Decisions and Memories

 With each new year I consider stopping my blog posts. But I find myself back at the keyboard sharing tidbits of life and photos that save memories. I have put away the Christmas decorations for 2025, but thoughts of that special time linger.

January is here, and I like its slower pace.

 

These lovely plates were given to me years ago by a special friend.

January is when I choose to show them off. 

Christmas and After

There was no doubt that it would come and go fast. Feeling blessed that we were together for a little while.

The 22nd has a large star because that's Lester's birthday. They came that day and departed on the 25th for their drive back to Texas. Lauren dropped by on the 23rd on her way to Dyersburg to see her dad, returned for lunch on Christmas Eve, and had to leave Christmas Day afternoon for her flight back to Texas. We crammed a lot of memories into a short amount of time. 

Garrett and Gunner had girlfriends this year, and we enjoyed having Micah and Skylar. Wish four more could have been in the photo - Jason, Ryan, Justin, and Telsey.

The little ones added to the wonder of Christmas.

The big tree and all the ornaments are packed away. Memories remain. Thankful for the moments we captured on our cameras.

The house was very quiet Christmas Day afternoon with all the kids gone. Then we had a lovely visit from Lori and Cecil and two of their children Jakob and Jackson.  The rustic tree that Cecil made was a wonderful Christmas gift surprise. The brass deer and tiny lights complement the tree and make a quiet after Christmas scene. 

I wish you peaceful days as December winds down and joyful ones in the new year.

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.