Holy Family

December Details 2014 – Day 23 – HOLY FAMILY

Last weekend, we took a quick trip over to Stephenville, TX to be with Ron's kids and grandkids to celebrate Christmas.  We arrived late Friday night, just in time to give everyone hugs and get ready for bed.  We slept in Michael's room on a blow-up mattress and Saturday morning, we had time to visit with the kids before everyone else arrived.  As they tumbled and tussled and argued over blankets and stuffed animals, suddenly they calmed down as I draped a brown blanket over the door knobs, wrapped each of them in more fleece blankets, and handed a baby doll to Adellelyn.   They instantly knew what I was doing and dragged a doll bed over where they gathered all of their animals close by.   

Just as the kids quieted down and took their roles of Mary and Joseph very seriously the instant I placed that baby in her arms, I find a feeling of peace settling over me when I see depictions of the HOLY FAMILY.  I have several different Nativity sets and this year have placed them where I am sure that I will see them every single day so that I can be reminded to take a breath and refocus.   

I'm Dreaming Of . . .

December Details 2014 - Day 22 - I'M DREAMING OF . . .

I know that the song says "I'M DREAMING OF a white Christmas", and while I would LOVE to have a white Christmas, the chances of that happening in my area are very slim.  So instead, my dreams consist of a few things on my "wish list".  Nothing too extravagant, but I AM DREAMING OF:

---an overnight bag
---gloves with touch tips (which I know Santa is putting in my stocking since I was with him when he bought them)
---a tripod and remote control for my camera
---a 2015 calendar for the refrigerator

What are you DREAMING OF this year?  Are you hoping for a Christmas snow or something special under the tree?

Yuletide Carols

December Details 2014 – Day 21 – YULTETIDE CAROLS

It seems to start earlier and earlier every year.  I love Christmas music, but I prefer to wait until December to begin listening to the YULETIDE CAROLS.  This year, one of our radio stations began before Thanksgiving!  That’s just a little too early for me!   One of my favorite things this time of year, however, is being in the living room in the evening with YULETIDE CAROLS playing and only the lights of Christmas tree.  I have several favorites---classic ones like “Away In A Manger” and “Oh Come All Ye Faithful”, and a newer one sung by James Taylor,  “Some Children See Him”. 

What are your favorite YULETIDE CAROLS?

Santa's Workshop

December Details 2014 – Day 20 – SANTA’S WORKSHOP

If you are like me,  the last few weeks have been pretty busy as you prepare for the upcoming holiday.  Throughout the year, I purchase small gifts as I run across them, but the main “crunch” arrives the day after Thanksgiving, the time that I really get serious about getting things done.  I always try to include some hand-made gifts on my list, so there are always several projects to tackle in the days leading up to Christmas.  Last year’s SANTA’S WORKSHOP included a doll “closet” that Ron made for me to filled with clothes for Adellelyn.  I also converted one of Michael’s favorite drawings into a pillow, which was a hit with him. 

What is in SANTA’S WORKSHOP at your house?  Do you have some DIY projects left to complete or did you let Santa’s elves do your handiwork?

The Stockings Were Hung

December Details 2014 - Day 19 - THE STOCKINGS WERE HUNG

As each of my daughters were born, my mother made them a cross-stitch stocking.  And I needlepointed my own stocking years ago.  As husbands were added, so were stockings (this time not hand-made by me) and I also added one for Dan and for Tyler.  Each year, the STOCKINGS ARE HUNG on small hooks by the fireplace and sometime in the night, Santa fills each one with small goodies.  Last year, Adelellyn and Michael brought their stockings with them, but with a brand new grand baby nearby (and another on the way), it's time to bring out the sewing supplies and design something new for little Luke.

Do you have your STOCKINGS HUNG?  Does Santa fill them each year?  Do you have stockings for your pets? You can see above, that toys for the dogs were just laid on the hearth since they don't have their own stockings.  ;-)

Through The Eyes Of A Child

December Details 2014 - Day 18 - THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD

Last year, Ron's daughter and her family visited us (along with Dan, Jana and Rob) for the Christmas holidays and it was really fun to be with young children on Christmas morning.  Each tear of wrapping paper brought excited squeals.  Later in the day, as we all had settled in to a relaxing afternoon, I discovered Adellelyn driving her remote-controlled "My Little Pony" car through the house with some very special passengers aboard----Mary and baby Jesus!  (I apologize for the lousy iPhone picture, but that little car was zipping right past me!)    When I asked her where they were going, she replied, "Mary and baby Jesus have to get away from the 3 wise guys!"  So. . .  maybe the story got a little mixed up along the way, but the main characters were there at least.

You don't have to be a parent or grandparent to appreciate the special feeling that the Christmas season brings to a child.  From the tree, to the lights, to the story of a newborn baby being born in a stable, there is so much to intrigue a young child.   Their anticipation and excitement for "what is coming" and the innocence in which they readily believe in things that they cannot see is something that we all can learn from.

Do you have a special story told THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD?

Holly Jolly

December Details 2014 - Day 17 - HOLLY JOLLY

When I think of HOLLY JOLLY, I immediately think of Santa.  Years ago I began collecting Santa Clauses---ornaments, statues, etc.   I have quite a collection, but over time, my taste in "Santa's" has changed a bit.  Rather than just any old Santa, I really want him to have some character, or to have some sort of sentimental value.  My decorating has also been scaled WAY down the last couple of years---life has gotten so busy lately that I have decided to only display my very favorite things and enjoy them during the holidays, so some of my Santa's have stayed tucked away in their boxes.  Last year, I added this little knitted ornament to my collection (you can see another one peeking out behind him).  He was hand-made in Peru and was purchased at our Greater Gift Market.   I love his little nose and that stocking cap!

What does HOLLY JOLLY mean to you?