Christmas Memories and Feeling Blessed

There is almost no time that I miss my folks as much as I do at Christmas. So today to give me a gift more priceless than anything under the tree, my hubby took out all my mom's old ornaments and a few delicate ones from our past years and he arranged them all in our china cabinet where I could see them and know they are safe from the threat of breaking. Really? I almost cried.

All the ornaments below were on the trees of my childhood. Some are over 60 years old. I could not buy any now that I would cherish more.

Ornaments from our first year of marriage.

This old crackled beauty is my favorite of my mothers.

See what I saw when I walked in the dining room? Do you ever feel life is so good you just know something is going to happen that will burst it? Now I have been married a long time and know that things do come to our lives that seem to shake us but for right now, this season, I am so truly blessed.

We have our problems like everyone else. Raising a family is hard work but I sure do savor this time of year and all that it holds. The memories we cherish and knowing we will make new ones this year.

I am a child at Christmas. For that one day I refuse to grow up. I relish the gifts and the kids and our dog who somehow knows it is a day like no other and always roams threw the wrapping on the floor on Christmas morn, her tail just wagging going to each of us with her Christmas greeting. Maybe it is that she knows there is always a special treat under the tree for her on the day the humans take all the boxes and rip them apart making a huge mess of the den.

I had a wonderful weekend of simple pleasures. Lunch with my good friends and children running through my house making a mess in every room. It was all good. It was how it should be. A party for a friend's birthday  and a day of wrapping today and putting some of the final touches on the house. We are all shaken this week but I don't know about you but I have to put it out of my mind as much as I can. Sadness like that is so consuming. Of course we cannot escape, but my children deserve a life of hope and a wonderful Christmas, not fear and overwhelming sadness. We have discussed it, prayed for the families and reminded ourselves of the blessings we have. We will savor this Christmas I think, just a little bit more.
Sharing with:
Cozy Little House

Just Quiet

I think we all need to do, on our blogs that is, what we feel comfortable with. I am not going to have Sunny Simple Sunday this week. I think I just don't feel like it right now. I am all for taking our minds off of things when we need to and enjoy the beauty of the season online and at home. For now we are just enjoying a quiet night in watching Christmas shows. See you next week. 

How Does a Parent Ever Recover From This?

I think I just cannot bare the pain these poor families are dealing with. Why so many of these attacks? Why so many sick people? I get suicide I really do. If you are so miserable maybe you cannot deal with life but WHY WHY WHY do you have to hurt so many others? How does a parent ever recover from something like this? And the parents lost whose kids now have to go on without them. I am truly so saddened today. 

Life is So Very Busy and Driving to See Lights

I don't think I had any idea how busy having kids in three schools would be. When I homeschooled the older three girls, and worked 2 to 3 days a week, I thought I was a busy gal and I was. But the amount of driving with kids at multiple schools and volunteer duties have me busier than I have ever been. When we were a homeschooling family I would start school early in August so I could take the entire month of December off. I would be done shopping by now and gifts steadily being wrapped, and the entire week before Christmas would be for baking.
Turn to this year and school runs right up to a few days before Christmas. I am loving the fun parties they are participating in and the build up to finals, knowing a break is coming. Now though, I find I am only about half done with shopping, have not wrapped a single gift and feel a bit pressed for time here. I don't like changes to my schedule but have tried to embrace this new phase in our lives. I may disappear from the blog if time keeps me busy because enjoying the holiday build up is my favorite time of year. Thankfully my dear husband is off for eleven days and will help with the wrapping. We wrap in our trailer out in the back of the yard. Turn on music and steal away to hang out and wrap gifts together. It has been my Santa's workshop for years. I am saying to myself, enjoy every day, it will all get done. The bigger girls will help me with the house thank goodness.

Tonight we all piled in the car in our jammies and sweats and went to see some lights. I had bought a box of Sees candy suckers (the best) and we all grabbed one for dessert on the road. The lights were lovely, Q was    
enthralled. The teenagers, well here is what was coming from the back of the van.

"Who farted?"
"Those lights hurt my eyes."
"Shutup"
"This Christmas music is lame."
"Quiet you are ruining my time."

And from me...
"Pretty sad when the four year old is the best behaved."

And from dad...
"You all are bunch of complainers!!"

Oh the joys!!! Fa la la la la la la...

Simple Country Tree and The Best Stand for a Real Tree

We always have a real tree. Artificial for our main tree is not allowed. I suggested one one year and thought they were going to throw me out in the road as the car was moving. Anyway, back to our stand. We have the usual three legged stand with a water bowl but with wood floors I was always so worried about spillage and water ruining my wood floors. I tried putting plastic under there and that was messy. One year I saw the old galvanized tub hanging in the garage and thought what a perfect country accent for our tree. So husband modified the stand by just cutting the legs off a few inches and we know set the whole stand in the tub. I can fill the water bowl with no worries. My husband even put those felt sticky tabs under the tub so it would not scratch the floor.

I can never find a tree topper that I love so we combined a wooden star and candy cane with some berry sprigs found at Target. I love it. Of course hubby did it and I walked in the room and said,"Hey, I finally love the top of the tree. It is simple with some splashes of red."

Our tree is very basic. Lights, family ornaments and a splash of red.

Winter Woodland Tree

Our main tree is in our front window but I like having a small tree in the den for the sparkly lights at night.

This year I decided to go with woodland theme. I used decorations I had and some little mittens I picked up cheaply.

The woodsy ornaments I have had for years. I thought the punch of red would really be perfect. I have my eye on some more ornaments I want for this tree from my favorite store. I will be in line the day after Christmas to buy them half off. I won't pay full price for ornaments. I just wait and buy them after the holiday.

What says winter more than red mittens. We don't wear them much here where I live but I sure love them.

A cozy Christmas corner. I have my coffee here sometimes and watch the chickens outside.

You can see how I did my den tree last year in a patriotic theme.

Sharing with:
Show and Share Wednesday
Down Home Blog Hop
BNOTP

Sunny Simple Sunday

Our house. What can I say. Loud, crazy and yes, glasses wearing cats. This is my husband's big old boy, Sneakers. He put these funny glasses on him and he just sat there cursing us in his kitty mind I am sure. He used to let the kids push him around in the doll stroller. He is a great cat that drops dead vermin at our door regularly. Getting older, I hope he has many years ahead.

And this guy. Here he is doing what he often does in the house, decorating. It is his birthday today. He is working as he usually is on his birthday. Happy birthday to you. I could never give you a gift that could compare to the gift you gave me when you walked into my life. I am the lucky one.

Now for some highlights from last week:

Ash Tree Cottage always a delight with her charming cottage coziness. Never tire of her photos.

Rosemary and Thyme shared the cutest Christmas table setting. I wish I were invited to sit down and the darling table.

Family Home and Life shared this gorgeous scripture ornaments. They are so pretty. Love all the talented projects you find this time of year.

Okay so now share what you have been up to. Have a wonderful weekend. Link up anything family friendly.

Christmas Crocks

I think the hubby and I have a sickness. We seem to decorate every nook and cranny of our house for the holidays. Even the kids have a tree in their rooms. Small ones, but personal to their liking. I love making it special for them and those that visit my house during Christmastime.

Our little collection of crocks that found their way next to the dry sink is now home to some prim odds and ends. The scruffy snowman holds court over the mish mash but he seems happy there.

Sharing with Favorite Thing Saturday

Sat. Night Special

Sunny Simple Sundays will be up at 11:00 am. today.

Check Trim

I fell in love with this economical trim when I saw it at a friend's house. You can get it at any educational supply store.

I added some to my little glass front cupboard.

Even the phone station gets a little holiday cheer.

You can see Shelly's most adorable house at Christmas here and here.

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Farm Girl Friday

My Favorite Christmas Corner

Sharing my favorite Christmas corner. It is my little white shelf in the kitchen. 

Red and white is my favorite color combo and it is perfect right here.

An old tea set and Christmas greenery tucked in.

The only thing new is the check trim I bought at an education supply store.

Frosty's hat somehow landed on my little shelf.

Sharing with:
Home Sweet Home
Common Ground
BNOTP

Hot Cocoa Basket and Homemade White Chocolate Peppermint Mocha Latte

This time of year I like to add some Christmas cheer to the coffee station. I put a little treat out for the kids and their friends. I take a basket and load it with hot cocoa packets and a cheery jar of marshmallows.

Snow in a jar.

Here's how I did the basket in years past.

Also I want to share my recipe for my take on one of Starbuck's holiday drinks. Here is my recipe for my  poor man's white chocolate peppermint mocha latte.

Sharing with:
Home and Garden Thursday

Even the My Little Ponies Know...

The reason for the season. This morning this is what I found at our Nativity Scene. 

Our youngest wanted even her little ponies to pay honor to the New Born King. Love it! I think it will stay this way too!

Christmas Cozy

It has been raining and raining here. Where do I live again? It is nice though. I love rainy days. Perfect weather for decking the house out in Christmas decor. What evokes cozy more than dark days and sparkly Christmas lights?

This year I did my village a bit different. Threw out the messy old snow and layed down a runner and backed it with an old  lighted garland to hide the cords. I had to untangle and re-string the lights but no money spent. I love it. Never decorate the same two years in a row. That is half the fun of it.

The front room with our tree is going to be more woodsy and in more prim colors this year. Each of the kid's rooms has a tree now with all their ornaments. Not sure how they would take this but hey, hubby and I deserve to decorate the tree the way we want for once in 23 years.

Of course it is dark and not great for photos but the kitchen will always be for my bright red and whites. That  Santa was my mom's. She had it always. I treasure him. I just decorate using things I have.

Sharing with Tweak It Tuesday, Tabletop Tuesday,  Creative Cain Cabin and Down Home Blog Hop

Sunny Simple Sunday

I have been a busy Christmas elf. I am looking forward to a morning at my favorite store, Country General Store. They are having their Christmas open house. I don't need anything but my girlfriend and I are going just for the love of it.

Now onto some favorites from last week:

Cozy Little House shared how she chases off the winter cold with flowers and candlelight. I never ever tire of  her photos.

Pembrokeshire Lass shares her thoughts on living in the moment. Her words are very true.

Looks Like White shared the loveliest serene Edwardian cottage. You have to see the bathroom. My dream!

Hope you all enjoy this first weekend in December now share what you have been up to. Link up!!

Succulents in a Fountain

I had an unused fountain that I wanted to do something pretty with and was inspired by Ricki Jill of Art @ Home to plant it with succulents. That was last spring. I want to invest in more plants to fill lots of my patio pots. Succulents last a long time but require very little water. I maybe splashed water on these every two weeks.

I love how it has filled out and grown so beautifully. And this wall just bakes in the summer sun.

You cannot beat the color and texture of succulents. My new favorite plants. Here we can keep them all year as we do not have frosts very often.

Sharing with:
A Favorite Thing
Sat. Night Special