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