The End of It

 WAIT!!!

WAAAAAAAAAAIT!!!

I’m not DONE!  

I go shopping for flip-flops in August.  I am disappointed in May when the spring decorations are long gone.  I get frustrated with the picked over Christmas décor on December 10.  I leave my autumn decor up until after Thanksgiving.  

I finally got our Christmas cards done and mailed on December 30th.  

I can tell one of the benefits of blogging might be an urge to be a little more … ummmm … current  :o)

But please, give me just one more chance to savor Christmas  … 

 (Would you please look at Blanca?  I think she was a super model in a past life.  We did not put her there.  We did not invite her into this picture.  And yet somehow she managed to find front and center and strike a pose.  My own children are rarely so cooperative about having their picture taken.  Ever.)

We no longer have little guys to wake us up pre-dawn on Christmas morning.  In fact, we had to roust some teenagers from their visions of dancing sugar-plums this year.  But we didn't have to tell them what to do once they were no longer snug in their beds.  

One laptop, Halo Lego set, Portal companion cube, game recorder, Zune, tri-guitar stand and two hefty gift certificates later, there were no more neatly wrapped gifts under the tree.

But there was joy aplenty in the room.  

and more than a little goofiness.

My little girl is in constant motion.  She is never still.  Usually my attempts at getting a picture of her are blurry.  But I love this Christmas morning picture.  It captures the joy.  This was the best kind of joy ... for someone else.  

One of my favorite gifts is like a lava lamp, but for Christmas.  It churns.  And sparkles.  And mesmerizes.  Thank you, Dad :o)

My sister gave me this ornament ... see what she did there?  Thank you, Sandy :o)

The one thing I meant to put on my wish list but forgot to mention to ANYONE ... was a nativity.  Some people just know.  Thank you, Carol :o)

And the finale ... the long debated, much skepticized (by me) Kindle.  Which has re-kindled my passion for actual reading (I'm a recorded books fan).  I didn't think I could possibly cozy up to an e-reader, but I was smitten after about five minutes.  Thank you, Lt.Dan :o)

 I may just sneak in one more viewing of A Christmas Carol before I consider this holiday season over.  

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year ... God bless Us, Every One!

Merry Christmas!!!

My friend Angela is a Christmas decorator extraordinaire … she puts up sixteen?  seventeen?  trees at her house.  Yes.  I know.  I thought it was a little crazy myself … but when I asked her “ummm, Ang … why so many trees?” she said, “well … every room you go in, there’s a tree … and all that sparkly ...  just makes ya happy.”   

So you know what I think?  I think if you know what makes you happy and you don’t do it … that’s crazy. 

Come on over to the JustB and let's get happy!

There's always a spot for you on the front porch ...

This is Blanca ... she's as soft and cuddly as she looks!

I love this piece ... I got it from my mom ... it has different pieces to put on it according to the season.

My sweet friend Jerri gave us the plaid blanket ... it's wonderful to curl up under in the rocking chair!

 This garland was in my Mom's sewing things.  I'm not sure what she was intending to do with it, but it's perfect for our front porch.  Thanks, Mom ♥

Our Moravian Star ... from Kathy and Billy ... theirs hangs in North Carolina ... ours hangs in Texas ... and the peace, love and goodwill flows in between, nevermind the miles.

'

Come on in!

The kids are already making merry with the stockings ... they draw Secret Santa names and load up the stockings at random.  You know, with meaningful things ... like whoopee cushions.

We're decorating the tree...

Nathan is regaling us with Christmas Carols on the piano.

ha!  no he isn't.  He's acting goofy - what else is new?

Aaron wasn't so much into the whole decorating thing ... but couldn't pass up the opportunity to lick the brownie batter off the spoon.

Nothing like brownie batter to cheer you up!

Ben ... doing his stoic and wise pose .... except his brother is intruding on the photo with the random snowman on his shoulder  And please note Bob the Tomato at the top of the tree.  He's about to be downgraded.   

Go Lt.Dan!  This is also a joking picture.  Lt.Dan sort of exists outside of my decorating extravaganzas.  But that's okay ... he always appreciates it when it's all done :o)

Come have a look around at some of my favorite Christmas and Winter things ...

 I remember meticulously placing those dots on that tree in kindergarten :o)  these are the decorations that I love most about Christmas, the ones that snap you back in time.

Mom used to fill this candy dish with old fashioned ribbon Christmas candy.  I know better than to do that with my kids though ... it's behind glass for everyone's protection.  And I love the little Mr. Scrooge pillbox, also from Mom.

These crystal trees were also Mom's.  There was one more ... but I broke it when I was eight.  I decided right then I would not trust my own kids with glass :o)

 Sparkly!  Makes ya happy! 

This is the light over our dining table.  It looks like candles, but it's just lights.  I love it.

My kid's contribution to decorating ... get it?  he's licking the icicle!

This sign stays up all the time ... because it IS a wonderful life!

My favorite lighted house ... it's a bookstore!

My Aunt Margaret did this beautiful cross-stitch piece.  It's one of my very favorite seasonal things!

 I do wish you a Merry Christmas ... and hope that this season brings you the deepest, heartfelt joy.  

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

I'm hooking up with the The Inspired Room for the Christmas House Tour Linky Party

And also Linking to The Nester 2011 Christmas Tour of Homes

Our Christmas Card

My sister Karol was an artist.

She created wonderfully whimsical art and beautiful calligraphy. One of my very favorite things she did was this Christmas card.

I love the list of all the cozy and wonderful things of the Christmas season.

My parents received tons of Christmas cards every year. My favorite ones were always the photo cards.

Years ago when I created a Christmas Card for my own family, I was looking for something we could repeat each year, and it was Karol’s wishlist card and the photo cards that I wanted to model.

I took Karol’s idea of a Christmas wishlist for her friends and incorporated it with family pictures we took throughout the year.

I use a tri-fold template, and it unfolds like a brochure.

For the cards going to our closest friends and family, I use the white space inside the card to give an update of what everyone’s been up to. For acquaintances, I just leave off the update and say Merry Christmas.

I use Microsoft Publisher, and I start with choosing a clipart Christmas tree background, then I pick my favorite pictures from the past year. Next I place the pictures on the card and pair them with an appropriate caption.

In the early years I just used regular typing paper, but now I use thick brochure card stock, which prints the pictures more clearly. Using pre-scored card stock makes a neater fold. I do the printing myself with my HP Photosmart printer.

Our design has changed a little over the years … but we all love looking back through cards of Christmas past. They're a good representation of the most fun and best photos of the year. It's a good stroll down memory lane!

I was going to link to the Christmas Card Party at the 36th Avenue but those girls are much more together than I am ... their cards were done by December 6th! Go on over and have a look though, there are some lovely cards!