Yet another wreath..

This actually doesn't look anything like it is supposed to. But most of you don't know that.

This was a test run for Craft Night. That's right, I am part of a craft night. Possibly the co-creator of it. But I have a great group of girls that all love to get together and make fun things. At least I hope they love it, they could all be humoring me.. which is sweet, but nevertheless we have gotten quite a bit done over the last few years.

To be quite honest I'm not sure how it began. But it picked up and we started getting some regulars, and most of the time we get a few newbies. Sometimes it's just not their bag...

I believe our very first official craft night was in October 2008. We did the most darling little pumpkin lanterns. They were glass votives

with oil painted inside and a jack-o-lantern face etched on the outside. Super duper cute. Halloween for some reason is the easiest holiday to come up with crafts for. I'm not sure why. But lately, Martha Stewart glitter has become a staple with our Halloween Craft, it is also known as the "herpes of the craft world."

It is certainly the most fine, and beautiful of all glitters, but it gets EVERYWHERE.

I've lost most of my crafts in the flood, but looking back at these pictures reminds me of what we've done and helps give me more ideas of what to do next. Plus I can make these over again... ugh.

Sometimes my craft nights spill over into my family. My mother-in-law was in town and she came with me over to my aunts where my cousins were gathered, and we all made the papier mache eggs.

Those are REALLY involved.. with the blowing out of the eggs, the intricate cutting of the delicate tissue paper, and the stickiness of the modge-podge-glue concoction they are held together with. One of the best treats from these activities is to see what everyone comes up with. Each person has their own style and preference and with one craft- can come so many different results.

Sometimes, Craft Night is help at other people's homes, and they come up with the idea. That is always fun, and sometimes a challenge... I enjoy planning them because I have a head start and I can make sure I actually know how to do the craft. Keisha through me for a loop with those eggs. But it is so fun to participate with everyone else, instead of being the instructor. However, I am a lot like my mom where I mostly enjoy watching everyone have a good time in a setting I provided.

Our most recent Craft Night was for Christmas, and every did an EXCELLENT job with their snowflakes. I still have hundreds of paper bags if you would like to make more..

Christmas was really fun because we had lots of snacks, Christmas music and new friends. I love these nights and I want to thank my good friends and family that attend them. It is so much fun not only to make something together, but to just get together.

Anyone wanting to participate in these is welcome. It is a pressure-free atmosphere where you can create what you want however you want.

Thanks girlies, for everything.

California Dreamin'.

My husband is in California right now. It is 18 degrees here, midday, and I would possibly give my right arm to be in California. Granted, he is there for business, but nothing makes work better than warm weather and ocean air. I love to travel, but more so, plan travel and then anticipate it. Having something to look forward to give me strength each day to do my best and press on.

Because I understand there is a sweet reward at the end.

Right now, my 2011 is very open. Besides a trip to Houston, I have NO plans. That is like living with that vacant, empty hunger in your stomach, day in and day out. So I am going to make plans. I love adding people to my plans. So I have made a list of things I want to do with people. If you are interested in these plans, contact me- we'll make it a reality.

1. Disneyland with Kim and Nate Shaffer. I think it would be really fun to take our kids to the Magical Kingdom. I would suggest going in early spring, or around Halloween.

2. Visit Northern California with Amy and Allen Gardner. This trip is something I would like to do, but would need help with the details.

3. Alaska with my Auntie Jill and Uncle Lindsay, and anyone else in the family that would like to join. I know we have been talking about it, but it could happen. A Christensen Alaskan Cruise. Yes.

4. Vegas (with virtually anyone..I love vegas) but Laura and I would love a good Durham Cousin trip to Vegas so we could see a show and eat at Serendipity III.

5. New York with Lyndsey and Tyson. This may be a few years ahead- cause I'd like to do it without children... and it may take us a few years to find sitters.

6. Belize with my husband. Cause he owes me.

7. London with my mom and dad. Going to England with these two is like setting the cruise control and being comfortable that you will get everywhere you want to go.

8. CRUISE, with Keisha, Sara and Nat. It has to be done.

9. Many, many National Parks with Jen and Key. Preferably the Sequoia's and Grand Canyon.

10. Hawai'i, because Jack has never been. So we'll go visit Deb and her family, and maybe ride Bucket.

How boring was this post? So boring. But this is a list FOR ME. And if I send it out into virtual cyber space, I'm somewhat bound to sticking to it...

So we'll see. Where does anyone else want to go? Better yet, who wants me to come?