Whew!!

I'm sure you're all feeling the same as I am...where did December go? I know I haven't been the most imaginative or interesting blogger but I was struggling to get through 2017. I am all about my traditions. They are important to me. And, even though I was reminded that all traditions do not have to be carried on every single holiday, every single year, they do to me. They are important and the things memories are made of. All you have to do is ask any of my grand children what their favorite part of any holiday is and you will receive many different answers. So many different traditions are important to individual children. And so, I tried. I have had a wonderful, family-filled month and I am going to take you along with me on the "short story" version just so I can have my year documented and, hopefully, move on to 2018 bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to roll!

After my fun visit to Kirby Family Farm and the kids' Christmas concerts, I was off to daughter #2 and her family for a few days. We started by going to one of our favorite little towns, Alachua, to see their Christmas lights. The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed all of the little shop windows-not quite like Macy's NYC...but then again, neither was the traffic or temperature! Lol We had a nice dinner and enjoyed a movie around their beautiful tree.

The next day we shopped until we dropped - and got it all done - then went to see the remake of "Murder on the Orient Express". It was a long day but so much fun.

Before I knew it, it was Christmas Eve and I went to church with daughter #3 and her family. My two grand sons had a number of readings and had to light the advent candle. It is hard for me to believe that they are already this age. (Apologizing for the quality of the pictures up front. I took them and edited them on my camera-not the best idea)

It really was a beautiful candle light service with the youth group presenting a lot of the program and all of my favorite carols! Afterwards we went back to Jen's for a delicious dinner, feeding the reindeer, cookies for Santa and off to bed!

 

Christmas day saw the arrival of everyone at my house - 8 adults, 7 children, 6 dogs...and a partridge in a pear tree. Lol I was so busy enjoying that pictures are few and far between...wish I had more! I got almost everyone in this picture except the heads of my 2 sons-in-law - sorry!

Everyone stayed here through the 27th and then had to get back to their own lives. My house seems too quiet all of a sudden. I am going to enjoy the next few days still taking in my Christmas decor. I have the candles and lights all lit and heading to light a fire. Then, it will be down with the old and up with the new...and, I do have something else to share but I'm waiting for the pictures from the girls. Let's just say we all shared a "unique" bonding experience. I will be back. Stay tuned.

Getting So Close!

I truly can not believe how fast time is going and how much I still have to do to be ready for Christmas this year. I had a lovely visit from grand daughter #3 the other day. She and I made a list of all of the things we could do and didn't put a dent in it but we did accomplish a few things. She helped me make this year's ornament...and, believe me, that was a big help. She also helped me do a few errands and then we had a fabulous dinner at Carrabbas before coming home and snuggling in with another Christmas movie.

My calendar is full the next four days so I thought maybe we should do a bit more of our tour while I have a minute. So, let's start with the family room. This room is part of my trouble getting things done! When all of the lights and candles are lit in here, I don't want to leave. I could truly sit in my chair and look at this view forever!

As many of my Santas as I didn't put out this year, I somehow had to use this guy. He is one that I made many years ago and he just seems to need to be in his place on the hearth every year!

We might as well catch the guest bathroom before we leave today.

I have a few other things I would like to share with you, but just in case I don't get my act together and get back here before Christmas, I think we have done a pretty good job of seeing most of this year's decorations. Fingers crossed I will visit again soon and by then gifts will be bought and wrapped, house will be clean, cookies will be baked, Christmas meals will be planned and on their way to being prepared, etc. Until then, peace, joy, love and happiness...and stay tuned.

Best Laid Plans!

When we last talked, I was preparing to head out early this morning to tackle some of the things on my long, long list of to-dos. And now, here I am, all dressed up with no where to go. I was all ready and anxiously hopped in my car to head out early when...that horrible sound happened. The car's dash board started flashing with all sorts of signals but the sound and the one light that truly registered was "dead battery"!

And then I remembered. As I left for the concerts on Thursday evening, my garage door opener light flickered and died. I made a note to change it. When I got home that evening, not only was it dark and raining but I couldn't even see enough to hit the door opener button in my car. I turned on the dome light, opened the door, got out my phone flashlight...and, I'm sure you can deduce the rest of the story. I never thought about the dome light again.

And now, four days later, the car is dead-in the garage-and my plans of getting an early start have gone by the wayside. My son-in-law is running over at lunchtime and hopefully we can push the car out of the garage and give it a jump...and, hopefully that is all it really is. Glad I'm learning to be flexible in my old age.

I do have a long list of to-dos around the house but that would necessitate changing so the next best thing was heading back here to the computer and we shall soon see where this day really leads.

In any case, let's hit the dining room.

I bought this centerpiece at a florist shop in Mt. Dora many years ago. My husband and I frequently went down there to celebrate our anniversary on Dec. 27 and I always loved finding beautiful things that were 50% off. The florist always had the most beautiful arrangements but over the years, this one just didn't look as big as the things I was looking for these days. But, when I raised it up on my beautiful wood riser and then put that in the large tin tray, it had more of an impact for me and I love it all over again! 

Still loving the Christmas doily that my mom crocheted!

Both of the stars in the niche were gifts from my cousin. The one at the top is made from buttons found in our Nana's button box and the one over the manger is felted.

Still need to replace that philodendron with a poinsettia-it was on my list for today. I think that corner needs a pop of color!

I didn't really do much in the sunroom this year-just enough to make it festive.

So, that takes us a bit further but still a few more rooms to see. Daughter #3 just invited me to accompany her to the Mall at Millenia in Orlando next week so I am not in as much of a panic if I don't make it out today. If I can't find the things I'm looking for there, I won't be able to find them anywhere. And, I think lunch at the Cheesecake Factory or one of their other fabulous restaurants has been offered so I am super excited. Stay tuned.