Thanksgiving...

I cannot believe "Thanksgiving holidays" are over! I am quite confused as to where the week went, but I enjoyed it thoroughly! I was able to lunch with Kelly Edwards, one of my besties who I don't see NEAR enough and enjoy a chick flick with my movie partner, Regan on Wednesday (Hint... "Love and Other Drugs" is a slight porno, so be warned... but it is really good).
Thursday was wonderful spending time with all of our family- we are so blessed! We started our day with Colby's family at his Mom and Dad's- yummmmy... Then around 3:30 we headed over to my parents house for dinner- more yumminess! Friday was a fun day too- My sister and I loaded up around 8:30 to head to the Black Friday Miskelly's sale- which led me to looking until noon, talked Colby into coming back with me and around 2:00 Colby and I FINALLY  purchased new living room furniture!  It was so worth the long decision process... because it is going to look FAB! I can't wait until December 17th- yay! Here is a sneak peak of the sofa we purchased...

We also got two accent chairs and a coffee table, MUCH needed since we are using the beautiful but worn furniture from Colby's college days...
After we finished our shopping, Colby headed off for an afternoon hunt... and LOOK. He was successful! A 205lb 9 point buck! He was so excited, and I was so happy for him!  YAY!

Way to go, baby!

    The week has left me feeling relaxed, renewed, and ready to finish out the year of 2010! In K5, we begin our "Happy Birthday Jesus" play practice tomorrow... I am so excited about this! They are going to be so precious singing Christmas hymns to Jesus.

Since I totally slacked off since my last post- I need to play a quick "catch up"... mainly, thankfulness.
I have so much to be thankful for, and so much that when I "think" about it... it leaves me breathless.
First, my heavenly father God and His son who died for us. My mom... she is well, healthy, and most importantly... STILL WITH US! She is my best friend in the world, my other half, and I do not know what I would do if God had taken her this past April.  I say that knowing that God, always, has an ALMIGHTY, ALL-KNOWING plan... but I sing praises, love, and thankfulness to Him, and Him alone for healing my momma.  Right along with that, my father. He literally is the glue that held our family together this year. His unfailing strength, hugs, support, love... every bit of it. wow. The love of his life was in a comma yet he cares so much about his children that he put every need of his own out of sight to comfort us. That is the love of  only a father... I must say my father is one of a kind!   My family.... from grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters.... every one of you... Our family is so unique.. we have the perfect examples of love surrounding us each and every day- my cup runneth over!
Colby... the love of my life, my best friend, my partner in life.  I knew in 10th grade that I loved him, and I thank God every minute of the day for letting our lives join together as one... he is my rock, and makes me a better person each day. I am so THANKFUL to wake up next to him  and share our life together- there is nothing better than time spent with him. 
My job... I LOVE my job as a teacher at MRA. The co-workers, families, students.. everything. It is a happy "bubble" and I cherish every moment there- Although there is MANY more things to list, I'll close with my dear friends- You will never know how much I love each of you. I am forever grateful to you for your friendship, support, laughter, and love that you always give me, even when I don't deserve it. 

To close... I pray for all of us this next year that we will awake daily,  able to cherish and recognize all of God's blessings and gifts in our lives each and every day. 

"I thank my God every time I remember you". Philippians 1:3 

Colby and I on Thanksgiving... after a day FULL of feasting :)

Go be MERRY! ~Love~

Christmas at the Mason's

Two posts in one day! So allowed.. because I am on Thanksgiving break! That's why!

So... I did finish ONE goal for today... the "rebel" jersey canvas...

As for any other "goals" (cough cough, the Walter Anderson "horses") well... Colby got our Christmas tree down and ALL plans CHANGED! YAY!!!!

So I decorated ALL afternoon... it was so fun! I watched Christmas movies, listened to Christmas carols, and had a blast decorating our house- I was so THANKFUL to be decorating our wonderful, beautiful home that is filled with love and health! (Just for those haters who think I am skipping over Thanksgiving.. I assure you I am not... my overwhelming "thankfulness" blog will be coming Thursday- because this year... more than ever... we have SO much to be thankful for...)

For now... I shall enjoy each second of sharing my "Christmas decoration day".... Enjoy!

Our Mantle (I love the Marc Roberts Santa Fairies)

Santa fairy holding a red bird... new this year! yay!

complete view of mantle

Entry Table

nativity scene

Dining room buffet table

Dining room table decoration (Side Note... this deer was on Colby's grooms cake!)

Living room chandelier with garland

Our "woodland" Christmas tree!

close up of tree

Another close up of tree

close up of the top of our tree

Our "Christmas" den as a whole... yay!

Fa La La La La... La. La. La. LA!!!!!! Merry Merry!

Thoughts for Tuesday

I have to start by saying this.... I am officially back in love with The New Kids on the Block. Yes. I am.
Did anyone else see their performance with Back Street Boys on the AMA's!!? FAB-ULOUS!  I loved every second of it... I just wish I had on my New Kid's t-shirt, side t-shirt flower clip attached (You remember what I'm talking about.. you pulled on end of the tshirt through it... so cool!), zebra leggings, and my hair crimped, tall socks...white  keds...(yes, that would be my outfit that I wore to their concert when I was like.... 8?)  Ah... memories.

I am so proud of all the Christmas shopping I have finished already! Colby's presents are all wrapped and ready to go under our tree... (I am hoping it is coming out of the attic... today! Hint Hint...Honey~)
I WAS even done with our 3 puppies stockings (they are spoiled, yes) until the other morning when Colby and I were getting dressed for church and we hear this rattling of a walmart bags in the den... so he walks in there and is like, "Um Kris... the dogs have all these toys and bones out."  AHHHH! You've GOT to be kidding me.
Who would have thought that 2 labs and a yorki poo could get underneath the guest bed (show Colby my hiding spot, why don't yah dogs!), find only THEIR bag of toy/bones out of all the "presents" and pull it out into the den for play time. So Mad! But of course... I couldn't take it away- They had already seen them! (Okay... I am very aware they are DOGS but I believe they remember things... and Santa can't come before Christmas day...) so we had a "happy thanksgiving" day for the dogs and now "dogs stocking fillers" have been added BACK onto my list of things to do. Crazy. but I love them.  Even now, as Milly, my 60lb baby dog, is in my lap on the couch helping me type, cough cough.  Oh Thanksgiving Holidays!

Great date night idea- Viking Cooking School in Ridgeland (or Persnickety Kitchens)
The girls went Saturday night for a "Date night in Paris" and had so much fun celebrating Kristen Parker's bachelorette night! It was a lot of fun and the food was delicious.  Made me think that it would be so much fun to bring Colby back and we could attend as a fun date night (Am I hoping he may learn a few tricks in the kitchen... yes...)  The one we attended was a hands on cooking class, where YOU cook your own food! We even flambayed TWICE- and I didn't catch on fire! HA.
I have been to the Alluvian and attended their cooking school... SO fun for a weekend away. The one we went to there was  a sit and learn type, which I have to say... is just as nice to do! It depends what you're into (or the mood your in).... if you want to get IN the action- go to the hands on class!

I am off to do some painting today... I have a little boy's jersey that I am painting for a room inside the grandmother's house- each grandchild has a canvas in "their room" (at her house) that has their name on a jersey- isn't that a cute idea!  This one... I am excited about painting... why, you ask... because it is a REBEL jersey! (Side note... we ALMOST beat LSU... seriously? So proud of my rebels for showing up for a game this season).
The other thing I am doing is a rendition of Walter Anderson's horse painting for a lady at the school- she is a BEAUTIFUL European rider! Can't wait to get started.... I'll post pics when they are finished!

~Happy Tuesday! ~ Be MERRY!

A "Feastful" Friday

I can't actually say that waking up this morning pointed to it becoming a "good" day... but now, looking back, it has improved drastically!  Colby and I awoke to find that one of our sweet labs had an upset tummy sometime during the night.... ALL ... over the laundry room. Yea- ICK. EW. DOUBLE ICK. So... after cleaning that up, disinfecting both of us, the floors, the walls, and anything that I could get my hands on, (oh and lighting every candle in the area...)  the day seemed that it could only improve, and thankfully- it did!

Today was our Kindergarten Feast! I really just love this day in the Kindergarten... all of the children get dressed in their  Pilgrims and Indians costumes and we (the whole K5) all sit together in the multi-purpose room and have our Thanksgiving feast.  Truly a wonderful ("full" being a BIG part of it) day!!  

Yesterday we had such an adventure here at school.  We went to bake our "Gingerbread Man" and he escaped right out of our oven.  Gone.  We have looked everywhere, and by everywhere... I mean... EVERYWHERE.  K5 children don't give up easily! SO much for our learning centers yesterday... we were out hunting for clues on the practice field!   Some even spotted "flour", "sugar", and gingerbread footprints... oh the imaginations.
When we return back from Thanksgiving Holidays- we will begin our Gingerbread "map" unit... I sent letters home to parents last week where they ask any out-of-state- relative to send a letter to our class stating that they had seen the Gingerbread Man! We already have 12 different letters of our Gingerbread Man's adventures (my babies sure will be surprised to know that he is not on the MRA field, but in Arizona, California, Alabama, Pennsylvania,  and Washington, D.C.!) He's even visited the MAYOR of Natchez, MS! I cannot WAIT to see their faces when I read each letter... PRICELESS I'm SURE!
If you are a teacher and want to try this, here is the letter I sent home:

 As we read each letter, we will pin a construction paper 

"gingerbread man" onto the map of the state he visited.... to end the unit on the last day before Christmas holidays I am going to sprinkle gingerbread crumbs on the tables and have Primo's Gingerbread men (simply the best) for them to snack on... with a note from our dear Gingerbread Man himself that says- "Run Run as Fast as you Can, You couldn't catch me I'm the Gingerbread Man but because you tried, and did your best- I have sent you some of my friends to taste test!" :)

Anyways... just thought I'd share. It is a GREAT experience for the children (and they are learning, TOO!)

The children decided that if we disguised our room as a "gingerbread man house" then he may come back on his own... So here are some pictures of our "Gingerbread room" that we created today after our feast...  

Our interactive writing "Missing" poster!

Gingerbread Man

Glitter Gumdrops!

Our class Bulletin Board- ready to track our gingerbread man!

Happy Friday to ALL!

and for the teachers... Happy Thanksgiving BREAK! 

Go be MERRY! 

~Love~

PB box and Taco Soup!

I am one tired girl today!
Wednesday's are my long day at the school- 7:30am until 6:00pm straight... I teach two art classes in between my K5 morning class and my afternoon K5 after-school care class on Wednesday... so like I said... WHEW.  We studied Eric Carle today in art though, and made beautiful torn paper turkeys- they turned out great.  See? A fun day leads to a tired teacher!

K5- they had to draw their own turkey

K4 -sorry it is turned!

One thing I LOVED about today was arriving home to my husband, a Pottery Barn box (I'll return to this in a moment) and to the smell of a yummy, ready to eat, chicken taco soup! Literally, all I had to do was get down two bowls and serve- all of this thanks to my handy dandy crock-pot!
Best. Invention. EVER.   
This is a GREAT soup from "Day in the Country" cookbook (from Chapel of the Cross). 
It was super easy to get together and it was super yummy... Here's the recipe!
1 onion, chopped
1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 8- ounce can tomato sauce
1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilies (I used Rotel brand)
1 1.25-ounce package taco seasoning
1 16- ounce can chili beans, undrained
1 15-ounce can whole kernel corn, drained
1 12- ounce can or bottle of beer
3 boneless, skinless  chicken breast
sour cream, cheddar cheese, and tortila chips for garnish

Place all ingredients except chicken in slow cooker. Stir well.  Lay chicken breasts on top, pressing down slightly until just covered with other ingredients.  Set slow cooker on low heat, cover, and let cook for 5 hours. Remove chicken breasts from soup and shred.  Stir the shredded chicken back into the soup and continue cooking for another 2 hours.  Serve in bowls topped with shredded Cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream and crushed tortilla chips.  (I put mine on at 7am... Colby shredded the chicken around 4 and we ate at 6-EASY!)

So.. back to my Pottery Barn box... hehehehe  (that is my "so excited giggle")

I received a text from Colby around 5 that said, " Busted... what is this Pottery Barn box on our porch?" 
OOPS!  My internet shopping from last weekend  has arrived.  "Oh Honey... it is just something "little" that I got for our house... " (Have I mentioned I have the most amazing husband.. ever?!)

But, wait for it.... just LOOK what it contained.... I'm in love... and you should be too!

The Twelve Days of Christmas salad/dessert plates... are they not just GORGEOUS?!

There is one for each "day"... a beautiful set that just happens to match our fine china perfectly!

Thanks Pottery Barn!

and I have to say... they are just as beautiful in person... if not more!

oh and what's this!  yes, MORE Christmas birds... except these have sparkle  :)

They are sold as a "vase filler"... However, I am not sure where they'll appear in our home yet!

We'll all have to wait and see...

TV/Couch time!

Go Be MERRY!

Love!

For the Teachers!

So... those of you who know me well,  KNOW that I LOVE teaching... And today's post is dedicated to my special teacher friends!

 Samples from my Fall/ Thanksgiving kindergarten unit...

Fall Bulletin Board- featuring torn paper owls, construction paper squirrels, and tissue paper corn stalks!

Paper Plate scarecrows, "Farm" unit writing

Our addition/writing/art/reading turkey! 

  (Idea from "Mrs. Kilburn's Kiddos"- a fabulous teaching blog.. you must go look!)

I love the way their "pottery" turned out... we used colored chalk

Our Thanksgiving Bulletin Board- featuring our interactive (whole group) writing about the Pilgrims voyage!

Here is a close up... Isn't their writing GREAT!?

We also did individual writing pages and illustrations for Thanksgiving (as mentioned in my post yesterday) but I haven't taken a picture yet.

And now, I must include a sample from my art class "Little Masters".  I LOVE teaching this class and seeing the children's creativity come to life! They are so TALENTED, as you can see!

This is how I display the work from my "Little Masters" Art class... We meet each Wednesday!

Above: My K4's replicated Van Goghs "Self-Portrait in Blue"

The K5 replicated/studied Kandinsky's "Farbstudie Quadrate"

This is a sampling of a few of our projects from the 2nd half of our "Little Masters" fall semester-

Shown are the studies from: Walter Anderson, Picasso's cubism using musical instruments (they traced the instruments from stencils), batik art, & Chuck Close "grid" self portraits... 

Both the K4 and K5 students are doing SO well with their art... 

Did I mention I love teaching?!! 

I also have a VERY special shout out for today!  

 Happy 3rd Birthday to my precious nephew, Noah... He is my buddy and I cannot believe he is THREE.  

  **Noah had a "pirate" birthday party... This is a picture of him on his birthday (with my niece, Meena (2), who is JUST as precious!) I am so blessed! They are posing in the pirate scene I painted for the party! I'll have to say, it was a hit... 

Happy Birthday to you, Noah!! 

Go be MERRY! Happy Tuesday!

Me... A blogger?

I don't quite know what inspired me to join the blog world this evening... but here I am!
When asked to title my blog... nothing else came to mind except how I have felt ever since I became a "Mason"... and that is MERRY!  Okay.. Okay.. maybe not EVERY second... let us all reflect on what Colby and I's first two months held for us.  I can honestly say that I never expected to return from our honeymoon and find my precious momma in ICU, in a coma... with pneumonia, nor did I expect to live in that "state of mind" for the next 76 days. I have to pause as I reflect on that. WOW. God is SO good. I say it all the time to anyone that will listen, but WOW.  He held our hands, our hearts, He heard our prayers... and because of this Colby and I began our marriage on our knees talking to HIM! So, yes, I am a Merry Mason :)  gooby...sure! but it's going to be my blog name, so get over it :)  

I cannot believe Thanksgiving is next week- we are full blown into the spirit of Thanksgiving at the Kindergarten... each day I am reminded how blessed I am in my job.  I LOVE those little children... we may have our "purple" moments.. but they are so precious, and awake each day with a new energy for life.  I hope I can gain some of their knowledge... like the simple writing prompt we did together today, "I am thankful for... "   and here are a few of the answers...
1."McDonalds"-  ummm hello. absolutely (It's Colby and I's favorite Sunday breakfast on the way to Ridgecrest)
2. "my pup-pup"  who didn't have a cuddly best friend to hold them, keep them safe, love on... ahh..memories
3 "my teacher"  I did cry a little at this one, but seriously. Where would we be without all the teachers that got us to this point!
4. "my friends"  so true. I couldn't have made it without you.
5. "my mom and dad"   a given-no comment needed- but I will add... I have the most amazing, wonderful, loving, inspiring, encouraging parents ever. Period.
6. "my sister who helps me"   Amen.
7. "my brothers who wrestle me"  Yup.
8. (Most Important and my favorite)  God, because he made me.   (Amen. Amen. AMEN!)

See... the things I learn at school.


I am super excited about our first Christmas this year... and due to that I have gone overboard shopping for Christmas "decor". I have also gone against my own preaching "No Christmas before Thanksgiving" BUT I think it is because I actually have a THEME for this year!! Ready for it??  Woodlands! I figured since my sweet husband loves being outdoors SO much (hunting), why not decorate the INSIDE of our house like the woods he so loves to sit in! (Insert BIG smile.. and sarcasm).  On a serious note... It will be beautiful, and I love the "woods" as much as he does.  The theme is more like the woodlands with a focus on birds! I was able to go to market in Atlanta with my sweet mother-in-law this summer and I purchased this BEAUTIFUL nativity scene... along with a dozen bird nests and song birds... and that's where the theme began. 
I decided I was going to "play" decorate for Christmas on Sunday morning before church (translation: I am ready to put ALL of our Christmas out-including the tree, Colby says it is to soon so therefore I just tell Colby I am just practicing to see where things are going to go...is this a white lie? uh oh.Guilty as charged)
So now I think I'll include my pictures from my "playing"-
Note to all- I have only "play" decorated one chest in the den - Other decorations will HAVE to wait until I'm out for Thanksgiving break and my hubby is away in the woods :)  !

Ahh... Christmas. 

I just love this nativity scene

Some of my "woodland" purchases 

Okay... well that is all the "thoughts" on my mind for now... but I am glad to be a part of the "blog world"!

Go be Merry!
~Much Love~
        Kris