Corman Christmas

We spent Christmas with my family in Auburn.  Because my sister is in graduate school in London this will be the last time we are all together until October...so it was nice to enjoy several days together before she went back to school.

Christmas is somewhat more "relaxed" in our family these days.  My parents moved to Auburn several years ago from my hometown of Atmore.  We are thrilled they are in Auburn, but it is strange to not be in Atmore especially at Christmas simply because so many of our traditions centered around our house, our Church, but most importantly the people there. 

Also Christmas tends to be more relaxed when the "kids" are all in their 20's and 30's.  There is no getting up a the crack of dawn to see what Santa brought, we all take turns opening presents, and the afternoon is spent napping or watching TV not playing with or putting together toys.

Don't get me wrong...I look forward to childish Christmas' again, but for now I do enjoy the low key relaxed celebration we have going at the moment.

Nick and I were up first so this is us waiting on everyone to get up...I think we actually started opening presents around 10:30!

"Never-thought-I'd-say-this" Post

Auburn University's football team is playing for the national championship on Monday, January 10th, 2011.

Burlap Tree Skirt

Some of you remember this post where I stated that I was going to attempt to make my own version of the Ballard Designs Burlap Tree Skirt.  Well I did it...and I thought it turned out really well.

I know this post would have been much better to have done BEFORE Christmas, but I got busy and didn't get around to it.  Sorry! 

I did not take pictures as I went, but I used this series of videos and it was very helpful:

http://www.monkeysee.com/play/4198-how-to-make-a-custom-christmas-tree-skirt


We have a smaller tree so I wanted my skirt to have a 36 inch diameter.  For that size these are the supplies I used:

2 yards of ivory burlap (probably could have used a little less, but I wanted to be sure I had enough)
2 yards of blackout lining
3 1/4 yards of ivory fringe

I don't think she talks about this in the video, but to determine the amount of fringe you need take your diameter (36 inches for me) and multiply it by 3.2 (36 x 3.2= 115.2 inches).  Then convert to yards.

I was able to buy all of the supplies from Joann's either on sale for 50% off or with a 40% off coupon.  In all I think I spent about $27.

**Correction**

My husband got MOST everything correct in his 2010 review, however it seems that I must have missed an anniversary because I sure thought in April we celebrated our 1 year anniversary.  Nick if you are right....you owe me a present!