1/7/14

Top posts of 2013 and our wild and crazy New Years Eve..

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Oh baby it's cold outside!  A windchill of minus 45 is truly downright scary. Who knew about the polar vortex and now that I do, I wish it would stay in the North Pole where it belongs.
I thought I would share a few of my most popular posts of 2013.
Hands down, the cabinet re-do won by a landslide.
I think I have had close to 10,000 views which is an amazing amount for my little blog.
You can see more of that here.


Patio decorating on a budget came in 2nd.  It is so hard to believe it can ever look like this again.  I look out at the piles of snow and the wind that is wickedly blowing, and I have a hard time picturing it.
See more of it here.

Another popular post was all about Alma, Wisconsin and our neck of the woods.
I was a little surprised about the amount of folks reading this one.  Maybe I should do more of this kind in 2014.
See it here.

A recent one, my Christmas Mantle.
I have it all taken down now, but it's sitting there looking all naked and blank while I try to find some inspiration for 2014.
See more here.


Flower arranging for beginners was also popular.  Another surprise.
You can see more of that here.

I had a bumper crop of lilacs this past year. I actually really enjoyed this post too.
Cold winters seem to have one benefit.
See more here.

My husband Dan and I had a great New Years Eve and day!


We partied with the likes of Dora, Bob and a very special little girl.

 The Mall of America is just a hop, skip and jump from us!
It seems we have come to the age of being the designated babysitters on New Years eve.
And that suits us just fine!
Because I have never seen a little girl more excited than this one about meeting up with some of her favorite characters.

OH my goodness, she just squealed with delight!

And grandma and grandpa enjoyed it just as much as she did.

We went on a lot of fun rides with her.

I feel a little big for the Blues Clues ride but she loved having me along!
And there were so many to try out.
There was also a New Years eve party for families.
A trip to Lego-land.

 More fun rides, this was her favorite.
Just look at her smile!


Dinner at the Rain Forest Cafe and then we went back to our room and crashed.
The next morning we got up ,went back and spent a few more hours there before heading home.
With one very happy 3 year old and two very tired grand-parents in tow.
Thanks for stopping by to visit me.
I love hearing from you.
Cindy



12/24/13

Christmas Scenes 2013

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Merry Christmas and a ho, ho, ho.
Sharing a few Christmas scenes from our home to yours.

Three year old Addison was very happy to sit on Santa's lap this year.
She tells us she wants a dancing doll for Christmas.
We don't know where she got that idea, but she is adamant about it.



Callie  is 2 and spending her Christmas in a much warmer climate.
My son and his wife are unable to get home this Christmas.
I am missing them a whole lot.



Some scenes from around Applestone Cottage.
It's a little shabby, but it's cozy and warm.
Especially when we have a fire all lit in the fireplace.














And it truly looked like this the other day.  It felt like I was inside a giant snow globe.  The snowflakes were huge. 
It has snowed here every single day this past week.  It is really beautiful!
However after Christmas I wouldn't mind a break from it.
The roads have been rather treacherous.
Wishing all of my friends here a joyous and happy holiday season.