Christmas is Coming!

Christmas preparations are almost complete. I'm working on one more batch of cookies and then, I think, everything will be ready. The tree is up, the gifts are wrapped, the house is clean and tidy, and the beds have fresh sheets. My kids come home tonight!! Here is our tree in the family room, decorated by Hubby and me, with all the ornaments collected over our years together. Many of the ornaments are adorned with the children's names, reminders of when they were little and eager to hang them on the tree all by themselves. The tree would always be decorated on the bottom two thirds only. Hubby would make sure to hang some of "our" ornaments way up high.




One of the most special times for me in my Christmas preparations is putting out my Santas, all lovingly made some years ago by Mrs. Goodneedle. They never fail to make me smile and bring me happiness remembering how long our friendship has brought me joy.


Here is our fireplace with the stockings ready for filling. I needlepointed the four of us stockings in 1982, and added another for our youngest son for his first Christmas in 1986. This year, there are two more stockings for our daughter-in-law and our son-in-law, although this time, I let Land's End do the needlepointing. I hung them on the same little hook with their spouse. Seeing these stockings makes me happy too. My carolers look very dedicated, singing away for all time. Most of them have been given to me by my Hubby and now I continue the tradition by giving my DD and my DDIL carolers for their homes too.


Today I baked a batch of Chocolate Crinkle Cookies from a recipe given to me by my Mother-in-law. They are oldest son's favorite and he requested them. It makes me happy to make them knowing my MIL made them long before I did. Here they are, before and after. Hubby had to "test" them to make sure they were perfect before serving.

This last photo is "my" little tree in the dining room. Not only does it bring a wonderful light to the meals we share, it also holds some of my most precious ornaments. Crocheted snowflakes and a peach colored wreath my mother made for me which never fail to make me cry when I hang them, crismons I made with Mrs. Goodneedle in 1999 when she and I lived closer together than we had in 28 years, crystal stars and angels which were gifts to my friends at my Christmas Luncheons over the last 12 years, and beautiful handmade ornaments given to me by my very dear friends.

May your Christmas preparations bring you joy and fill your heart with love. I wish you a very Merry Christmas and hope you share it with all the ones who mean the most to you.