O Christmas Tree

Having a Christmas tree in the home seems so festive and winter-y, even after the big 2-5 morning. (I don't even know what day it is today. It's one of those weeks.) Sure, if we purchase a once live Douglas to join us in the living room, it'd smell like a forest. There'd also be fallen debris to clean up as well as disposing logistics. It's worth it for some, not for us this year. Then there's wonderful Target or several others who offer artificial trees to unfold, fluff, and feather up. This would be a long-term investment and a long period of storage each year. Again, not worth it for us this winter.

I like DIYing so I decided I'd make one. At school, we're not allowed to bring in any Christmas trees or lights (how neat would that be to light up the room?!), so I used cardstock poster and tissue paper. While my students worked on their wreaths, I'd work on the tree.

Step 1:
Free hand cut out a tree. I've been favoring free hand for my classroom projects as the "flaws" add character. To cut down on precious time, I had one posterboard over another to achieve two trees with one cut.

Step 2:
Then I made slits on both trees - one at the top half of the first tree, one at the bottom half of the second tree. Here, I did use a ruler and pencil to make sure it wouldn't be lopsided when I put it together.

Step 3:
To make sure it would stand, and that I didn't make any technical errors, I assembled my 3-D tree.

Step 4:
Use gluestick to adhere small, green tissue squares to each side, 4 in total. I worked bottom-up to create texture and movement.

Step 5:
Reassemble tree. Place gift exchange presents "under" the tree.

Then it made me sad that I had a Christmas tree to enjoy at school with my students and not with my hubby at our cozy home. That's when a trip to Beverly's turned out to be more than what I bargained for. I went to pick up some pin needles when a bin of the cutest rustic-looking trees caught my eye. With Mr. Woo's approval we snagged one of our liking and took it to the cashier to gleefully find out that it was on sale! The assembly of this tree was much simpler.

Step 1:
Scout a place for the tree. Place it there.

Step 2:
Fluff branches of tree to desired look.

Step 3:
Decorate with garland and/or ornaments.

Step 4:
Place any star of your choice on top.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us.
They are green when summer days are bright;
They are green when winter snow is white.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your branches green delight us!

:)

AB, see you again

I would feel bad about posting my wish list before posting my Thanksgiving post if there weren't Christmas decorations and products along many, many aisles even before the turkey's been purchased. But back to Turkey Day...

Alton Brown is my hero. You might remember my first interaction with him away from the monitor/TV screen here. So when it came to my turkey this year, there was not a second of hesitation of who I'd call to help me out in the kitchen.

My quest began with finding a hefty bird and pulling out this trusty recipe. The only modification I wanted to make this year was buying a bigger turkey so that I could have leftovers. That's right, I wanted to experience slapping cranberry sauce and tender turkey meat between two slices of bread or rolls.

So it began, again. Here's what happened over the course of approximately 3 days:

Birdie sitting happy, waiting.

Who needs Love Potion #9?

It's like a spa.

Mr. Woo's contribution.

I decided that since I made two turkeys last year that I'd repeat my duel in creating dual friends and bring upon myself an annual tradition. However, I didn't want to do the same fruit and cheese turkey, so I made a bird that would last longer than two hours.

How Mr. Woo prepares for the "big moment," aka carving the turkey. Requests a special knife.

I went for a more rustic look this year.

A peek at how it looked before we tore it up:

And what is a fun-lovin' group to do after eating a feast? Have fun playing games of course. I think they also had a time of sharing, but I was in the kitchen so I don't recall much of what was said. :(  Oh, but I did get in on some of the action:

 

 

This was the practice round of just one of the games:

 

Oh, the memories. :)

Thank you to everyone who joined us this Thanksgiving! And y'all who spent time at home, I hope it was a blessed time together!





The taste of success. I really wanted a drumstick this year.


Did you notice any changes in our living since last year?

Christmas Wishlist 2010

Oh, goody gumdrops, 12 days until Christmas is here! This excites me for several reasons, but I'd be lying if I didn't say that I'm very curious as to what my dear Husband might wrap up this year. Just to help him out, I've decided to compile a list of fabulous items that I would gladly receive with open arms. Don't worry, I'll make room to embrace him with a hug too.


On the #1 day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...
Polar Bear Sweater (Urban Outfitters, $49)

 

I know this sweater will have to be in hibernation most of the year, but it's adorable. It keeps looking at me with those longing eyes, "Adopt me... I'm a friendly cost-effective pet that you don't have to clean up after..."

On the #2 day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Bone China Snowflake Hurricane (Crate&Barrel, $24.95, $8.95)

These beauties will probably only come out as often as the polar bear sweater above, but I'm a sucker for anytime candle-lit evenings. I'll take one of the large hurricanes and a set of the small ones as well, thank you.

On the #3 day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

French Bulldog Die-cut Calendar (Urban Outfitters, $12)

I've been asking Mr. Woo on repeat for a little Frenchie to call my own. If I can't have a real one, at least the representation of one that I can look at all year long? For the record, I like the pure cream-coated ones. Google them to see what I mean! Oh,you'rejustthesweetest-lookingthingeveraren'tyou? Yeah!Yes,youare! Yes,youare!...

On the #4 day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Farmer's Egg Crate (Anthropologie, $14)

A clean, glossy white ceramic product to store earrings and such trinkets. Once I move my dresser into the closet, I'd make this chicken's friend/foe a lovely coop on top of it. 

On the #5 day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

Shrewd Stitches Stole (Anthropologie, $238)

I've watched "Fantastic Mr. Fox," and it has no effect on my desire for this scarf. It's creative, unique, and fun. Enough said. Although it would cost me my arm, leg, and maybe my liver and bones too.

On the #6-8 days of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

The gift of music (varies)

A couple of CDs I've been wanting for a while make it to this list. Yes, I'm traditional and prefer the hard plastic cases with lyrics printed on the fold-outs inside, though I'm not entirely opposed to the ease of iTunes. Let's see, Jason Mraz is one of my favorite artists yet I don't own any of his - something that I'm sure would have been different if I were still in college (funny how that works, huh?). I'm also intrigued by Adele and Joss Stone at the moment. 

On the #9-11 days of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

The gift of the silver screen (varies)

Though both animated, I'd like to add How To Train Your Dragon (I wrote a review here) and Despicable Me (the double disc with the extra clips of the little minions). I'm also liking Dirty Rotten Scoundrels due to the casting, clever plot, and the fact that we often stretch to one of the songs in my Broadway Jazz Dance class (thanks, Husband!).

On the #12 day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...
Cruise for 2 to Alaska/Hawaii/Europe/Anywhere (varies)

It's been one God-must-really-love-with-all-that-He's-teaching-me-right-now ride this year. I'm definitely asking for a stronger back rather than a smaller load, but I will not complain about a getaway. Staycations are great, but I'm talking a mammoth vacation with stress rolling off the shoulders as I soak in a jaccuzzi and play with dear Husband most of the day.

And that wraps up my melodious Winter 2010 Wish List. :)

[All images from the links provided.]

 

Psssst!  Yesterday was our HomeGroup's Secret Santa gift exchange. I got this little guy to add to my growing collection. I know Mr. Woo will not be adding to it as he'd like to put an end to my owl posse. He called it "kinda creepy." What a hoot!

 

What he must be

The book fair is here this week at school. I remember how excited I'd get to see the hundreds of books lined up on portable cardboard stands inside the library, the cuddly-looking animals gracing the glossy bookmarks, and of course insisting that I must own every single item that my heart desired. Now I have the entertainment joy of watching my students going through the same experience, practicing the money skills that I've taught them and forgetting the money-management skills that I've hounded at them.

Last night, Mr. Woo and I went on an impromptu make-up date (we missed last week to hang out with our co-working gang). Though brief, it was a sweet time. One of the topics that came up was the book fair, specifically "the one book that caught [his] eye." Drumroll please...

Here it is:

What He Must Be ...if he wants to marry my daughter
Source: Amazon.com

Oh, dear Husband. I don't know what he'll do if we have a daughter. He'll smother her with love and be the overprotective father that girls never wanted. If the time comes I'd like to marry her off early, but I have a feeling she's not going to have very many suitors...

 

Before he left

Mr. Woo was gone on a field trip for almost a week. Before he left, we snagged a picture that brings a lot of things to mind.

What say you? Create a caption for the picture!

Hands

We had our staycation. We attended summer weddings. We had our first month of school. Mrs. Woo discovered how long she can spend in a vintage/antique store. We ate at Sushi House too often. Mr. Woo started working for Oh Snap on the side. Mrs. Woo began job-hunting in the writing field. Mr. Woo approved to Mrs. Woo taking Broadway Jazz dance classes. We said "see you later" to our 1.5-months-long guest. We rearranged the living room furniture. We moved some decor to different walls. We moved most of the furniture back to its original places. Mr. Woo starts his classes again this week. Whew, there is always something to do!

There is one thing I'd like to add to our ever-growing list... Husband, two left feet is irrelevant in reenacting this! Let's do it! Plus, I bought you a shirt that is close enough to his - what a great opportunity to wear it. :)

Summer Staycation

Well, the summer sun that hardly came out is officially retiring, by my count, tomorrow - the first day back at school. I thought it'd be appropriate to compile a brief montage of our Hawaii-didn't-work-out-but-let's-make-the-most-of-this "staycation." We went to fairly local whereabouts and spent the time creating memories, which, for us, is what it's all about anyway.


Phase I - Summer School

 Think: Kids, Breakfast, Two weeks of math/reading.

Phase II - 18-Month Anniversary

Think: Food (of course), Ducks, No couple picture! O_O

Phase III - 17-Mile Drive

Think: Cameras galore, Beautiful Scenery, Family

Phase IV - Alameda County Fair

Think: Homegroup, Entertainment, Food 

Phase V - Monterey

Think: Bibs, Sea creatures, Monterey Bay Inn

Phase VI - SF Academy of Sciences (failed)

Think: 3.5-hr-wait Too long, Hot dog + Pretzel, Go home

Phase VII - Post-Wedding Chop

Think: Short, Donated, Happy

Phase VIII - Regeneration Camp (him) / Stay with Parents (her)

 Think: Solid preaching, Sitting next to J.Mac + eating his chips, Lecrae

Phase IX - Host Dinner / Party

Think: Crazy, Food, Fun

Phase X - Watch "The Music Man" (musical)

Think: Woodminster, J.Hong + Student's family, Unflattering pictures

There were also errands, job hunting, and in-service meetings towards the end. But those weren't as fun.


Mrs. Woo off to pick her first-day outfit, brush up on some teacher tips, and shower!


What was the highlight of your summer?