Christmas Survey (just for fun).

About the TREE....

1.When do you put up the Christmas tree? I put mine up the week-end following Thanksgiving.

2. Real or fake? A fake one. I love how there are no pine needles falling everywhere!

3. Lights? What color? Our lights are clear. They look better with my victorian ornaments then colored lights would.

4. Garland? none

5. Theme or no theme? A beautiful angel.

6. What kind of topper? see above

7. What's your favorite ornament? I don't have one.

8. What does your tree skirt look like? it's burgendy

9. Where do you put your tree? In a corner of our family room by the TV.

10. Who decorates the tree? Me

11.What's "under" the tree? Nothing. My other half and I will be in MS this Christmas.

12. Do you put candy canes on your tree? No

About the FOODS....

1. What's your favorite Christmas cookie? Chocolate chip cookies.

2. Do you bake cookies and give them away?I baked several cookies for neighbors and friends. I also baked several cookies for the Christmas party at church.

3. Any "special" foods or candy that you only have at Christmas time? Does pumpkin spice coffee creamer count? I wish they carried it in the stores year round.

4. What do you eat Christmas EVE? I usually go to church.

5. What do you eat on Christmas day? I prefer having turkey and stuffing. Monkey Bread for

6. Do you like Eggnog?? no

7. Do you like candy canes? not really

About the HOME

1. Where do you hang your stockings? I don't have a fireplace, so I guess the bookcase. I didn't give this much thought since we'll be out of town for Christmas.

2. Do you put lights on your house? No, but in the future I want to get icicle lights

3. Got any outside lawn decorations? No, but in the future I would like to buy the light up reindeer.

4. Do you put up a nativity (creche)? No, although I would love to purchase one. I used to have a precious moments nativity scene before moving cross-country. Maybe I'll get lucky and find another Precious Moments nativity scene again.

5. Do you hang mistletoe over the door? No

6. Got a wreath on your front door? It's a cute snowman wreath

7. How long does it take you to decorate? This year it was less then 2 hours.


About the movies/shows

1 . Favorite Children's Xmas TV show/cartoon? Merry Christmas Charlie Brown

2. Favorite classic movie? Does Meet Me in St. Louis count?

3. Favorite Christmas movie?? Prancer

4. Have you ever seen the Nutcracker Suite Ballet live? Yes, I remember going with my mother each year as a little girl. It was a fun tradition for us!

5. Ever been to the Radio City Music Hall Christmas show? No, but someday it would be nice to go

6. Ever gone to the movies on Christmas Day? No

Other Christmas things....

1. Favorite Christmas book or story? The story of Christ's birth.

2. Do you stuff your stockings with any types of food? chocolates

3. Do you go to church on Christmas or Christmas Eve? Yes

4. Have you ever gone Caroling? Yes,when I was in Girl Scouts. Those were the days! !

5. Favorite Christmas Carol? What Child is This. I also like the more contemporary Christmas songs. Mary Did You Know? by Michael W. Smith is another favorite.

6. Do you believe in Santa? No, but I believe in the spirit of Santa Claus.

7. Do you leave Santa cookies? No, but I also don't have children yet.

8. What about Rudolph? No.

9. What was your best Christmas gift? Christmas during first grade is the most memorable Christmas for me. I got everything on my wish list, including: a glass unicorn, a stuffed Miss Piggy, and a radio flyer wagon. I always wanted new dolls for Christmas as well. My eyes light up,when I received 2 beautiful porcelain dolls for Christmas in 2nd grade. I also loved receiving my Precious Moments doll the following year. My American Girl and Anne of Green Gables dolls are other favorites.

10. What was the worst/most odd gift? My grandma gave me a make-up set my senior year of high-school. The colors were not flattering! I still have no clue why I would wear green lipstick (unless of course for Halloween).

11. Do you go to a "work" Christmas party? I'm unemployed at the moment, so the answer would be no.

12. Do you hate going? read above

13. Do you send Christmas cards? Yes, along with a letter

14. Do you make a "list"? Yes

5. Do you check it twice? Yes

16.When do you start shopping? The day after Christmas. I get the best deals if I purchase gifts early.

17.Do you shop on Black Friday? I try not to. The past couple of years I went to Jcpenny, but I doubt I'll go next year.

READY FOR CHRISTMAS? After I finish packing, I'll be all set.

Noteworthy Home-Based Businesses

If you look to the right hand side of my blog, you will see a section called noteworthy home-based busineses. These home-based businesses were created by mompreneurs. Both of these businesses carry beautiful products!

Teaching Good Things caters to those interested in perfecting the art of homemaking.The products include informative DVDs and e-books. The topics include: quilting, bread making, and hospitality. Teaching Good Things also offers gift baskets for the crocheter and cake decorating enthusiasts.

Generation Cedar offers an array of beautiful skincare products, ideal for gift giving or pampering yourself. Generation Cedar also offers helpful e-books regarding the fundamentals of homemaking. This mompreneur has created helpful guides for: home-cooked meals, financial freedom,creating homemade gifts,and childcare.

Feel free to browse through their lovely boutiques.

Created With Love!

When asked what my hobbies and interests are, I generally reply, "Suzy homemaker activities." I created this quilt for a new mommy. Here is a picture of the counted cross-stich quilt. Hopefully soon I can create some homemade goodies for my cousin's daughter Johanna.

The Big 28

I officially turned 28 years old today! I don't feel old, yet my 13 year old step-sister enjoys reminding me that I am. I was 13 years old in 1994. My sister thinks I am ancient, because it was before Internet and cell phones were the big craze! Most of my favorite rock artists from my teen years are foreign to her. I own pictures of myself in neon colored clothing with big bangs.I enjoy listening to artists such as Richard Marx, because it brings back fond memories of my younger years. Am I old yet? Well I'll let you decide that one.

I experienced a pleasant surprise today. I stop at a local cafe located on my college campus every Friday. The cafe offers students a microwave to heat up lunches from home. I usually heat up some soup and buy a coffee. The cafe owner enjoys having me as a customer because I always clean up my messes. Today after I purchased my coffee the owner told me to have a nice day. I stated that I will because I have fun plans for my birthday. The cafe owner stated that if it was my birthday, then the coffee was on the house. This just goes to show that you reap what you sow. A simple act of kindness will generate receiving unexpected acts of generosity.
I also received an early birthday celebration from my mother and step-father. I enjoyed dining at a trendy restaurant and donut shop in downtown Portland. My mother brought me gifts. The gifts were unexpected, considering she bought me a plane ticket to visit my childhood home and close friends.

My husband took me shopping at Ross and Burlington Coat Factory. I was able to purchase: 2 blouses, a skirt, earrings, and some bake ware. My husband also treated me to a fancy restaurant. The restaurant's atmosphere created a romantic evening. We were seated beside a fire with piano music in the background. I was surrounded by beautiful contemporary art pieces, and enjoyed a delicious meal.

I also received a $50.00 Amazon gift card from a generous relative. I ordered some books I've been wanting to read, along with soap making supplies. Speaking of soap making, anyone who wants handmade soap let me know. I'm offering to make soap for you.

That was my birthday in a nutshell. I am looking forward to seeing what pleasant surprises this new year brings for me!

More of this Year's Favorite Pictures!

Skeeter, my adorable little lap dog! She's full-grown if you can believe that!

My sister Brianna with her boyfriend.

My husband looking classy in his suite!

My adopted niece and nephews at the Jersey shore!

Jesse and I strolling along the Oregon coast.

Jesse and I, August 2008.

My best-friend being goofy!

Me with the Ellis clan, honoring the passing of the queen!

Favorite Photos from this Past Year

Some favorite photos of Jesse, our friends, and God's country. I also included some pictures from holiday festivities!

I enjoyed waking up to the picturesque scenary found in the rural northeast. I also wanted to include a picture of a strong friendship established in 1992.