I snapped this off early this morning around 7:30 when Paige was proudly donning her new “hand painted” Santa t-shirt. We are in the full swing of Christmas over here, and our colored lights are haphazardly draped all around our house. The background slightly resembles “Christmas in a dorm room”, with a touch of homemade paper chains to boot.
It has been chilly here but we’ve still managed to work in some crafts & a little outside play time. JM is completely in love with this table. Even the cold won’t keep me away from it. The only explanation I have is that has rippled glass and makes everything on it extra loud. He was so enthralled he wouldn’t even look at me.
Paige came home last week with a palm tree reindeer. We loved it so much we decided to make a handful more. If you live in a climate like ours they’re super easy to make. These brown “reindeer heads” are from the spent palm tree fronds…once you doctor them up they look like reindeer!
Despite what I consider bitter cold temperatures, we ventured out to the beach this weekend at sunset.
We’ve seen lots of new feathered friends in the bay– mostly loons and ducks. They seem to have moved in for the winter. I took this shot of the moon last night while the sun was setting. It’s been fun to watch the sun and moon take on a new perspective as the days have grown shorter. This is looking to the east from our deck. The moon clearly up just as the sun as gone down.
And this is looking to the southwest.
We headed a few miles north this weekend to pick up some pecans. There is thankfully no shortage of pecans in Baldwin County! They didn’t have any shelled, so we settled for cracked, and my very gracious husband shelled 6 pounds of pecans this weekend. All of which will likely be made into Maple Cinnamon Pecans.
I will share the recipe in the next post. It happens to be one of three that I shared with Mobile Bay Magazine for their December issue. I also had the pleasure of sharing some Honey Bee Tees information with the folks at Business Alabama for their December issue.
Let’s see… so there we are. I’m kinda thankful that I only see myself in the magazine when I check-out at Walmart & the occasional bookstore run in. I turn a little red in the face every time. Justin has been a champion through all of this. His office took the cover picture, scanned it and printed it out on a plotter and hung it in the lobby of his office– resulting in a nearly life-size poster of the cover to welcome him and anyone else entering the building. As you may gather, he has received a small amount of grief over this. I just stay home with the kids and let him have the attention. He thankfully can take it like a champ.
The folks at Mobile Bay Magazine came out in October to shoot. They were the most wonderful group of people and we had a blast.
This is the editor, Lawren Largue {with baby #2}, Stephen Potts {in blue who had to brave the water}, and Ellis Metz. Mallory Boykin was here too… she was busy with the assorted wardrobe pieces she brought with her.
This is Matthew Wood, he was the freelance photographer for the story. He is also a musician and a super nice guy!!
The kids were only a little confused about staging Christmas in October with wrapped empty boxes, etc.
They made out with plenty of Candy Cane Crunch cookies to compensate for the fake presents…
The 14 foot Starcraft made an appearance… looking better than she ever will, sporting a garland of greenery and garland of shells!
And here are a few shots inside the magazine…
They have posted the article online and will feature a “12 days of Christmas” on their website! I’m hoping to get my act together and put those 12 links on the sidebar so that you can find them there too! And if you live the Mobile area, this is an excellent publication and would make a fantastic Christmas present. As would Business Alabama. Justin has subscribed to Business Alabama for over a year, and we both enjoy the issues. A good gift for that hard-to-shop-for-businessman {or woman}. Kathy Hagood wrote an “Under the Executive Tree” feature in their December issue, and I was thrilled that Honey Bee Tees made the list!
And, speaking of Honey Bee Tees… I’ve been slow to inform you that we are stocked with Christmas! Several new designs are in the shop and everything is ready to ship. Let us know if your order is a gift {in message section at checkout} and we’ll be happy to mark out the price on the packing slip & include a note for the happy recipient from you! Also, if you don’t follow us on Facebook, please do, I am more timely there with shop updates!
New designs include: Art Supplies, Duck Hunt, Christmas Ride {also for adults & in raglan}, Oh Christmas Tree* {& in short sleeves too}, and there is a Train Ride raglan now too! Sweatshirts are in too and both the Bird Dog & Float Plane are perfect for these chilly months!
*Rover wears his Oh Christmas Tree tee all winter long… we think it works for Christmas and beyond!
Kristee Dowling
December 12, 2011 at 10:47 pmLook at all of those beautiful pictures! I need to get my hands on one of those magazines too. Miss y’all, but see that you are getting along just fine. (with your magazine cover and all) ha! Merry Christmas, Sticklers!
Angie
December 12, 2011 at 10:53 pmHow neat is that?!! I just love Mobile Bay and Orange Beach for that matter. We love all of our Honey Bee Tees in our Fam and I just recently ordered a pile more for Christmas. Merry CHRISTmas to your adorable family!!
Lindsey A.
December 12, 2011 at 11:06 pmCongrats on the magazine articles. You have the most adorable family. You deserve all of the great press! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
Denise
December 12, 2011 at 11:10 pmcongratulations Darby!!! What a beautiful family! Mary Margaret and I are still enjoying our Christmas tree shirts…I get so many compliments from my customers at the tree farm…Hope you and your family have a “Merry Christmas”!
Denise Thompson
Thompson’s Tree Farm
Julie Carter
December 12, 2011 at 11:11 pmI LOVE LOVE LOVE this post!!!!! Being down here has just made you EXTRA famous!!!! : ) Love the post and the pics! Merry Christmas!! xoxo
JWK
December 12, 2011 at 11:42 pmLove the article! Can’t wait to try the maple cinnamon pecans for all our neighbors!!
elizabeth
December 12, 2011 at 11:52 pmCongratulations! This is so awesome, Darby!
Jessica
December 13, 2011 at 12:56 amOMG! You & your family are famous, Darby! Now I get to say I know (even if ‘know’ is through a blog) a famous person! 🙂 I need to go & find that magazine so I can read the article. How awesome! You have a very beautiful family!
paige
December 13, 2011 at 7:12 amaaaaahhhhh!!
yay!!
i was hoping you’d put this up!!
i love your rockstar status….& oh to see you in line at walmart while the person behind you glances at the mag, then back to you, then back to the mag….i love it!
& JM…is he sporting a little vineyard vines~~ oh lordy is he cute!!
kristy
December 13, 2011 at 7:54 amCongrats! How fun to be featured in both publications! Merry Christmas to your adorable family!
Adriana L
December 13, 2011 at 8:24 amwhat an amazing opportunity for your family. this just shows how hard work and love prosper into great moments!
Dianne
December 13, 2011 at 8:40 amWhat a precious family! You do indeed belong in a magazine. I am so proud of you…beaming like a mother. xoxo Dianne
Ellis
December 13, 2011 at 8:41 amWhat a small world! Lawren L. is my across-the-street neighbor in Mobile. Her little Lucy and my little boy are about 5 months apart!
I have read your blog and loved it for a long time and I hope you all have the most wonderful Christmas! 🙂
Colleen C.
December 13, 2011 at 8:45 amAhhh!!! Y’all are famous!…This is so exciting, I want a copy of this issue! The pictures are wonderful and the kids look so cute..JM cracks me up and looks adorable!
claire
December 13, 2011 at 8:57 amCongratulations! Great article. Would you mind sharing where you got your christmas stockings for the kids?? Thanks!
Sara Mc
December 13, 2011 at 9:03 amDarby…i was in a UPS store in mobile yesterday but was in such a hurry i only noticed there was a cute family on the cover of Mobile Bay Monthly as it sat on the counter! I has no idea it was yall; i need to slow down! What fun! I will have to pick it up today!
Yall have a very merry Christmas!! Sara
Blair
December 13, 2011 at 9:07 amcongratulations on the publications darby, that’s so exciting for you & your family! i wish i lived closer so i could pick up an actual copy for myself! happy holidays old friend! xoxo Blair
Brittaney
December 13, 2011 at 9:17 amThe magazine article is adorable- love it! Aren’t those Orange Beach sunsets just beautiful? I can’t wait to spend Christmas down there. Looks like y’all have already gotten started!
Shannon @ Project Shannon
December 13, 2011 at 9:34 amWhat fun for your family! Congrats on the great features Darby!
Lawren
December 13, 2011 at 9:58 amWhat a sweet post, Darby!!! The staff really did have such a blast with your adorable family! Best Christmas photo shoot EVER!!!
Melissa
December 13, 2011 at 10:02 amHow fun you are in a magazine. You all look great – love the Christmas photo on the deck of the kids!!
Karen @ Aurelia Interiors
December 13, 2011 at 10:07 amCould a family be any cuter?! I think not!
Melissa
December 13, 2011 at 10:37 amHow cool that you made not one, but TWO magazines! You totally rock! Glad you’re all together to enjoy the entire holiday season. Merry Christmas, friend! Oh, if y’all happen to come home to the brown house this weekend, consider coming to our church’s outdoor Christmas drama. There’s more info on my FB.
julie
December 13, 2011 at 10:44 amCongrats on being in TWO magazines! Enjoyed seeing the Christmas article!
Abby Maddox
December 13, 2011 at 10:46 amWhat a treasure that magazine shoot looks like!!! Yall all look so…perfect 🙂
Laura
December 13, 2011 at 11:10 amSo cool about the magazines! The photos are precious! Merry Christmas!
Amanda
December 13, 2011 at 12:34 pmHow exciting!! Your family is adorable! Hope you have a Merry, Bright and Blessed Christmas!
Anna
December 13, 2011 at 12:39 pmDarby, this is so awesome!! Janet told me she saw y’all in Mobile Bay magazine. I love that y’all are famous! Hope you’re having a Merry Christmas on the Gulf Coast… I’m super jealous of your cool temps… Another day in the 80’s here! Take care!
Whitney
December 13, 2011 at 1:15 pmYou are so humble! That looks like a wonderful write up. You deserve the honor. We love your blog! Thanks for sharing!
polly dove
December 13, 2011 at 2:31 pmwow.wow.wow. do you look at your kids everyday and think what a great genetic match you and your husband are! (kay, i know that is a little weird way of saying your children are just so beautiful!) what a darling family you guys are! love this whole magazine spread. how fun for you!
Chessa
December 13, 2011 at 2:43 pmSo cool! I pinned your Maple CInnamon Pecan’s. Can’t wait to make them and give them away!
Lindsey
December 13, 2011 at 4:56 pmsweet articles!! happy for you friend!
Nelle
December 13, 2011 at 6:56 pmOh your kiddos are growing up so beautifully. The magazine shoot is too fun for words and you are all simply gorgeous! I love that your husband is taking all sorts of grief at work. Sounds like a fun office. The tee shirts are precious and the reindeer are so cute. Wish we had palm fronds in Baltimore. Must gather some when I’m in Destin next. Merry, Merry!
The Mom
December 13, 2011 at 8:27 pmWhat a lovely, lovely post and equally delightful article. Can you share the recipes with us? So happy and thankful that you and your hubby are making the most of your time at the beach. It’s a totally different culture, is it not?! Blessings to you and yours and Merry Christmas!
bevy
December 13, 2011 at 9:37 pmWell, I guess I won’t be finding Mobile Bay magazine out here in West Texas, but if I did, I sure as heck would buy it. Whoever does PR for you and your sister should get a raise. Yall get the best coverage! So happy for you and your family. Many blessings to you at Christmas and all year!
Katharina
December 14, 2011 at 6:37 amSince some time blog followers did comment that your kids could be models… so it is even nicer to see your precious family had such a nice photo shooting! The ‘october christmas tree’ is gorgeous – if the ‘december christmas tree’ will only be half as nice I am sure it is going to be very pretty 🙂 You, the photos, the boat – everything looks very naturally beautiful. Wish you and your family a great christmas time!
crissy armstrong
December 14, 2011 at 9:03 amgreat pics! i love the mag cover. you should frame that!
i had to have the red tee! too cute, darby. merry christmas!
crissy armstrong
December 14, 2011 at 9:03 amgreat pics! i love the mag cover. you should frame that!
i had to have the red tee! too cute, darby. merry christmas!
Anne
December 14, 2011 at 9:46 amWhat a nice article….love the pictures. When I read about Justin shelling the pecans…it made me think of Grandpa…he loved nothing better than sitting down to work with a big pile of pecans! (which Grandma Grace then turned into all kinds of treats!)
Rebecca
December 14, 2011 at 10:50 amGorgeous!! Do you ever feel like you lead a charmed life? 😉 I was thinking about making your cinnamon honey butter today. Better get to mixin’! Have a great day and Merry Christmas!! (Love the dorm room Christmas!)
Katie@ Noodle and Boof
December 14, 2011 at 1:40 pmCongrats! How fun!!! Gorgeous photos.
Melanie
December 14, 2011 at 1:41 pmWOW! You guys are celebrities!!! So awesome:)
Lauren H
December 14, 2011 at 2:11 pmOh please, oh please make the duck hunt shirt in an adult size!! I am in LOVE with the color!!
andi
December 14, 2011 at 2:41 pmlove it all! palm tree reindeers are my new favorite holiday craft! 12 days of Stickler Christmas makes me smile!!!! is one of them to return to d-town???? i hope. lunch would be in order! :)) the pics in the magazine are really great! and in all seriousness (if i can really be that) would love to catch up.
Kelley
December 14, 2011 at 4:32 pm{applause!!!}
Well look at you! I love it! Congratulations! I am so happy for you and your sweet family. It’s always nice when genuinely kind and good people are featured, and that’s you.
Sarah
December 14, 2011 at 10:13 pmOh, how neat! The pictures look lovely and I look forward to clicking over to see the article on the website (when I don’t have a pile of laundry to fold!)
Beth
December 14, 2011 at 10:28 pmJM looks just like your dad in the picture where he is standing in the VV button down…never noticed it until now!
karah barnes pope
December 15, 2011 at 7:54 pmcongrats on the write up..you have such a beautiful fam! i finally ordered a honey bee tee..love the new designs too!:)
Today's Letters
December 15, 2011 at 8:45 pmi loved everything about this post. EVERYTHING.
xoxo
Whitney
December 16, 2011 at 12:03 pmYour children are just too much. Did Paige put the Santa T outfit together? I dig her style! And your Rover in that VV button up, I die. What a Gorgeous family!
Amanda Mae
December 20, 2011 at 3:12 pmToo cool!! Great pics!
meg duerksen
December 29, 2011 at 12:15 amadorable magazine shoot!!!
love it all.
🙂
Beki - TheRustedChain
December 30, 2011 at 11:54 amYAY!!! This makes me so happy for you!!!
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