The first Christmas that Craig and I were married, I insisted on some modest decorations. I bought a set of three small artificial trees and some ornaments in a blue and silver theme. That comprised our Christmas setup for 2009 and 2010, and both of those years, we were actually away from home on Christmas morning.

For 2011, our first Christmas when we'd actually be in our own place, Craig opted for a living tree, and since I was unable to find those blue and silver ornaments (seriously, where did they go?! Our apartment is not that big!), I decorated it with candy canes, a paper chain garland, and an eight-point star made from cardboard and tin foil. Craig surprised me on Christmas morning by adding lights to the tree, the one thing I really needed for Christmas to feel real.

All in all, it's a scrappy but beautiful little tree.

The night before Christmas -- plenty of presents, but no lights just yet!

The star I made. Do you like how lopsided and doofy it is? Because I do.

I took this one whilst sitting on the couch on Christmas morning. Sneaky Craig put the lights on the tree in the night. And for the sake of explanation, the TV is tuned in to "I Love the 90s" on VH1 (the whole "I Love the" series is a serious favorite of mine). Craig had me turn up the volume while he set up a surprise Skype call with my family in the other room. SNEAKY CRAIG!

And here the tree sits today. I'm planning to take it down and use the lights and star somewhere else in the house, but we'll see how the day goes.

Sights: Home Things from Pinterest

I use Pinterest a lot, for all kinds of things. I use it to save pictures of haircuts I might want someday. I use it to save pictures of animals I wish could be my pets. I use it to save pictures of dinner parties in the ocean (okay, there's just the one picture that fits that description, but still).

I also use Pinterest to catalog ideas for my current and future living spaces, whether those ideas involve great pieces of furniture, interesting wall decor, or color schemes. Here are some sights from my recent Pinterest travels, with a focus on the home. One of my goals this year is to make my home a happy, beautiful, restful place to be, and these images relate largely to that goal.

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Things I Love: Dreyer's Cookies'nCream

Cookies'nCream. Is that how you spell it? Is that a correct use of 'n? Not sure.

This is my favorite ice cream available at the grocery store. I spent my New Year's Eve eating it, but I made sure to use a bowl rather than just eating it from the carton. That's only acceptable when the ice cream is almost gone, when you're down to the dregs.

Lists: Church Callings I've Held

Beehive 1st Counselor (ie part of the class leadership for our ward's group of 12-13 year old young women)
Beehive President
Mia Maid President (ie same as above, but for 14-15 year olds)
Laurel President (ie same as above, but for 16-18 year olds)
Assistant Girls' Camp Director
Visiting Teaching Supervisor
Ward Activities Chair
Visiting Teaching Supervisor (again)
Gospel Doctrine Teacher (tag-teamed with Craig)
Relief Society Teacher (for exactly two lessons)
CTR-4 Teacher (ie teacher for the ward's group of four-year-olds)

Goals: Contemplating 2012

(I based my New Year's Resolution structure on this post from Thirty Handmade Days.)

One word:
TRY
(translated, this means that my general resolution for the new year is to try new things)

What I really want in 2012 is:
-to begin quilting (which means I want a sewing machine)
-to create a home environment that's peaceful, attractive, and consistent
-to become a mom

What I really need in 2012 is:
-to improve my muscular and cardiovascular strength
-to be more mindful of expressing my gratitude
-to document my own life and personal history

What I will share in 2012 is:
-me! my thoughts and experiences and progress, via this blog
-my money, through consistent charitable giving

In 2012 I will succeed at:
-freelance writing
-frequent reading (of books, not just blogs and online articles!)
-completing my doula certification