Baby Rob

Two posts in one day! Go me!!

I was uploading and editing pictures from Christmas and feel a great need to introduce you all to my sweet second (?) cousin--my cousin's baby boy!  Robert Ware Applegate (born 8-9-10), Rob for short.  I was looking at his sweet face from our Arnett Christmas gathering in Raleigh and just had to share him with you all!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Anna and Ryan--I will be happy to baby-sit whenever!

Anna has a ton of pictures of Sweet Rob on her blog over at An Apple a Day as well as a ton of cool and chic decorating ideas!  Head on over if you are so inclined!

 

~Lexie

New Years...

I know I am a little behind the 8 Ball when talking about New Years Resolutions Goals--what is, the 9th day of the year?  But, I needed some time to set some goals before I shared them :)

I am much more of a "goal" person versus a "resolution" person--I feel resolutions are more apt to set you up for failure, whereas goals are something you work on steadily and seem more attainable.

Goals for 2011:

1~ Run a Half Marathon--already signed up for the National Half Marathon on March 26th, and have started training (ran 5 miles today), so am on the path!

2~ Spend more time crafting--being creative is great for me and a wonderful way to relax, so I would like to do more of that in 2011.

3~ Get some more organization in the house and de-clutter!

4~ Get the bathroom all done!  The major stuff is all set, now we need to get new towels, bathmats, and art on the walls and it will be done.

5~ Spend more 1:1 time with my Hubby--do more date nights, see more movies, NOT eat in front of the TV as much.

These are my Top 5 Goals for 2011--I think they are pretty attainable...

Do you have any goals for 2011?

~Lexie

Dogs Like Christmas Too

I think some of you may not believe this, but dogs do understand the ideas of gifts and holidays.  They enjoy the excitement, the build up, the traditions, etc.  Let me show you what I mean...

That first gift you get to open--it is so exciting! 

"What is it, what is it? Can I eat it?"

Then there is the gift diving--what is in the bag?!  You MUST put your ENTIRE head inside the bag, or it doesn't count.

 Staring out the Christmas window, looking at the Christmas varmints, and guarding the Christmas tree, adorned with Christmas ribbons...that is what makes a Holiday Guard Dog

 That, and a bow around your tail.

 How many ribbons will fit around a Golden's neck...a favorite holiday game...

 

Such the holiday gift unwrapper helper--you really need to fully commit in times like these.

 I'm thinking this is frame worthy---such a Holiday Bow Poser.  She is not wanting to share the 2011 Gerczak Christmas Card.

 What did Santa bring for Holly?

 

Lots of new, soft, clean "babies" to replace the old, gross, dirty ones!

 

 It really is tough being a dog on Christmas.

 


~Lexie

Wreath

Hello and Happy New Year, everyone! I apologize for being MIA! As you know our computer died--as in the blue screen of death--so I hadn't been able to do any blogging and it was tough because I had so much great stuff to blog about! Then I thought Santa saved the day by bringing me an iPad (which is AWESOME)! But, it not 100% compatible with blogger, yet, so I was delayed again!  But then, we got our computer back from the dead!!!  The cousin of a friend, who is super handy and knowledgeable about computers, came over and wiped the slate clean and installed the Linux operating system, so hopefully no more nasty viruses and no more blue screens of death.  So...onward with the blog about my fun wreath I made for Christmas!

Anyway, I've been wanting to post a blog about how I made my Christmas wreath--a little late for Christmas, but you could adapt it for Valentines Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, or an everyday wreath!

So, here is a picture of the finished project:

 I attached it to a "fake" green wreath to give it some "oomph" and I think it ended up quite nicely.

Here's how I made it:

 I started with Styrofoam balls, yarn, some fun colored balls, a wreath form, and some balls that I had in my Christmas container (I have a plethora of Christmas balls).
I didn't take pictures of wrapping the Styrofoam balls with yarn because I needed both hands, but I just wrapped and wrapped until I was satisfied and then I stopped wrapping :)

 Then I hot glued the bejeezus out of the ornaments and yarn balls--please the note the gobs of hot glue.

 I didn't have any rhyme or reason to placing them on there--except for putting the three yarn balls together--I just added them where I though it looked like it needed one or there was gap.

Then, I noticed you could see the wire and I didn't have the right size (small/tiny) balls to fill in the holes.  So...I decided to wrap yarn around the frame in order to hide the gaps. 

As you can see here, it was haphazard and let me tell you--it was time consuming!  I have learned from this and am passing my wisdom onto you--next time I make one I am going to wrap the frame in a wide ribbon first (or yarn) and then put the yarn balls and other accoutrement on.  I think that will work nicely and be really cute.

Here is it before I put the garland and wreath behind it--cute, but needing a little something...

 Looks pretty cute, huh?  I am thinking about making one for the spring, so will let you know how it turns out!

~Lexie


Some inspiration for my wreath came from:
Tatortots and Jello
Apartment TherapyThere are so many cute DIY wreath ideas out there--I can't wait for next Christmas to try more!

Technical Difficulties

Hi everyone! Hope a wonderful Christmas was had by all! I know I hAve been rather MIA lately...there has been some major technical difficulties going on in the Gerczak household. Our computer has decided it has had enough--meaning we ace the dreaded blue screen. Yikes. So, I haven't been able to blog since the computer has been out of commission! Santa did bring me an iPad!!! So I'm able to do this post, but am still trying to figure out how to put pictures on my posts... I'm planning to schedule an appointment with the Apple gurus so I will be able to blog to my hearts content soon!

In the meantime, I'm keeping warm and out of the snow! Wishing everyone a cozy, safe, and happy holiday weekend! Hope to be up and blogging soon!

~Lexie

Get your Decorating On!

So, life has been busy and I have been doing a little decorating here and a little decorating there to get our home in the holiday mood.  I wanted to share with you what I have so far!

I'm going to start with showing you the mantle--I made the wreath!  I will post a tutorial soon.  There is a theme I have going this year, which you will notice as you peruse the rest off the pictures...

Here is a close-up of the little dog looking at the cute Christmas tree that my sweet Mom gave me to add to our holiday decorations.

Then Holly came inside to tell me that it was snowing outside. (Notice the less than thrilled look on her face.)

Next, I wanted to show you my Nativity Scene.  My aunt and uncle started it for me when I was younger and my family added to it over the years.  It is one of my favorite things to bring out every year.

On the bottom shelf are pictures from all the Christmas cards we have sent since we have been married (please excuse the frame on the right, I need to get over to Garden Ridge to get a coordinating one).

 Here is the TV cabinet and coffee table.

And finally the dining room table.

So...I am loving the Christmas Balls this year and am incorporating in my holiday decor.  I still have a lot to do, but was excited to participate in the Nester's Tour of Homes to show what I've got so far!  I think it is looking pretty festive so far!

Our Christmas tree is on the screened in porch--we got it last night...in the rain (and then it got snowed on), so I am waiting for it to dry out a tad before bringing it in and getting it all gussied up!  Will post photos when it is all decorated...hopefully it will be before the 25th!

On another note we are about 98% done with all of our shopping and wrapping...just need to get that tree up so there is somewhere to put the presents!

~Lexie