2010 Projects

Overall, I was not a fan of 2010, and am very much so looking forward to a new year. But, factoring out any personal issues – 2010 was a fabulous year for my house.

I had an unrealistic list of desired goals to accomplish this year, and while I didn't accomplish all of them – I did get an insane amount done.

So here's my goals for 2010 and how I measured up...

Doors and Trim
All the doors are done. As for the trim, the kitchen, master and third bedroom are left.

Family Room
- Buy a new TV and console table:

- Paint fireplace white/spraypaint screen black:

- Get a new coffee table:

Half Bath
- Paint walls blue and vanity white:

Hall and master bath
- Put frames around the mirrors – FAIL

Office
- Add stripes:

- Rip out carpet:

- Give the office a new look:

The Hallway
- Rip out carpet, sand, stain and poly:

Outside
- Upgrade all fixtures – FAIL

Man Cave
- Figure out the sofa situation – FAIL

- Build a bar/figure out kegerator thing:

- Start putting the tins on the wall:


Other notable projects...

- Stenciling a houndstooth wall:

- Updating the wet bar:

- Wine cork dresser


Other 2010 events...

- Designing the Westie Rescue of Missouri calendar

- The beer-tasting party (aka: Brent's 30th)

December's books

Books read in December: 6
Books listened to in December: 2

Books:
71. "Holy Smokes" by Katie MacAlister (Guardian #4)
72. "Vampire Academy" by Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy #1)
73. "Frostbite" by Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy #2)
74. "Shadow Kiss" by Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy #3)
75. "Blood Promise" by Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy #4)
76. "Last Sacrifice" by Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy #6)

Audiobooks:
37. "The Lady in the Tower" by Alison Weir
38. "Spirit Bound" by Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy #5)

I don't see myself getting anymore reading accomplished, so these are my stats for the year. Not as good as last years, but I'm okay with that.

In honor of the last Vampire Academy book coming out, I decided to reread the series before diving into the final book. I love this series, and the final book did not disappoint. Screw Team Edward, I'm Team Dimitri.

Christmas wrap up

Brent and I just finished hosting our first Christmas with his family, and I'm happy to say it was a success. And now that that's over, Christmas for us is basically done. Brent and I got some amazing gifts, but here are the highlights...

Bissell Lift-off Mulitcyclonic Pet Upright (this vacuum has already received a trial run, and we are in love).

14 water goblets (not sure how we forgot to register for these guys, but we have them now):

Crate & Barrel Axel Shiny Wall Art:

Windermere Serveware (Another thing, we forgot to register for. So far our collection now consists of the serving spoon, slotted spoon, serving fork, lasagna server, cake server and gravy boat ladle. Not bad at all).

After Christmas sales

There's nothing like a day-after-Christmas sale to put me in the holiday spirit. As usual, I hit up Crate & Barrel. I didn't acquire as many goodies as I usually do, but I am loving what I got.

Cooks tools ornament and 2 sets of frame ornaments:
Handpainted Nutcracker ornament set:
I got the 12 Days of Christmas set several years during this sale, and they are some of my favorite ornaments. So once I saw these guys, I knew I had to have them.

But, I am most excited about this...

Large silver ornament tree:
Anyone else luck out today with holiday goodies?

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas. Brent and I spent Christmas with my side this year, and had a blast. Lots of drinking was had...as always.

Cookie decorating

One of my favorite parts of the holidays, is decorating sugar cookies.

My passion started my senior year in high school, when I used cookie decorating as one of my AP art journal projects, and it's become a tradition ever since.


Each year, Brent and I also so our school spirit via cookie. It's rather obvious who made what. :)

Silhouette love

I've always been fascinated with silhouettes, but decided to take this love a step beyond just doing them of my dogs. My first subject was my god-daughter. I'm really happy with how it turned out.