old year's end

My last few end of the year blog posts have been an overview of each month and each popular post from that month. This routine generally brought lots of smiles and giggles as I was reminded of all that had happened in that year. As I was looking through my Stats recently I realized that this post has been my most popular and most read post not only for the year, but for the entire short little life of my blog. And with that reminder of that post and the wonderful woman in that post, I smiled. Who knew Miss Momma would be so famous in the blog world?! 

2012 was a hard year. For many more reasons than the loss of Miss Momma. I haven't been blogging much since my computer was stolen and it wasn't until recently when I sat down to recreate my 2013 Snapfish picture calendar that I realized I didn't have my pictures from the majority of the year anymore. Bye bye laptop = bye bye pictures. Don't worry, most of the good ones of Freddiefriend are on my phone. Sigh of relief. 

But during this hard year, and especially during the past few months, I feel like I have had to grow up. Fast. Grow up mentally, emotionally, spiritually, you name it. Life is hard. And it isn't fair. And no matter how many times Mary Caroline told us that growing up, it took some big oh no no's to open my eyes and make me try to swim through the bad stuff. So there are bad days and you want to do nothing but sit down and cry, right? (and oh Lawdy, those days seem to have come in mass recently). But this is the end of the whole year. 365 days--we did it! We even lived through the end of the world...several times...We get to experience a whole new year!

And you know what? Good stuff always accompanies the gross bad stuff. I've seen and felt some of the deepest love and support from my family. And I hope I've reciprocated. Moore hugs and Moore laughter, please. (you know you love the last name jokes!) And the love and support from Freddie, whoa. I am 100% positive this FF man is the best thing. Period. He's so good I don't even need any of those "since sliced bread" type endings on there. 

So this day, December 31, this end of the year, is a reminder for all those other days, when you feel like life is dragging you down down down and you are never getting back up, that you will. And life will go on. And a new year will come. 

And now, may I present, 2012: A Short Picture Review. (very short. and more like the last 1/4 of 2012.) 

Thank God for sisters and their picture taking and their lending of computers.

no big deal. that's just the tulle skirt I got for Christmas.

Last but not least, not a picture from 2012, but still a mighty fine picture.

Happy New Year Everyone!

I have a feeling 2013 might knock our socks off a bit. At least, it better. 

her majesty

I kind of have a thing for Christmas trees. You know in Home Alone 2 when Kevin doesn't want to go to Florida for Christmas and his mom says they can decorate a palm tree and instead he ends up in New York and she finally finds him standing in awe under the Rockefeller tree? Yeah, that's me. Except, if I was lost in NYC I would be curled up crying somewhere. But for the sake of this post, let's pretend I am standing under the big tree. 

Growing up, we always went to cut our own trees. Brawny Russ Moore would take us out, saw in hand, and we would point and laugh and excitedly pick and cut down a little ole 6 footer. Then everything changed. We moved into a new house with high high ceilings. With high ceilings came taller trees. With taller trees came Russ Moore wanting to go to the nursery and have those brawny men bring our tree right to the car. Our first tree in this house was a 12 footer and baby, it was beautiful. Ever since then my sister and I have become the biggest tree s-n-o-b-s. It has to be at least...8.5 ft. 9 ft? 

And our tree this year is one of the best of the best. A real beauty. Full. Thick branches. Tall. You know, all the must-haves when it comes to trees.

The point of all this? Christmas trees are wonderful. And so I will now share some pictures of ours.

Side note: Now that I am all grown-up (gross) and living on my own I just couldn't stand to put up a tiny tree in my little house. We managed to get an 8 footer into Freddie's house, but I still consider the tree at my parent's house to be my tree since a) it is and b) I spend Christmas there. 

And now, ladies and gentlemen, may I present, Her Majesty, The Moore Family Christmas Tree.

p.s.- funny, I am actually in Florida right now. Not with a palm tree, but with a fiber optics tree. I managed to snap a few pictures of Her Highness before leaving for vacation.

I didn't have much time to delve into the ornaments, but just know that there are ornaments representing just about every aspect of life on this baby. 

like pointe shoes and Luke Skywalker, need I say more?

Linking up with Veronica. Check it out. And hey, how about you let me check out your tree too! ;)

favs on a friday

Thoughts on Tuesday. Friday Favs. Apparently I am all about alliteration on this blog now. Does that mean tomorrow has to be Saturday Stories? Or Saturday Scandals?? 

The possibilities are endless. 

However, this week is not endless (Thank God) and it has almost come to an end. What better way to celebrate than a short review of the good stuff?

1- The Garden Lights at Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Freds and I went on Tuesday night and basked in the Christmasness. New word! Last night I had a dream that Freddie skipped around singing Christmas songs with me. If only that had happened here. 

2- Hand made gifts for our troupe students! Lindsey and I got creative (okay, Pinterest got creative for us) and made some of the best holiday gifts that any student shall ever receive. :)

3- A Poinsettia tree. I don't think this needs much more explanation. It is beautiful. And I love it. Period.

4- This is what you find when you go Christmas light looking in Georgia. Santa in the porta potty and Pooh (ehhh, anyone?) in line behind him. I feel so sorry for those of you living somewhere other than Georgia during the Holidays. 

What were your favorites this week?

Linking up with Rachel and Lauren. You should too!

baby, it's cold(ish) outside

Tuesday thoughts (and facts, I say!):

Wow, I'm almost done with my first semester of teaching!

The only downside to teaching little twinkled toe girls in Atlanta is this:

So uh, what's the fastest route home? Trick question. There isn't one!

The candy man ain't got nothing on Freddiefriend the cotton candy man. This is the result of going "Christmas shopping for other people." Imagine me doing the obnoxious quote unquote gesture here. One cotton candy machine equals one very excited Freddie. And excited Freddie just happens to be the best.

Last and certainly not least, this time next week I will be here. No, not here on the blog. Here, Disney World!

Christmas at Disney is more magical than Christmas at the North Pole. Even Santa agrees, I'm sure. Eee! 

What are you thinking about on this fine Tuesday?

Linking up with Helene.

while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads

My most recent post was about my favorite moments from November. I thought I would shake things up a bit and talk about something that has yet to happen (but soon will!) in December that is making me wet my pants with excitement. 

Too much?

This is the time of year for many things: family, friends, giving, cookies, holiday music, lights, decorations, eating, and...The Nutcracker. (the ballet. Although, it's the time of year for the doll too).

This 23 year old is missing her good ole Nutcracker dancing days so badly this year. If I could go back to painful rehearsal toes and hard to dance in partnering tutus, I think I would do it in a heartbeat right now. But ask me right now, because I might change my mind after thinking about that for a minute... Maybe it's because I've had enough time away from it or maybe it's because I teach little girls who really do have visions of sugar plum (fairies!), either way I find myself  waltzing down the Target aisles when Waltz of the Flowers is on the speakers, or doing the Sugar Plum menage around the living room. My nutty feet just cannot stop. I won't make them!

Freddiefriend got us some tickets and we are headed to see the Nutcracker next week. I fully anticipate to sit on the edge of my seat with pure glee. I fully anticipate Freddie to be doing the same thing. Hello?! First or fiftieth time seeing the Nutcracker is magical. And Christmas-y. And perfect. 

My twinkle toes are ready. Are yours?

Blast from the Past Crackin' Nuts pictures starting now:

 

favorites

It's that time of the month again. No, not that time. The last day of the month time where we chat about our favorite things that have been happening. My new friend Ashley from Dancing With Ashley started this monthly fun time! My list today is short and sweet and almost as good as listening to Miss Andrews sing about her favorite things. 

I'm sorry. I just can't write about favorite things without a nod to Julie or The Sound of Music. Not. Possible. 

My favorite thing?
This time of year. I love it SO much.

 If you've followed me for awhile (or for a few days...) you know I've got the lovey dovey eyes for all things Christmas. And this favorite Christmas thing is: a Christmas tree. More specifically, the memories that are made around those trees each year. Look at all the C-tree memories I've made just within the past few weeks! Ohh, how I love those little (and big) green guys that encompass all the best parts about Christmas. Lights, memories, Santa, presents, you know the list. Most importantly though, to me they encompass togetherness and comfort.

Sorry for the low quality phone pics...but Christmas trees have this thing where they look wonderful no matter what camera takes a picture of them. Just so ya know. 

Anybody ready to sing Oh Christmas Tree?                  

christerest = christmas + pinterest

It's that time of year again. No, I am not talking about the most beautiful time of the year, Christmas! I am talking about the time for another Pinterest post. I spent the day before Thanksgiving crafting for Christmas. And maybe cooking a little. No judging, we had to have some Christmas decorations ready to be put up as soon as Thanksgiving dinner was over.

Yes, I am one of those people. Those people meaning the best kind of people. 

Merry Pinterest Christmas!

Craft #1: Glitter Reindeer 

canvas, glitter, glue, and you

Anyone who has a Pinterest has seen this glorious glitter pin floating around. If you haven't seen it then your Pinterest is probably fake. Kidding! But as soon as I saw this I was hooked. Insert some joke here about girls and glitter. 

And guess what? It was easy peasy.

1-Find a reindeer silhouette on Google. 

2-Print and cut out. 

3-Tape to canvas and trace outline. A very serious step according to Ann's face.

4- Spread glue all over shape and generously pour on the glitter. 

5-Let dry and shake off excess glitter. 

6-Hang in a place where everyone can ooh and ahh. Done.

Craft #2: Ribbon Wreath

wreath form, ribbon, hot glue, felt

I made a wreath a few weeks ago for a friend's birthday. I used a straw wreath form and honey child, afterwards my floor looked like the middle of a haystack. (but the wreath was gorgeous!) This time I decided to use a foam form (say that five times fast) and it was much easier. I am a foam form convert and proud of it. 

1-Wrap ribbon around entire wreath form. I used ribbon this go-around, but I used yarn last time. Either way, the wreath looks purdy. 

2- Make felt flowers. This is the best video I have found in teaching how to make one of the many kinds of felt flowers. They are super cutesies and I am super not creative so this video was very helpful. 

3-Glue on the flowers and voila. You now have a wreath and girl, it looks good. 

The one I made before this one was way more embellished. That's the beauty of making these, use your creative freedom and go crazy up on that wreath. 

Ann and I will be making an ornament wreath sometime in the near future so stay tuned and on the edge of your computer chair because it's coming. And thanks to that cute little Anny-boo for taking good pictures and making good things with me.

Tell me what you have been pinning and crafting!

Merci-giving

The past few years I have written silly little posts about silly little things for which I am most thankful. Like indoor plumbing. Hello, I am still so thankful for that silly little thing. This year I had planned to do the same 'ole same 'ole, but after this morning I decided to do something different. Welcome to Thanksgiving Post: Edition 3.0. 

Early this morning I crept away from the pre-cooking shenanigans and visited Miss Momma's grave. Saying I have been dreading these holidays, dreading the change and empty place at our table, is an understatement. As soon as I woke up I knew I wanted to go sit at the grave and think. Think about the past, think about the past few months, and think about the future. Think and give thanks.

So peacefully sitting there I decided that I am most thankful for time. And that we get to choose how to spend our time--isn't that the best part?! You get to decide what happens with your precious time. If you want to travel the world, then you get to travel the world. If you want to surround yourself with family and soak up their goodness, you can do that. Or maybe you want to help others? Have a long fulfilling career? Sit on the couch and eat all that good but oh so horrible for you food? You can do it! You decide. And you get to enjoy. That is a beautiful thing. 

I forgot to mention the obvious option of choosing to read my blog all the time. Time well spent, if you ask me... ;)

As for me, I choose to spend my time crafting with my sister, watching old home videos with my brother, sharing minds with my mom (seriously, great minds really do think alike), or laughing at every thing Russ Moore says. I spend my time trying to make Freddie laugh so I can hear that perfect laugh of his. I spend my time teaching the cutest little girls all about the ballet world benefits of a good first position. Watch out world, there are some fierce ballerinas about to grow up. I spend a lot of time thinking about Christmas no matter what part of the year it is. I spend time (and want to spend much more time) eating, laughing, talking, texting amazing iPhone emoticons, and eating some more with good friends. 

Laughing seems to be mixed in there a lot which is a-okay with me since the cry face laughing emoticon on the iPhone is my favorite...

Happiest of Thanksgivings to y'all. I hope you love and enjoy your sweet, precious time. Especially the time it took to read this time-y post. Fun time!

So now if you don't mind me asking, how do YOU choose to spend your time?

Pining for Pinterest

I've never been one to do a lot of crafting. I have been one who always wanted to do a lot of crafting. When I first got a Pinterest account I was all like Ohhh, this is awesome! I get to look at pictures of things I'll never actually get around to making, but it is so nice to think about being the kind of person who would make them.

Then it hit me...why didn't I make some of the things I kept pinning? 

So I did! And let me tell you, I am hooked like an ornament on a Christmas tree (like the holiday reference?It's that time of year). 

The past few weekends turned into craft day weekends and I could not be happier about it. I want to pin a DIY medal so I can make myself a medal---that is how excited I am to have become a Crafter. Officially. It needs to be set in some letters after my name like, Emily C. Moore, PC. (Pinterest Crafter).

Yes? No? I'll work on it. 

And now, enough of this babbling nonsense. Let's get on to the crafts of the hour!

Ever seen this pin floating around?

As soon as I saw it I knew what my first craft would be. And it was so easy (as easy as 1-2-3).
1- Pick quote and find fun print. 2- Stick vinyl letters on print. 3- Paint over letters and peel off when dry.

Done, son. It looks mighty fine hanging up in my bedroom.

And this is the part when my obsession started. And got Ann and Freddiefriend involved. The rest of history.


doilies + canvas + spray paint = another craft as easy as 1-2-3.
1- place doilies on canvas with spray adhesive. 2- spray paint entire canvas. 3- peel off doilies.

Then my engineer Freddiefriend helped me get the most perfect chevron stripes for another craft...

                                                                                                                                                                                      photos: Ann Moore

I've crafted several other goodies. Pictures to come. But first I need to know, what have YOU been pining after on Pinterest?

raindrops on roses

Everytime I do a Favorite Things post I want to include some witty joke about Julie Andrews and singing and the Sound of Music and yadda yadda yadda. So pretend that that was my witty joke! Badda bing, you can even chuckle a little if you want. Ya know, to make it even more realistic. 

Anyways, let's get on with the answer to the ever-exciting question of, "Emily, what are some of your favorite things right now?"

Well y'all, these are some of my favorite things...

1. Pinterest crafting. Me Oh My, I cannot get enough. Don't worry, I am planning a big 'ole post about all the crafting that has been going on over here. Here is a little taste to hold you over. Yum!

2. It's ombre or the highway. And I choose ombre. Yay for new hair and a hairdresser than can make my hair look like something other than stick straight. Girl please, I wish I had those magic powers. 

3. Home. To me, home is where the prettiest courthouse is. And that is definitely in Newnan. Sorry Atlanta, I might live with you, but Newnan is my home. 

Photo credit for all three pictures goes out to the lovely Ann Moore. I got lucky in the sister department. And in the photographer department.  

Now it's your turn! Me and Julie (Andrews, duh) want to know what are some of your favorite things?

happy happy joy joy

I wanted to post this list mid-week. You know, like right in the middle of the week when you can't believe you've made it that far, but you don't think you can make it any farther to the weekend? Yeah, that day. But, obviously, I didn't get it posted then (because I was too busy wondering how I managed to get to Wednesday). 

So Saturday seems like a pretty great second choice day to post this happy list. You made it to Saturday! We conquered the week and for that, I am happy. 

Here are some other reasons I'm smiling this week:

1. I smile and sing like an American Idol contestant (so that means badly) as I listen to the new Mumford and Sons album over. And over. And over. And...well really all the time. Listening to that CD is an experience and honey child, I cannot get enough. 

2. I smile everyday when I hear little voices calling me 'Miss Emily'. "Miss Emily, look at my releve!"
"Miss Emily, watch my grand jete!" Little ballerinas are the best, as are their releves and grand jetes. 

3. I smile when I go to my fridge to get water and notice Freddiefriend has put butternut squash ravioli and goat cheese in there. I mention something sounds good once and bam, it's in my fridge. Hubba hubba, that's romantic to moi. 

Speaking of food, this makes me the happiest. 

                                                                                                                                                                                          photo: Pinterest

Any justification that makes my fatty tendencies look good sounds like a mighty fine justification to me...

This is the part where I ask you what makes you happy and you tell me! Thank goodness for whomever invented commenting on blogs. Make them proud and tell me why you're smiling. 

:)

hey, it's ellijay

If I had to pick one of my favorite things about Freddiefriend I would probably say...that it was too hard. But since I am writing this and have had plenty of time to think and pick just one before posting, I say one of my favorite things is that he is always up for an adventure. No matter how crazy my reasoning for the adventure may be or how little sleep he gets the night before, he just puts on a smile and packs some food and blankets. You know, the necessities for any adventure.  

Last year we decided to spend a nice fall day in Ellijay. Why Ellijay? I mean, hellooo we live in Atlanta, the most happenin' place around.  Well, Ellijay has trees. Lots and lots of trees that have lots and lots of pretty and colorful leaves this time of year. Ellijay also has a lot of apples. A lot. An apple a day keeps the doctor away, so I'm pretty sure there never has  been and never will be a doctor in Ellijay. It also is quiet. And quaint. And the complete opposite of Atlanta. So there, that is why we went.

Well, fall came around again this year (imagine that...) and I decided we should go spend another day in Ellijay. Because it's pretty! And Atlanta doesn't have apples, right?

This is the part where Freddiefriend just smiles and picks me up and off we go.

And off we went!

Life post-college doesn't really slow down. While I may see FF more frequently during the week when homework isn't consuming all hours, when we do see each other during the week I feel like we are in zombie mode. Must eat dinner. Must keep eyes open for dinner. Must sleep now. The other night we were sitting on the couch and I was about to get up and leave so I could go to bed when I realized it wasn't even 9. Clock say whaaat?! Why did we fight early bedtimes so much as children?...

So, if you ask me, spending a whole day up in the middle of nowhere mountains with FF was perfect. And maybe if you asked Freddie he would say the same. Except not. (because he would probably say it was beyond perfect). I betcha didn't know FF talks like that and all. 

Ain't a good blog post without some pics, y'all. Enjoy feeling like you're looking at pretty postcards. 

And this creepy scarecrow/mannequin hybrid is saying Score, you picked some good apples! or something like that...