Happy 2011

Sort of fell off the map there didn't I? Not to worry, all is well. I just got very immersed in family and well..there you have it.

For the first time since I started working I had a few vacation days saved up to use in and around the holidays. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed having a few extra days at home!

We had a lovely Christmas with our daughters and family.

We also had a birthday. Christmas was forever changed for us in 1988 with the arrival of Precious Oldest. She turned twenty two this Christmas. TWENTY TWO! We’ve ended up with a smart, funny, kind kid who embarks on her student teaching TOMORROW. How did this happen?

We traveled south to visit the Saint's folks the day after Christmas as his father was not up to the trip to come to us.

New Year’s Eve was terribly relaxing filled with friends, family and featured me staying in my PJs until 4:30!

New Year’s Day we went to see “The King’s Speech”. I can’t say enough about this movie – if you haven’t already done so GO SEE IT NOW!

I am off and running on my 2011 New Year’s Resolution.

What have you all been up to?

Holiday Home Tour

Once again, many thanks to Jen for organizing what has become an annual event. It gets me motivated to get my decorating done. While I think my home looks nice I don’t know that I possess the same home décor gene that others seem to have. I am not, at my core, a very creative person. So with THOSE low expectations let’s take a look around shall we?

Technically, for Catholics, Christmas doesn’t begin until December 24th. We are now in the season of Advent. We celebrate each evening around our kitchen table by lighting the Advent Wreath.



I have things hidden in several nooks and crannies in the kitchen.





The living room is one of my favorite rooms. It seems to accept Christmas so gracefully.







Our traditional Frasier Fir.



For years the mantle hosted the Santa Collection



But take a closer look...



intermingling of the species!



A selection of some of my favorite children's Christmas books.





I had a small dinner last night. I took these when I was getting set up.



I should get something up abut that soon.



The family room historically hosted the Snowmen



But yes!



Look at me and the co-mingling!



This guy is new, a gift last year from a co-worker.



Hell, even the bathrooms get dolled up.



The sunroom looks pretty even at night.



Now I'm off to explore all the other Holiday Home Tours! Merry Christmas!!!!

It's Beginning to Smell a lot Like Christmas

A few weekends ago I took a trip to one of my favorite nurseries. The staff is helpful and knowledgeable. The quality of the flowers, roses, bulbs, shrubs, trees - you name - it is second to none. And they have the most amazing home and garden decorative section with wonderful holiday and seasonal items.

Now, while they have many beautiful and unique items, I rarely purchase anything because they tend to be priced just beyond what I'm willing to pay for a wreath or garland or garden ornament or...well, you get the picture.

At any rate, while I was there I browsed through the home decor section. I spied a pretty scented candle and took a sniff. Heaven. I picked it up, and put back down, about half a dozen times. The fragrance was amazing but at $24.99 - yes, $24.99!!! it seemed an extravagant price for what was not an overly large candle.

Yet, as you might surmise for the photograph, I did indeed purchase the Thymes "Fasier Fir" scented candle. People you have no idea. It smells exactly like a freshly cut fir tree. Subtle, but distinct. A smell that says "Christmas" to me like none other.

What does your Christmas smell like?

In Defense of Valentine's Day

I'm getting - sort of - caught up with some of what's sitting in Google Reader. It seems poor Valentine's Day is/was getting trashed! We like Valentine's Day! I send of boxes of treats to the Precious Daughters! We were traveling this year, but ordinarily we go out for dinner! This Monday - the 15th by the way - The Saint had these delivered to my office.



Aw shit, terrible camera phone picture. Much prettier in real life. Well any way, it was very sweet and made me smile. Color me shallow if you will, but when I look at them it makes me feel cherished.

Tradition…TRADITION!!

A funny thing happens when you have nearly grown children who believe in Santa Clause and tradition in equal measure.

They still get new PJs on Christmas Eve



They sleep with their very well loved Teddy bears



Even if you’re the MOM you get new PJs on Christmas Eve


Because your nearly grown children don’t want you to feel left out


And of course they leave milk and cookies for Santa



And a carrot for the reindeer



Do YOU still believe?

Hope You Had

A Merry Little Christmas!

We've had:

• A blizzard
• An enormous Prime Rib
• A twenty first birthday celebration
• A concert
• Company that's been here since Wednesday
• And coming up - A quick trip to the ER to determine the status of a toe

Happy Holidays!

Nanaments

As a continuation of the last post I bring you


"Nanaments"!


When my mothers parents retired to Florida the community they moved to had a holiday bazaar every year. The ladies group my grandmother belonged to began to make felt ornaments to sell at the bazaar. These are some of my favorites.


Christmas/Winter Themes



Tiny Christmas Stocking







Silver Bells











Mitten












Jack-In-The-Box








Elf





Winter Sports Themes






Skiing Snow lady













Skiing Santa













Skiing Polar Bear?







Famous Characters






Bambi













Goofy









Snoopy










Fairy Tales, Nursery Rhymes and such






Winnie the Pooh










Kanga and Roo














Raggedy Ann and Andy













Wynken, Blynken and Nod











Mary had a Little Lamb









The Three Bears, sans Goldilocks








Humpty Dumpty









Pinocchio and Geppetto






And of course the big man himself







































Patterns were constructed and pieces were cut from felt. Sequins were hand sown, dozens per ornament. Individual pieces were pinned together, stuffed when called for, then sown by hand. Can you imagine the work that went into each and every one?

My Nana, personally, made HUNDREDS every year for over fifteen years. She could tell you the year each was made and how much it sold for. Nana started sending me nanaments the year I got engaged (1984 - remember people I am OLD!). I have dozens of them.

Hanging these ornaments on the tree is one of my favorite holiday traditions!