Have Yourself A Merry Christmas

My Christmas wish for you is may all your days be merry and bright. 

Just because you can barely read my Christmas card, it says "Behold I bring you tidings of great joy." Luke 2:10

Gin

Lights in the 'hood

My neighborhood consists of wilderness, woods, forest, and a few houses scattered in between. No town square lighted tree, nor city lights.

Driving thru my neighborhood, there is one house that has the prettiest lights of all.  It's been exactly like this every year for the few years we've lived here. 

The couple has a string of lighted props along the roadside that tells the Christmas story. I took a few phone shots as I stopped in the middle of the road.

The angels singing.

                                  

The wiseman three.

                                

The manger scene. 

                                 

And across the road from all this is their house/property all lit up with the secular Christmas scenes. 

How many lighted trees do you see? They outline their circle drive. I think I count 8 while looking from my window. But the picture shows 6. 

                                 

Across from the pond to the front side of the house is Santa and his sleigh. The reflection shines in the pond.

                                 

And another Santa scene.

                                

These are only a few of the many scenes. They are the best sight in the neighborhood this Christmas season. 

Gin

Christmas-y

Everything's done. Christmas music plays almost thru the house. I've even watched several Christmas movies already, The Holiday, Christmas Vacation, and Home Alone. 

I've been using the same tree for years now. But it's not working out so well this year. Its on its last limb. And I'm still working on it. Plan B: get a real tree. 

There's a lot of stockings hung all in a row on the mantle. Every year another stocking is added. So there are a mixture of stockings.  It makes it fun. 

Shiny and bright ornaments in a crystal bowl centered on the table for now while I wait patiently to use my Christmas wear.

My Christmas books are front and center.  A tradition that we read The Newborn King before we open gifts. Because that's really what it's all about.  It's our best gift ever that Christ the Savior is Born. 

I even decorate the dog every year. She's always the first one ready. You may take Santa pictures with your kids. But this is our kid now. And it's her Santa picture, but without Santa. 

Visit others Christmas Home Tours here. 

Dear Santa

Dear Santa,

I've been window shopping and online surfing. There is a lot of stuff out there. A lot of stuff I want, that I don't need. A lot of stuff that I like, that I can do without. So I've made a small list just to give you an idea of what I want for Christmas.

I love these bracelets. It doesn't have to be a Pandora from Jared's, but it would be awful nice. 

                                            

If I have to have a household gift, I'll choose a Shark Steam Mop. I know someone who has one and she uses it all the time. 



I'm really into boots this season. Something like this would be super fine. I don't have any in this color. 

                                       

A few stocking stuffer surprises would be sweet, too.

Then there are my little ones, my kids, my sisters and brother and their families, my neighbors, the postman and the paperlady, my co-workers, and everybody around the world who I would love to share a gift at Christmas. Maybe just a kind word, a smile or two, and a helping hand that could reach across the universe to give everyone peace, hope and joy during this holiday season.

I can't wait for Christmas!

gin

My Christmas Letter

2013

Tis the Season to wish you and yours a Joyous Christmas Season. May God's Blessings be abundant upon you as you share The Good News of Our Lord and Savior.

This year has flown by, as I am sure your year has also. We are blessed with good health, a home, jobs, family and friends, and every little thing we take for granted. God is good. Even in our down time. 

It will be a year this month that my dad has passed. We all miss him. We all miss stopping by his house if even for a moment just to say hi. The memories, though, we will always have.

The little grands are growing fast.                                  

Cohen is 16 months and Brooklyn is 14 months. 

And there is another one on the way due May 31, 2014. 

We will be a family of 12 --Me, Larry, Brandon, Julie, Cohen,

 Jennifer, Chris, Tyler, Brooklyn, new baby, Trent and  Mary.

This is one happy momma!

In 3 months I will officially retire!! I will surely enjoy doing stuff around the house, taking short trips here and there, visiting family more, and just enjoying the freedom of not having a work schedule. I can join Larry in the retirement scene that he has been enjoying for 2 years now. 

This year we undertook a few renovations to the house, made a few fishing tournaments, and took a few weekend trips close by.

"Every generous act of giving and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father who made the heavenly lights, in whom there is no inconsistency or shifting shadow. " James 1:17 American Standard Version

With love and prayers, may your days be merry and bright.

     

 Gin & Larry

                     

Did you cyber shop on Monday?

I took a peek at cyber Monday deals. 

Only because I was bombarded with cyber deal emails all day long while at work. 

So I caved. And I cyber Monday shopped. But I won't tell what my awesome deal was yet. 

Gin

It's not my birthday

It was Thanksgiving. Not my birthday.

 My sister in law does this every year. We only see each other a very few times a year and what ever time it happens to be she has me a birthday present. 

She had been collecting gifts for me for many many months:

* a black wool scarf 

* Better Homes cinnamon stick fragrant candle 

* 2, not 1, but 2 Thirty one brand collapsible totes/basket 

* hoop earrings 

* notepad

* butterfly shape cookie cutter 

* shower gel and body lotion 

* a Thirty One insulated lunch bag 

The larger Thirty One collapsible tote was filled with all the goodies. I'm sure I left out a few things.  I always feel so bad at first because I don't have anything for her. So I try to remember to send her a sweet thank you card. 

Me with all my nice stuff at the other sister in laws house where we all met for a short visit. 

gin 

I can't let Thanksgiving get away without a few pictures.

Every year my table looks the same. I love place settings nice and neat and so traditional. 

The day went from this

To this the next day. 

 We were outside enjoying the fall leaves, though the temp was a little wintery. 

Made a late afternoon trip to the mall. That was a mistake. Even Santa was missing from his home away from the North Pole. 

Thanksgiving should be everyday, no matter what form or fashion you find yourself in. 

Gin

Rambling

We're right in the line of Winter Storm Boreas. Except we're getting the rain. Not really that cold. But a little rain all day long. And all night, so far. 

And looks like more to come. 

I prefer no rain and sunny hot days. This duo was up and out of their bed and took a stroll past my window recently. 

Back to sewing again. Another Christmas candy dress. Not quite finished. A shiny sparkly candy came applique of some sort will go on the front bodice. 

I'm focusing also on Thanksgiving. This time of the year I sure do notice those standing on the corners with signs asking  for help. I saw someone holding a sign asking for gas right next to the gas station I was stopping at. I was on empty. I needed gas too. I split my gas allowance with him. Hopefully it made a difference for him. 

Gin

Candy Christmas

It's a dress for Candy Land Christmas. There are several Christmas events and Christmas pageants we'll be participating in over the next few weeks. So a special Christmas dress is in the works.

  

                                     

It's a red and white, shiny, glittery, full, flouncy 2 layer, empire, fish-line skirt with a ribbon and candy cane bodice.

                                     

And a big bow tied in the back. 

                                            

The red and white ripple hem looks like the hard rock ribbon candy. The left side of the skirt you see in the picture does lay in a ripple effect also, but after seeing the picture I see I didn't lay it correctly.

                               

Paired with a white with red petti skirt underneath (on order from etsy at at blowout deal of $10 !!!), a big Christmas hair bow (yet to be made), and white ruffle socks adorned with red satin ribbon and white shoes will certainly make for Candy Land Christmas.

I've used the same pattern all year now. The one I drew on paper from measurements I took and I just adjust it here and there to make up the design I envision. You can see the other outfits here:

http://keepsakemoments.blogspot.com/2013/09/d-i-y.html?m=0

and here:

http://keepsakemoments.blogspot.com/2013/07/sewing-fish-line-hem.html?m=0

One weeks work accomplished. And ready to create something else. 

gin 

Outside

The weather was fall-ish, which made it a great for being outside. Not hot. Not cold. Perfect temp. leaves floating to the ground as they fell from the trees, crackling and crumbling beneath shoes as we walked, ran and kicked thru the carpet of leaves. 

It was a day of sticks and leaves. 

And pawpaws big toys.

This could possibly be her very first stick.

Snack and fake food play. 

No one wanted to come inside. 

Cinderella

There is a National Cinderella Pageant Program. We entered Brooklyn in it. We meaning her mom. I'm just along for the excitement. 

We are into the pageant scene. Just kinda got hooked on it. Brooklyn is the participant and me and Jennifer are enjoying it. Though we don't always win queen, we have met other sweet mommas and grandmas. And have had some fun times.

The Cinderella Pageant is a 3 decade scholarship pageant and from what I have researched it will be an amazing experience. 

It's a 3 tier program. First a local preliminary competition. Then state competition. Then finals at the national level. 

On November 3, Brooklyn competed at the local level in the baby division. 

Baby division awards are Overall, Beauty, Personality, and Photogenic.  The older divisions also have talent and interviews. 

Our Brooklyn placed Baby Cinderella Beauty.  She is invited to the Louisiana State Cinderella Level. How awesome is that!! 

This is the picture we tried to take as we 

were leaving. She was not having a picture.  Aww, poor Cinderella crying.

And then this is after she got home with no shoes, no bow, banner on wrong, but not crying. 

This was Sunday. Didnt know why she was so unhappy until the next day. Seems she was at the doctor's office bright and early diagnosed with an ear infection. 

Check it out at http://www.cinderellapageant.com/

Gin

The Christmas Must Do Task

I know you must be thinking about the Christmas Season. Even though Thanksgiving is just around the corner. So lets get one Christmas task taken care of. The Dreaded must do Christmas card, Christmas letter, or Christmas family picture card.I t should be the most easiest of all holiday task. Because just how easy is it to talk about yourself. Though we may dread the task of doing it, in the end it's a must do and you're pleased with yourself that you completed that task and it makes for a Merry Christmas for all.

The Christmas family picture card is possibly the most popular. Though, it takes a lot of work. Coordinating the outfits, the time and place for the picture, or choosing the best picture from the whole year that you have stored on some  electronic device,  then choosing the cutest background and words and ordering thru retail or printing them yourself.

Last year mine ended up being a New Year's picture card of the dog.



I didn't do any type of Christmas card whatsoever last year. I did buy a generic box of Christmas cards, signed and addressed some of them, but they never made it to the U S Postal Service.

I like getting Christmas family picture cards from friends and family.

But, I actually love the idea of writing (and mailing)  real letters all throughout the year. And receiving them. Notice I said I love the idea. Not that I actually do it. But this year I want to write the infamous yearly holiday newsletter. Where you tell of all your family news. Where you try to look really really good on paper.

Never mind that it could be so simple to send Christmas greeting by writing and clicking through facebook, twitter, blogging, email, texting, and whateveer other ways I'm not aware of.

This year I want to do the yearly pen to paper (via computer) holiday newsletter. Is anyone with me on this? Or am I the only strange one?

I've googled some interesting tips for us to create the best Christmas holiday newsletter of all.

source

• use holiday stationary which you can buy almost anywhere you can find office supplies or you can even find printables online
• use a generic greeting so you don't have to change the greeting for each person, ex: Merry Christmas, Dear Loved Ones, or Tis the Season
• one page newsletter only, attention spans are short, hit the highlights of your year 
• adding a small picture that doesn't need an explanation is ok 
• it's ok to share a sadness, the recipients are your friends and family and they do care

source

Whether you are doing traditional Christmas cards or picture Christmas cards or electronic greetings or the yearly Christmas holiday newsletter, you need to get started now. Stay on top of it, give yourself a time frame to start and complete the task and have it out of the way and ready to send in plenty of time to focus on The Reason For The Season.

gin