I'm still here

Hey everyone, so I am still here, still alive. I needed to take a little break after Ralphy past, which ended up being a longer then planned break, but it has been a difficult month for me. How was everyone's Christmas? I had a hard time getting into the "Christmas Spirit" this year. Our tree didn't go up until the week before, I didn't listen to my favorite Christmas music, etc? Have you found it more difficult to feel that spirit? I remember Christmas as a child, it just felt so magical to me, but that feeling always lessened with every year. What is that? Has anyone else felt that way? This next year, I am determined to make it "magical" and spiritual to me. Maybe I have to find what it truly means for me. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love this time of year. I love being with my family. I love getting together with friends. I love giving gifts to others. I love the sweet smell in the air. But I want to turn it more on Christ, at least more personally for me... after all, that is what Christmas is all about right?!

I called this Christmas my "Home-made Christmas". I tried to make a lot of my gifts this year, and I will tell you what, it was not easy! It took a lot of hard work and time... but I loved it! I really enjoy giving something to someone special that you made yourself. It just puts a little more meaning to gift giving... for me anyway. I am planning to do it again... I just need to give myself more prep time! :) What were some of the things you did this year? I'd love to hear them!

So every year my sisters and I do a "Sister gift". It'n not usually anything big, but it's one of my favorite things about Christmas. I made some cute gift tags and necklaces this year, and some brown sugar body scrubs too. It was a lot of fun! But I wanted to share with you what my sweet sister Rachael did for us this year. It blew us all away. She painted us pictures of our beloved dogs, my Ralphy! I was so shocked when I opened my box, it put me to tears! I absolutely love it!

Here is the one she did for my sister Tessa of her pal Buddy.

This is the one of Ralphy she gave to my mom. It captures him perfectly!

Here is the one she did for me! My baby Ralphy, always with his tongue out!

What a wonderful surprise and gift that I will cherish always! Definitely one of the

BIGGEST highlights for me this year, and every year!

My Love Ralphy.

My sweetheart Ralphy passed away this last week. I am having a difficult time mourning his loss. I will be taking a break from this blog while I try and find peace again. He is my love and comfort, and I miss him with all my heart. I am so grateful he was such a special part of my life. I love you so much Ralphy!

My Current Snack Obsessions!

Okay I have to share with you all my favorite snacks as of late... and probably of ALL TIME! Seriously, if you have not tried Tim Tams yet, you must run to your local Target and get some... Now! They are the most scrumptious... satisfying... to die for cookie you can buy! Trust me, if you are a fan of chocolate, these little cookies will curb your cravings! Well... then you'll just constantly want one with you at all times... but we don't need to get into that! :) ha ha!

Something else I must share with you...because it is so creamy and dreamy and delicious... is The Greek Gods' Honey & Strawberry Greek Yogurt! Okay this stuff is so dang good! You must try it, even if yogurt... or Greek yogurt particularly... freak you out! Try it... you will love this!

Song of the Week!

I have several songs to share with you all from "The Suburbs" by Arcade Fire. I really just love this whole album. I'd have to say it is the best album from Arcade Fire... some may not agree...but that is what I think! Arcade Fire is fronted by the husband-wife duo of Win Butler and Regine Chassagne. The band members play many instruments including the piano, violin, cello, xylophone, french horn, harp, etc... I'd love to see them live because they take most of their instruments on tour with them!

I don't love that I have to link you to youtube to listen to these songs, but as far as I know, that is the only way to do it!

Click to listen to "We Used to Wait".

Click to listen to "Suburban War".

Click to listen to "City with No Children".

Gift Idea's: My Favorite Lipstick!

I love reading about products that other's like to use. I always check out Pioneer Woman's favorite products and new finds. Today I wanted to share my new favorite lipstick with you all. For my brother's Wedding in September, I wanted to find a good lipstick to wear for the events. I normally wear Clinique make-up, but I was never super hot on their lipsticks. I decided to go to the Estee Lauder counter and, bam, there was my new favorite lipstick!! It's Estee Lauders Long Lasting Lipstick in Pink Parfait. I just love it! It's a little pricey, but so worth it! It lasts, it goes on smooth, it doesn't feel sticky, and it has a sweet smell that makes me want to eat it!

I also got some lip gloss for quick, on-the-run, touch-ups. It's Estee Lauder's High Gloss in Rose. It gives your lips a golden, shimmery, look. But it doesn't have those big, glittery chunks that some other lip gloss's have... which I hate. It goes on smooth, and it looks smooth and supple. Love it. Worth it.
By the way, I have always had a major "girl crush" on Carolyn Murphy (spokesmodel for Estee Lauder). She is just absolutely gorgeous! Don't you agree? Ha ha!

Song of the Week!

So every week, no particular day, I want to share with you a Song of the Week! What I've been listening to and what I love. If you know me well, you know that I love music, I love sharing good music, and I love being told about good music! I am a Rock n' Roll/ Indie girl. I grew up listening to the Progressive Rock my dad loves, and he would turn on a song (max volume), and quiz us on it!

This week I wanted to share a newer song from one of my favorite bands, Eisley. If you have not heard of them before, I suggest you check them out, and let me know what you think! Eisley is a group of sisters, a brother, and a cousin. They are from Texas, and formed Eisley in 1997 when sisters Chautelle and Sherri began creating music together. Some of their music influences are The Beatles, Jeremy Enigk, and Radiohead... some of my all time favorites...ever! I will for sure be sharing music from these groups in future weeks to come. Hurrah for Eisley!

Click here to listen to the song "Ambulance" by Eisley.

Also I would love to hear about your favorite songs or bands! Email me at metreemonthly.blogspot.com

Fun and Easy T-Shirt Scarf Project!

With the T-shirts I gathered from the swap, I was able to make some funky scarfs! i made the first one at the top, and it was so much fun, I had to make a U of U Game Day scarf as well. My sister-in-law had to join in the fun too! I got the idea from the Kevin and Amanda blog, where she got the idea from another blog! I love this blog, she takes great pictures and has yummy recipes. So check it out, and click here to get step my step instructions on how to make this cute T-shirt scarf for yourself! If you have daughters, I'm sure they would love this project as well! I am going to make these with my Young Women's group soon!