12 in 12

So this year instead listing 20 resolutions I will NEVER accomplish, I decided to go a different route. This year I am going to work on completing 12 goals in 12 months! Why did I choose this method instead? Well, let me explain my warped logic! Ha! A person can start to develop a habit and stick to it after performing said habit for a month to 6 weeks. All of the goals are areas in my life that need improvement....so I figure if I take a month to "learn" a positive habit, I will hopefully continue it after the month is over. Make sense?? Now these are MY personal goals, but I will strive to have my family join me on certain months!!

I would love to list all 12 goals for ya, but guess what? I CAN'T!! I only have a few ideas ready...I need to pray about what areas in my life need improvement and positive change. I do however, have January's goal ready!!! Ta-da......

*JANUARY: WRITE A NOTE OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO SOMEONE EVERY SINGLE DAY*
{a different person every day, whether it be through a phone call, text message, email, snail mail, FB or in person}

Now to incorporate my family on this I would like to get the kiddos to draw pictures to send to certain family members that we don't get to see a lot...like my wonderful Aunt Jessie!! I would love to teach them to pass on love and encouraging words to others...it could make such a difference in just one person's life.

{a few other goals I will tackle throughout the next year: abstain from drinking "real" sodas, staying off the computer until the kids go to bed, no sugary treats....and more to come.}

I am going to do my absolute best to stick to each goal, and I am going to be honest when I fail. :) If you would like to make an effort with me each month just let me know, and we can encourage each other!!

Happy New Year!!

I hope all the WONDERFUL PEOPLE that read my blog {all 5 of you! Ha!} have an incredible New Years Eve and an AWESOME year to come!!

Love and Blessings,
Ashley

{BTW...tomorrow or Sunday I will be listing a "sort-of-resolutions" list!! It should be interesting!!}

Merry Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas family and friends.

Happy Birthday Jesus
I'm so glad it's Christmas
All the tinsel and lights
And the presents are nice.
But the real gift is you.

Happy Birthday Jesus
I'm so glad it's Christmas
All the carols and bells
Make the holiday swell
And it's all about you.
Happy Birthday Jesus, Jesus I Love You.

Love and best wishes for the new year,
The Tremaine Family

Christmas Memories

Each memory is so special, and each one I never want to forget:

*Every Christmas Eve as a kid, my brother and I would spend the night together in my room upstairs. It would take forever for us to fall asleep, wondering what wonderful surprises would await us in just a few short hours. We would often sit right at my door and listen for Santa. And if by chance I would wake in the night to use the bathroom I would ALWAYS sneak halfway down the stairs for a peak! Unfortunately I could rarely distinguish what was laid out on display from the jolly man himself....but I tried...I would let my eyes adjust to the darkness and try desperately to make out just a glimmer of an image. It NEVER worked! Santa was very smart, he always unplugged the Christmas tree lights as to not give away the bounty below it! I would return to bed and eventually fall back asleep, dreaming of Christmas morning and all the joy that it would bring.

*Every Christmas morning we go to my Grandma's for a hearty breakfast...some of us in our pajamas and some in our sweats. Our family would gather together at the table and partake of yummy sausage casserole, bacon and biscuits!! After gorging ourselves in the yumminess we would head to the den to open presents!!

*Each Christmas since Aidan was 4 we have read the story of Jesus' birth on Christmas Eve. We want our children to know the REAL reason for this blessed celebration. And although they may not yet get "it" we will continue to do our best to teach them the importance of keeping CHRIST in Christmas.

I was so blessed to be able to experience Christmas with my immediate and extended family as a child, and I want that for my kiddos as well. I pray our children will one day be able to recall such wonderful memories and traditions from their childhood.

Favorite Christmas Songs

I was just running around my house doing chores and listening to beautiful Christmas music. I started to wonder what my top favorites really are!!! So, in a particular order {ha!}:

#1: I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas
#2: I'll Be Home For Christmas
#3: Baby It's Cold Outside
#4: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
#5: Grown Up Christmas List
#6: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

{and for good measure #7: 12 Days of Christmas BY Straight No Chaser...not a classic, but still it is fuuunny as heck!!}

And I don't love just any version of these songs! Some versions are terrible and some are so classic that no one should ever attempt to recreate the greatness that has already been done...for example...NO ONE will ever top BING CROSBY singing White Christmas!! And as I've been listening to the Christmas channel on TV, I've come to love Al Hirt and Ann Margret's version of Baby It's Cold Outside. Some other classic singers of Christmas music...Andy Williams, Perry Como, The Carpenters, Elvis...some not so classic, but wonderful as well...Amy Grant, Jessica Simpson, Mariah Carey, Harry Connick Jr., Carrie Underwood and so many others!!

Music alone can stir up feelings of such happiness this time of year...and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! What are your favorites?

Berry Centerpiece

So here is my beautiful berry centerpiece!! It was so easy to assemble and it makes such a statement on our dining room table. I've gotten lots of sweet comments on it too...okay mostly from my mom, but still!! Hahaha!!

First gather your supplies:
a box of small ornaments
a box of large ornaments
tinsel in coordinating colors to your ornaments
fake snow
berry picks
mason jars
ribbon
{all the above can be purchased at Hobby Lobby}
tray/window

Take your mason jars and just start stuffin'!! Big ornament, small ornament, dust snow, and throw in some tinsel...super duper easy!!

There ya have it...super easy!! Here are some more pics before I put the ribbon on:

I used different textures and tied different bows for each jar...to give each their own special look.

This was one of my first purchases at an antique store...$5..not bad I think!!

Now place your jars in a pattern and sit back and enjoy your beauties!!

Hope you have enjoyed the easy tutorial!! This centerpiece is so beautiful and I love getting to look at it every day!!

Candlestick Wreath

NO!! I'm not gonna set my wreath on fire with a candle!! I know the title sounds a little scary, but really it is just a simple way to display a wreath...cause there are only so many doors in one house...and let's be honest, no one wants to see a wreath on my closet door!! Ha! Anywho, I have seen wrought iron wreath holders and other wonderful ideas {@Shanty2Chic.blogspot.com} to display wreaths and other things. But being on a financial and time budget, I must use what I ALREADY have! So here is a simple and quick way to display your lovely wreaths. {And yes, I am a wreathaholic...I have 7 wreaths hanging in my house!} First gather your supplies....I have 3 tall {2ft.} candle holders and I used one for this project. Grab your wreath and for me I have this TOO cute sign to add! You could also add ribbon to fancy it up a little. I chose to keep it plain, because of who the sign is "technically" from!! So here we go.

Fluff your wreath...no one likes a flat wreath!! Once fluffed place the wreath atop the candle stick. Now let me say the back of my wreath has wire which greatly helps it to sit on top and actually stay in place.

My momma got me this sign...ISN'T IT THE CUTEST? It is one of my favorite decorations. I think Aidan finds it pretty funny too!!

Place the sign {or ribbon or whatever you want to add} on top of the wreath and secure it. For some reason I am obsessed with all my signs on my wreaths being a little crooked...so no need to tell me that it is slightly off center!! Ha!

And there ya have it!! Place it somewhere it can be ooed and ahhhed over....on your counter, above you fridge, above your kitchen cabinets, on your entertainment center, on your bathroom counter, in your entry way table!! This whole project was suuuuuper cheap...I paid $2 for the candle stick months ago at Hobby Lobby's 90% off sale, the wreath I've had for years but it probably cost $3, and the sign was free. I hope you have enjoyed this super easy tutorial and can use it in your house!!