Happy Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Princess wanted to make something to share with you for Thanksgiving - so I will keep this short and let her "present" to you stand out as today's post. I did want to share with you that I am thankful for each and every one of you. You guys are my sounding board, my friends, and my sanity. I could not get through the antics the childebeasts pull without you. You guys are the best - and for that, I am thankful.

Here is the special present the Princess made for you. She was very specific: post it on my blog for Thanksgiving, tell you "you're special" and to "remember to be thankful", and to say, "GOBBLE! GOBBLE!".

EDIT: You have to check this video out...consider it the second part of the Royal Zoos Thanksgiving wishes to you.

xx,

Christmas at the Castle

Everyone at the Castle is recovering from Christmas. There is lots to share about the royal goings-on, so I will try to keep everything short. (As if that's possible for this rather large mouthed Queen!)

Christmas Eve was spent at the home of the Grand Poobahs. This year it was decided by the hostess Grand Poobah, my mother, we would all participate in a "white elephant" exchange. Everyone brings something they already own and do a re-gifting of sorts. The participants draw numbers and choose a wrapped gift from under the tree. After choosing, the person with a higher number can either choose a different wrapped gift - and take their chances - or "steal" a gift from someone who already went. Although the Queen had participated in white elephant exchanges at cookie exchanges and work parties, this was the first time I've ever heard of it being played as the way to do a family Christmas. It was a fun event nevertheless, and I ended up "stealing" two delightful tea cups and saucers from my motorcycle-riding step-dad. Somehow I don't think he minded. ;) In the end everyone left with something they never would have purchased for themselves. (For the record, my contribution was a dinner mystery game, similar to this.)

This is one of the two sets I "stole" - perfect for tea cup fairies, don't you agree?

Since the Princess is at her dad's for Christmas break - - the boys and I just "chillaxed" (the new word I learned from my oldest) on Christmas Day. They played with their new X-Box 360 while I did some work - then we spent the rest of the day on art. A fantastic way to spend Christmas Day!

I also wanted to show you the angel made for the top of our tree this year, by the Princess. Isn't she beautiful?
But the very best part of Christmas - besides the time spent creating?
The pink delight. YUM! Thanks, Mom!
And if you're looking for some really beautiful eye candy, check out these amazing dolls by Susan Snodgrass. The series done on sea shells is just mind blowing!

My Budding Artist

I think I have a budding artist - which is totally surprising, considering her mom isn't into art at all. ha

I'm glad someone in the Castle is able to get some art done. I thought I would share one of her pictures with you - just to perk up the middle of your week. Happy Wednesday!
By the way, I wanted to give a shout out to ModernLadyEtiquette.com. They had a giveaway of Clinton Kelly's book, Freakin' Fabulous. Clinton pairs with Stacy London on the tv show What Not to Wear. Of course, the Queen doesn't have problems of that sort...but who doesn't want to be Freakin' Fabulous??

I won the book and can't wait to receive it. Who knows...maybe Clinton can teach royalty "How to Dress, Speak, Behave, Eat, Drink, Entertain, Decorate, and Generally Be better than Everyone Else" (the subtitle of the book). ha

In order to win, ModernLadyEtiquette.com had readers leave a comment stating one thing that makes a Modern Lady fabulous. It could only be one word. My answer was STRENGTH. So my question to you is...what is one quality that makes YOU fabulous??

Budding Artist

Today is all about being a proud mama - which, if you keep up with my life at all you know I deserve.

The school year is winding down so the school is sending home work the students have done throughout the year. This is especially true with the fifth graders because they will embark on their middle school career after the summer. Alex - who just turned 11 last week - brought home his artwork today...and I'm trying to contain a little of my amazing pride and excitement as I write this. All three of my kids are artistic - even if they don't particularly place great importance on their creative skills. However, at various times throughout the year my two youngest will come home with unbridled excitement about the projects they are working on in art. I never get to see any of these projects throughout the year unless I'm lucky enough to happen upon one of their masterpieces in the school hallway. So the end of the school year is a mixed bag - the excitement to see what the kids have accomplished throughout the year combined with the sheer terror that they'll be home for a couple of months.

Alex brought home his artwork today - and I am utterly impressed! He is such a talented young man - even though he tries to hide his talent under a dark cover, it's impossible. I am so proud of him - this is the one area where one of my children is following in my footsteps. Can you just hear me gushing??

He brought home three pieces. The first is a self-portrait he did from a school photo of himself. Since I am unable to draw a stick figure with a ruler and a compass, I am both proud and envious. I think he did a superb job!


This next piece is a sun embossed on a copper sheet and antiqued with India ink. I love this - the texture is incredible. This picture does not do the original work justice - it's just beautiful in person.

And lastly, my favorite. His mask. It's paper mache and it's an imprint of his face. I remember his excitement when they constructed the masks in class. He painted the paper mache with acrylic paints and added rhinestones and "hair". He modeled the design after Ray Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero, his two favorite wrestlers. I am completely astonished with his mask - looking at it is total eye candy. I'm so impressed with my talented son!