Christmas and After

This Christmas was many things.

 The reason we celebrate Christmas

Little ones excited about the arrival of Santa



















Grownup kids back with us for the holiday

Old traditions

 We use two different tables to accommodate adults and youngsters. Our menu is the same from year to year with turkey, ham, dressing, gravy, sweet potatoes, corn pudding, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and rolls. However, this time we added macaroni and cheese. I am blessed because Corkey is the main chef around here. Of course, we had cakes, pies, cookies, and candy for desserts.

New traditions

The afternoon of the 26th the decorations started to come down. I took my time  taking the ornaments off the tree and putting them back into storage.  

Tree was taken down, and the church pew went back to its usual place.

 

Thankfully the flu bug did not hit me until the 27th. I am still sick, but wanted to do this last post for 2017. 

Hope you are well and looking forward to the new year. This past year has been turbulent. Praying 2018 will be a better one.

Days of Quiet

I am enjoying my quiet home before kids and grandkids start arriving on Friday.

Bottle brush trees may be my favorite simple Christmas decoration.

My mom helped me with this sampler when I was in the fifth grade.

The trophy was a P. T. A. merit award presented to her in 1959.

The items on this tier stand are mementoes from the past:
a 1977 covered bridge ornament, a tiny vintage nativity,
childhood photo of my mother, a family pewter ornament
I purchased after Lauren was born to signify our family
of four, and a fun paper ornament of a naughty and nice list
with names of our blended family.

Three views of the vintage ornaments
I collect and love

Hope you are preparing for a joyful Christmas.

Merry Decorating

Some lucky person will choose this unique door prize from Saturday's Christmas Open House at Plantation Antiques. It was an enjoyable day, watching people select Christmas gifts and treasures.

 

I still like this folk art reindeer from Kentucky. 

Three thrifting finds adorn my coffee table trunk -

the tray, bowl, and angel.

The alphabet printouts remain favorites on the mantel.

 When I bought this six dollar tree I had no idea where I was going to put it. But I'm happy to report it looks wonderful in the seat of the rocking horse my brother made for my firstborn. Four handpainted ornaments and tiny vintage balls get noticed on this slender, simple tree.

Found another sweet house at Burkes Outlet.

 

my writing desk with special mementoes

   Have a great week.

Christmas will soon be here!

Happenings

Jason's departure for Florida, work related.

He plans to be back Christmas.

Lucas had another birthday.

Grandad helping him read his birthday card

Lucas with his dad JoJo

In addition to toys 
Lucas got a wooden box 
for those things that
 little boys like to save.

Our happy Lucas

 He keeps us smiling.

Worth Noting

Today's post made my blog total 1000. That's a lot of happy memories!

Savoring Every Day

It seems December goes by way too fast. I am finished with most of the decorating. Just a few little touches left to do. The next thing on my agenda is Christmas cards. Then it will be time for cleaning before family starts arriving.

 I had not planned to use the advent board this year, but Lucas asked me about it. He wanted it out so he could hang Christmas objects, especially on his December 8th birthday. He chose the white reindeer on Dec. 1st. Usually I have kept the decorations to white, gold, and cream. This year it's a "anything goes" color scheme.

Every year I sell some ornaments at the booth but manage to find new ones to take their place. I couldn't resist the two vintage-looking snowflake ornaments
that Boatwrights had on their Hallmark trees. One is part of the deer vignette, and the other hangs by a hook on the hall tree.

This cupboard has a different look this year with toys from Santa as the theme.

Every year these three figures are featured on my bookcase.

These two remind me of my brother and myself as youngsters. 

I loved to roller skate!

Little houses, barns, and churches are perched on top of the bookcase.

Wish you could see all sides of the tree.

Hoping to share more Christmasy details in the days ahead...