Good-bye 2008

I spent part of today in my closet/workroom. My journals are there, and I looked through some entries for '08. . . highs (like son's summer wedding) and lows (Mother's decline due to Alzheimer's). However, I'm learning to be thankful for every experience. There's no doubt the 2009 journey will be challenging. It's good to know I'll have friends traveling with me along the way.

Transition

Before 2008 fades from view, I want to express a sincere "Thank You" to those who have left comments or sent emails about this blog. Your kind words have been wonderful. To all visitors, thanks so much.

Because of your encouragement I am planning to be here in 2009. May the new year bring fresh hope and peaceful solutions.

Best wishes,

Sandy

Quiet Moments

After completing today's checklist it's nice to have some quiet time tonight. I hope you have accomplished your holiday checklist, too. If you dropped by tonight, thank you for visiting. I wish you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Cozy and Warm

I am thankful on this cold winter night that we have heat and light. Winter storms in other parts of the country are creating serious problems. In a few minutes I will leave the computer screen and head to the kitchen to bake cookies. Our youngest son is turning 28 tomorrow, and his only request- chocolate chip cookies. His boyish desire for cookies never changes, and that is comforting since life is all about change. Another thing that stays the same is the original Nestle Toll House recipe on the back of the package of morsels. It never fails to satisfy the kids and grandkids . . . and me, too!

Christmas Delights

wish there could be a blanket of white covering yard and fields

wonderful gift bag at Hallmark store because I spent $ there . . . many "free" goodies inside including this cute plate

love this ornament and the movie as well . . . the movie always makes me cry

vintage Santa planter . . . scout for these all the time . . . have a collection of two

another wonderful card ornament from friend Mary. . . can you see that it's a pop-up?

small tree in guest bedroom only has word ornaments - Peace, JOY, Merry, and HO-HO-HO

I love this time of the year, and I've enjoyed sharing images of Christmas here at my home. . .a few more days to grab last minute stocking stuffers and grocery items. May you have a Christmas filled with love and peace.

Quiet Day

This is how I started my day. . . sitting near the tree and sipping on my morning coffee. I think I enjoy the lighted tree more in the darkness of early morning than at night.

I had lots of quiet time this Wednesday. . . making place cards for the Christmas family dinner, writing in my journal, and getting a few more Christmas cards ready for mailing.

Christmas Touches

Scented candle and holiday mugs in the kitchen

Bedroom mantel . . . soothing, calming, peaceful

A favorite ornament . . . beautifully simple . . .green and gold box from Saturday's visit to the

antique store . . . simple yet regal

I ventured out twice on this cold wintry day... to visit the post office and to photograph our front door wreath. Thankfully we didn't get sleet, snow, or ice. However, I wouldn't mind falling snowflakes on Christmas Eve. Glad you stopped by. You're always welcome.

Santas

There was a time when I would put out lots of Santas. Now I only display a few favorites. Santa in his nightshirt is one I acquired from my mother's collection. I like to place him beside a miniature doll's bed that holds tiny children's books. The next Santa is special because the list in his hand has the names of my children. The skating Santa is really well made . . . I can remember seeing it high up on a shelf with markdown merchandise and the thrill of bringing it home. This last Santa was my first one . . . I loved the little boy and girl in Santa's arms for at the time I had a small son and daughter.

Shopping Secret

Oh, I hope I'm not the only one who does this. While out shopping for gifts I always manage to find a few for myself. At Saturday's Christmas Open House at the local antique mall I had such a good time looking. Besides the two goodies pictured above I also found a small old wooden box in gold and green. . . loved the odd box at first sight!. . . also brought home a dull green tin that may have once been used to hold cash or documents . . . liked its color and shape.

Best Month for Mail

Christmas cards are starting to arrive. I don't even mind the cold walk to the mailbox. One problem I have each year is deciding how to show them off. Sometimes I drape them over a long ribbon or tuck them around a door frame or heap them in a basket. This year I'm going to use letter holders. I have four different styles I have secured over the years. They will keep the beautiful cards displayed, and they'll be close for reading and rereading. The card above was stitched in 1983 by my longtime friend Mary. I love this card! I also love that we have been friends since high school. Each Christmas Mary's card comes out of a storage drawer and gets an honorary position on the tall bookcase.

Expressions

Three favorite treasures . . . the little caroling angels dressed in red are from my childhood . . .their heads have been reglued several times . . . therefore, the scarves were created out of Christmas ribbon. The little angel holding the wreath over her head was an antique mall find . . . I found her irresistible. The snow kids were purchased several years ago at a local florist shop that has the most wonderful ornaments every Christmas. Such sweet expressive faces help explain why they are kept and loved.

Come Inside The Kitchen

For the holidays I have these visitors, and their smiling faces are welcome.

This plate and the one below . . . delightful gifts from a dear friend.

The browns and greens . . . favorite colors of mine. The gingerbread men all about the kitchen cast a spell of cheerfulness on this gloomy, rainy day.

Holiday Urn

I am a fan of Tracy Porter and her style of decorating. The idea of using books to provide a pedestal for display on top of an urn came from her blog. Her videos are fun to watch, and she shares lots and lots of ideas. Her blog is listed in "Blogs I Visit."

If Christmas Trees Could Talk

I think they would reveal the hopes, dreams, heartaches, joys, and longings of those who view their splendor. What a joy to behold their sparkle and wonder, and to know our secret thoughts and wishes are safe with them.

Christmas Details

Still adding ornaments,

wrapping a few presents,

displaying treasures . . .

all too soon it will be behind us . . . must remind myself to go slow

and enjoy

this holiday time.

Candlestick Centerpiece

I love candlesticks any time of the year. However,
at Christmas they seem even more beautiful. The
photo shows an easy yet lovely way to showcase
candlesticks. A simple green wreath has been
placed around them with pretty ornaments
sitting on top. I have mine on the bottom shelf of a washstand, but it could be the centerpiece of a dining table.

Decorating the Hutch

This nativity is one of the first decorations I unpack and display . . . a wedding gift from the 70's. The roof of the stable is missing some straw . . . the animals have a few nicks . . . but the pieces were lovingly handled by children who grew up and now have homes of their own.

I know you recognize the Merry banner. Here are three of the letters up close.

The hutch is one of my favorite pieces of furniture. It has been with me through three house moves.

I snapped this photo 'cause I want to share decorating on a budget. The wreath is several years old, but the gold spiral trees are new. Although I have been looking for vintage bottle brush decorated trees, these are wonderful substitutes. They were at Walgreens this year. The one dollar price tag on each little beauty was my kind of bargain. They came in several different colors, but I liked the gold ones best.

I've enjoyed sharing this first installment of Christmas decorating around the house. Come back and visit anytime. And I certainly want to thank those who have taken the time to leave comments. You make me smile. Thanks again!