I clipped this picture from Ballard Designs because I loved something in it. It's not the window treatments or the table~it's what is on the table. The cotton stems! Since we moved to Texas, I have been a bit obsessed with cotton. I had never seen a cotton field in person before and it's kind of fascinating to me to see the fields of white in the fall. I guess it would be like someone moving to Montana and never seeing a field of wheat before.Speaking of Montana, my mom is here visiting from there and we went cotton picking in a vacant field that is for sale. Are we crazy?

Yes, but it was fun and look how pretty it looks in a big apothecary jar in our bedroom...
and you can't beat free. :) She's taking some home for a memory of her time in Texas too. I think it would be perfect in a bathroom too. What we won't do for some great jar fillers...

I love filling out a brand new, clean calendar for the new year. It's like a clean slate, full of possibilities of activities, vacations, appointments, and family time. I always wonder what will fill the pages and what I will see the next January when I review it. Isn't it amazing what can happen in one year??

Here's a little hint though: it can save you a lot of money. How?

Here's how I do mine:

First, I go through with a red sharpie and put all of our family/extended family birthdays with a star, so they stand out. Family first, right??

Then, I go through with my previous year calendar and mark important sales. Whenever there is a fantastic sale I find, I mark it on my calendar with a cloud and stars around it, so I can be sure to be on the lookout the next year. This saves us so much money because we can budget for the sales and never have to pay full price for things like clothing and toys.

For example, Old Navy has their additional 50% off the clearance usually twice a year. Their prices at this sale cannot be beat and are sometimes even better than yard sales. This is also when I get some cute baby outfits for showers and gifts throughout the year. So, this next week I will be watching for it and try to make it the first day for the best selection and before word gets out. Since it usually happens in July and January, and we have most of our clothing budget for the year in these months.
I also watch for Target's huge toy clearance, which also happens in July and January, where they go 75-90% off. It's a great time to stock up the gift closet for friends' birthdays. And don't forget about the Amazon toy clearance in December.

our little Landon...

Merry Christmas to you all!

Baby update: No baby yet!! Still holding tight, went into false labor on Sunday night (*sigh*....and this is my fifth baby??) I will be induced on Monday if this little guy doesn't make an appearance this weekend. I am so ready. I'm really tired, uncomfortable, and haven't felt like doing anything, except eating, saying "ouch", "can you pick this up for me," sitting and more eating. And that's exactly what I've been doing. I just can't wait to hold him and not be pregnant anymore. Dilated to 4, 70% effaced.

A thousand blessings to each of you for your kindness, support, and love sent my way. I have so much to be grateful for. We all do.

Look what two bags of $1.88 moss from Walmart's floral section can do for a little natural holiday greenery:

a foam tree~I covered two for one on each side of my piano, and of course added my obsession of the season: gold stars.

I missed out on a lot of blog parties yesterday. I had good intentions to join, but the day just got away from me, and I was just too tired. This pregnancy thing is getting a bit old. So I'm joining late. But I have to tell you, I loved all your name suggestions and have been going through them with my husband. Y'all should write a name book! Thank you so much~I have a few I love, and will let you know the final decision when he makes his appearance!

So, here are some more Christmas touches around my house. For those of you visiting the first time, there are lots more Christmas posts, just go to my December posts.

Be sure to check out some great Christmas ideas, tips, and decor at these blog parties:

Hooked on Houses tour

Here is another recipe I love. If you like coconut, almonds, and rice chex, you'll be in heaven. It's chewy and gooey and very addicting, plus super easy to make~microwave! I got the recipe from my friend, Ginger in Idaho.

Chewy Almond Chex MixIn large bowl, put

12-15 oz Rice Chex
2 cups shredded coconut
2 cups sliced almonds