wanna win something?

and really.... who doesn't?  Go over to Mrs. P at A Little Pink In a World of Camo and check out her giveaway.

Wanna know why I'm pimping it?  Cause it's one of our banners!

My mama is giving away a blue star banner AND a lovely blue star ornament! And even if you already have one, enter anyways, they make FANTASTIC gifts!

Oh and don't forget to check us out over on etsy at Blue Bird Crafting.  As if you would...

Good Luck!

Blow Swap Christmas style

Its Christmas time and Wife on a Roller Coaster is hosting a blog swap! Today I'm over at Goodnight Moon's blog rambling there and Julie from  Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life  is here. 

Julie is sweet as can be,  she's a mama to three little boys, photographer, coffee drinker, blogger & Independent Scentsy Consultant, which by the way is awesome!  Enjoy her post and don't forget to come find me!

Christmas of 1986

I am not sure why I remember this Christmas so well.  

Maybe it was because my uncle brought his video camera and taped it and it was the first time I had ever seen a video of our family.  Maybe it was because it was such a special time.  I am not sure.  But the Christmas of 1986 really sticks out in my mind.  

I was almost eight years old and this year my Grandparents came into town from Arizona and my Aunt and Uncle came in from Colorado.  For Christmas Eve I remember going to church, coming home and having some sandwiches and then opening one gift.  I can't quite remember the gift, just that we got to open one before bed that night.  

The next morning we woke up and had a wonderful Christmas with family.  We always took turns with gifts.  You had to wait until each person opened a gift before it was your turn again.  

My Grandpa thought he was funny for going extra slow when it was his time to open a present.  The only gifts I remember about that year were a magic set for me and a basketball hoop for my brother.  After all the gifts had been opened we all went outside to watch my magic show.  

You see in other parts of the country you might go outside to build a snowman.  In CA you go outside to enjoy the weather. 

I still remember sitting on the grass and putting on a show for my family.  Then my brother and I played with the basketball hoop.  

I remember eating Christmas dinner, going on a walk with everyone and even my Aunt making a mix of 7up and Cranberry juice. 

We don't have Christmases like this anymore.  In 1993 my Grandpa passed away and about the same time my Grandma was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.  After that things were just different.  

Every time I think back to a happy Christmas memory I remember the Christmas of 1986 and all the memories I have of that time with my family.

Thanks to Julie for swapping with me! 

3rd Annual Ornament Swap

Get your ornaments ready for the...

 3rd Annual Ornament Swap!

Thanksgiving is racing towards me and pretty soon Christmas is going to be right around the corner just waiting to bite us all in the ass, so lets get this party started.

It's a fun way to spread some Christmas cheer for not a whole lot of mola. And if you're into holiday baking feel free to toss in some cookies in your box.

I am very into holiday baking.  Actually its a great cover all year long to scour and find new recipes and then make them.  Shoot, one has to perfect their holiday goodies, thus a mock bake up {or 15} in July is necessary. 

Whoever gets me will be getting some kickass chocolate toffee and some cranberry white chocolate cookies (those have eggs but they are delish!) and perhaps one of the dash brothers.  I say that every year but this year I'm serious about tossing a kid in.

Now the important stuff.  aka: Info on the swap

*you can either MAKE or BUY an ornament, however there will be a $10 dollar limit. And if you find a cute one for less go for it. {embrace bargain hunting folks.} It can be something to from where you are stationed or live, it can be something that you think will reflect the person you are swapping with taste, it could just be something adorable that you see or make.

 Let me repeat. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO MAKE AN ORNAMENT. I get asked this question a ton of times. BUYING IS OK!

*Ornaments should be mailed so that they are received round about midDecember.  If you and your partner work something else out, good to go, but the whole point is to have this ornament BEFORE the holidays.

*You can sign up for the swap until Saturday night {November 19} My goal is to get the names and emails out to you all before Thanksgiving.

Interested?  
To sign up email tryingourbest at yahoo

Answer the following questions in your email

Name

Best email to reach you at

Mailing address

Blog address or twitter name {if you have one}

****ANY FOOD ALLERGIES***

Do you have a certain Christmas decorating theme or are you a mish mash, compilation of ornaments kinda gal? 

Are you willing to mail to an APO?FPO address? {This does not cost you any additional postage, the only difference is that you will need to fill out a simple customs form}

Anything you want to add?

And please leave a comment on this post here. You don't have to to participate but it helps to keep track of who's signed up and what not.

I hope that a good number of people want to participate, this was a lot of fun last year and I'm hoping its as much fun again this year!

When you email me to sign up I'll email you back that I've received it and then I'll be emailing you again when I match folks up. 

And dont worry, if goodness forbid your partner skips out on you let me know I'll mail you a big Christmas package complete with a dash brother. 

Please, spread the word on your blogs, twitter, facebook... shoot scream it from the roof top afterall, the more the merrier!