Merry happy!

Hello friends!!

Just a quick note to say that I hope you all had a fabulous holiday.

I'll never get tired of this sight.

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

we need a little christmas! right this very moment!

In Living Color Christmas Card

Make a statement with Shutterfly Christmas photo cards.

View the entire collection of cards.

Coming soon to a mailbox near you!! If I don't have your address, send it on over to torybsmithatgmaildotcom! Merry Christmas from the Smiths!

look what i made! holiday wreath

When I first saw this article on Design *Sponge, I couldn't wait to give it a try!  It was really easy and I'm really happy with how it turned out.  The wreath is the holiday welcoming symbol and what fun it was to make my own this year!

The instructions call for use of paper bags, but I didn't have enough, so I just used brown masking paper.  Additionally, I happened to already have gold spray paint on hand, so instead of silver, I went with that.  Hooray for being a gold digger (literally) for Halloween last year!  Also, my leaves are a bit larger than the original, but I think it looks great both ways.

Check out some other versions... Meet Me in Philadelphia, First Home Makeover (with feathers!). Design Scouting and go figure, Martha (although, hers was a fall wreath)!!

the most wonderful time of the year.

There are several moments every year that I long for:

the first cold morning of the year

&

the first Christmas song on the radio

The first breath of crisp, cold air is refreshing.  It marks the beginning of a season known for family laughter, over-eating and warming your hands with a hot beverage.  It means cozy sweaters, soft scarves and stylish boots.  It means that it is time to bring out the fuzzy socks and the Snuggy.

Last week, Josh asked if I wanted the new Glee Christmas album.  But alas, it was too early.  Although, today on my commute home, in a moment of solitude, I turned on KEZ to their Christmas music and savored a moment with Hark! The Herald Angel Sings.

Christmas music and its recognizable melodies and lyrics about peace and hope make me SO HAPPY!!!  It is delightful caffeine for my soul.  Just like the first cold morning, Christmas music signals the beginning of fires in fire places, hugs from grandparents and decking the halls!

I love this time of year!

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.  ~Norman Vincent Peale