BACK TO REALITY...BACK TO WORK

After a wonderful Christmas week, it's time to go back to reality and head on in to work this morning. Not that it's a bad thing..it's just that it is nice to play Donna Reed for a week. To be able to actually enjoy cleaning, cooking, without any time restraints has been quite a treat. Oh well....I think I do much better under pressure. Seems I do get more done when I work...my "to-do" lists are never ending and the little check marks by each task when completed, gives me a certain sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. I hope everyone had a nice Christmas.

The above hooked rug was a gift from my dear AAPG friend, Kelley Belfast. She not only hooked the rug, she is also the designer. "Merrie Wynter" says it all....here's hoping everyone has a Merrie Wynter!

COOKIE DAY AT GRANDMA'S...THE COOKS ARE ASSEMBLED

This year, I really wanted to have a special day with the grandkids. I have been off of work this week, so I decided to have the three oldest come over on Monday mid-day to bake some sugar cookies. Karsyn, Jacob,and Sebastian were all up for the task! I bought them each their own little apron and Santa hat. While the cookies were baking and cooling...we had a picnic lunch on the living room floor while watching Mickey Mouse's Christmas on DVD. I made them grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken nuggets with chocolate milk. It was so much fun...next year..I'll have six of them together for the baking...it should be interesting!

They are ready to start baking..I gave them each their own cookie tray..so they could decorate their own cookies...no sharing with licking little fingers and spoons...I was on strict orders from their parents!

Sebastian, who is also 3, is having a blast! Anytime these three little ones get together, there's always some type of excitement...

My second oldest grandchild, Jacob, who is three...is really getting into the decorating.

Karsyn looks like she has had "enough"! I don't know if she was tired of decorating cookies...or just tired of having to put up with the "teasing" of her two younger cousins!

Another busy week..but I did find time to sit and crochet a few of my favorite dish cloths to be given as gifts to two of my dear friends. I found these cute snowman hat baskets at Michael's this week and filled them with some lovely, linen Christmas kitchen drying cloths, some chocolates, a "to-do" magnet paper pad, and of course the red and white dish cloths. I think they make a nice hostess gift....even if they don't use them..they are kind of cute to look at just sitting on a kitchen counter. Have a great evening!

THE SIMPLE JOY OF CHRISTMAS

Yesterday, my husband and I went to cut down our Christmas tree at a tree farm we discovered last year. It's about 40 miles south of our home, almost to the Michigan/Ohio border. The road traveled is a narrow two lane, country road that is lined with farmhouses, barns, & acres and acres of corn fields. I love the drive to this tree farm. I often think of how different it must be living out in this quiet atmosphere as compared with living in suburbia. My husband always says "No way would I live out here"..but I would move in a heartbeat!

Anyway...my husband has got to the sweetest,most patient man in the world! Going with me to pick out a tree is like taking a 6 year old girl to the American Girl Shop in Chicago! I have to admit...I am ridiculous...you would think I am picking out a tree for the White House! And the tree I usually pick out is one that is a little scrawny, a little too tall. and of course the trunk is ALWAYS crooked! This year, I opted for a shorter tree, but I love it!! It is a Canaan Fir and is sparse just in the right places. Decorating is done for this year. I'm planning on taking it easy and enjoying the prelude to Christmas. Sooooo..take care, my friends....and have a blessed week...enjoy this glorious Christmas Season!

AN OLDE FASHIONED CHRISTMAS

Don't you just dream of having an olde fashioned Christmas, in these hectic days of time restraints, modern technology, and commercialism? I often think of Christmas long ago, where the simplest of gifts were so appreciated. An orange, a piece of candy, a simple homemade ragdoll. My mom used to tell me that when she was little, growing up in Alabama, Christmas was a very low-keyed celebration. No Christmas tree, no sparkling wrapped gifts. She and her cousins was so happy to receive an orange and some candy. Of course..could you imagine yourself as a child gettng so little or giving our children only one or two items?

It amazes me how much Christmas still warms my heart. No matter how old I get...it is still a magical season to me. The coziness of our home, being able to see family and friends. And now being able to see the excitement in my grandchildrens' eyes. Some people dread the Holiday Season and can't wait for it to be over...for me....I love every minute of it, dread the day after Christmas and then wait with anticipation for the months ahead knowing that Christmas will be back again!