O Eclectic Tannenbaum in July

June 30, 2014 by Leave a Comment

I call Christmas in July!  After all July 1st is tomorrow and it’s my blog, so I can do that.  Right?  Right?  *wink*  Plus, you all know that I LOVE Christmas.  It’s by far my most favorite holiday.  I do also really like Halloween, but I’m pretty sure you know that already, too.  There’s just something about the Christmas season.  All the Christmas decorations, Christmas smells, and ChristmasLightsEtc.com sales this month.  What’s not to love?  Anyway, today you are in for a real treat.  Are you ready for it?  I’ve decided that I’m going to share with you a part of my life that I’ve never done before.  I’m going to share with you something from my family blog.  A hush falls over the crowd and then…  The crowd goes wild!  Some of you may not know this about me, but before this blog I was actually already a blogger.  I had a little family blog that I maintained while we were living in San Antonio, Texas.  Far away from family and friends.  I should specify that I mean prior friends.  We did make friends in San Antonio.  I’m not that anti social.  *wink*  We lived in SA for 6 years.  I started a blog to share our lives and growing family with loved ones who lived elsewhere.  My very first blog posting was on April 8, 2008.  This was exactly 6 days before Banjo was born.  So I have been blogging for quite the long while.  For my Christmas in July special I’ve decided to share with you an excerpt from my little blog.   And here it is…

Monday, December 1, 2008

O Eclectic Tannenbaum – I love Christmas ornaments!! I’ve always been fascinated by the way the glass ones glint and reflect the lights. My mom was always one of the room-mothers when I was in elementary and she would give out these great handmade ornaments at the class Christmas party. I have one creative mother! However, why is the grass always greener…or in this case someone else’s Christmas tree always greener? I will admit that while I was growing up there were some years I envied others’ Christmas trees. They were all fancy and put together right out of a decorator’s magazine. Our tree was always quite eclectic. We put our school made ornaments on the tree no matter how they looked! 

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My brother and I even had our own box of ornaments to place on the tree. These were random ornaments we had collected over the years; first Christmas, special ornaments, gift ornaments, etc. We had so much fun picking just the right branches to hang our ornaments! Looking back I wonder why I ever had Christmas tree envy??? We had a great tree and a great family tradition! One that I will always remember and hold close to my heart. My parents made sure that it was about us feeling special and included around the holidays. And the tree itself displayed how we had grown over the years. I’m so thankful to my parents for instilling in me these valuable traditions and for giving me the type of tree that I want my own children to have!

A Smith Family Christmas Tree
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Our tree has also become very eclectic. Anyone who comes over around the holidays will find that I just love Christmas ornaments in all their randomness! When Audi and I got married my mom sent us my ornament box. Every year we have even gotten more memory making ornaments as gifts from people; our first Christmas married, in our new home, etc. I can’t wait for Banjo to one day bring home his beautiful school made ornaments and store them away in his very own box! We also started our own tradition of collecting ornaments from the various places we have vacationed. It is fun to decorate the tree together every year and remember what we have done and where we have been throughout the years.
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*The End*
These days our Christmas tree still looks exactly the same.  With the exception of the additions of new ornaments from new travels and ornaments that Banjo has made.  Yay!  My wish came true!  I’ll have to share those with you sometime.  We’ve also embarked on the adventures of decorating the outside of the house.  I guess that comes from living in a more established neighborhood with children around.  Plus, we have to compete with all the St. Louis neighborhood light displays.  Not really, but we can try.  Or rather… dream, right?!  We still need to perfect getting the light strands to the top of the columns:
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That will come with time I’m sure.
Despite our failed column lights attempt…
We are so very grateful to finally live in a neighborhood that has a Christmas tradition of its own.
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Luminaries line our street every year on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
*This post was brought to you by MBN. All of the thoughts were completely my own.
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Djubi {Review}

June 6, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Remember how I posted about those scary bunnies?  How I publicly aired my fears of creepy clowns and the Easter Bunny?  No?  You don’t remember?  I mean seriously.  How could you forget???  I’m still having nightmares about it.  This year the “bunny” brought Banjo the Original Djubi Game. (Thank you, Djubi for sending us this dandy toy for the boy’s Easter basket.) catch6   If you are looking for a fun backyard game then here it is.  This is it.   Good thing I’m posting this just in time for summer, eh? original-djubi-game

Banjo and Ruby both love it.

Here they are showing their Boompa how it’s done:

catch5 catch This is at my parents house.  Don’t they have the coolest setup with that lake behind their house?!  My kids love spending time out there. Djubi is perfect for teaching kids of all ages how to aim and catch.  Adults like it, too! catch2 catch3 The Djubi ball has a band on it that when hooked on the handle and pulled back will then soar through the air for the other player to catch.  Such a unique concept and fun for all ages!

Go HERE for the stores where you can find Djubi!

*This posting and review are sponsored by Djubi, but all opinions are strictly my own.

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Silence is not always so golden…

January 9, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Or is it?  Sorry my dandy friends for being so MIA! I cannot believe that I’ve been so unusually quiet these last few weeks.  Usually I’m quite the talker.  😉  Or maybe you haven’t minded my quietness???  That’s okay, too.  At any rate I’ve missed checking in with all of you.  It was a very busy end to 2012 around here as I’m sure it was in all of your own lives.

We visited the Missouri Botanical Garden Holiday Trains with friends:

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We decorated:

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Our neighborhood has this wonderful tradition (since the 1960’s) that takes place ever year on Christmas Eve and Christmas night:

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It’s so beautiful driving in and seeing the streets lined with the glowing luminaries.  I love our neighborhood!

 

Santa was really good this year to our kiddos:

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They were definitely on his nice list!

 We visited family and Santa made a stop there:

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“Mine!”

Ruby learned how to do some new things at our house…

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And at my grandparents house:

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Oh and the little miss turned 1!

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Stay tuned for the posting on that very dandy birthday party…

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The Piano Guys Christmas

December 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment

I’ve always loved this beautiful musical arrangement and my husband has known these guys since high school:

 

They are so very talented!

Happiest of holidays to you all!

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Happy Christmas

December 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love,
The Smiths

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Warner Bros. Happy Holiday Giveaway! – CLOSED

December 14, 2012 by 16 Comments

There’s just something magical about Santa Claus.  Kids can visit with all the different guys in red throughout the holiday season and never suspect that he’s not the same one.  What can I say?  The man has quite the draw:

Kids are just always in awe of that current man in red.  In that immediate moment.  Who really cares to look at the camera when there’s Santa AND a candy cane?

Santa always knows what presents to bring on Christmas Eve.  But what if you are shopping for someone not on Santa’s list?

Warner Bros. has some fantastic holiday titles perfect for giving to everyone on your list!  In addition to this great giveaway Warner Bros. also has this fun app for you to take the holiday movie challenge, play a decode-a-scene game, and get a holiday survival guide:

Want to win something from Warner Bros.???  One very lucky reader of Dandy Giveaway is going to receive…

A Peanuts Deluxe Holiday Collection, Classic Christmas

Favorites or Dr. Seuss’s Deluxe Holiday Collection on

Blu-ray!!!

(Prize will be chosen randomly from the above Blu-ray titles!)

Just enter on the Rafflecopter below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*This giveaway is open to entries in the US only.
*The winner of this giveaway will be posted at the conclusion of the giveaway and an email to the winner will be sent.  If the winner does not respond before the evening of December 19th a new winner will be drawn.
*This posting and giveaway were sponsored by Partnershub, but all opinions are strictly my own.

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Paper Culture is more than just baby announcements. {Review}

December 8, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Remember those super cute baby announcements I shared with you clear back when Ruby was just a wee one?  We selected to have her birth announced on this card design:

We opted to use  this image of our darling on it:

By far they are the bestest baby announcements I have ever sent out!  (Thanks again Paper Culture, by the way.)  But…  Did you know that Paper Culture doesn’t just do announcements for baby?  It’s true.  Oh so very true.  Think holiday cards.  Gorgeous holiday cards.

Holiday cards like these:

 

This year Paper Culture gave us these holiday cards to send out to our friends and family:

The colors of the photo come out amazing.  The quality of the paper is amazing.  The back of the card is even amazing looking!  Paper Culture thinks of everything.  Thanks again Paper Culture for adding the special touches that make our cards wonderful!

 

*This review and posting was sponsored by Paper Culture, but all opinions are strictly my own.

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A letter to my husband on December 7th

December 7, 2012 by Leave a Comment

My dearest, dearest, Audi,

You don’t mind that I refer to you on the blog as Audi, do you?  It is somewhat like the word audiologist, right?  Since I’m always leaving off the whole gist at the end I do often wonder if people reading the Dandy think that I’ve named you after one of my favorite cars or if they think you install car stereos for a living.  Not that installing car stereos is a bad job.  It’s not.  It’s a great profession.  I just figure that it doesn’t take 8 years of education to learn how to install a car stereo.  Or maybe it does???  I’ve never installed a car stereo before, so I honestly have no idea.  Someone please feel free to enlighten me.

Anyway, I realize that in years past I may have been the slightest bit difficult to shop for. What with my shameless attempts to be subtle or even down right cryptic and all as to what to get me for Christmas.  You and I both know that you were able to figure out often what I was hinting at, so why did I even try to be all sly about it?  I realize that it could have presented like I didn’t trust you to shop for me.  Or that I was implying that you didn’t grasp the meaning behind my incessant hints and for that I am sorry.  Well, lucky you, because I’ve decided to try something different this year. Since we have been married for 10 years and all.  So it’s not like we are remotely new into our relationship.  It’s high time for a change, don’t you think?  No reason to continue on like I have been for the past 10+ years.  So here it goes…

To start I wanted to remind you know that today is December 7th. Now don’t get all nervous thinking you forgot that it’s a special sort of day or something. It’s not.  Well, actually it is Pearl Harbor Day which is very special and important to remember in the United States.  Lest we never forget.  A day that will live in infamy and all that.  Don’t get me wrong I’m so very proud to be an American and so thankful for the men and women who risk their lives every day to keep us safe.  But today is not one of those special kind of “us” days.  So don’t think that you forgot one of those “us” kind of days.  You didn’t.  It’s not our anniversary.  It’s not my birthday.  It’s not the day when we went on our first date 11 years ago.  It’s just December 7th…  18 more days away from Christmas!!!  Which means you have technically 17 more shopping days left.  Ready for the big reveal of what I’m doing different this year?  Well, I haven’t been hinting, because I’m just going to tell you what you can get me this year.  Aha!  Isn’t that so great of me to do for you?  So here’s my list of gift ideas…

I could really use this “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” beaded watch:

And you know…

This watch is super special and unique, because you can also get me another beaded watch band to interchange with the face.  Like this one:

Okay you can get me more than just one band…

 

There’s a band that will match every outfit in my closet!

Next up:  A ring to match the pearl necklace you got me for our anniversary this year.

Lastly a couple of bracelets would be perfect.  These ones to be exact:

All of the above can be found at Chunky Bling, so you can even get it all in one stop!  You will have to play around with the interactive program on their website for that mother’s bracelet.  It’s pretty cool.  See?  I’ve really made it easy on you this year.  Your welcome.  😉

Love,

Me.

*This posting was sponsored by Chunky Bling, but all opinions are strictly my own.

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It’s okay, Santa. I totally got this!

November 28, 2012 by 2 Comments

Clearly I was never a 4 year-old little boy, but who would have seriously thunk that this guy: Would cost $40?!  Real shocker, I know.
It all started with the visit with the man in red… Banjo couldn’t take his eyes off the jolly one and Ruby was just wondering what was going on.

Then the magical question was uttered. Whoever came up with the bright idea to have mall Santa ask the kiddos what they want him to bring for Christmas?  It definitely must have been someone with the last name of Hasbro or Mattel.  I mean it really puts us parents on the spot.  The kids aren’t just writing it down on paper to send up North.  It’s their moment to actually tell the big guy in person!  How did Banjo respond to that magical question?  With one item.  One very specific item. He wanted that yellow thing up above.  The yellow thing that we (ahem Santa) had no idea he wanted.  I thought we were done with our shopping.  Finished.  Complete.  But thanks to that jolly ‘ole elf I had to do some scrambling to avoid a total Santa fail.  Fortunately I was able to purchase that yellow thing online last night for over half off.  Otherwise we (the parents), not you Santa, would have been explaining to Banjo on Christmas morning how the elves must have ran out of parts to make Bumblebee. Oh and alright, Mr. Claus if that’s how you want to play then expect a visit from me at the mall before the 25th.  I’ll have a sit and tell you that all I want for Christmas is an iPad Mini.  Then if I don’t find it under the tree you will definitely have some explaining to do.

In all actuality I think we should start a revolution to

revise the script that mall Santa uses with our kids.  

Who’s with me???  😉

For now it’s Me: 1, Santa: 0

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Free $10

November 11, 2012 by 1 Comment

Packages from my online Christmas shopping began arriving on my doorstop last week:

Notice a familiar emblem on one of those packages?

One that resembles that square at the top of this posting and looks something like this:

Did you see it amongst my packages???

Of course a package from Zulily was delivered at my house, because I’ve been doing A LOT of shopping on Zulily!

I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to shop online.  It’s the best way to find a bargain.  Everything at Zulily is a bargain, so it’s my go to place for holiday shopping.  I literally check in every day to see what the latest deals are.  So far we have acquired some building blocks for Banjo on Zulily at around 80% off retail.  This week I’ll There are just so many things at major percentages off that it’s sooooo very difficult to decide just what to get her!  Maybe this adorable shopping cart:

Can you say, “Little Tikes”???

Or a pink truck for her to scoot around on:

Or some holiday books:

There are so many options right now.  I’ll have to check in tomorrow see what the new items are for children at Zulily!  Not shopping for kiddos?  Well, Zulily has way more than just stuff for kids.  I actually bought myself a wool peacoat from there a couple of weeks ago.  It’s gorgeous!  And the price?  Amazing.  $29.  That’s right… only $29!!!

Who wants $10 to start shopping?  Yep $10 for free!!!  Just GO HERE and you will get $10 to start spending at Zulily!

 

This posting was part of my affiliation with Zulily, but all opinions are strictly my own.

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