The Best of 2012

I always find it amazing how on December 31st, we always celebrate the coming of a new year and then on January 1st, we write a whole host of resolutions on how we are going to improve ourselves and our lives.  However, we often forget the step of reflecting on how successful we were in the previous year.  Well, not this year. Nope!  Today, I am going to share with you 4 You With Love's best of 2012 and then you will link up your best of 2012!  The most viewed post, by far, is my Paper Bag Floor

The most popular "make your own" post is Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent without Borax

The most viewed crafting post is Decoupaging Terra Cotta Pots With Fabric

The most viewed knitting post is my Bonbori Scarf

The most viewed recipe is the 3-2-1 Cake in a Mug

The post/project that I am most proud of is the creation of my Woman Cave. 

So when you look back on 2012, what projects, experiences, or other posts are your "best"?  Which ones fill you with the most pride or feeling of accomplishment?  Which ones do your followers view over and over again?  Link up your top 3 and if you have created a post that lists your "best of 2012" make it one of your 3!  Oh, but that's not all!  When you link up, be sure to enter the rafflecopter for a chance to win ad space here for all of 2013!  So what are you waiting for?  Let's get started!

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now the par-tay! Here's the button to share! <center> <a href="http://www.4you-withlove.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="2.bp.blogspot.com/-u-2aIMrW6f4/UOFxSTFzvqI/AAAAAAAAFbY/_rXMV7v3BVk/s1600/best+of+2012+button.jpg" height="150" width="150"/></a></center> Link up to 3 posts Be sure to visit at least 3 other posts and comment....we all LOVE comments! If you follow me (and leave a comment how you are following along with your blog address), I'll follow you back! When you link up your posts, you give me the right to share your photos on my blog, facebook and other media. Let's go!

New Year's Eve Celebration Ideas

I don't know about you but this week I am in "looking for inspiration" mode.  I have been visiting a lot of the link parties that I usually link up projects and have found some great ideas for New Years Eve (along with Pinterest, of course!)  If you are still looking for some ideas, check these out!

DIY Swizzle Sticks

Countdown Cookie Pops

Some Family New Years Fun!

Champagne Cake Pops

New Year Cream Cheese Candy Clock

Free Printables

Midnight Kisses

Toot Your Own Edible Horn

New Years Eve Party Popper

Happy New Year Banner

I think I've got some ideas for Monday.....how about you?

4 You

Project Snowflake

My dear friend, Adrianne of Happy Hour Projects, posted an amazing project Petals to Picots is organizing. It's.....

On December 14, the peace and innocence of Newtown, Connecticut was shattered and 26 people lost their lives, 20 of which were dear, sweet children. I have no words ...

Now the students and faculty of Sandy Hook Elementary School are preparing to begin classes again in a new location. To ease their return, the Connecticut PTSA has organized The Snowflake Project to create a winter wonderland in their new school.

I think this is a wonderful idea and I am so happy to be able to do something ... anything ... to help. So who is with me? Let's get the word out and give these kids a gorgeous snowy wonderland to welcome them to their new school and to show them that we care.

So grab the button, spread the word, and get creating.  Be sure to stop by 1/9/2013 for a Project Snowflake linky party.

Here are the details ...

They are asking for everyone to make and send snowflakes for them to hang around the school. Their only request is that the snowflakes have no words on them ... think bright, and sparkly, and happy, and magical ...

Snowflakes are to be sent by January 12, 2013 to:

Connecticut PTSA

60 Connolly Parkway

Building 12, Suite 103

Hamden, CT 06514

You can check out the CT PTA website or Sandy Children Help on Facebook for more information or updates. They are also putting together a photo album of the snowflakes; you can send photos to crafts4newtown@gmail.com. Please include a note to let them know where the snowflakes are coming from (school, grade or age, town etc).

<center> <a href="http://www.4you-withlove.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/dd363/petalstopicots/snowflake-border.jpg" /></a></center> 4 You

Snow Days are Fun Days!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday with friends and family.  I know I enjoyed some "unplugging" time after finishing up all my handmade goodies.  The only thing that can make this time of year even more magical is....

SNOW!

We were hit with a snowstorm yesterday which left 7 inches of this pretty stuff at my house! Kids are out making snowmen and snow forts and my dogs are having a blast romping in the white stuff.  You can tell that although the snow hit the day after Christmas, everyone is still in the holiday spirit and thoroughly enjoying the snow.

Before I head out to shovel, again, I though I'd share some fun winter break/snow activities to do with you kids.

Make some Colorful Ice Balloons

Have fun painting some snow

Here are some great games to play in the snow from Parents

Tic Tac Toe in the Snow

Snow Golf

Frosty Toss

Here are some yummy "snow" goodness!

How about making some maple snow candy?

I've never heard of snow muffins.  Have you?

I've never made snow ice cream before but I definitely NEED to!  Here are 2 recipes for you.

Vanilla Snow Ice Cream

Chocolate Peppermint Snow Ice Cream

Once you go inside and have a nice piping hot cup of cocoa, you'll be jazzed for more fun.  Here's some great indoor ideas for you!

Aren't these borax snowflakes cool?

How about making a snow ruler so you can track just how much snow's in your back yard?

10 snow day activities

Try out some melting snow art.

I never would have thought to bring the snow inside.

And finally, if you don't have snow at your home but are longing for some, try making some winter windows.

Okay, I've really got to go out and shovel.  Stay warm and have fun!

4 You

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

I hope you and your family have many blessings and joy today and every day.

Marilyn

26 Random Acts of Kindness - Blogger Style

Sandy Hook Elementary.  A gunman was able to take 26 lives in one horrific act.  I had challenged myself to do 26 random acts of kindness today.  Yup, in one day.  But alas, the weather was awful today so I have postponed this until tomorrow.

However, from the comfort of my home, I decided to challenge myself to 26 random acts of kindness blogger style.  How would I do this?  I decided to go through the amazing posts that have linked up at Link Party With a Cause and find 26 blogs with fewer than 200 GFC followers (or Facebook if GFC was not listed).  Then, I would give these bloggers the gift of following them.  Here are the 26 blogs I chose to follow today along with a link/picture of one of their posts.

Number 1:  She Cooks, She Crafts, She Runs 

 DIY Christmas Burlap Signs

Number 2:  Garden Chef's Needle and Pen

Retro Neck Band

Number 3:  True Cuento

Homemade Peppermint Marshmallows

Number 4:  The Life of the Party

Holiday Fun Wrapping Paper

Number 5:  Fabulously Smitten

Peppermint Liquor

Number 6:  Bespangled

DIY Lemon Butter - Lip & Skin

Number 7:  Keeping Up With The Giffords

Our Felt Christmas Tree

Number 8:  The Stitchin Mommy

Easy Peasy Macaroons

Number 9:  Digital Cake Crafting

Mint Chocolate Cookies

Number 10:  Highhill Homeschool

Fabric Flowers

Number 11:  Sweet Yarns

Gingerbread Yarn Wreath

Number 12:  Simple Pleasures

Doggy Diapers for Small Females

Number 13:  Horrific Knits

Christmas Jam

Number 14:  Chevron Stitches

DIY Chore Jars

Number 15:   Creative Raisins

I Believe

Number 16:  Lizzi's Creations

Burlap Wreath

Number 17:  Completely and Happily Addicted to Pinterest

Paper Reindeer Treat Holder

Number 18:  As the Card Rack Turns

Book Page Scalloped Tree

Number 19:  All Those Artsy Girls

Pecan Fingers Christmas Cookies

Number 20:  Norrey

Christmas Fudge

Number 21:  Paper Seedlings

Snowmen in the Round

Number 22:  Wallis Farm's Daily Walk

Tea Cup Thank You Card

Number 23:  The Sepia Puppy

Sweet Baby Owl Purse

Number 24:  April's Country Life

Homemade Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Number 25:  Cakeballs, Cookies and More
Red Velvet Marshmallow Star Pops

Number 26:  The Thrifty Challenge
The Chevron Wall Challenge

The snow is supposed to stop tomorrow and the winds are supposed to subside.  While I'm out finishing up my Christmas "to do" list, I'll also be doing my 26 random acts of kindness.  Wish me luck!

4 You