My Sugar Plum

This is my daughter's 2nd year performing in the Nutcracker for Dance Studio 84. Last year she was a solider and this year she is a Sugar Plum. She was so excited to wear purple (her favorite color) and a crown (what girl doesn't like a little bling!).

The performers are ages 7 to 18 and they do an amazing job. The above picture is of the Reeds.

My daughter is sitting in the front just beneath the Sugar Plum Fairy's bent leg. My camera is not the best, so shooting low light doesn't work very well. I'm hoping to borrow a camera from my professional friend to take pics backstage at the 1:00 performance today.

I'm so proud of my daughter for continuing her dance.

Do yourself a favor, and go see a local performance of the Nutcracker.

It is such a lovely experience!

I'm featured!

My Grinch themed decor was featured on Front Porch Ideas and More! Stop by their blog. They have some great ideas to make the front of your home beautiful and welcoming.

Front Porch Decor

Since I have been battling a cold the last few weeks, I am a bit behind in the holiday decor department. Last weekend, I did manage to decorate my front porch. My youngest son is a Boy Scout and for a fundraiser, he sold fresh Christmas greens. They arrived on Saturday, so I was obliged to get them displayed.

My theme is The Grinch. I just love the bright red and Grinch green on my porch. The feather wreaths remind me of Grinch fur and I have a Grinch and Max doll sitting on my porch ready to greet guests. I hang oversized plastic ornaments from ribbon high above my alcove.

The bench is decorated VERY simply. I just wrap a few yards of polka dot fabric around my existing bench cushion and I made a cover for the pillow that normally sits on my bench. The back is draped with a green blanket and the JOY pillow is a new purchase from Target. For the bolster pillow, it is no-sew as well. I just wrap a yard of fabric around some bunched up fabric and the ends are tied with ribbon.

I have some sparkly picks in my existing flowers in an urn by the front door. I really want to get a pink or white poinsettia to go in it.

I love the look and smell of the fresh cedar. It is draped around my front door and along the banisters.

I also tuck some tree trimmings in some hanging glass cloches and adorn with colorful ribbon.

How do you decorate your front porch to welcome your holiday guests?

Indiana Jones Party

I hosted an Indiana Jones party for a special 7 year old's birthday. The guests received Indy hats and satchels when they walked through the door. Next, they created their own Sandy Candy creations. They played Pass the Skull and Mummy Wrap and had some lunch.

I got a replica of the fertility God that was in the first movie from ebay as well as a book with a dust jacket that looks like an archeology book written by Dr. Jones for the table props. The crystal skull is from Disneyland.

The table had lots of spiders, webs and snakes all over it as well.

After eating eyeball soup and other interesting delicacies, the guests search for coins in a vat of worms (spaghetti) blindfolded and they went through an obstacle course where the guests had to steal the skull statue, shoot the bad guy, crawl under a giant spider, swing across water and then out run a falling boulder and poison darts (straw wrappers shot by other guests). They finished their adventure by having cupcakes and ice cream.

The boys had a fabulous time pretending to be a great adventurer like Indiana Jones!

The Grinch is in Hollywood!

Last night, I took my 2 youngest children to go see How the Grinch Stole Christmas-The Musical at the Pantages in Hollywood.

I received an email a few weeks ago from the Pantages offering $15 tickets! I bought 4 (oldest boy didn't want to come-he was studying for 2 tests) and had a lovely evening with my babies.

John Laroquette, from Night Court fame, played Max, the dog and was the narrator of the evening. I just loved it when he sang "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch"!

The man who played the Grinch was just amazing! Do any of you remember the children's show "Lazy Town"? He played Robbie Rotten, the guy who wanted the children to be lazy and eat food that was bad for them. He was jus great.

Sheridan was at the edge of her seat all night. It is an hour and a half show with no intermissions. Very watchable for little ones. If you are in the Los Angeles area, I recommend seeing it. Please help support live theater!!!!

First Gift of Christmas

I just love the story of The Polar Express! I found this wonderful site that is the "official" sleigh bell company for Santa. Today they have a special code for 10% off anything on the site. SHOPEARLY is the code. I just ordered Santa's Classic Gift set with includes a giant sleigh bell with leather strap, red velvet gift bag, gift box and downloadable Santa letter and Polar Express party kit. They even have bells for weddings and you can even hear a sample of the bells sweet sound. Go to http://www.magicalbells.com/ I can't wait to have a Polar Express movie party with my kids and their friends.

Vintage Shopping

I love this site! Very vintage and funky like Anthropologie but very affordable! Save 15% NOW through Monday! www.shopruche.com