Eight Maids A-Milking

Due to a special request by Lia, I'm posting the Eight Maids A-Milking gift a little early... Isn't that the cutest Milk Duds container? When did they start making such adorable packaging?

Seven Swans A-Swimming

Small wrench in the plans: My Secret Santa wasn't at work yesterday, so the Six Geese A-Laying egg carton is still in her mailbox! I don't want to overload her! Hmm... what to do??? Here is a picture of the Seven Swans A-Swimming gift:

Six Geese A-Laying

Here's what my Secret Santa is getting today... filled with gold-wrapped chocolate coins! Below is a look at the inside of the carton, plus a little bonus peek at a prized posession in my office. The BSC loves Secret Santas too!

Five Golden Rings

Hee hee hee...

Secret Surprise for My Husband

Every time we make pancakes or waffles, Karl says, "Do we have any maple syrup?" And we never do. But over the weekend I secretly bought some real maple syrup and stashed it in the pantry, right by Karl's beloved Krusteaz mix. So next time he goes to make pancakes, he'll find it! I love surprises!

Four Calling Birds

This is my favorite of the twelve gifts my Secret Santa is getting... it's a package of notecards with birds on them. Get it? Calling birds?

What I Love

Snow falling softly outside... and seeing it out our front window, where the stained glass piece Karl made for our wedding is hanging.


Our pantry... this is my favorite shelf, with the strawberry jam Karl and I made this summer, plus one jar of raspberry, waiting to be made into some special Christmas cookies for my mom!



All of the laundry washed and put away...




All of the dishes washed and put away...





And cookies in the oven while I have some time to work on reading for the Newbery committee. Here is a picture of our living room wall, which is totally taken over by books. I know Karl loves it, but I'm sure he'll be okay when February comes and we can give all of these books away!