Toot Your Horn Tuesday - Christmas

I'm tooting about all the things I "haven't" done! I'm tooting because I'm stress free!
I've had the most wonderful few weeks leading up to Christmas. I have managed to put all the chaos of baking, shopping, card writing and such aside. It's just not necessary! Don't get me wrong though, I've definitely done my share of cooking and shopping, but I decided to make it simple. The food still taste good and my children will be getting a nice array of presents. We even hosted a beautiful party at my house.

I have learned that it doesn't all have to be perfect to be "perfect!"

And how about this jolly fellow? I've got a question for you...

I have allowed my children to believe in Santa Claus for the first half of their childhood. Does this make me a liar? Does God look down on the parents who buy presents for their children and place a tag on the gift that says "From Santa Claus?"
I got into a friendly debate this past week with a good friend of mine. She feels very strongly against Christians allowing Santa into their Christmas celebration. I understand her feelings, but I feel that it is a harmless fantasy which creates excitement and creativity in a child's mind. I believe Christ followers can find a balance that allows for all the "magic" of Christmas. What is your opinion? Look at these next two pictures. Glynis has distorted the story of Jesus' birth just a bit. She wants to be Mary. She insists that Jesus is a girl and that Daddy play Joseph! Talk about magical!!

Hope you all have a blessed, stress free, love-filled, Christmas!

Toot Your Horn Tuesday Participants

1. Lalaloopsy Necklace 2. Candy @ The Little Round Table 3. Jingle 4. Chocolate Pretzel Bites 5. personalized sanitizer 6. Family Getaway Guide 7. Blogging Hints 8. Busy Moms Tips 9. Wooden Photo Ornaments 10. Snowman Candy Bowl 11. palimer cookies @ my life as prose 12. Fun w/Royal Icing 13. Snazzy Zipper Necklace 14. Santa Tissue Box Cover 15. Parking Garage from a Box 16. Laundry Room Organization 17. Ruffled Christmas Tree Applique 18. Paper Christmas Tree 19. Candy Reindeer and Free party Ideas 20. Thrifter's Gift Guide 21. annies home - cinnamon roll christmas tree 22. Adult Xmas Cookies 23. Personalized Stocking and Giveaway! 24. Anthro Feather Tree Knockoff 25. ProtoDoom: Faux Tin Star of David 26. Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses 27. 2 free Christmas applique templates 28. Digital Silhouette Print 29. My Crazy Simple Life 30. Naughty or Nice Stocking Stuffer Coupons 31. Dress Up Your Candy 32. Rocky Road BArs 33. New Year's Party Hats 34. Pillowcase Dress Tutorial with a twist 35. HOLIDAY SUGAR COOKIES 36. CHRISTMAS TABLE 37. KNITTED MITTEN ORNAMENTS 38. ruldolph noses 39. Just Thoughts on a Blog 40. Laura @ Ms Smartie Pants 41. Gift Card holder ideas 42. Super Easy Peppermint Patties 43. Cookie Exchange Party 44. Designs With Nature 45. Snow Globes 46. funky retro chair

47. Melting Snowman Cookies 48. cany cane mitten and bootie 49. DIY Girls Vanity 50. Blog Party with Tutorial and GIVEAWAYS! 51. I am the Parent of a 15 Year Old! 52. Campaigner Dresser 53. Toblerone Shortbread Cookies 54. Be Anthro-Inspired 55. Felt Gift Bags 56. Meet Me under the Mistletoe 57. S.W.A.{reindeer} K. 58. Easy Christmas Card Display 59. Teddy Bears 60. Live Action Silhouettes 61. *junkrestore* 62. greeting snowmen 63. New Years Goals 64. Snow Flake Cookies 65. Rad Rubberband Guns 66. J O Y 67. Holiday Trees 68. Circle Skirt 69. Valentine Favor 70. Under $10 Painted World Wall Art 71. Merry Christmas! Gifts! 72. felt kids craft 73. Lilywinkel Bridal Blossoms 74. Shawnees Tangled Tales - Cowboy Boot Purse Tute 75. My Boss is Teething 76. Digital Silhouette Necklace 77. How To on Vent Filters 78. Dr. Who Tardis Quilt 79. Custom Made Ottoman 80. Free Side Table 81. New Years Mantel & CSN GIVEAWAY 82. Christmas 2010 83. New Years FREE PRINTABLE 84. DIY-Finger Knitting 85. DIY-Fur Sleeve Shirt 86. Scrunchie Scarf 87. leather or not 88. One Drawer, Many Looks 89. Valentines Day Blocks 90. Tutorial and GIVEAWAYS! Ends 01-01 91. ** BEST DESSERTS OF 2010 at CREATE WITH JOY ** 92. Bierocks (Sausage Stuffed Pastry)

93. Navy and Coral Pillows! 94. Michelle @ Creative-Outbursts 95. Top DIY's of 2010 96. The Fairy Child 97. The Grasshopper Project 98. Get Your Life Together for 2011 99. Green Momma 100. Valentine Carton 101. DIY Faux Wainscoting 102. Jalapeno Popper DIp 103. a get well soon treat 104. brittany@lovestitched 105. Mustache Mirror Tutorial 106. Handemade Hat and Brooch Giveaway 107. The Unexpected Mother 108. Wine Glass Chandelier 109. Recycled Greeting Cards 110. Christmas - Better late than never! 111. Brass chandalier makeover! 112. Family Bingo {Printable} 113. CREATIVE MIND 114. It's a Keeper - a great site for great recipes 115. Quick Mirror Makeover 116. "O" Scarves 117. Inside Out Chicken Cordon Bleu 118. Lace tip Socks 119. ghostwritermummy 120. Thank You Card 121. 5 Repurposed Home Organizers 122. Spinach Pepper & Mushroom Bake 123. I Love You Freebie 124. A Scrap of Time - Free Penguin Pattern 125. http://pittypatpaperie.blogspot.com/2011/01/valentine-smores.html 126. Paint a Ceramic Plate TUTORIAL 127. 2011 Home Goals 128. luvbuzz 129. Alphabet Wall 130. Magnet Boards at Family of Savages 131. Our Breezy Beach Life 132. Organizing The Kitchen 133. Pembroke Lane 134. Toddler Flannel Pajamas 135. Valentines Day Plaque 136. love nest

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Toasty Tuesday

Well we've had our first snow! Only a dusting, but it was beautiful and COLD!! I'm completely happy to just stay indoors for the next few months. It's 6something in the morning and I think the temp is 27! Argh!
I much prefer the weather we had on Thanksgiving Day. 65ish! Actually, that was the temp in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We drove down there to have turkey with my Dad.
After turkey, the kids and I drove over to Jockey's Ridge State Park and ran around on the sand dunes...One of my favorite places ever!Jockey's Ridge is an area of HUGE sand dunes. While standing at the top, you have the most amazing views of the ocean and the sound. After checking out the views, it's tradition to run, jump and tumble down the mountains. We don't even worry about the tons of sand that we're covered in afterward.

Hope you all enjoy your Tuesday...Toot Your Horns Off!!




Toot Your Horn Tuesday Participants

1. Be Merry Christmas Card @ Create With Joy 2. Green Beans & Almonds - Asian Style @ Create With Joy 3. felt snowmen 4. Christmas letter blocks 5. The Conservasita 6. Yarn Snowman 7. Padded Photo/Message Board 8. Toy Organization 9. Candy # The Little Round Table 10. Paper Mache Characters 11. Designing Domesticity 12. ChicnSavvy Follow Back 13. Christmas Decor 14. Let It Snow Card 15. Number Family Tree 16. Christmas Bibs 17. Work at Home Helper 18. Blogging Hints 19. Busy Moms Tips 20. Family Getaway Guide 21. stewed chicken 22. kids gift idea 23. Silver Twig Xmas Wreath 24. Love Joy Peace Upcycled Bottles 25. Condo Blues - Magazine Gift Bows 26. Christmas Wreath @ Life As Lori 27. 2011 Year At A Glance Calendar Printable 28. Free Holiday Printables 29. Reusing Your Dryer Lint 30. Confessions of a Vi3tBabe 31. Reindeer Tutorial 32. Polymer Playtime 33. Baby Boy Holiday Outfit 34. Burlap pom ornament 35. Free Recipe Card Download 36. dictionary [shoos] 37. Fabric Headboard 38. FREE Printable Cupcake Wrappers--Follows back 39. gift Tag 40. Beautiful Roman Shades 41. Styrofoam Bubble Wreath 42. Save the Elves Candy Cane Jar 43. Socks as Sleeves CUTE Xmas Shirt 44. Best Pound Cake Ever Recipe 45. Snowflake Gift

46. St. Patrick's Cathedral - Manhattan 47. Holiday Sweater Repair! 48. Clarissa 49. Real Mom Reviews 50. Snowflake Specimen Art 51. christmas crafts 52. Lolly Jane 53. Headband/Necklace Holder 54. Den Reveal 55. Tissue Paper Ornaments TUTORIAL 56. Mutton Dalcha 57. Beaded Tabletop Christmas Trees 58. Becolorful Christmas Kitchen 59. Luke 2 Subway Board 60. Our Creative Life 61. My Crazy Simple Life 62. Vintage Christmas Card 63. Kawaii Christmas Tree Ornament 64. PB Rattan Tree Topper 65. Handmade Gift Cookies for Santa Jar 66. Christmas Savings Tricks 67. Holiday Treats for Good Eats 68. Toy Car Mat 69. Cheap but GORGEOUS Wintery Stick Centerpiece 70. Fabric Wreath @ Made By Stephie 71. Snowman Cupcakes 72. Snowman Family 73. $25 Hutch!!! OH YEAH!!! 74. Elf on the Shelf 75. How to make a Santa Hat 76. Sunny Christmas 77. Creative Mommas 78. teacher bag @ from the hive 79. O Tannenbaum :) 80. Chic Wreath {Turquoise/Red} 81. To Sew With Love 82. Dining Room Table Makeover 83. Avoiding the Laundry 84. CHRISTMAS WALL HANGING 85. GINGERBREAD MEN 86. To Sew With Love 87. Almond Chicken Salad Sandwich 88. DIY Winter Bow Beanie 89. Stock your Stockings with Lace Stockings! 90. Jewelry Clutch

91. Designing Domesticity 92. 2nd Hand Crystal Bowls 93. Fleece Gingerbread House 94. Peppermint Gingerbread 95. Girls lace top DIY 96. Bag Fashion In Rome, Italy 97. Star & Heart Ornaments (how to) Red Ted Art 98. Santa Stars, Red Ted ARt 99. Yummy X-Mas Crack (Dee) 100. Beaded Photo Hanger 101. EASY Blanket Tutorial 102. Jennifer @ For SUch a Time as This 103. Little Thoughts by LT : Wrapping Gifts 104. Fabric Gift Bags 105. fabric flower ear warmer 106. greek layered dip 107. Remodeled Christmas Tour- Nest Builder 108. Flavored Butters Gift 109. Thrifted Gifts Guide 110. Happy Holidays Card 111. ** CINNAMON APPLE STRUDEL BUNDT CAKE @ CREATE WITH JOY ** 112. FREE Printable Gingerbread Dolls 113. Sweet As Sugar Candy Cane Dress 114. To Sew With Love 115. Brandy 116. $2 Tree Skirt 117. Naughty or Nice Stocking Stuffer Coupons 118. Christmas gift ideas using FABRIC FLOWERS!!! 119. Adult Xmas Cookies 120. Reinvented Home 121. Stuff your Stockings! 122. "O" Scarves 123. Gingerbread Man Cupcakes 124. Ballerina Slipper Christmas Stocking 125. Make Your Own Bird Seed Jar 126. 12 dresses till Christmas 127. If Stones Could Talk 128. Homemade Gifts 129. Star Ornament 130. FESTIVE BANANA BREADS 131. VANILLA SPRITZ COOKIES 132. Christmas Tree Tutu Tutorial 133. Christmas Cookie Swap 134. Sequin Flower Headband DIY

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