Don't want to let it go!!

Well, I know it's time, but I don't want to do it! It's not the work, I just look at that as one of those things that I have to do. But it's the fact that I'm going to miss the holidays!! I LOVE everything about the holidays. I especially like the way my house looks and smells. It seems so much warmer and cozier with all the decorations. I know lots of people that can't wait to start tearing things down the day after Christmas, but I am NOT one of those. I would leave them up all year long, but I'd get a hard time from my family and alot of funny looks from my friends. Oh well.....I'm at least gonna take it slow and make it last as long as possible. Today I cleared off one spot.....and it took me a long time. That is also reason for concern. If I have to re-arrange every spot I clear off, this could take me a LONG time. I suppose I'm just gonna have to try and find some things to make the house seem warm and cozy all year round, bite my lip and go for it. I'm sure I can find some great ideas on my favorite blogspots! Better go see what's new out there!

Mountains

Today Anna and I went to the mountains. It always does my soul good to breath in the mountain air, to feel the breeze, to smell the musky smell of my favorite place on earth. The mountains.

Tjis picture was suppose to be rotated before it was added. Ooops!

And then this was not suppose to be here at all! Oh well...I'm still learning. Sweet Anna loves the creeks and the trails almost as much as her mother.

Now that things are calming down, I have been reflecting...alot.This is my oldest son, Zeb & his girlfriend Amanda Moore. It is always delightful to have them around. As they get older, I think my heart just grows fonder.....

This is a picture of my Christmas gift from my husband. I am sooooo excited that it is ALMOST finished!!! It has actually been in the thought process of construction for a couple of years. He bought the legs at a hardware store in Jonesborough, TN where we always go for our anniversary. Those he bought in 06. He purchased maple wood this past summer, and it finally started coming together. He wanted to have it done and in my kitchen by Christmas, but just ran out of time. It is VERY close to being completed at this point. Hopefully, it will come upstairs next week-end. I'll post more pictures.

Ahhh....my Christmas table. It was an awesome meal. I made the quilt in Oct. of this year and it looked so pretty on the table! The turkey also looked great!! I have never baked alot of turkeys...for whatever reason. My mom usually wants to do them, so I always do other things. This year however, I was determined. I found a great piece of advice on another blogspot. I bought an organic turkey, put it in the oven on Christams Eve at about 6:00pm. I first put it on 350 for one hour, then turned it down to 200 and left it there till our Christmas meal at around 1:45 Christmas Day. It was just perfect. Mom and sisters brought sides and goodies. How yummy!

This had to be my favorite! Monster cookies, snickerdoodles and chocolate covered pretzels. Scrumptious!!!!

The grand finale for a fabulous meal.

We have all been so blessed. I pray God will be merciful to us all this coming new year.

Christmas Blessings

Now that Christmas is over, I've been thinking about what was delightful, what was a pain. what caused me joy and what was nerve wracking. The best part of the holidays have definitely been spending time with dear friends and family. I enjoyed the busyness, but did not like the frantic pace I had to keep. I've made a resolution to be more prepared ahead of time next year. The things I did early on saved me tremendously, but I didn't do enough. Next year I'm definitely baking more early on. I didn't realize that you could bake cookies up to a month in advance! That would have been a lifesaver!! Also, since I make alot of my gifts, I think I'll start those in Aug. of 09. We can always think of ways to improve on things, and I feel I learned more this year than ever before. I feel so very deeply blessed. In this time of hardship and uncertainty, God has given me a great peace, and I am so very, very thankful for the awesome blessings I do not deserve.

My techno guy

So....here's my son Coy. He's been out of town awhile, my excuse for not blogging lately. He looks a little rough around the edges, but he is such a sweetheart. He actually does have to help me with every little thing right now. I used to wonder, "what will we do when Coy grows up? " He takes care of all our techno things, and when he's gone, sure enough, we're paralized. Well, guess I'm just going to have to bite the bullet and learn these things. I'm having alot of fun though, so I don't think it will be a problem. Maybe now I can get back to business....maybe.

Progressive Fun!

Last night my family and I went with two other families on an evening of festive fun. We opted not to do the traditional appetizers first stop, main course second stop, dessert third, but decided to do it our own way and wound up having three savory dishes and three sweet dishes at each stop. It was so fun to be able to see how everyone decorated their houses and sample all their yummy treats. Our three families have known each other about 17 years, and over the course of time we have watched our children grow up and become adults and have children of their own. We have giggled much and cried a little. Grieved and shared and inspired each other all along the way. What a special blessing! I am ready to go and put some of my new inspiration to use down in my craft room! Perhaps I'll take some baklava or maybe a rum ball with me.....just a couple of delectibles I stashed away after each visit!

Christmas is a coming and the goose is getting fat! Can't wait! My little Anna is counting down the days and so am I! I don't know which one of us is more excited.....

I am a wife to a wonderful husband and mother to four beautiful children. I have to admit, at this point, my life has been blessed far beyond anything I could possibly ever deserve. I love homemaking...all aspects. Baking, cleaning, decorating, the whole shabang! I always have something in my hands...wanting to be doing something productive all the time. I'm just happier that way. I'm new to blogging. Just recently started following a dear friend I've always admired. She's always been an inspiration, and now I can be inspired anytime just by looking at her blog! I hope that perhaps I'll provide some miniscule amount of encouragement to someone else, but if not...I suppose I'll just blog on anyway!