Christmas On The River

I love Christmas!

I love decorating and baking and shopping and giving.

This year was extra special 

because we are in our new home on the river.

The traditional tree that I've been loving all my life 

just wouldn't do.

It wouldn't look right in this house.

It took me a jiffy to know I was going with teal.

I'm very decisive,

ask anyone.

I put this tree up a few days after Thanksgiving.

I didn't want to take it down.

I grabbed my camera just before I took it down
so the presents are long gone.
In retrospect,
I wish I would have cleaned out the fireplace.
No worries,
I cropped out the soot and ashes.
That's how I love you.

I added fresh branches to the fireplace mantle.

It shedded needles everywhere but the smell was well worth it.

I found lots of wonderful ornaments at Belk.

I love Belk.

Found some more at At Home.

Have you been there?

It is my new favorite store.

Good thing it's 45 minutes down the road.

Found out recently we are getting an IKEA!

I got the sailboat soon after we moved in.

It blends in with any of my decorating.

Same with the mirror.

Found it at Kirklands.

I scattered ball ornaments everywhere.

I'm late to the game with this blog.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

It's Tradition

I realize that we just had Halloween and Thanksgiving 

is weeks away.

I see all the "hate comments" that people post on Facebook 

for the shops and commercials that are 

throwing Christmas down our throats.

Every time people make negative posts about it, 

I want to reply that I'm one of "those" people 

who love shopping on Thanksgiving night. 

Why can't people just love me for who I am!!

I guess Facebook is a tool for everyone to air out their opinions.

Yada, yada.

All that to say that I have already decorated 

Mom's house for Christmas. 

I do it every year for her birthday present.

Since her birthday is at the beginning of November, 

that is exactly what she gets.

She loves Christmas.

It's genetic because it's my favorite time of the year too.

I always begin with the tree and everything 

seems to fall in line from there.

 I am trying to talk Mom into some 

red and white curtains 

that we saw to pull it all together.

This year, Santa chose this spot next to the tree as his home.

Who's to argue with the big guy.

This is the corner of the living room where the fireplace 

used to dwell. 

I always love to see how it will develop. 

I think we have 5 or 6 trees with lights.

Mom got this caroler set from JC Penneys a few years ago.

The corner turned out to be a winter-wonderland.

For a Floridian, it helps get into the spirit to have some snow, even if it is 85 degrees out the front door.

Here is the chandelier in the dining room.

I start with some green garland and just keep adding 

whatever I think will look right.

 Here is the top of her china cabinet.

I continued with the same ribbon and twigs and poinsettias 

that were used in the other decor.

That's all the pictures that I took.

We do wait until after Thanksgiving to do the outside.:)

We have some respect for ourselves. Ha

I have gotten lazy with carrying my camera when I fly.

I always regret it but the iPhone is so easy.

I will put it on my NY resolutions to be better at it.

Wait!

I don't do resolutions.

I will try and be better.

On a more personal note,

Kristen started her new job yesterday.

I am enjoying finding things to do in San Antonio

while I wait for Mark to show up 

this weekend.

The internet doesn't get installed until tomorrow.

So...

On the corner of her apartment building is a Starbucks.

Thank goodness!

I love being able to catch up with all the blogs I follow.

It's interesting how you care for these people 

who don't know you exist.

Seriously,

I would attend their children's weddings if I got an invite.

You really grow to know and care for them.

I can see my son

holding a big "L" on his forehead right now.

Ha

Anyways,

Happy Fall

or 

Merry Christmas

Whatever!

The Busiest Time Of The Year

My dear Mother has her Christmas presents wrapped.

Yes, you heard me right.

She is always ahead of the game.

You can learn a lot from my Mom.

I'm not totally sure of the month,

but Mom had her Christmas cards 

signed, sealed and addressed in the summer.

Why wait? 

I'm planning on running to the Bible book store today 

and get started on my cards.

I have the privilege (ha) of hosting 

Mark's work Christmas party again this year.

I love parties and I love, love hosting them.

I could use some ideas of what to do this year.

Last year, we had just moved to Kansas.

I knew not a soul.

I made my famous lasagna, which was a hit.

I planned a contest of decorating gingerbread houses. 

It was guys against girls.

It flopped because the icing wouldn't harden 

& the dang houses wouldn't stand up.

Everyone was polite about it but basically it was a flop.

It is funny to see men be crafty and competitive.

The guys won because theirs stood up.

This year, 

I know not a soul.

I sound pathetic.

Oh well, that's just the way it is folks.

I would love some suggestions of what to do.

It's the menu and the "what to do to fill the time" 

that I'm struggling with.

The men all know each other because they work together.

I want the women to enjoy themselves, 

since they are sorta obligated to support their spouses.

Maybe they don't feel that way but I would if I were them.

Moms birthday is November 3rd.

Do you know how we spend the day?

We decorate the whole house for Christmas.

The beauty of it is that during December,

Mom has little stress and plenty of time to look fabulous 

for all those parties.

OK, friends...

please send me some ideas.