Holiday Highlights - Part One-

The last couple of months have been crazy, chaotic and fun.  We've traveled and visited with family and enjoyed both Thanksgiving and Christmas with both of our families.  With all of the Instagram posts going on, it seems that I haven't had much time to post much else.  So here goes!  I'll start with Thanksgiving. . . . . The weekend before, we enjoyed Ron's daughter, Carmelle and her family here at our house.   We enjoyed cooking, eating, serving, raking (and un-raking), babysitting, crafting, feeding and just generally being together!

Frosty Nights

December Details 2014 - Day 29 - FROSTY NIGHTS

This prompt may be a little bit harder for my south Louisiana followers, but you never know--sometimes it gets colder there, than it is further north.   One of my favorite things about winter is being in front of the fireplace on those FROSTY NIGHTS, with my fuzzy socks and sweats on!  And I especially love it when those FROSTY NIGHTS turn into frosty days and I don't have to go to work!!  Last year, we were fortunate enough to a have a couple of snow days shortly after we brought Joy home.  She loved the snow!

Is it cold where you are?   Is there a blanket of frost on the grass when you wake up in the morning?  

Heaven and Nature Sing

December Details 2014 - Day 28 - HEAVEN AND NATURE SING

On Christmas evening, we drove out to have dessert with the Deans, Callie's in-laws in their beautiful new home.  It was a relaxed evening and the selection of desserts was wonderful.  After visiting for a while, we headed home just before dark.  On the way home, we witnessed a beautiful sunset to the west--one so pretty that we went out of our way to try to get a good picture of it.  Indeed, HEAVEN AND NATURE seemed to sing through this beautiful display.  It was the perfect ending to His son's birthday!

What glimpse of His handiwork will you see that let HEAVEN AND NATURE SING?

Long Winter's Nap

December Details 2014 - Day 27 - LONG WINTER'S NAP

After all of the hustle and bustle of Christmas, I must admit that I'm pretty pooped.  There were projects to be made, a tree to decorate, presents to wrap and lots of travel and right now a LONG WINTER'S NAP sounds mighty nice!!   Yesterday, I spent a good part of the day traveling back and forth to Cheneyville to return Dan to his group home.  You can tell from this picture that he was not the best conversationalist on this trip---he had settled in for his LONG WINTER'S NAP.  When I woke him up at the exit for Cheneyville, he said "That sure didn't take long!"  

I'm hoping to get my LONG WINTER'S NAP later this afternoon.  How about you?

Toys and Games

December Details 2014 - Day 26 - TOYS AND GAMES

With children in the house, particularly, there are generally plenty of TOYS AND GAMES to try out and enjoy.  Last year, both Michael and Adellelyn received new roller skates for Christmas, so a beautiful afternoon was the perfect time to try them out.  It was especially nice to have an uncle to help hold you up on those wobbly legs!!

 After a couple of falls, however, Adellelyn decided it was time to ditch the skates and try out a new toy.

What kinds of TOYS AND GAMES are capturing your attention this year?  Is it something for the kids or something fun for yourself?

What I Love About Christmas

December Details 2014 - Day 25 - WHAT I LOVE ABOUT CHRISTMAS

The decorations are nice, the presents are fun and the music is great, but WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT CHRISTMAS is being surrounded by family.  Last weekend, we were able to make a quick trip over to Stephenville to be surrounded by Ron's family.  We opened gifts, ate great food and opened presents, but the best part was being together.

We usually begin our Christmas Day with family over for breakfast and opening gifts.  This year will be different---for the first time ever I think---I will not be at my own home for Christmas morning!  This year, there is a new child in the family and it's time to begin a new tradition.  (And especially with another one on the way in just a few short weeks!!) But, it really doesn't matter where we celebrate, what day it is or what's under the tree.  MY FAVORITE THING is being with family.

Today, my wish for you is to have a wonderfully, relaxing day filled with family, fun and memories.  Merry Christmas!!   

'Twas The Night Before Christmas

December Details 2014 - Day 24 - 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

You know the story . . . 'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house . . ."   It has been our tradition on Christmas Eve to bake Christmas cookies and decorate them for Santa.  I use a recipe that my sister-in-law gave me before she was even my sister-in-law and it is the best iced cookie recipe ever!  Last year, the grandkids were able to join in the fun with Jana and Rob.

This year, there are no grandkids in the house so we most likely won't be making cookies for Santa.  But, there is plenty more to do.  What are you doing on the THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS?  How will you prepare?

Just in case you want to whip up a batch of cookies, here is the recipe.  Beware, it makes a huge batch!