In case you're in need of some last minute Christmas decor before family and friends come to visit, I thought I'd share this. I actually made it several weeks ago when Kirra was in town, but finally hung it on our front door just in time for Christmas.

It couldn't have been easier to make.

I wrapped a straw wreath form in a simple linen-ish fabric, then wrapped some doilies around one side of it and pinned them with small pins. (You could also use a glue gun.)

This rose was something I bought in London (as a large brooch) several years ago, and it had been laying in my craft closet forever. I pinned it on, too. You could easily use a large silk flower or two from a craft store.

The lettering is from any craft store and was already glittered. I just glued the backs of the letters to a piece of twine. 

"Wonder & Joy" pretty much sums up what I feel around Christmas.

And I have a feeling it may have been what Mary felt, too. 

What a wondrous, joyful time of year!

Do I have the cutest niece?

Or do I have the cutest niece?

I know I'm biased, but seriously....

Don't worry, many many more pictures to come. 
I'm a shamelessly proud auntie.

Almost there...

I have one final exam to go. 

ONE! 

Then this crazy semester taking A&P II, Nutrition, and Microbiology all at one time (while working 30 hours a week) will be done! HOORAY!! I'll just be working/painting, which will feel like a breeze compared to piling school on top of it.

Then I'll have 3 glorious weeks to catch up on life.

Calling friends,

baking,

getting our Christmas card figured out (oops),

enjoying Christmas traditions,

finishing my Christmas shopping,

getting immunizations for clinicals, :(

shopping for these:

(Don't you just love the shoes, too?) :)

I'll also be meeting this little girl for the very first time:

My niece, Charis.

Yep, it's going to be an incredible 3 weeks. And it begins at 2:30 this afternoon. 

I cannot wait!

What are you looking forward to most during this Christmas holiday?

How we spent our weekend, in pictures.

In need of an intervention.

Last night Shawn and I walked into Chipotle and before being asked what we'd like to order, the man behind the counter said, "It's you again! Just so you know, if you buy a $25 gift card, you get a free entrée. That might help since you guys are here all the time."

He handed our burrito bowls off to the next person and man #2 chimed in, "You know, I think every single shift I've ever worked here, I've seen you guys."

Great. Just great.

In Chicago where there's a Chipotle on every other block, we could go to different locations so they wouldn't recognize us as being there all the time. But here? We only have one that's within a reasonable distance. And they better get used to seeing us. :)

I usually just make the excuse that because I have to eat gluten-free, it's one of the only restaurants that's healthy, cheap, and I leave feeling full. At almost any other restaurant, I have to order a salad or something super plain (i.e. grilled chicken with no seasonings and some steamed vegetables). So they can't blame me for visiting Chipotle about 3 times a week, right? :) I seriously think I could eat there every day and not get tired of it.

Any other Chipotle addicts out there?

Raise your hands. No condemnation here!

What do you order? 

I get the burrito bowl with black beans and the veggie fajita mix, mild and medium salsa, and guac. Just in case anyone wondered. :)

Also, any other Celiacs with other restaurant ideas? 

(Not that I'm trying to get out of eating at Chipotle, but it would be nice to know of some other options if you know something I don't!)