Ho Ho Ho!

Christmas was just wonderful... the first time in 4 years that all four children were together! A full day of fun, food and "togetherness". As Holly and her family were heading over to our house on Christmas morning, Ben said, "Too bad we don't have Santa hats." "Santa hats," I said, "Ben I have a whole Santa suit!" (I had snagged it for 75% off several years ago at Target.) So Ben quickly slipped it on and greeted Jack upon his arrival. Jack never made eye contact with Santa!


The entire event lasted no more than a couple of minutes. Jack definitely didn't recognize Ben and was a little tentative, but was very brave with the unexpected visitor.

Before we opened family gifts Ed introduced a new family tradition where we each shared our prayer request for the upcoming year. By the time it got around to me, I was in tears, so deeply thankful for my children and their relationships with the Lord.

After church on Christmas Eve, we revisited our old tradition of eating dinner at Kobe. Jack arrived wearing an elf hat!



Every Christmas I ask myself why I didn't take more pictures??? Well this year I spent way too much time Christmas Day in the kitchen, but here are a couple~

Pop and Jack enjoyed the Wonder Pets Sticker book~"The phone, the phone is ringing!"

Regina and her family stopped by for a visit.
She'll always be family :)

As soon as Christmas is over, I'm ready to clean up and clear out. Yesterday and today, I cleaned out closets, sock drawers, and a couple of cabinets. It is so cold and windy, I just love being at home, nesting. Tomorrow I am tackling my sewing area.

Cottage Christmas Time

Whenever I visit The Cottage, I am always so inspired! Ann and Linda are both so gifted as "pickers" and decorators! I just love all the cute vignettes.... everywhere you look, there is something old, loved and beautiful. I thought I'd share some of the pictures I took earlier in the month.

I bought this little red sleigh to add to my vintage sleigh collection!

This mantel inspired me to decorate with silver candlesticks this Christmas. I already had some, but I'm still searching for a few more.

Ann and Linda made several wonderful wreaths using vintage ornaments and trinkets. They sold quickly!

This miniature wicker chair makes my heart sing... so very sweet!

If I had a place for this dresser, it would have been loaded in my car. Love the color and carved drawer pulls.

I think my printed postcard pillows turned out really well. It's so much fun seeing those sweet old images on fabric! And this little cement girl fascinates me. I'm looking for a place where she could live this winter!

Happy Decorating!

Oh We Need a LIttle Christmas....

Last week Holly and I were in Wegmans and bought the new GLEE cd for Ed- He's a big big GLEE fan, just loves the music! It really is a fabulous CD- sounds very Broadway like and We Need a Little Christmas is the first song it plays. It peps me up, gets me going.... decorating and cleaning....sorting and shifting and stuffing (my many piles around the house)...wrapping and sewing and wining ...about having so much to do. Pepping me up is good, but what I really need is Silent Night! I need desperately to be still and remember God's precious gift to us.

Last night I went to hear The Chalk Guy. I sat still.. so still my legs were restless. Ben's message and talent were phenomenal! I took away a lot. What really resonates was this, "When we say Merry Christmas we are actually saying CELEBRATE CHRIST." But not just at Christmas, God has called us who have received his gift to celebrate Christ each and every day. I am planning to work less on my piles and more on my heart this season. To be still and silent and hear from God.