Getting ready to celebrate Year of the Horse!

I have to thank my blogging friend Kareena from "Let's go Fly a Kite".  She sent us a Chinese New Year package filled with red envelopes, as well as festive "Year of the Horse" decorations.   

While we were home from school earlier this week, we assembled the red envelopes and chocolate gold coins that Josie will give to each of her classmates.

You can find more information on the red envelope tradition at this link.

 Josie's classmates will also be decorating red lanterns for a mini lantern festival.   In case you're wondering, red is a key color for New Year's celebrations.  It symbolizes a bright and happy future.

Josie and I pre-assembled the construction paper lanterns so that her classmates can spend their time decorating horses.

We made a few extra lanterns to keep at home.

If we were in China, we would also hear lots of firecrackers being set off to send out the old year and welcome in the new year.

We made our own firecrackers using a cardboard tube from a roll of wrapping paper.

The tubes were cut into sections and painted red.  Even big sister got in on the crafting fun.

Lines of glue and glitter was generously sprinkled to decorate our firecrackers.

Red string was taped on the inside and they are now hanging in our sunroom window.

Chinese New Year lasts for several days, so we'll be sharing a few more pictures.

Wishing you a Happy New Year!
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How deep is it?

Can you stand a few more snow pictures?  Like you really have a choice.

 The snowdrifts around our yard are HUGE, but in the parts of the yard without the drifts, the snow is a solid 19 inches deep.

That's crazy deep.

 Josie can't even walk in our yard without being swallowed by the snow.

This latest arctic freeze has had the girls home from school for three days. As you can see, the snow banks at the ends of everyone's driveways have become mini mountains.

As much as I love winter, this is getting slightly ridiculous.  Some of the early weather models are predicting another big storm in the next week.  At this rate, the girls will still be ice skating in our backyard in April.
 

A cutie pie touch to my craft room window...

I've had a few packages arrive on my doorstep lately.  My blogging friends take such good care of me. 

 Holly from Cutie Pie Cottage sent me one of her handmade rag ball garlands.

 I think it looks perfectly at home in my craft room hanging with my doll clothes valance.

 Our snow storms and overcast days don't do justice to your beautiful garland, Holly.  Thank you. I love your cutie pie touches.

Weekend adventures...

It's been quite the winter. Another 12 inches arrived Friday night into Saturday. 

 The snow is so deep that it's past Josie's waist in most areas of the yard.

Chris even took the snow blower to our ice rink.

What a crazy wild winter.

 A few things from the weekend that made me smile...

Sugar cookies with Josie.  We used our horse cookie cutter for a few "Year of the Horse" cookies.

Marathon games of  Pay Day.

Celebrating my dad's birthday watching the Harlem Globetrotters.

Not rushing off to work and enjoying a large cup of coffee with extra whipped cream.

Puttering around in my craft room.

A very busy work week awaits and I understand more arctic temps are on their way.  Be safe.  Be well.

A bit of Valentine decorating at the Plantation dollhouse

During the last month, my 1940s southern colonial-style plantation dollhouse had been on top of my china hutch decorated for Christmas. 

I decided to swap out some of the Christmas decor for a few Valentine decorations.

Because it's still very snowy and cold in MI, the snow continues at the dollhouse too.

The ladies probably aren't dressed appropriately for winter weather, but they are very festive in their party clothes.

I hope you have some time this weekend for a bit of play.

We are under another winter storm warning. Stay cozy.
  

Sweets with my littlest sweetie...

Josie and I had fun making chocolate covered fortune cookies recently.  These treats are perfect for Chinese New Year and Valentines.  We found our box of fortune cookies at the Dollar Tree but I've also been able to find them in the ethic food aisle at our local grocery store.

1. Before you start, line a baking sheet with wax paper. 

2.  In a microwave-safe glass bowl, microwave the Wilton candy melt chocolate, stopping and stirring every 30 seconds, until melted and smooth.

3.  Holding the fortune cookie, dip the center of the cookie in the melted chocolate, letting the excess drip off.

Add sprinkles (Josie's favorite part) and transfer to the waxed paper baking sheet.

Refrigerate the fortune cookies on the baking sheet until the chocolate is firm, at least 20 minutes.

Enjoy!  PS.  As you can see, the tooth fairy has been very busy at our house the last couple of weeks.

Escaping to the craft room...

Every weekend, I try to squeeze in some kind of crafting time. 

It doesn't always happen, but I consider it my reward for getting through a busy work week.

Now that Josie is older, crafting allows me a few minutes of precious alone time.

It's my chance to play, if only for an hour.

A very hectic work week awaits.  

I think I'll be ready to jump back in.