Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Christmas Greetings


I needed a touch of red 
and since my camera is collecting dust
it was Pinterest to the rescue

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the tree is trimmed ~ finally!  
better late than never this year I say

the halls are decked ~ cookies made
menus planned and I wrapped the final gift last night

the house is clean and ready for company
thanks to hubby for the help with that one

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tomorrow night we will gather around the table
both mom's and one brother
then we head to church

everyone is spending the night
not sure if that was a good idea but we will make the best of it

then we will have 7 on Christmas Day
as the girls will join us

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that night we will go to my mil's
for munchies and gifts

I am sure I will reflect on past years
and miss Lee just a little more than usual

I purchased little pewter frame ornaments this year
and put a pic of him in each
ours in on the tree and I gave my mil hers on Sunday night
she cried ~ she loved it
I am so glad that she did

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tonight I did some food prep
and checked my list

I am cozied on the couch with my family
and watching the tail end of Polar Express again
love that movie

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Wishing you a very Merry Christmas
and the happiest of holidays
the magic of Santa
and blessings as we celebrate the real reason for the season
Happy Birthday Jesus

xoxo


Friday, December 5, 2014

Comparison


I have been on the blog trail this week
looking through all the beautiful homes on a
holiday house walk



it can inspire you or deflate you
a little green with envy at some
then I went on instagram and read these words

Comparison is the thief of joy...during this time of year when you see so many gorgeous homes decorated beautifully from top to bottom, it's easy to fall into the comparison trap and feel 'less' or not 'as good' etc. It just happened to me...But it's so important for us to keep the focus on why it is we adorn our homes in the first place. It's something that during the chaos of boxes and lights and pine needles and gift wrap and good store deals gets too easily lost. We have been given Christmas to spread the good news and to sprinkle love, kindness and compassion to those around us...it is my hope for you and me to keep this front and center as we enter the holiday season. xoxo

Wow ~ she nailed it ~ she really did

the person that said it was Lucy from Craftberry Bush
she touched on it again in her blog post as she was part of the holiday house walk

I have not been following her feed for a long time
but that night I was so glad I did



you see I decorated the house last weekend
all but the mantle and centerpieces are done

and we will only go out on Sunday for the tree

my house will never be one to participate in a house walk
but it is home ~ the little trinkets I placed out on Saturday
spark a memory and bring me joy
and you know ~ that is what Christmas is all about


so year after year
I will put basically the same things in the same spots

I will put my tree up 2 weeks before Christmas

I will bake cookies ~ the ones we love
and only seem to make this time of year

I will buy my Mom cherry chocolates
because my Dad used to buy her one every year
and I love carrying on that tradition for her

I will wrap the gifts and curl the ribbon
listening to Elvis Christmas music
because I love it so


when I take these ornaments out of the box
and place them in this big vase I will remember that they hung
on the big tree at the farm
and be grateful that my Aunt gave them to me

this year we will make new memories
there will be an empty chair
we will miss my father in law like crazy

but we will be blessed because we will be together

Happy weekend.