Christmasing

This weekend was the weekend we've been waiting for!

Brother Josh came in town and we sought out, cut down, and put up our very first Christmas tree. There's a nearby Christmas tree farm that offered a great variety, including some cypress that research tells us will outlast the 5 weeks 'til Christmas!

It was the perfect day on Sunday...cool and cloudy. We brought along our dear friend J to help us out. It was both my and J's first time cutting down a tree from a Christmas tree farm. So fun!
I love this picture of Josh running. It looks like we were in the middle of the mountains somewhere. We were in a suburbs, instead... :)

J and Caleb cutting down the perfect tree...

We picked out a little tree that's short and stumpy but our living room is so tiny that it fits in nicely.

J pretending to have pulled our little tree up by it's roots...which he actually probably could have done.

Me and Caleb with the tree! We did not intend to match...


After lots of this....

There was this!

Our glorious little itty bitty (and slightly crooked) tree all decked out for Christmas!

The apartment feels so cozy. We decided on a bright red and gold theme for everything, although we're looking forward to having more "odd and end" ornaments as the years go by.

Thanksgiving this week! How exciting...I love this season!

More holiday decor pics to come...

Much Love,

C

Glasses from my Great-Grandmother

This past week Caleb and I went to my grandparent's for dinner with our family and I happened to comment on a lovely set of amber glasses I spied in one of Mimi's cabinets. "They're yours'!" she said, much to my amazement. As she took them down she explained that they are a set that my great-grandmother collected from flour sacks!!



Now can you imagine opening your little bag of Gold Medal and finding one of these beauties in the bottom? I can't wait to use them. My first thought was that I would hide them away in my hope chest but I just can't help but think that life is too short and these glasses have been used for decades. They should always have a place at our table.

This weekend has been so relaxing. We've had good times with friends, some family, and it looks like the Sigler team has finally found a second car! Praise the Lord! He has provided once again!

Now for a little more resting up before another crazy week...

Much Love All,
C

My Bouquet's New Home

Pretty, yes?
I am so happy with this!

You can't see it in the picture, but I've also set a large apothocary jar next to my bouquet. It's being filled with dried petals from all of the flowers Caleb has given me. I put this in a very visible spot because it's can't hurt to be constantly reminded that it needs several more bouquets to be completely filled... :)

I got up this morning in a cleaning frenzy! Before I even woke up my husband, I had done the usual (shower, coffee, kitchen freshen up) and had also rearranged the large bookshelf in our guest room, "lifted" the entire guest room (as much stuff off of the floor as possible! We've had books just sitting around, being piled up and leaning up against things...driving me crazy!), found new little homes for all sorts of odds and ends, and then completely tackled our utility closet. I know now exactly where everything in our utility closet is...including the old box of light bulbs that fell behind the water heater and upon which I will never cast my eyes again. If I didn't have to come to work today, I'm pretty certain that the entire house would be cleaned out and reorganized.

When Caleb and I began moving our things into the apartment, we were in a real hurry and we ended up literally stuffing drawers and closets with things we didn't have time to really think through and throw out. I am determined to get to this task completed before Christmas. We'll be bringing new things into the house so we need to get rid of some old.

Still looking for that second vehicle, friends! Let me know if you come across anything! We are just trusting God will provide for this need as He has met every other.

Loving this cold weather and can't wait to see friends this weekend. It's already starting to feel like the holiday season...!

Much Love,
C

Montgomery, Alabama

Greetings from LA (Lower Alabama)!
Just a quick post to share our day with you. Caleb and I came down to see the his mama, daddy, nephew Josiah and brother Josh (who marvelously played the role of Schroeder in his high school's production of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" this weekend) and here are just a few highlights of the day.

First Mrs. Terri took me to Carol Brooks Antiques in Pratville, AL! My favorite shop down there! It is beautiful...I could have kicked myself for forgetting my camera, but luckily, I will probably be back before the holidays and will get some good pictures of their lovely stuff. This is where I purchased the bell jar I've been wanting for my bouquet! Can't wait to get it home and will post pics soon...

Here is the beautiful Jim Shore ornament from Carol Brooks that Mrs. Terri bought for our first Christmas tree!

Then we were off to the Pike Road Arts and Crafts Fair...


It was a really pretty day to be out. We didn't buy anything...but there were some pretty sights over all.

Some lovely quilts I found. I love the benches that just happened to be sitting underneath them. They say "Be Thrify" and "Be Cheerful"!










Our precious nephew Josiah looking adorable in a fire truck.





Later in the evening, we went to Josh's play and enjoyed the rest of the evening home with family. Such a fun time!

We're headed back in about an hour and looking forward to the holidays...!

Much Love,

C

Planning Ahead

I'm beginning to feel like I'm always a week or two ahead of myself these days. With the holidays coming up and all of the preparation, shopping, and festive-fying that that means, I am already scheduling our little household three weeks ahead of time. I called Caleb earlier this week and told him the exact date we need to set up our Christmas tree.

Any earlier, it will be dead before the 20th of December. Any later and it isn't going up...we are travelling, working, etc.

Isn't that crazy? I feel like a nut.

Speaking of planning ahead, I have decided that planning our weekly meals a week in advance is really the only way to for us to function and keep to our grocery budget. We both hate the thought of running to the store on the way home from work to gather up the necessities for the evening meal and I find that we spend far less money when our menu is thought out and everything purchased at once. I am a huge fan of Aldi!! There is nothing flashy, nothing shiny to catch my eye and distract me (or my wallet), and the prices are dirt cheap. The only thing we've found it cannot purchase there is coffee. We are pretty snobby about the coffee.

Anyway, while planning my meals for next week, I've found that the only option for Thursday evenings is really something cooked up in the new Crock Pot! I need some good recipes! I'd love to hear from some of you, if you have anything you'd like to share! Has anyone ever made a dessert in the Crock Pot? I've heard of this but it remains a mystery to me...

Have a lovely afternoon and check out Life at Home's Tablescape Thursday...love the Blue Spode!

Breakfast at the Siglers

This post is a little late...but I made homemade chocolate chip waffles last Saturday morning and took a picture of the feast!

My sweet brother-in-law Josh gave us a Belgian waffle maker last Christmas and we had so much fun trying it out last weekend. The maker came with a little recipe booklet and I was shocked at how easy homemade waffle batter is. I am of the opinion that anything calling for stiffened egg whites makes you feel like a real cook...

In case you haven't heard, the Siglers are now a one car family. Caleb's Buick died beyond resuscitation last week and we are presently looking, discerning, and praying for a new ride. Life is such an adventure...

In other (and better) news: Best Wishes to our precious friends Jessica and Matt on their engagement!! Like I said, life is such an adventure... :)

Much Love,
C

Down with the Sickness

The delay in blogging is due to a severe sinus infection!!
Hubby is urging me to rest when at home and last night the only productive thing I got done was finishing at entire meal of tomato soup and a grilled cheese.

Things are looking up, however! My mother gave me one of her wonderful pep talks last night, I slept well (thanks to the ever comforting and loving husband I have) and even got up early enough this morning to "bless my home" a little and shine my sink! A bit of coffee and Ricola and I'm set for the day!

Favorite thing about my job: the huge glass windows in our showroom. The leaves in Memphis are really rather spectacular this year! I'm staring at maroons, golds, deep greens and bright oranges this morning and am in awe of God's promises.

Until next time (and hopefully that is quite soon!)...
Much Love,
C