Some Christmas decor

I may not have a mantle...but I have two shelves/cabinets I can decorate.
On one wall is a cabinet...with my doll and toy collection on top. I love to wrap a garland around the top and add a few ornaments.
On the opposite wall is my china cabinet. I have a garland on top of that too...with some bright colored bulbs to add some color. I love it!
and then there's Santa....handmade by Megan in 2nd grade. **On Tuesday Megan will have her Master's degree!

December 21

Today's ornament is one of a set of ornaments that my friend Liz made me back in college. I can't remember if she made them for me for my birthday? or Christmas...but I do know I like them...and I always have. The set includes a Snowman,a Santa and a Christmas Tree and I think there is one more...but I don't have it out and I can't remember. (My friend Karen...probably does...because her mother liked them so much that she duplicated them and made a set for herself) The three I mentioned always come out...sometimes they go on the tree....other times they hang on cabinet door handles. They are a little faded...(they are about 30 years old after all)...but they are some of the first ornaments that were MY OWN..so they are special.





Wondering what happens to those Christmas cards you send....if they come to my house...they might end up as part of my decorations
Rather than pile them up in a corner of my desk...I enjoy looking at them...especially the pictures (before they get stashed away in a photo album)
The Santa seen hanging with the cards is a decoration Megan made for us in 2nd grade (Mrs. Nelson's class). He's shaped like a tie...actually may have been presented a a Christmas tie for Dad....John never wore it...but I love hanging it out every year.

Happy Birthday to John!

John has been trying to figure out a way to have his own boat. He was partners in a boat this past spring...when they were catching all the fish...but the deal fell through, the boat went back and the driveway has been empty for a few months. Recently he helped another friend work on his sister's boat. He helped get it back in the water again...but it's not for sale at this point in time and it's really not big enough to go as far offshore as John likes....so when an opportunity recently became available it got him going again...he's been trying to figure out how to make it work.and not go broke in the porcess He's got a couple of people in mind as partners these guys are all responsible.... they have jobs/businesses that are making money but in the meantime I thought he ought to have a boat for his birthday.....and this one, complete with fish jumping out of the water, was right in my price range!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN!

The North Pole and Santa Claus

Maybe you have some or all of these ornaments in your collection..... I got these at Hallmark back in 1992 (I couldn't remember...I looked on the box) It was back when they offered a special set each Christmas season and the deal was you had to go in once a week to get the next part of the set.....good marketing...(they'll get you in one way or another)
At the time...I really just thought they were cute and since Hallmark was right around the corner from our house...I could easily get in there each week to get the latest addition. Plus... some friends of ours were managing the store and they always had a wonderful Holiday Open House and kids were always welcome...since they had three young children themselves
Later when I started collecting my North Pole Village houses...I realized that Santa and the reindeer were just the right size to go along with my set....so now they get to park every year in front of the little houses...ready for take-off!

It wouldn't be Christmas without the Grinch

As my family and good friends know... as far as I'm concerned it's not Christmas without the Grinch. I used to look forward to watching the cartoon every year! Of course these days you can see it anytime you want!...but back in the day,,haha you had to make sure to catch it the ONE night it was showing. In 8th grade I was in a Speech class. One of our group projects was to do an oral reading. Our group decided to do "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (since it was in the fall semester)...and yours truly was the Grinch. (I had the voice!hahaha) Well...we read the story over and over again and I read it to myself so I could memorize my lines...and I have never really forgotten it. Sometimes I need a little refresher...especially the part where he's getting ready to leave the town. Well...I would "volunteer" to tell everyone the story around the holidays MAKE them listen to me Walking up and down Oak Ridge Drive with Elizabeth and Jenifer and their friends...on the way to the bus stop with my friends...you get the picture...my friends probably wished the Grinch would come and take me to Mount Crumpet...so they wouldn't have to listen to me anymore! hahaha In college...I had talked about it with my friends in the dorm and then the night of the Holiday gathering of EVERYONE on the floor...they asked me to recite it.... Now I like to VOLUNTEER to do things...I'm not so good at being put on the spot...so it took a little coaxing...but they finally got me comfortable enough to tell the story to the whole group.(I think they even clapped)(and I did have fun) Over the years many a kid has been stuck? in the back seat of my car on the way to somewhere...and had to listen to me...haha...I like a captive audience!...actually most of the time they would ask me to tell the story...probably to see if I REALLY knew it.Well, when Hallmark started their Grinch ornament series...you know who was always willing to add another one to my tree. My sister Jenifer ,who was also a frequent customer at many a Hallmark store...decided to make it a point to buy me the newest one every year. (she was one of the ones who had to walk up and down the street with me as I recited it! hahaha) Now that Jenifer is gone...I like my grinches even more....I remember the fun I had telling the story...but I also remember how thoughtful it was of Jenifer to do that for me. Even when she was pretty sick...she made a trip to the store for her usual cards and things...and always an ornament for me...."...And what happened then...well in Whoville they say...that the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day..." and my heart grows at least three sizes every time I put my grinches on the tree. I miss you Jen!

16th & 17th

Seven years ago in December we took a cruise on the Disney Magic. We had a blast...John & I, Brenna, Megan, Elizabeth, Jack, Meredith & Ryan and Jack's mother Dorothy, Martha, Tony & Ian, Jenifer, Rob & Shane and David and Bridget all went. There was always someone to do things with. We celebrated Martha and John's birthdays.(Today is Martha's birthday!) We really had a great time...and I'd go again any time! I got this ornament to commemorate the trip. I had a smaller ornament that I bought in 1999 when we went with a group of 5 families but as soon as I saw this one...I knew I HAD to have it.
I even got it signed by the Captain!
This ornament is one I got from my brother David. Each year my family picks names for a gift exchange...so no one feels obligated to buy gifts for all the siblings, kids, etc. One year when David got my name he bought this for me. He really liked it...and I like it because it's not something I would ever have bought for myself...but that's the perfect kind of gift to get! I love her dress and all the details. she always gets a spot near the top of the tree!

Angel...or ...??????

How do you like these cute ornaments? The cat in the mitten is one that makes me think of Megan..she's my cat lover(I forget who gave it to her....or it may have been one of the one's Ellen gave me)Speaking of Ellen...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
I get each of the girls an ornament every year...but I packed most of them up in boxes for them last year. There are one or two that got put away in the box of "my" things. The cat makes me think of Megan.
The one of Brenna is classic! I think she made this "angel" in about 3rd grade. The gold pipe cleaner wings are rarely straight...and I laugh every time I see this ornament because it makes me think of the movie "The Fly" Something about the expression on Brenna's face along with the wacky wings....I can almost hear it saying (in a high squeaky voice)"Help me! Hellllp me" hahahahaha Sorry Brenna! hahahha

December 10th

Today's ornament is in memory of John's mother, Grace who would've been 93 today. (she died in August 2005). Grace always enjoyed celebrating her birthday and the holidays. Every year she would have lots of little gifts for all of her grandchildren to open. When Brenna and Megan attended Holy Trinity Episcopal School...the PTO had a fundraiser every December. Grandparents were "invited" to send in a donation and a Christmas wish (to be put on an ornament paper that would then be put on a tree in the courtyard. Ever year the message from Grandma Grace and "Pa" was the same...just like the one pictured here.
We also got a number of Christmas music boxes, like this angel, over the years. I don't have room to put them all on display...but I have this one, along with some other Christmas nick knacks ( from Grandama and Grandpa )around the house. We have many fond memories of Grace and John, and all the family from years past...ornaments like this one and the music boxes and nick knacks are special reminders of their love.
The Southern Living luncheon Wednesday was a lot of fun! Everything was delicious. We all decided that we were either very hungry several were...since they've been on restricted diets these last few months..hahahaha or everything was especially good this month. Favorites included The "Beefy Black Bean Stew", "Perfect Mashed Potatoes" and the top recipe of the month...the "Spinach-Apple Salad with Maple-Cider Vinaigrette" (the sugared-curried pecans were delicious!...and I am not usually a fan of curry)...(I'd eat them as a snack!) You can find these recipes and others at the Southern Living web site
(by the way the the center peice she had on this table was from a Boy Scout Fundraiser..it was really nice! next year I need to remember to check with my friends who have boy scouts!)Susan who was the hostess this month always has her house decked out for Christmas. The Grinch greeted us at the front door...but inside it was a Christmas wonderland...a tree to match each room...cute figurines, glassware and dishes (some pictured)...but not overdone..(I've been to places that were a bit over the top!).....just fun and very cute! It was an afternoon of good food and good fun and a lot of laughs!
When Brenna saw my post with my Gator ornaments she commented that maybe it was time to put an elephant on my tree...well...I don't have an elephant...but I did get a new shirt and I have my mug!

Weekend in Orlando

These angel ornaments came as a set. I used to get a catalog that had lovely, albeit impractical, (at least for us) children's clothing. I never needed to order any of the dresses...much too frilly, ruffly, etc not to mention PRICEY for my budget & taste. But one year they offered these angel ornaments and I decided to order them. They've gotten a little beat up over the years...some are missing a hand, or accessory part...but I still hang them every year.
This is Florida...and Santa needs the right equipment. We got this for John one year.
In other news...we went to Orlando for the weekend to visit with Martha & Tony...who were in town for a conference Martha was attending at the Marriott World Center. We booked a room at a Hilton just down the road from them at a new Hilton..that had just opened in late October. It was very clean, fresh, NEW, NICE! From our room window on the 10th floor...you could look across the woods and see their hotel!
Here's the view from Martha and Tony's room...nice room overlooking the "Lazy River" and pool.
and golf course that John, Tony, my brother Mark and Tony's good friend Allan golfed on. It had been raining for two & 1/2 days...so we were thrilled to see the sun (and the cooler temperatures!)

Martha and I at the Waldorf-Astoria which was also on the property (Bonnet Creek Resorts) We ate at the Bear & Bull Steakhouse there...it was delicious! The WA also opened in late October. They had lovely blue and silver garlands strung around the Lobby and the trees had lights that simulated icicles melting Very pretty.
Anne & Martha
John & I, Martha & Tony
Anne & Mark

It could only be this......

It's game day and therefore this is the perfect choice for today. We are hoping for a good, exciting game. It would be great if the Gators could pull off an undefeated season!...another championship perhaps...but of course one game at a time! On any given day ANY team can win...but I do feel that the Gators really have a TEAM and they are truly playing for the team not for themselves. I have seen other teams win...who maybe didn't have the best statistics...but they had the "team" connection. (Steelers...when they pulled off the Super Bowl win...they really wanted to win for Jerome Bettis' final game...and they found that extra whatever they needed and did it. The Marlins (???!!!???) when they won the World Series...they definitely weren't the BEST team that year...but they were a team. I think Tebow is kind of a unique person...he motivates people to do their best...the players want to win for themselves, for him, for the team...all good teams have talent , of course, and great coaches...but I believe that it takes a leader like that to give a team a little edge... So we'll see what happens today.
And...what the heck...if they lose...the sun is going to come up again tomorrow...and MY life certainly isn't going to change...I just won't get to walk around with a smirk on my face...as if I had anything to do with the win. hahaha...by wearing my shirt! and since Brenna graduated from the University of Alabama...who ever wins will be Okay...cause we root for both teams....but it would be more fun if my team pulls it off!

On another note altogether....we're off to Orlando...for a visit with Martha and Tony...who are in town for a conference (Martha). We'll celebrate our birthdays a little early...and enjoy a couple of days together in Orlando.

Ornament of the day

I wish I was a better photographer...or maybe it's the camera...hahhaa because I am having a hard time getting a good photo of the ornaments I want...but it doesn't really matter
I got this little ornament back in 1980 0r 1981?...when I was the Children's Librarian at Meadowlane Community Library. It just so happened the Library was housed in the same building as the Meadowlane Elementary School Library...we had a great children's collection! For years since then...acquaintances will ask me "Do you still teach?" Well technically I never was a teacher...I just worked at two different schools... I suppose in a way I was (am) a teacher...I hope I am teaching children that books can be fun and to love language and reading. I figure by now there are many little kids, big kids and as hard as it is to admit it....adults with their own kids hard to admit...because then I have to face the fact that I really am getting older myself...hahaha who might think of me if they hear a Hap Palmer or Raffi song or hear a certain story....and that's kind of a nice thought.
er
In the meantime....I smile every time I put this ornament on my tree...because it was a special gift from a little boy and his mother reminding me how much I love what I do and knowing that others appreciate it too. If you click on it to enlarge it...you can see the little elf holding his book. (old Avon ornament)

Getting ready for Christmas and An Ornament a Day

It's only December 3rd....but I feel like I'm behind. In reality....I am way ahead of where I usually am at this point. I usually start putting things up slowly...the garlands, Nativity scenes, things like that, then around the second week in December we put up our tree. (I like to keep it up until "Little Christmas") However this year we are going to be out of town two weekends in a row...so we figured we may as well get the tree up early...and enjoy it. I have collected an assortment of coffee mugs over the years...it's always fun to get them out each December. I think of who or where I got each mug from every time I use one.
As soon as December rolls around each year...it's time to get out these glasses. I bought them about 15 or more years ago. One of those purchases where you think to yourself "Do I really need these?" Well I guess I thought I did,,,and I must say we have enjoyed them every year. As a matter of fact...last year I bought a set of four (newer version) for Megan...since she always liked using the Christmas glasses.
Having all the Rubbermaid bins sitting around is probably what made me feel anxious...I like to get things in and out and put away! It never fails though...because I have so many different containers....I ALWAYS seem to misplace the one with the hooks in it! This year was no exception...I kept rifling through the bins and finally gave up and went to Walgreens (right up the road) and spent 99c to buy a new pack of course I found the missing bin and hooks first thing this morning...now I have enough hooks to decorate lots of trees! haha
Now for an ornament a day.......This little lady was from one of my first trips up to Tenneesee with John. We stopped in Dothan AL and then headed up to Maryville TN where John's sister Sandy was living at the time. On our trip into Gatlinburg (...much less crowded then and therefore much more charming) I bought this ornament to remember the trip.
My brother Paul made this one year in elementary school...6th grade maybe.......My Mom and Dad had it on their tree for years...and then when their tree kept getting smaller...some of the ornaments got "farmed" out...I decided to take this one and keep it safe. I put "Santa" on the tree every year and think of my youngest brother Paul.
I love this ornament. Growing up near Pittsburgh Pa...fall and winter were Cold! I remember in school hearing the story about Jack Frost painting the windows and leaves. (I remember more than one bulletin board with this theme as well.) Over the years I would ask people if they also remembered this story...only to have people look at me like I made it up or something...(occasionally someone else would remember the story)....so I was thrilled to see this cute ornament offered ( a couple of years ago,in a catalog I order from ( The Gooseberry Patch). On the back of the box it tells the story of how Jack Frost uses his breath to paint beautiful, intricate icy patterns on autumn leaves and windows. Ahhh it's nice to know I'm not losing it! hahahaha