January Is Almost Over

This first month of the new year seemed to fly by for me. 

I had time for art.

I kept in touch with son Ryan by text message exchanges.

Pittsburgh has had its share of cold days with snow.

He is contemplating a move to a different state.

I would love for him to move closer to home.

Miss him!

Granddaughters have made the month extra special.

Etta is full of energy and mischief.

Tallulah is sweet and very affectionate.

 These little ones are growing and changing quickly.

 Time moves at a fast pace or so it seems to me.

See you in February. 

It's a New Year with Snow

 I thought I'd type in blue to honor January. When I was teaching almost every January bulletin board had a dark blue background paper with a large snowman. The school kids and I always hoped for a snow day. Now that I'm much older the excitement of snow is somewhat different. From the comfort of my warm house I watch the beautiful falling snow and do not make big plans to be outside.

These three snow pictures were taken from inside.

Looking out the front side door

A snow cake formed on the patio table.

I snapped this photo from the kitchen window.

Brrr

Time today in the art room to work on this fun bowl of fruit

   

How are you spending your January days?

The End of 2024

It has been quite a year! The best part has been watching my granddaughters grow and thrive.

Sure hated to take down Christmas decorations throughout the house, but it's inevitable as December comes to a close. Hopefully I'll get to see and display all my ornaments again in December 2025.

Corkey and I had to pick up prescriptions at the pharmacy, and there was a sign announcing all Christmas merchandise was half price. This one stood out and will be a remembrance of an ordinary day that was perfect.  

This pretty one was given to me by a sweet friend on Christmas Eve. 

For many years this Hallmark ornament has been a favorite.

It's what Christmas is all about.

Christmas Eve Memories

 Showing a few pictures of a time that went too fast. We had a wonderful assortment of foods at our noon gathering. There were stories and laughs. There was a lot of noise by the afternoon Dirty Santa game.   

Little Etta was sleepy and cranky and missed out on much of the day.

Hopefully I can borrow a few photos of Etta that day from Lauren.

Lauren's gift of the girls' picture was just what I hoped for. 

Chance's ornament gift was perfect for me. 

Part of my Dirty Santa gift was this memo board with dish for burning fragrance cubes. 

By the end of the day I was tired but also happy for the enjoyment and love of being together.

Our group of twenty filled the house.

When they departed, our house became very quiet.

Corkey and I were blessed with another Christmas Eve of memories. 

Decorating, Part 3

 Piling pretties in a wooden bowl is a fun way to decorate, and using dough bowls for centerpieces is a lovely way to show off seasonal decor.

This Christmas I chose for the nativity only Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus.

The glass candle holder gives off this beautiful pattern when a votive is lit. 

My mother gave me this delicate ornament. I placed it on the metal piece to showcase its simple beauty.

My mother had a Santa collection, and this one was always my favorite.

Below is another scene on the bookcase.

The boy and girl in their snowsuits are two ornaments that are rarely hung on the Christmas tree because I like them on the shelf.

This year I have a new favorite ornament to cherish.

My friend Mary had it specially designed to look like us.

The next three I came across while thrifting/shopping.

Finally got around to making the outside look a little festive.

Hope these last few days before Christmas are filled with joyful anticipation.

Decorating, Part 2

A few more glimpses of Christmas decor...

This banner hangs above dining room windows.

This wood piece displays a collection of small trees. It is high up above the front window in the living room.

This green chest has plenty of drawers for Christmas treasures.

 

Tallulah and Etta have a couple of presents under the Christmas tree.

Hope they will hang those little felt reindeer on their tree.

The two photos above show Christmas displays on the bookcase in the front entry. I think every shelf is loaded down with Christmas items that hold memories.

This feather tree in a guest bedroom has tiny French horns.

The photos at the base are family photos from past Christmases. 

The kitchen window

Red and green always looks good at Christmas.

  Christmas balls end up here and there.

This miniature tea set is a sweet one for Christmas.

These little sets were once very popular.

There may be one more installment of Decorating for Christmas. I'd like to share a few more nooks and crannies as well as a selection of ornaments.