There's a Card at the End of the Post :)

Hi Everyone,

I feel like I've been away from blogland forever.  I had my posts scheduled to go live last week done in advance, so it truly has been a couple of weeks since I've sat down to write you something.  And I'm not even going to get into how long it's been since I've stamped.  Ack!  Thank goodness design team commitments force me to "work" ahead, or I'd really be in the weeds this week. I'm just behind for next week ;)

We had a lot of family drama the week leading up to Thanksgiving with four of my family members in the hospital for various reasons.  I volunteered to do the meal if needed, but in the end my cousin Cathy was able to host it as planned.  It was great to visit with family we hadn't seen in a while, and we didn't get home until after 8:30 that night.

The day after Thanksgiving my cousins Cathy, (far left), Jenn and I took our Aunt Inge out to celebrate her 80th birthday.  It was earlier in the month, but due to work schedules and the aforementioned hospital going ons, this was when we could work it in.  We had a nice tea at Clemintine's...

with a lovely little cream puff in the shape of a swan for dessert! (Sorry. Took the photos with my phone, so not the greatest!)

I also decorated my home for the Christmas holidays.  I won't show you any photos, because my trees are the same every year.  

I also joined in the pop culture craze that is Twilight and saw the movie with my friend this morning.

 So girly.  So cheesy.  Still liked it and had a good time with my best friend from high school. 

One of my hubby's goals this year, was to do one cultural thing every month.  I think we missed a couple, but earlier in November we went to hear Billy Collins read his poetry.  I cannot say enough good things about him.  His is really poetry for the masses.  Even if you think you hate poetry, I dare you not to love this one.  It starts at about 50 seconds in.

I've also been reading a lot lately. 

Finished Girl in Translation for my book club.  It reads like a young adult novel to me, but I enjoyed it.

Turn of Mind was a little on the dark side.  Don't read it if you want a laugh, but a decent literary whodunnit.

I was so excited about When She Woke, and I was loving it at the beginning.  However, about 2/3-3/4 of the way through it takes a REALLY weird turn.  Like the character does something that doesn't ring true...AT. ALL.  And the ending?  Dumb. Lame.  Left me completely bummed.  So if you choose to read, consider yourself warned.

The Marriage Plot is my newest pick.  Only in the early stages of this one so far.

Ok, if you made it this far, thanks.  Your reward will be this crafty little card I made using my stamps from Sparkle N Sprinkle that I have yet to show off on the blog. 

It's made using the following stamps sets (Thoughtful Frames #436 , My Rose Garden #402) and some Waterscape Glitter #G1108. The rose in the corner just called out to be layered and popped up and Thoughtful Frames is one of the sets included in the sale this month as well :)  Full step by step instructions can be found in my gallery.

Now you are all caught up on my happenings.  I'm dying to know what you've been up to as well, so I will be around to you very soon. Hand on heart.  I promise :)

Have a great rest of the day!