Christmas Debustle

 This is the extent of my bustle these days.
Haven't done gift exchanges with the kids for years.
Hubby and I haven't exchanged gifts forever.  We kinda like the ongoing, through the year, surprise you big time gifting.
This year, the bustle has quieted to some hours on the Internet searching for the right, green, local, organic gifties for the grandgirls.  The other time is spent in the sewing room making sure each one of the girls has a   Mimi Made gift and ornament.
 This extra time is a gift for me.  Time to appreciate time with friends.  Time to reflect on the source of the celebration.  Time to appreciate the talents of others.

 Last year, we started a Pink Tree Tradition.  Little pink trees have been purchased for each of the grandgirls.  We decorate each one with symbolic things of the little girls past year.  This year, we have a Mary Poppins tree, complete with a vintage Mary doll and lots of Mimi made kites.  A Happy Meal penguin from 1999 and a little pin that says 'lets go fly a kite' completes Miss Vivs theme this year.  She is quite the Poppins fan.  Last year was a Sea Booty (translated: Sleeping Beauty) tree due to her infatuation with the classic movie. 
 Lil' Lady's tree has sparkly royal blue ball ornaments,her favorite color.  She has some of her mama's ornaments to complete the look.  BG ordered lots of crocheted snowflakes this year for her home and Mimi got addicted and used up a whole skein of yarn for all three trees.  Our latest pink tree has some of her daddy's ornaments, her initial ornament and blocks and the sweetest snuggle bunny ornament.  This December 16, we shall find out if Mimi and Papa will be buying another pink or...dare I say it....a BLUE tree for next year??!!

 This past years redo in the living room screamed for new Christmas decorations.  Something simple.  Something turquoise.  Something in keeping with the New Look.  Think I found it....

 Years ago, Kindred Spirit's daughter, Emily (The Fashion Designer) made these fabu ( a word I first heard from her!) Christmas Stockings for me.  Made from vintage sheets and just the right colors, you'd think she was positively clairvoyant, seeing my turquoise/orange/yellow Christmas needs years ago.  The size will be perfect for the Grandgirlies toys.

In case you have noticed an absence of a big tree, you are absolutely astute.  Since this is the year that all the chickies spend with their other families, Hubby and I will be on our own and we just didn't see the need to put up the big tree.  We shall enjoy our little pink trees and what they mean to us and save our energies for other fun Christmas projects and people.

 Last night, during a Mad Men a thon with Hubby, I  made the felt ornaments for the girl's trees.  On the way to and back from church yesterday, I finished up the crocheted snowflakes, courtesy of Attic24.

http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/crochet-snowflake.html  (can you see Lil Lady's dolly to be peeking around the snowflakes?  Her First Birthday is two days following Christmas.)

And after a year or so of working on Pretend Granddaughter Sara's Big Girl Quilt, I am finally at the point to do the yarn tying......PGS is an animal lover, particularly doggies, so I don't even think she'll mind the Miss Dixie popped into the photo shoot...


Hoping you're taking the time to drink in the wonder of this season.....

This and That

Teamwork.
That's what it takes.
At no time does it mean more than at Christmas time.
There was a time in my life, that I was unable to leave my home. Agoraphobic.
Hubby would encourage and cajole and compromise. For many years, he did all the Christmas shopping. Some years, out of sheer determination to help him, I would accompany him; he bringing things to the front of the store for my approval. Each year, it appeared that I could get farther into the store/mall. Each attempt would be met with a big 'atta girl' and that little acknowledgement was all it took for me to seek to 'try harder' the next time.
In time (20 years), I was able to be a full complement to the Team Cory shopping expedition. Just when the advent of online shopping came into vogue, I was able to hit the real stores. The internet and my issues, just missed each other.....Funny.
So Hubby and I are used to teaming it.
From tag teaming with sick kids to me mowing the yard and him doing the grocery shopping, me taking the garbage out to him emptying the dishwasher, we've usually been able to strike out a deal.
Today was Neighbor Gifting.
Hubby baked the Holiday Hearth Bread, an old reliable from the 70's.
I kept busy making the bread bags that will go with.
As you can see above, his results are usually swell. Mine usually has some bumps....

And of course, his ways are not my ways; he measures meticulously whilst I tend to throw things in.
He aligns his work space and prepares specifically.
I make a space wherever.
It's usually best if I get out of his way to prevent annoyance. :D

Hubby loves a good high school basketball game. When our boys were playing, years ago, he would be the dad that was cheering wildly and of course, goes without saying, he was the one that got off early so he could attend the out of town games.
He misses it.
Faithful Friend's son plays this year. Hubby follows the stories on the games, watches game times and locations and watches intently.
He wanted to attend tonights home game so I went with.
He's just so cute about it! Can hardly resist.

A monumentous job Hubby has taken on this vacation, is to go through all our old VHS tapes and throw away all those that have not faired well and of course, watch those oldy old videos from a long time ago.
Tough job, huh?
In the doing of this task, he stumbled upon our Advent Tree 'ornaments'! I still have the felt tree that wore these symbolic devotional adornments, but, sadly, I thought the ornaments had long been lost.
And yet, they perservere; just hidden for many years....
Back in the day of small children, our Advent Devotionals would wrap up with one of the children bearing the honor of adding the next ornament, counting down and remembering the story each represented....
Good memories of Christmases past...
Onward to Christmas present!
Baby Girl and her Hubby are on their way home! Eldest Son and Lovely Wife come tomorrow!
Hooray for Holidays!!!

Christmas Treasures...

One good, good thing about become 'elderly'...
'Gifts' at Christmas take on a whole new meaning..
Seldom do they come in a box...
Seldom with wrapping.
They are common items wrapped in the heart of a friend.
They are kind words spoken at the right time.
They are a renewed relationship after a bumpy patch.
They are memories of past times and lives intertwining.
They are inexpensive, meaningful and always from God.
HE knows what I need, want and will find joyful.
Today's journey brought my heart to a point of tears several times.
Good tears.
Knowing that this day was from the Father that has given me the Ultimate Gift, made it all the sweeter.
Enjoy my memories and may you be blessed in your journey as well....

In my journey around my Christmas gratitudes, I took this photo from my tree.
Simple, right? Nice little ornaments?
No.
The front little felt miniature stocking was made for one of my children from one of their childhood friends that was quite good at the crafts. Each year, as I place this little stocking on my tree, I smile, remembering the little girl that 'lived' at my house for many years, her relationship with my oldest daughter, beginning when they were three years old. Today, she left a lovely comment that brought me to tears.
Thank you Brandy....
Also, in this photo, is another ornament given to my husband and I long, long ago, by a appreciative Awana Cubbie mommy. She did not know that it was our anniversary on the day that she gave it to us.
But He did. The 'love' message on it reminds me again, each tree decorating day, that I am loved by my Father.
Also, in the photo, a tag from Baby Girls wedding last year, a glass red heart bought on another anniversary and a beautiful shell angel given to me from my sister years and years ago....
*sigh*


Having a mantel with an abundant fireplace is another treasure that my husband and I waited for many years.
Ten years ago, the move to our present location, with all it's upheaval and surprise, our Father gave us the 'bonus' of something our hearts had longed for in a house. He knew that we would need a little affirmation that only the three of us would be aware of...
We thank Him everytime we use it....
(and in the mantel photo is a little resin angel, given to me from a little friend that I met at Good News Club years ago.
She came to the Awana club that we were involved with, in all her shy, quiet self.
Last year, she had a friend of hers give me this little gift that she purchased at the school bazaar.
Can I tell you how valuable this little angel is to me?

My large jar of ornaments contain Christmas decorations from my in law's trees of the past.
A reminder of the wonderful people that my beloved husband of 37 years came from.
A new tradition as well; planting narcissus right before Thanksgiving for Christmas blooms.
Last year, they bloomed ON THE DAY of my daughter's wedding!
Coincidence?
I think not!
Thank you Father.

And then today.
I traditionally visit a local church's Christmas Bazaar.
I was introduced to it by my neighbor ten years ago.
The neighbor that I had prayed for when our world got a little rocked by our move.
I met this warm, loving woman the day we moved in, in our front yard, as she said to me: 'I'm so glad to meet you! I have been praying for you!!'
We shared property lines for several years, but still consider each other neighbors.
Today, while visiting the bazaar, there she was! Still helping her mom out with the details of a very involved Christmas event.
We were able to share a good church lunch, sharing our latest news, updating our lives....
So I had to buy another ornament from this craft show to remind, me again, of the special neighbor that God prepared for me before I even knew I would be moving! I smile each time I place the craft show ornaments on my yearly tree..
Thank you Lisa....
And today is another neighbor's birthday as well. Sweet Sharon will be moving away next spring and my heart is thrilled for her. But, selfishly, I am sad that the neighbor that introduced us to our first church here, will not be in visual distance from me...

Much emotion, many tears...
Joys of the Season...
Thank you Lord.....