My Christmas Memories

I Remember

My Great-Aunts Gladys and Sadis coming through the front door of my Granny and Grandpa's with big smiles and saying 'Christmas Eve Gift' or 'Christmas Gift', depending on the day they visited.  I always loved this...they would be smiling and laughing as they presented themselves as the gifts.

Granny Powell's Christmas cake.  Filled with raisins and nuts and topped with a chocolate buttercream and more pecans.

Grandpa giving us brown paper bags full of fruits, nuts and hard candy.

Walking home from church after Christmas play practice.  Enjoying the feel of the brisk, cold air and watching the 'smoke' rise as we breathed.

Playing dolls with my sisters after we had opened our presents.  We used a cardboard box for a table and a piece of wrapping paper for a tablecloth as we enjoyed tea with our new tiny dishes. 

Going Chirstmas shopping and having to hang out in the parking lot in the car with Daddy while Mama shopped.  Made better when we were at Sears and Daddy would go in and buy a hot bag of Spanish peanuts for us to munch on.

Sitting my two sweet babies under the Christmas tree and trying to capture that perfect picture.  Not realizing then that they were all perfect pictures.

Enjoying the love and feeling the pride as I enjoy Christmas with my family each year.  Knowing that each moment is precious, each look to be cherished and hugs and kisses are the best thing God ever invented.

I will be working hard on last minute wrapping and baking the next couple of days and then enjoying the wonder of the season with my family.  I hope all your hopes and dreams are realized and that you live each moment of this holiday season, realizing that family and friends are true treasures.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to each and every one of you.

Rich Red and Wintry White....What's Not to Like

I love traditional Christmas colors and have decorated in red, white and green this year.  Snowmen are a part of the season and keep finding their way into every room in my home.   My sideboard in the breakfast nook.

Pinecones and snow.  If I could figure out a way to get under the glass, I'd play in the snow.

My China Cabinet is all decked out for the holidays.

Don't peek till Chirstmas....good advice, but rarely followed.

Thanks for visiting.  Joining the party over at Marty's at A Stroll Thru Life.  Please be sure to drop by the party.

Merry Sparkle And Shine

We finally got the presents under the Chirstmas tree last night.  I only have a few more things to pick up, that I have not been able to find and then I am finished.  I don't have to work Friday and am planning to finish my shopping.

My entry foyer is ready for holiday visitors. 

Santa is watching, so you'd better be good. 

I forgot to light my candles before taking photos, so just imagine that they are glowing warmly.  A silver tray holds a bit of chocolate and incoming holiday greetings. 

One last decoration for today...look at those eyes and those cute little fingers.  I think this is my most creative project today.

Snowmen and Stripes In The Family Room

Armoire decoration in the Family Room. 

You could eat on this candy for months.

Coffee table decoration, still in the Family room.

Twirling and sliding across the ice. 

Snowman and woman Tango.

Linking to Tabletop Tuesday.  Please click the link to visit and enjoy some decorating by quite a few talented Elves.

Santa Sent Some Frosting Our Way

Tennessee rarely gets snow, other than the occasional flurry and later in the winter we might have a dusting on the ground.  There is of course, the occassional surprise and we got one yesterday.  It started with beautiful fluffy flakes of snow and as the day progressed, we started seeing it cover the ground...in the south we call that laying or sticking to the ground.  By nightfall, we had a couple inches and the snow was continuing with small flakes peppering from the sky. 

The whole weekend veered from plan...Mike and I went shopping Saturday morning.  We had planned to leave home around 8am so we could finish up and get back home in time for the Dunlap Christmas parade.  Alden and the boyscouts were to march in the parade, and we couldn't miss that.  Mike woke up and could not go back to sleep, so we left home at 5:30am.  We found most of what we were looking for, with the exception of the Barbie Townhouse...it has been around for 20+ years, but apparently is a HOT ticket item for this year because of Toy Story 3.  The only ones I can find right now, are online for 2 to 3 times the normal price.  I'm hoping that ToysRUs or Target will get a shipment before Christmas, or a little girl I know will be very disappointed.  Alden started running a temp and feeling bad on Saturday and ended up missing the parade and the following scout ceremony where he was to receive his first earned patch.  He wanted to spend the night with us on Saturday night, so I spent the afternoon and night giving him my attention.  On Sunday, we had planned to take the Polar Express train ride.  Alden was still running a temp and Tanesia made the decision that they would have to miss the train ride.  We were going to still go, along with Tiffany and her family...but Tiffany hurt her back on Sunday, so we did not make the train ride this year.  The kiddies were looking forward to seeing Santa, but since they could not make it despite our best efforts, he sent some snow to entertain us. 

Horchow @ Home

Horchow has launched an online magazine called 'Horchow @ Home'. They, of course, feature items that they sell and have some beautiful pictures and decorating tips. There is even a recipe for Creme Pie in this edition. The link to the magazine is listed here.

It's December

The tree is up and waiting for presents.

 One present has somehow found it's way under the tree.  I think I'll keep this one for myself.

The wrapping is in progress and the shopping is ongoing.

If the garlands are piled on the garage floor, but out of their storage containers, does that count as being in progress??

Hope everyone is enjoying their decorating.

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Trick or Treat 2010 - Already A Memory

I know I have made this statement before, but I sure wish time would slow down a bit.  From now until Christmas, it will be a roller coaster ride, so we better hold on tight.  We celebrated Halloween by trick or treating with the Grandbabes on Saturday night...as per our usual custom, we took our convoy into the night stopping at a few homes of family and friends before circling back to our home for dinner and a movie with the kids.  This year, we grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and watched How To Train Your Dragon.  Lexi was sick most of the morning, but she felt better and was able to go trick or treating with us and this was Braeden's first year. 

Here are my pumpkins, all dressed up and ready to trick or treat.  We pretty much have the fantasy world covered here with a Pink Cowgirl complete with her horse, a Golfer, Batman and The Blue Ninja.  Notice that my little golfer has lost one of his shoes and his hat, already and he is looking pretty serious about it.

Here is a picture of our convoy at one of the stops along the way....everyone is loading back up for the next stop.

Trick or Treating is thirsty work....break time is necessary for one member of the convoy.

The Pink Cowgirl had to borrow a neighbor's bathroom along with her trick or treat.  You can see the neighbor handing her the treat now that she has taken care of business.

The treat buckets are already getting full and heavy, after only a couple of stops...even with the inpromptu candy diving that was taking place between stops.

Happy faces...that's what it's all about!!

Hope everyone got lots of treats and minimal tricks!

Halloween Party 2010

This post is photo intensive, so if you have a slower connection, it might take a bit longer to load.  Food tables set up along the back and side walls.

Putting out the finishing touches and taking photos before the feasting begins.

We had lots of room for people to manuever around the food stations while still having some inside seating.

Dessert and treat table complete with cookies, cake, candy, toys, light sticks, and flashlights.

Adapting an idea I saw at Home Depot, I used a step ladder with buckets wedged between the rungs to hold chips.

Did you know that Chef's drive tractors and pull hay rides around here?

Lexi was a pink cowgirl this year and is enjoying a bite with her friends.

Haybales around the firepit provided more seating for munching. It was so warm this year that a fire was not necessary, but you just have to have a big bonfire on an October night.

Witchie Poo had a rough landing, but at least the hay broke her fall.

The tire swing is always a favorite.

We opted not to have the outdoor movie this year for fear that we would blow a circuit....we are thinking it might be a good idea to run a new electric line next year.  We had the extention cords loaded and the lights  actually blinked a couple of times...yikes.  To avoid disaster, we played bingo instead.  I had plenty of cards but needed more markers, so we used pinto beans.

After all the fun is finished and most have gone home, Alden takes a minute to wind down.

It was a great party and I hope everyone has a Happy Halloween!!

I'm joining the following parties.  Please click the links to join the party:

Outdoor Wednesday

It's So Very Cheri

Thansformation Thursday

Hanging with HOH