Only 360 Days Until Next Christmas!

I always pause on December 26th to reflect on what worked and what didn't work during this holiday season.

I actually make a list of suggestions and reminders to myself so I won't make the same mistakes next year and so that I can repeat some of the successes.

Then my thoughts turn to the new year and the things I hope to accomplish in it.

What REALLY worked this year was our family Christmas. We always celebrate it the weekend before Christmas so our kids can spend real Christmas with the in-laws or creating their own family traditions. This year we had family Christmas in the morning and it was awesome! We all agreed that mornings are the way to go for the foreseeable future (probably until the grands are teens and don't want to get out of bed even for a visit with Grammy and Gramps) and one SIL even went so far as to tell me what food item he'll contribute next year!

What didn't work this year was of my own making. I committed to a friend that I would stitch Christmas stockings for her three kids. I managed to complete two of them (one took two months, one took three and a-half months) but I just couldn't get the third one done. I spent so much time trying to get it stitched that I neglected some of the other aspects of my personal Christmas and it was stressful.

So even though I had a stress-free Christmas, I was definitely stressed over the stitching. My friend was very understanding and I will get the stockings to her in January to have for next year.

And I told my oldest daughter that she has to hold me accountable to a new rule in my life: NO Christmas stitching after October 31st! haha

Merry Christmas!

Luke 2 KJV

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

December Twenty-fourth - Christmas Eve

What a magical night is Christmas Eve. As a child, you spend it in anticipation of the arrival of Santa coupled with the knowledge that Jesus' birthday is almost here. As an adult you spend it secure in the knowledge that Christ our Savior was born coupled with the anticipation of the excitement your children will express on Christmas morning around the Christmas tree.

The thing about Christmas is that it really doesn't matter how much money you spend, how many cards you give or receive, how many goodies you bake and consume, how beautifully you decorate your home. Christmas is Christmas without any or all of those things.

It truly is about spending time with family and friends. It's a time of year when you can give generously of your time, your money, your support, your encouragement. It's a time to be grateful for the year that is passing and to recognize all of the blessings you received throughout. Christmas is about Jesus. Yes, He was born in a manger. Yes, the angels sang Alleluias. Yes, the shepherds came. And yes, the wise men eventually showed up.

The story didn't stop there. Jesus grew into a man. He traveled all around His home country proclaiming the wonders of God. He died on the cross, was buried, and rose again. He is the Messiah.

All of this is Christmas.

December Twenty-third - Best Gift

Photos of the best gifts I've ever received!

Gramps, Blizzard, Grammy, Snow

Storm, Thunder, Skye, Summer

Me with my boys

Gabe, Zach, JD, Adam

Dan with the girls

Jessica, Katie, Janel

Jessica, Adam, Snow, Storm

JD, Janel, Blizzard

Gabe, Katie, Sunny, Thunder

Zach, Skye

Dan and me

December Twenty-second - Vintage Tablecloths

I'm a fan of anything vintage, especially aprons and tablecloths. I scour the Goodwill stores and estate sales for vintage treasures. I am now the proud owner of five vintage Christmas tablecloths. I found three of them at Goodwill and two of them at an antique store in downtown Glendale, AZ.

My best buy was the first one I bought at Goodwill. It was horribly stained and did not have a price tag on it. I asked the young man at the cashier stand and he looked it over and said "99 cents". I brought it home and soaked it for two 7-hour sessions in Oxi-clean. It is now gorgeous!

I'm fortunate that all five of my tablecloths are unique designs. Similar, but different. I'm looking forward to continuing my hunt!

December Twenty-first - Crafts

OK, so we thought we were buying wood Nativity sets for the grandkids to make with Gramps. But when we opened them we found they were just laminated cardboard. Bummer! They were actually harder to make than the wood would have been because, of course, cardboard and paper breaks easily.

But they persevered and ended up with a cute little Nativity for each of them to take home.

Next time we'll be more observant about what we're purchasing...

December Twentieth - Decor

Our main Christmas tree is in the Family Room. It is nine feet tall and has lights that switch from clear to multi-colored. It's theme can best be described as eclectic. It holds handmade ornaments from the grandkids, ornaments from our travels, Hallmark ornaments, glass balls, laser-cut ornaments... you get the picture.

I love our tree. I love that each and every ornament on it carries a memory. I love the colors and textures that are reflected in the changing lights.

I do not love that even when I stand on my tallest step stool I'm too short to decorate the top foot and a half of the tree, but this is why I have a 6'4" husband! haha

This year's tree is as beautiful as ever, at least in my eyes.

New this year - Hallmark series

New this year - laser cut found in Colorado

New this year - Hallmark series

Our tree!

New this year - a surprise from my friend who

took our family photos in November - I love it! 

New this year - Hallmark series

Found on our trip to Colorado,

Arizona - because we live here 

California - because Dan was born there

December Nineteenth - Family Christmas

This past weekend we celebrated our family Christmas. We broke with tradition this year and held it in the morning. I think we found a new tradition. The parents weren't irritated after spending all day with kids who whined about "when do we get to open our presents?". The kids were all rested and excited for the day. We were done by 11 am and everyone could go home to play with their presents.

I knew it was a success when the talk turned to who would bring what next year! haha

We remembered to take a photo in front of our tree!

Singing a chorus of "Jingle Bells" before the fun begins

Thunder was one of Santa's helpers

Storm was a Santa's helper for the first time

Snow getting some help from Gramps opening her stocking

Sunny is a seasoned Santa's helper by now

Sunny and Thunder gave me a flashing Christmas light necklace,

I love it!

Skye's first year to read the Christmas story aloud to us all

December Eighteenth - Christmas Countdown: 1 Week From Today

December Seventeenth - Calendars

I am completely bummed out. Totally disappointed. Very sad. You might even say despondent.

Yes, over a calendar

For years I've been using a page-a-day pad style calendar. Since I'm addicted to making lists these calendars have been perfect for me. I've used the crossword puzzle, the word-a-day, the quotes, and last year, I bought the coloring calendar.

This year when I started looking for my calendar I couldn't find this style anywhere. I finally resorted to searching on Amazon and Barnes & Noble - no luck. So I went straight to the publisher where my worst fear was realized. They're no longer making this style of calendar.

Oh no, now what do I use?

I'm virtually feeling withdrawal at the thought of not having my list calendar. I know, you're wondering why I don't just use a notepad. After all, I have plenty of them (remember I also suffer from paper addiction). All I can say is that it's just not the same. I loved starting the year with a 365 page thick calendar pad. I enjoy seeing the pages being ripped off day by day. I love writing lists for every day.

{{sigh}} Oh well, it is what it is.

December Sixteenth - Santa, Part 2

Remember my story about our visit to Santa? Here is the photo of Santa with Sunny and Thunder (once Thunder calmed down enough to see him).

December Fifteenth - Decor

A couple of years ago I purchased a small white Christmas tree. I like white trees because you can put any color or theme of ornaments on them and they look terrific.

This year the white tree is the Snow tree. All of the ornaments are snow-themed. It sits in a corner of our family room, which also holds the large tree that the presents go around.

There's just something about the soft look of this tree that appeals to me. There's also a little bit of humor about this tree. I didn't have a side table to set it on, so I took one of the Lego tables I have for the kids, threw a vintage tablecloth over it and voila! a tree stand was created. haha

December Fourteenth - Christmas Cards

As you know, I love to send Christmas cards. I love to receive them too, but since I have no control over that I focus on the sending of them.

For the past many years, I have sent a card accompanied by an annual letter, and sometimes, a separate photo. Last year when I composed my annual letter I discovered (to my horror) that our printer was not able to print a decent copy. I tried everything, but no matter what the letter looked sub-par. I resorted to quickly printing a photo and calling it good.

This year I've been bugging  gently reminding my husband ALL YEAR that I need to have a printer that is up to printing my Christmas letter. It hasn't happened. We had family photos taken at Thanksgiving and I really wanted to include them in our Christmas letter. This has been extremely stressful to me.

OK, now to Plan B.

 I finally came to the conclusion that I would abandon my beautiful Christmas cards and have a photo card printed at Sam's Club. I will include my picture-less Christmas letter.

Who knows, maybe I'll decide that this is the best way to do a card every year. Then again, maybe not.

All of this to admit that this is NOT a stress-free zone for me this year. I'm very late in getting my cards out. Indeed, I'm not sending cards, I'm sending postcards with a letter in the envelope.

On the other hand... I love the postcards with a letter that I get from my friends each year... maybe this WILL be the start of a new tradition...

So, if you would like to receive a Christmas greeting from me this year, please leave a comment and I will email you to get your address, I'd love to add you to my list.

Merry Christmas!

December Thirteenth - Grammy's Tree

My favorite color is purple. Several years ago Big Lots carried a purple Christmas tree that I just had to have. I usually set it up in my craft room/den, but this year I had to put it in our Library in the front window.

This tree is all about me.

It holds ornaments related to stitching, to thimbles (I collect them), to my grandkids, and other interests of mine. Each year that a grandchild is born, I purchase a special ornament to mark the occasion for my tree. I have had some of the ornaments on this tree for over 30 years. It is very special to me.

The tree sits on a glass topped and sided table this year. I'm displaying a box Janel stitched for me on one shelf and the other shelf holds a purple mini bottle tree and a thimble nativity my mom gave me over 30 years ago.

I love this tree and the ornaments on it. They are special and unique to me!

New to me this year

Noah's Ark - celebrating the arrival of Blizzard

New this year, a tiny lighthouse

December Twelfth - DIY Decor

This year I created two pieces of decor inspired by Pinterest. I am not proficient at this type of creating, but I liked the way they turned out. Which I guess is the most important thing. Haha!

They each have mini lights that come on at the same time each day and turn themselves off six hours later. I love these lights! I am using them more and more in my wreaths and swags and other decor. All I have to do is change the batteries when I realize the lights are dimming. Technology... sometimes it's the greatest!