Wish List 2009

After such an insane post yesterday, I thought it might be fun to share with you what I am asking for this Christmas season. For the record, I ate very well yesterday and I went to the gym when I got home from work. I was extremely hungry last night before I went to bed and I wanted something crunchy, salty, and dippy. I exerted extreme willpower, though, and ate some green pepper and hummus. I am feeling good today! Thanks for the encouragement. :)

Now, on to some things I hope to see wrapped under my tree this year...

I would love to get "Julie and Julia" and "The Proposal" on DVD. I saw both of these movies in the theater and I really loved them! I am a big Sandra Bullock fan and I think Ryan Reynolds is pretty darn cute. I also was absolutely smitten with "Julie and Julia"-- a perfect movie for a self-proclaimed foodie. We normally don't buy DVDs, but these are two that I would love to have in my collection.

Speaking of food, here are the four cookbooks that I would love to receive! I have drooled over Hello, Cupcake! at the bookstore before and I love reading Stephanie's blog about her slow-cooking adventures-- even better in book form! I own Katie Lee's first cookbook and have absolutely adored every single recipe I've made. I think it goes without saying that I want need Ree's cookbook. NEED. Just saying.

You know you're old and married when you ask for a steam mop for Christmas as well as a housekeeping book. I have heard good things about this mop and my little vacuum and Swiffer just aren't cutting it any more. I have checked out this book by Martha Stewart at the library before and have found it very, very helpful. I'd really love having my own copy.

On my first married Christmas, my mother gave to me, A WILLOW TREE CHRISTMAS NATIVITY! (Sing that to the tune of "12 Days of Christmas"; you'll LOVE IT!) The shepherd and stable animals are one of the last pieces that I need to make my nativity complete. This nativity is so beautiful and special to me. I think nativity scenes are a great wedding gift, no matter what time of the year the wedding is! I may start making this my signature wedding gift.

I blogged about Hunter Wellies a few weeks ago and I am still drooling over them and hoping that I get a pair! The only difference is that I switched color preferences from red to this beautiful purple color. The website says that the actual color is aubergine, but I think that purple works just fine for me. Plus, how do you even pronounce aubergine?

I love to be organized. It is somewhat of a hobby and a relaxer for me all at once. I have been reading about the MomAgenda on Blue Eyed Bride and she really got me hooked and wanting to try one! I am not a mom yet, but thankfully, they have the MyAgenda which I am asking for in this purple color. I guess purple is my preferred color this year, huh?

Some other things I put on my list were gift cards to places like Target, Anthropologie, Starbucks, Nordstrom, and some different restaurants. I'd also enjoy some cozy winter pajamas and some money for new running shoes. Any places that you'd recommend I look for pajamas?

All I know is that I would be so blessed and thankful to get even one of these things. After a year of watching so many people struggle financially, spiritually, and emotionally, I know that I am beyond blessed to have the life that I do and a family who loves and supports me. For that, I can never be thankful enough. This Christmas, what I would really love is to see some of my unsaved family come to know the true reason for this holiday season-- Jesus Christ. It is my prayer that I remember that Jesus is my reason for living-- not just at Christmas, but all year long. Thank you, Lord for sending your Son as a human so that we can know Your love in such a tangible and relational way!

What are some of your Christmas wishes?

These Are A Few Of My Favorite (Blog/Internets) Things.

I would like to share with you some of my favorite things this week. This post will be all over the place, so if you can't stand a spaz with a computer, I'd advise you to back away slowly.

This is a great coupon for Hobby Lobby! I need some things to make a Christmas craft, which I will share in a moment. It expires December 5, so move quickly.

I am really, really pumped to make the afore mentioned Christmas craft. I think I am going to attempt this on Saturday. How darling are these? I think I am going to make mine say Joy, but I'm not absolutely sure yet. I'll be sure to update you. Anyone local who would want to try it with me?

Now that we have moved into a house and have a freezer upstairs as well as a deep freezer in the basement (my dream for so long-- it doesn't take much, people), I am able to freeze so many more things hence making my life 84% easier. This post on "Life as a Mom" is helpful in reading a true life account of what you should and shouldn't freeze. It's a nice go-to when you aren't completely sure about something.

While I'm on the subject of cooking, I am totally psyched to try and freeze this alfredo sauce recipe by Laura. I know some of Laura's siblings-in-law and love reading her coupon blog. I love reading about her frugal finds. I also love this alfredo sauce recipe by PW. I have made this once and it was to DIE for.

Oh my word, the cutest. I can't even handle how much I love this idea from Ohdeedoh. I am recently obsessed with this website. However could you tell? You could make this or you could just order it here on Etsy. Take a look through that shop on Etsy, while you're at it. Darling to the max. What fun ideas for a gift!

Okay, I'm in love. What a spectacular idea for an advent calendar! Obviously, you would probably need to have kids to do this, but you can buy books at such a low cost these days that I feel this wouldn't break your budget. This combines my love of reading with my love of Christmas. What could be better?

And finally, I adore these Hunter Wellies. So, so lovely. We have to gate our backyard since we have a pool, so every time we leave our garage, we have to open and close our gate. Normally, it doesn't bother me, but when it's rainy, the grass and dirt around the gate get really muddy. It would be so nice to have a pair of these for that purpose, plus I think they are a gorgeous color. I would definitely want them in red. If my mother or husband is reading this, then I WANT THEM IN RED AND YOU CAN GET THEM HERE AND I WEAR A SIZE 9 IN BOOTS. Ahem. Subtlety is not one of my gifts.

What are some of your favorite things?