Celebrate each blessing that comes to you with true splendor and amazement.
Be merry and bright. xoxox-denise
MERRY AND BRIGHT
December 24th, 2013
FAVORITE POSTS OF 2013
December 23rd, 2013
With a relaunch in July, Where is June took on a whole new look. It has been a year full of growth and creativity. With over 200 posts, it was fun to look back and decide on nine to highlight as favorites. Some were reader favorites, while others are my personal favorites. Thank you so much for your continued support. I truly love writing and creating this blog. After taking a couple weeks off to rest and celebrate with my boys, I will be back here ready for a brand new year! I hope 2013 closes with your hearts full and 2014 brings you nothing but happiness.
Top Row:
Middle Row:
{DAIRY FREE} STRAWBERRY SMOOTHIE
Bottom Row:
{See you back here on January 6, 2014!}
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SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER
December 19th, 2013
Fall and Winter weather and the lack of light bums me out. Now you may laugh since I live in Seattle where it is gloom and doom from November until June. What do I expect? The picture says it all!
For me, it is a bit more than the winter doldrums. I think I may have Seasonal Affective Disorder {referred to as SAD, very appropriately}. Of course, for now, my diagnosis comes from Internet surfing and the very knowledgeable professionals at WebMD and the MayoClinic. Man, disorder sounds bad, doesn’t it?
SAD is described as a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year. If you’re like most people with seasonal affective disorder, your symptoms start in the fall and may continue into the winter months, sapping your energy and making you feel moody. For that last few years, at least, come October I hit the wall. This year I expected it and sure enough as soon as the leaves starting changing colors I started to feel down. Just kind of – blah.
Some of the listed symptoms:
Feeling sad, grumpy or moody. {Sorry to say that’s me. Just ask my kids and husband.}
Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. {The big one for me is exercise. I am barely getting in one workout in a week. Totally unlike me!}
Sleep more and feel drowsy during the daytime. {I drank a cup of coffee at 5pm today. I could barely keep my eyes open.}
Eat and crave carbohydrates. {It is ugly.}
Loss of energy. {Even with 9+ hours of sleep I feel like I am running on empty.}
Wow! Don’t you want to hang out with me? I really am fun, I swear.
Do any of you suffer from SAD or know anyone who does? How about Light Therapy and light boxes? Other treatments? I am eager for any and all information. If I could feel better this year and prevent it next year- I am all in.
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CLASSIC COCOA & CANDY CANE SPOONS
December 18th, 2013
This year I wanted to put together a simple, handmade gift. A jar of classic cocoa and a bundle of candy cane spoons is festive and it works for anyone!
I cut the original Classic Cocoa recipe from Sunset Magazine in half and layered the ingredients in a pint sized {wide-mouthed} Mason jar. With a little Chalkboard Flat-Black Spray Paint on the lids, I was able to add messages and hand- drawn hearts. Cocoa is always better with a bit of peppermint. Well, at least I think so! I almost fell over when I found these darling candy cane spoons. I bundled them together in a clear treat bag and tied with baker’s twine. Last, I created an enclosure with directions on how to make the cocoa. {Download the template here if you would like to print the enclosure.}
You could make this gift in less than an hour and buy all of the needed ingredients at the grocery store. {In a time crunch, use candy cane sticks and skip the chalkboard paint.}
Be merry and bright.
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DIY MONOGRAMMED WREATH
December 17th, 2013
So excited to say this DIY project was all me! Months ago I purchased this wooden “T” at Michael’s. I can’t remember the cost, but I think it was around $5. Like most things I buy at that store, I had no idea how I was going to use it!
I ended up using it to create my own monogrammed holiday wreath. First, I taped diagonal stripes. {To make sure the spacing and angle of the tape was consistent, I used an extra piece of tape between each stripe and then peeled it off.} Next, I sprayed a few coats of gold metallic spray paint. Then, I secured an eye hook to the back of the letter and looped floral wire through the eye. Last, I wrapped the floral wire around a fresh wreath and attached my monogram.
After the holiday season, I can simply take off the letter and store it for next year!
Be Merry & Bright.
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DIY PINE CONE GARLAND
December 17th, 2013
I do love seeing DIY projects, but I seem to only pick the ones that are easy and require little effort. I loved the idea of a rustic pine cone garland. Actually, I quietly would like to replace my holiday decor with all white, metallic, and natural decorations. Instead of throwing everything out, I am trying to add accents that require little to no budget.
For this garland, I purchased a bag of scented pine cones at the grocery store. Next, I drilled very small holes into the base of the pine cones and screwed in small eye hooks with a pair of needle nosed pliers. Everything is better with gold spray paint, so I gave them each a quick coat. Finally I tied each pine cone on the line of twine. If I was to do it again {which I will next year}, I would use heavier, rustic twine. Mine looks more like kite string.
I simply hung the garland in front of a set of windows using small Command hooks. It adds a natural element to our dining room and smells amazing to boot!
Be Merry and Bright!
Interested in other DIY projects? Check out my TO DO board. xoxo
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JEN’S SIGNS GIVEAWAY
December 16th, 2013
I am so excited to offer another giveaway and just in time for the holidays. Today’s giveaway is from Jen’s Signs! My talented friend Jennifer hand makes each piece. She has many signs available to purchase on her website and specializes in custom signs. {If you have seen it or imagined it, she can make it for you! She is crazy good. } The smaller signs make lovely hostess or teacher gifts this time of year. You can also see many of Jen’s recent designs on her Facebook page. Be sure to check it out!
For a chance to win this festive reindeer sign, visit Jen’s Signs and leave a comment below with your favorite sign from her online store. Entries must be posted by Wednesday, December 17 by 9am PST. One winner will be chosen at random.
{Limited to U.S. readers. Winners will be announced on Where is June? Facebook page and by email.}
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PLAYING WITH THE BOYS
December 11th, 2013
I digress from holiday posts to discuss with you a vitally important topic. Who is the hottest flyer in the Top Gun volleyball scene? Oh, I know you know it. I just watched Top Gun again over the weekend. You remember the players: Maverick, Goose, Ice Man, & Slider. I am pretty sure Goose is out of the running since the poor guy didn’t even get to take his shirt off. So then we are left with three! My choice? Slider. Hello, beautiful. Seriously, just look at him.
Need to refresh your memory? For your viewing pleasure:
Now I ask you. Who is hottest Naval Aviator in this scene?
{And, just as important, what happened to the actor that played Slider.}
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EASY TOFFEE
December 10th, 2013
Ok, this is not a diet food. Let’s just get that out of the way. But, this toffee is oh, so delicious! Here is another favorite holiday treat!
Easy Toffee
15 [or so] graham crackers
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup butter
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup copped nuts.
Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line 13×9 inch pan with foil, grease foil with butter. Arrange graham crackers in pan. [Some may need to be broken so that entire bottom is covered. It doesn’t need to be pretty.] In medium saucepan, combine brown sugar and butter; bring to boil. Remove from heat; pour over graham crackers. Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes. Remove from oven; immediately sprinkle with chocolate chips. When chips are soft, spread over top; sprinkle with nuts. Chill about 30 minutes until chocolate is set. Break into pieces. Store in refrigerator.
Deelish! Be merry and bright.
You might want to make Five Minute Fudge. xoxo
* Recipe from Pillsbury Holiday Classics II ©1983. A gift to me from my grandmother’s kitchen.
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A HOLIDAY MEMORY BOOK
December 10th, 2013
My dearest, childhood friend gave me the idea to start a holiday memory book. It is a simple way to gather the photos, cards and Santa pictures in one, safe place. I chose an expandable scrapbook style, so I can add to it when we need the extra pages. The first page is our first Christmas as a married couple. Once we had children I began to also send a small note with our picture. Every year has two pages. Our family photo and letter on one side and the boys’ Santa picture on the other. I buy holiday themed papers at a craft store along with a few embellishments. The beauty of this book is that I only have a small, quick project once a year. At the end of the holiday season, I toss our card and pictures in the back of the book- so they are ready for the following year. I am going to work on the 2012 pages this week. The book sits on our coffee table throughout December. I love looking through it. It is a treat to see how far we’ve come!
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A Few of My Favorites
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