Getting Ready for the Year of the Dragon

Earlier this month, Tori and I went with Mamaw Teina (and Big Paw) to her ladies mission circle in the mountain community of Briceville.  As Mamaw is the coordinator for the once-a-month event, she choose CNY as January's theme.  Tori and I were the special guests that day, too.

Over the holidays, Tori helped me make table decorations.  We chose to make peat pot baskets with a  Mary Engelbreit graphic mod podged and glittered.  (Thanks once again, Kim!)

Tori is a great helper!

The ladies at Briceville know my dad as "Eddie Spaghetti" because of his "famous" sauce!

"Mrs. Jeannie" is one wonderful lady and talented cook.  As you can guess, she is in charge of the food for each month, and what a Chinese feast she prepared that day!  She is also loved a great deal by Perci and Sophie, as she is our furry babe sitter when we vacation with Paw Lowell. 

I have collected so many Asian ornaments over the years that now we must keep the big Christmas tree up.  (And you know that really hurts my feelings :)  And I am proud to say that Tori is becoming quite the little tree decorator.  She loves to help and is very careful handling all our ornaments.

The dragon at the top of the tree...I kept him in my stash because I knew we would eventually need him!

Last year at preschool, Tori colored this dragon for CNY.  Her teachers laminated it for us. 

This was in the collection of ornaments that Steven from Glitterville sent Tori from his Asian collection.  His motto is "Make everyday a holiday!"  You know you don't have to tell me twice!

I found these little shoes at an antique store downtown the year Tori came home.

Butterflies, dragons, and paper decor from China highlight the mantel this year.

A sneak peak of my crafting space...The walls turned out even better that I had anticipated.  This shelf was a purchase from a dear neighbor who was clearing out her antiques.  The dresses are Tori's, the stocking is from Steven, and the gorgeous tea set is from Aunt Audrey who bid on and won this at her hospital's annual charity auction. 

The Dept. 56 pieces are a Christmas present from my wonderful family.

These Asian dolls are a find from the antique mall in Rockwood.  

 

 

I hope that this post finds you getting ready for a day off tomorrow.  We are blessed that we have had a four-day weekend due to a "snow day" on Friday. 

Unfortunately, we are spending tomorrow morning with appointments.  JJ is going back to the doctor in the morning to do his post op appointment.  We aren't sure if the kidney stone is gone, so we don't really know what to expect.  Please pray that everything will go smoothly!

On a better note, Tori is getting excited about her birthday party this Saturday.  In fact, we have a weekend full of celebrating to do because our Forever Family day is next Sunday, too.  Four years as a family and a soon-to-be five year old...Time is flying by way too fast!

May tomorrow brings many good things your way!  Until next post,
Cindy