed, but I knew I didn't want to NOT give it a try. Its days like today though...when I am exhausted, drained, and stressed out that I wish it was an "optional" task in my day. I should be designing the Christmas blurb for ship times...it would be helpful to my customers. I should also be sending out updated shipping emails, following up with designers, calling and verifying shipments, and calling back my credit card host to add amex to the payment options...instead I am on the couch in my pjs with White Christmas playing while contemplating how early is too early to go to bed on a Friday night and wishing I was soaking in the tub!

I think too often a "business of your very own" looks attractive by most. It looks "cool" to be the buyer, the designer, the manager, the money, the boss! But...how often do you see and think how "cool" to be...
-the one who decides and stresses over inventory of 15 or 30 of that item? Will it be popular or a flop?
-the one who spends hour after hour working for what ends up being 2 great layouts when time was spent on 6!
-the one who wishes there was a manager to manage them in order to get more accomplished in just one day.
-the money bags!
-the one who wishes there was a boss to blame the late shipment or the backordered item on...wishing like anything you weren't the one to disappoint!

Don't read me wrong...I love my little boutique it is my "baby"...my firstborn and because I am uptight I wouldn't want anyone else doing the above! I am the first one to stand up for anyone with a dream of owning their own little "something" and helping them through, but I will also be the one to stand up first to warn of the "non-glamourous" tasks in hopes that no one goes in with designer sunglasses on and instead steps foot with all eyes bright!

I don't discourage it...no. I most definitely encourage entrepreneurial leaps! It was a leap I personally and professionally will never regret and daily look back and realize how glad I jumped even when I wasn't comfortable with leaping into the unknown. The day you realize it "will work"...thats the day you are more than exstatic to be the the buyer, the designer, the manager, the money, the boss! ...for it is then that God gives the pat on the back and you realize those sweat, tears, and lack of sleep is all for something. I better at least get working on a few things on my to-list...after my bath!

beautiful baubles!

I have forever and always adored Jen's designs! I feel so fortunate to have come across them and grow a friendship with her through our little boutiques. I offer her mommy cards and beautiful baubles at T&T...however, all good things must come to an end...even really good things! I was so sad when Jen told me she is closing her shop...meaning her designs of beautiful baubles were coming to an end.
So...as of December 20th Juniper Design & Ink will be closed. Head on over to her website and check out her beauties at sale prices! They are one of a kind...so when they are gone...they are gone! {and I am so sad that they are going to be gone!}
I know Jen can't hold up her creative juices so I am anxious to see what design medium she will be using next. This creative gal has many talents!!!

this week in pictures...

{ sunday : mirror mirror on the wall, who's the cleanest closest of all...for today anyway! }

{ monday : T&T's best christmas elf headed to the post office...for 45 minutes! }


{ tuesday : holding onto fall as winter blows in }


{ wednesday : her maiden voyage through the snow and unsalted streets }

early Christmas cheer...

in MY mailbox! I got the coolest Christmas treat today from my dear o'le friend Lauren!!! She sent me the most gorgeous vintage sterling silver brushes...complete with MY monogram and the most precious story!
Her thoughtfulness never ceases to amaze me! When she was here for her visit in the fall we went to the cutest little town...Chagrin Falls {worthy of another post one of these days}. We wandered into this little antique shop and I was in awe when we came across these sterling brushes engraved in MY monogram! Lauren and I have quite the weakness for initials...so we just thought this was the coolest thing!
I didn't get the brushes...decided it was a selfish purchase. Well...low and behold little missy dialed up Chagrin Falls once she made it back to Texas...purchased the brushes...had them shipped to her in Texas...wrapped them up nicely...and sent them back to Ohio for my Christmas present...you can only imagine the surprised look on my face when I opened them! SOOO sweet!

mail in style!

Just in time for those Christmas cards! ...I have been putting off this item until next year because I haven't had a chance to finish all the designs, but I decided to offer a few styles as "sneak peeks" just in time to send off those holiday cards in style! They also make a lovely personalized gift for someone special! These custom return labels are over at T&T now!

"warm" soup and good friends!

I had a hankering for making something new tonight and decided to try a tortilla soup recipe I came across in one of my recipe books. I got so far as starting the first step of boiling the chicken when my cell phone jingled. It was Jessica wondering if we would like to come downstairs {she's also our neighbor} and have some homemade "Why-the-Chicken-Crossed-the-Road Santa Fe" soup! Yummy! I had forgotten that she was planning to make it this weekend and told her that I had JUST started making tortilla soup...was Why-the-Chicken-Crossed-the-Road Santa Fe soup like tortilla soup? Yep...it is tortilla soup Ashley! OH! sweet...dinner sure was easy to make tonight and full of good company!!

The soup was tasty! A bit warm...I won't be adding as many peppers because I'm a wimp. Check out the recipe for yourself...I think it will be a new Crim favorite! I was so impressed...I would have tossed in a can of corn...Jessica bought ears of corn, grilled them and cut it off the cob...impressive! Be sure and note below...1 or 2 adobo peppers...NOT 1 or 2 CANS of adobo peppers...umm multiple cans make it hot!!! Thanks so much for dinner ma'am!!!
Why-the-Chicken-Crossed-the-Road Santa Fe-Tastic Tortilla Soup
Vegetable or corn oil, for drizzling, plus 2 tablespoons -- 2 turns of the pot in a slow stream
3 ears corn on the cob or 2 ears fresh-frozen cobs, defrosted
1 red bell pepper, split and seeded
1 pound chicken breast tenders
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning, 1/3 palm full
1 teaspoon cumin, 1/3 palm full
Salt and pepper
1 small to medium zucchini, small dice
1 medium yellow skinned onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 to 2 chipotle in adobo peppers (medium to hot heat level), chopped -- available in small cans in Mexican and Spanish food section of market
1 can stewed tomatoes, 28 ounces
1 can tomato sauce, 8 ounces
3 cups chicken stock, available in re-sealable paper containers on soup aisle
4 cups blue corn tortilla chips, broken up into large pieces
1 cup shredded cheddar or pepper Jack cheese
1/2 cup sour cream

Optional garnishes:
1/4 red raw onion, chopped
2 to 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro or parsley leaves
1 ripe avocado, diced and dressed with the juice of 1/2 lemon

Heat a grill pan to high and a soup pot to medium high. Drizzle oil on corn and place on grill. Add red pepper to grill with corn. Char vegetables 10 minutes, total, turning occasionally. Remove to cool, 5 minutes. Remove charred skin from the pepper.

While vegetables cook, dice chicken. Add 2 tablespoons oil to hot soup pot. Add chicken to pot. Season with poultry seasoning, cumin, salt and pepper. Lightly brown chicken on each side. Add zucchini, onions and garlic and chipotle peppers. Cook vegetables with chicken 5 to 7 minutes to soften. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce and stock. Bring soup to a bubble, reduce heat to medium low.

Scrape corn off cob and add to soup. Chop grilled red pepper and stir into soup. Add chips to soup in handfuls and fold in. Serve soup immediately with scatter of shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream. Top with any or all of the suggested garnishes.

{ Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray...introduction of recipe courtesy of Jessica C.! }

a note thats more than noteworthy!

My dear friend Miss Lauren sends me the most PRECIOUS cards {the most recent over at the right}...just because, birthday, thinking of you, thank you, and some days for no reason at all {yes...I want to be like her when I grow up!} She laughed out loud when I asked her if she made them after she sent me the first one. Yes, I knew the answer...she doesn't like to craft, however, she has impeccable taste and a dear appreciation for those who do craft!

Well...she has never shared her Etsy find with me and I was more than appreciative to receive the precious cards! Ironically...the small world that it is...the "card lady" {as Lauren always called her} outed herself...accidentally!!! She became a reader of Have a Lovely {hi chelle!}. Lauren recognized her from a comment and put together the pieces for us all! Do you know how many precious cards I have crafted and create by Chelle and sent with love from Lauren! ...take a look at the pic below of my bulletin board.
{ I didn't get permission on outing Lauren's card lady...so hurry quick...head on over to check out "the card lady's cards" for yourself before Lauren finds out and I have to edit and remove the link on this post!!! }

ETA: guilty conscience leads me to remove link...want to keep my friend!!!

happy wedding day!

{ another set of newlyweds will forever treasure their wedding invitation for years to come! }

my 1st new set of wheels!

I picked up my new car yesterday!!! I was so nervous {and excited} to drive it off the lot yesterday in the pouring rain especially after the salesman took the leisure to tell me how much a new car depreciates as you drive it off the lot ... seriously ... must you share that tidbit. My cell phone rang on the way home so many times ... for the first time I ignored it. Despite the congratulatory calls I was terrified to attempt to talk and drive! Not to worry ... I will be a better multi-tasker soon enough!

I just LOVE the new car smell!! It is smooth, quiet, roomy, and everything I didn't have to have, but hubby wanted for me. I was more than content driving my previous Honda and really was crushed when she finally died...God knew that I was a little too attached to my 1992 Honda Accord and that she wouldn't be retired until she quit running. I think I can get used to this new model though!

She barely fits in the garage...I will either have to get much better at it or hubby and I will be bonding daily getting her in and out of the garage and up the hill on the side of our apartment...gotta love vintage brownstones!
I can't think Mrs. Diller and her hubby enough for letting us borrow their car for 6 weeks! It was such a blessing to be able to have a car when hubby was away and to take our time in picking out the car that was right for us and not having to rush into such a big decision. What precious friends the Lord has blessed us with! I will miss that sable!

christmas tree oh christmas tree...

oh how I miss thy branches! With the busi-ness of life, T&T, and going home for the holidays for a month...it has been decided that we won't be putting up a Christmas tree this year. {Sniffle, sniffle} I can't tell you how much I LOVE putting up my Christmas tree...I have done it professionally, personally, and for friends for many years and can't believe this year I won't be putting ours up. So...in celebration of all the Christmas trees of years past I will be posting them randomly and a few over to the right on the side bar. Just bear with me as I decorate my blog instead of my living room with thy beautiful branches!
I did decorate the mantle and have pulled out the vintage Christmas balls. My mom sent us boxes upon boxes of vintage Christmas balls the first year we were married. Hubby began to get scared when the boxes kept coming weekly full of Christmas balls! I just love the colors!!!

I found these glittered reindeer at the Z-Gallery last year! I'm so impressed that their antlers survived storage...just my luck they would have turn to doe this year!