Snips and Snails

 So here I am on New Year's Eve Eve. It's truly hard to believe that I was posting almost the same message a week ago and we still had Christmas ahead of us. The week after Christmas is always hard for me, as it is for almost every holiday, because I get my days all mixed up and really have to take a minute to stop and think what needs to be done on certain days as life slowly returns to normal. Lucky for me, except for remembering the mail and the garbage, all I have to do this week is take care of the dogs and pretty much whatever else I want.

I do find myself taking time to actually "see" the little things. I still have all of the Christmas lights twinkling, the candles burning and I am still watching any of the movies that I may have missed this year because I simply ran out of time. And, I have taken some time to look back at hostess gifts and other  things that have caught my fancy now that there is time to actually take it all in.

The first may be something I have shared before but now it has a new update. When we were celebrating my first grandchild's (Hannah) first Christmas her aunt (my oldest daughter) put a red bow from a package on her head and it became one of my very favorite photos of her. I quickly had it printed-back then few people had home printers-and then I framed it and it came out every year with all of the other Christmas photos. Fast forward many years and we were at her house early on a Christmas morning as she and her sister were opening their gifts and when I glanced in her direction, she had a put a red bow on her head-with no actual thought to the other picture. Of course I had to catch that one as well and these two framed photos have been on the family room shelves ever since.

And then when I least expected it, daughter #2 (her mom) sent along some pictures of their early Christmas morning this year and look what was here...this is her almost 30 year old self! You know that as soon as I get to HL-and their frames are on sale-Lol-this one will be ready to join the others next year.

Then I started taking a closer look at some of the hostess gifts I received. One of my favorite flowers is a tulip so these were a no-brainer hit. And, because they were bulbs, now that they are no longer blooming, I am going to plant the bulbs and keep my fingers crossed. I have done that before with hyacinths and daffodils to no avail but I do have paper whites that bloom every year so maybe I will be lucky again.

And, as an added bonus, the vase can be used as a candle holder or base for other arrangements so, the gift that keeps on giving.

Then, I got this pretty towel and bottle of wine along with this small earthenware bird ring tray to keep on the kitchen counter to keep my rings safe and the small balsam fir candle to keep my house smelling fresh-although you really can't tell that that is what that is from the angle that I took the picture-you'll just have to trust me. Lol

Daughter #3 tries to give each of us at our "Girls' Luncheon" an ornament every year that reminds her of us and this was mine this year.

I kind of have a reputation of "the one who always wants pictures" and after so many years, their objections have calmed down a bit. I just remind them that one day they will be very happy that I did that. Lol

And then daughter #1 brought me this Christmas board. She not only knows how much I love Christmas but cutting boards as well so it is the perfect gift! I think next year I will hang it somewhere in the kitchen.

While I was at the tree I saw this cutie made for me by granddaughter #3 and filled with a picture that we took on my new "Polaroid" camera given to me by her and her sister. I was a hand sewer a lot back in the day and I am totally impressed with the job she did on this small felt frame not only with the blanket stitched edges but also on getting all of those little seed beads in just the right place! I love it and my new camera...which brings me to two of my other gifts this year. A lot of my grandchildren are talking about giving experiences rather than gifts anymore as they are getting to the ages where they now have their own homes and jobs and pretty much get what they want or need when they want to and realize the value of time spent together instead of money spent on "things". My girls are also leaning this way so one of my gifts from all three of my daughters is tickets for the four of us to see Barry Manilow live in concert in February. I have always loved him. I'm sure my girls don't feel quite the same way but they have listened to his music blaring in my house when they lived here so at least they will recognize the songs and we will be together. They have also taken me to see Michael Crawford, Engelbert Humperdinck and Steve Martin and Martin Short-not to mention a number of musicals as they came to Tampa, Gainesville, St. Pete, etc. We will get to spend the weekend together and I am really looking forward to it.

Another "family" gift I got-or rather will be getting-is a new rug for my living room. My two designer daughters gave me that because I just felt like maybe my living room needs a little update-and, because as much as people think that I too am a bit of a designer, I am here to tell you that I am not. My problem is that I seem to like A LOT of styles and making a decision on a big ticket item is hard for me. And, apparently all of these years I have had the wrong sized rug in that room. And so, I will get another chance to visit with them both as they try to help me pick what I should be able to do on my own. Lol In any case, these are more gifts that keep on giving and I look forward to cashing in on them.

Parting thoughts before I head off for some lunch...I think I told you that I want to make some changes to my Valentine's decor this year...and some of the things that have to go are some of the "cutesy" canvases that I have made in the past. I think I knew I would tire of them as I was making them but sometimes I just needed to craft and that was what came to mind. I also think I have told you that I am not always one to follow trends. I won't do something if I don't like it just because everyone else is. That being said, I am finding myself LOVING the trend-which has been going for a bit-of using framed "art" in areas where you wouldn't normally think of using fine art such as a kitchen or bath but also using it throughout your home. I started small last year but now that daughter #1 told me about Paperhouse Print Shop and I used it for some Christmas prints-as well as a Valentine one and one for next autumn-I am hooked. And so this morning I got on their site and ordered up a few more. Most of the ones that I ordered I ordered in 5X7 because I'm not actually sure where they will go and I know I kind finagle the actual size I end up with by framing them with or without a mat. Note to self...better watch that HL frame sale carefully because I am going to need a LOT.

I got the next two to use for Valentine's Day in either the kitchen-the one has old coffee cans in it-or the bath but since they don't scream "Valentines" I'm thinking you will probably see them in my spring decor as well.

And, of course, I couldn't pass up this book print.

They really didn't have many prints for St. Pat's. I'm hoping as it gets closer they may add more.

 So, I think that's all the crazy places my brain has gone today. It's actually a bit gloomy out there as the temps begin to fall rapidly over the next few days so I'm hoping maybe a movie AND a fire are in my future this afternoon. Hard to believe that just a few days ago the A/C ran constantly!

Stay safe and stay tuned.

I'm Back!

 I am back and I have so much to share. Unfortunately, no crafts this time but lots of holiday fun.

My holiday started on Christmas Eve when I headed to daughter #3 early in the afternoon. She was hosting a cookie decorating and ornament crafting party. I was a bit late getting there because I was trying to get my house set up for the next day so I missed the beginnings of the fun but there were several people there that I haven't seen in a bit so I ended up doing more talking than decorating or even picture taking. I got one of a few of the folks still there later in the day and one of a few of the cookies.

By early evening we were off to church and then driving around to look at some lights before returning home for dinner.

Christmas day saw my entire family gathered as well as most of the extended family. We were 18 people and 2 dogs strong! Lol We got the obligatory "whole gang" and "Nana and her 7" photos and all of the rest are just scattered as I thought about taking them-which wasn't anywhere near as often as I usually do. Lol

We had appetizers, opened gifts, played our White Elephant game and then ate dinner. It was a long but beautiful day. After dinner, the "kids" set out for a rousing game of Michigan Rummy while the adults found quieter spaces to sit and reflect on another beautiful holiday soon to be "in the books".

Here is school teacher Hannah going over the rules for the few who have never played this game before.

Friday was a beautiful day but most ended up sleeping in a bit and getting a slow start before those who could headed out to "The World Equestrian Center" This place does an incredible pre-Christmas extravaganza with LIGHTS, tons of entertainment, Santa, the Grinch and food trucks added to the always gorgeous decor of the main hotel and shops. It is definitely something to see but it is CROWDED. After Christmas, the lights are still up and of course, the decor in the hotel so it is a much simpler, slower paced visit and we enjoyed it! We took advantage of some of the photo ops and had an early dinner in one of our favorite restaurants in the hotel, The Yellow Pony. In just a few days, the second hotel with all of their restaurants, patisseries, shops, etc. will be opening on the grounds so next years things will be even more beautiful! The only thing the kids were sad about is that there were no horse activities planned during this time. It really is something when this place is full of all sorts of beautiful horse events!

Appetizers were a soft pretzel and onion rings.

I had a falafel "burger" with fries and homemade pickles but I confess that I got into it before I remembered that I wanted a picture-it looked a lot better than this when it got to the table. Lol But, it was delicious! I'm not much of a "fry" girl so I told everyone that they were welcome to share-and, it's a good thing that I did and I couldn't go back on my promise or I would have finished every one of those things. They were some good fries!

And then the girls ordered dessert. I'm not a dessert girl so I'm not really even sure what this is but I think they said "bananas foster" cake with dolce de leche gelato. They said it was wonderful.

We made a stop at their incredible toy store and bakery before heading out to the grounds. On the way to the lobby we passed this year's gingerbread creation.

There were "critters" everywhere in this year's lobby and almost every one of them was animated. It was beautiful!

By the time we left, we were tired so we headed home and had a good old-fashioned granddaughter sleepover in the family room. They spread out everywhere and we watched the finale of the Harry Potter Baking Challenge and then a movie before calling it a day-a very late day!

By Saturday afternoon the last of the crew was leaving just as two of my other grand dogs were arriving to spend four days with me while daughter #3 and her family were off on their Christmas vacation.

About my only challenge this week is to take good care of the dogs and finish eating all of the Christmas leftovers! Not a bad gig if I do say so myself. Lol

As you all know, my Christmas decor will be up until at least January 1-if not January 2. Then we will head full steam into Valentine's Day. I will admit to already spending some time browsing last year's Valentine decor and knowing already that there are some things that need to be changed. I am already seeing lots of Valentine ads from stores and posts from blogs so maybe, just maybe, there will be some new ideas out there-fingers crossed.

I'm off to take the dogs out for a bit of a run so they will be tired while I come back in for some lunch and maybe a movie as I do some laundry to catch up on the last week. Stay safe and stay tuned.

Merry Christmas Eve Eve

 Merry Christmas Eve Eve or, as I probably should have titled this page, "I Am Speechless!". I know...that will be a first but, it's not because I don't have anything to say or that the cat got my tongue-it's just that today is the last chance I will have to get the rest of my 2025 Christmas house tour onto this blog and, it is going to be a LOONNNGGG one. If I chit chat, none of us will get through it. If there is something just screaming to be shared, I will. Otherwise, come with me and let's get this done!

Next we're on to the dining room.

I just realized that I have two stars hanging from the shelves on this niche and they're both from my cousin. The one up top is wood and covered with buttons from our grandmother's button box and the one over the nativity is one that she "felted" for me.

On to the sunroom.

Let's head into the family room.

Almost finished I promise...on to the guest bath.

And a quick jump back to catch the patio.

Whew! In all of the years that I have had my blog, I have never let this happen before...and I am going to try very hard not to let it happen again. The point of sharing my decor and crafts is to hopefully give you some inspiration but when it comes to you five minutes before the "day", it really isn't much help. Lol

I'm blaming how late Thanksgiving was this year-and, honestly, that is part of it but I also took on a bit more this year that took up a lot of my time. I have enjoyed every minute of it which is what kind of kept me away from here, but I am going to be better.

I am off to get the Christmas tables set up. We will have 18 people and I like us all to be seated somewhat close to each other so this always takes a bit of "creative" furniture moving. And then I'm going to try to get my appetizer sweet and sour meatballs made as well as my "Forgotten cookies" as most of tomorrow I will be at daughter #3's house. She also felt the crunch this year and thought she had an extra day this week so they made lots of cut sugar cookies and then invited everyone over to help decorate them. The only problem is that the only day she had free is tomorrow and she completely didn't realize that it is Christmas Eve. And so, we will be there decorating cookies and playing games and then head out to a nice dinner before Christmas Eve church service. Should be a pretty full day but I will be with all three of my youngest grandchildren all day so it can't be much better.

I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas. I am having a number of the family staying a few extra nights so I'm not sure when I will be back but when I am I will share my Christmas photos and then we will dive into a new year and Valentine's Day! Stay safe and stay tuned. And, again, accept my apologies for the length of this post!