When you come from a large family, hand me downs are just an expected part of daily life. At least they were when I was growing up. However, while most of my friends considered this practice kind of a bummer, I had a decidedly different perspective. I thought it was great. Of course, I wasn't getting a pair of worn jeans or last season's shoes. Nope.

As someone with a thrifting and upcycling addiction, I have a pretty large stash of treasures tucked away in my craft closet. Some of the pieces are things I couldn't resist when I spotted them. Even though I had no idea what I was going to do with them when I got them home. Others, I knew exactly what they could become, the moment I laid eyes on them. And then there are the ones I went hunting for, with a very specific craft in mind. Of course, the one thing that all my thrifting makeovers have in common, is that they usually sit for quite a while, before I get around to the DIY.

Well, January is barely underway and I've already been to the thrift store. Twice. I just can't help myself. And honestly, is anybody really surprised? Once the tree comes down and the house can breathe again, I enjoy all that open space...for about 3 days. Then my instinct to fill it up again kicks in.

I'm a true animal lover, and over the years, from childhood to parenthood, I've been a mother to many. Pets in all shapes and sizes from dogs and cats, hamsters, rabbits to hermit crabs, frogs, turtles, fish and one parakeet named Tweety. Who's last on that list for a reason. You see in real life, I'm not a fan of birds. Well, close up anyway. They just creep me out. Maybe it's thanks to Alfred Hitchcock and my history with his terrifying movie . Or perhaps it's because they're not soft and cuddly like the others. Honestly though, I think it all goes back to Tweety.

Happy (almost) New Year, folks! Just one more day to go and we're off and running into 2026. Don't you just love flipping the page on a brand new calendar? A clean slate, a fresh start, so many possibilities and ways to fill those little numbered boxes. How exciting. Like many of you, during this week between Christmas and New Year's Day, I find myself contemplating exactly what I'd like the next few months to look like.

For over a decade now, as the year draws to a close, I like to revisit the crafts, DIYs and tales that were most popular over the last 12 months. And reshare them. I tell myself that perhaps you missed one, or it wasn't relevant at the time. Or maybe you weren't a follower in January or February...or July. But to be honest, this annual round up is secretly for me. It's my chance look back, take stock and see what I accomplished over the last 12 months, because to be honest, sometimes I forget what I wrote about. I know it sounds silly, but it's true. I also find it incredibly fascinating to see what posts received the most visits and interaction. I always try to guess what topics will end up on the short list. And 99% of the time, I'm way off.

Ho-Ho-Ho friends and Merry Christmas! I hope you're all having a wonder filled December and are ready for the festivities. We're just a few days away now and I'm getting really excited. To be honest, it's been a very different kind of December around here. I guess the best way to describe it, is to say it's been a slow month.