A Few Christmas Things

  Some of these things make me really happy---like this text I got from Morgan.

To know that my "grands" appreciate my stitching is very special to me. Jordan and Morgan both came to Nashville Needleworks to stitch with my friends and me this week. They think we are fun! Most likely we seem more like a bunch of crazy old ladies. Fine by me!

This year, since we aren't ALL going to be together at Christmas, Sandy, Stephanie and Mindy decided to exchange just one family gift. They did it at Thanksgiving. Stephanie and Mindy went in together and bought Sandy and family the Lego Disney Castle. OMGosh! It is incredible! 4000+ pieces!

The details are astounding---a room for every princess. I took tons of photos but narrowed it down to just these few.

There are even fireworks that actually shoot out!

The instruction book is an inch thick---490 pages!

 This is one of my favorite spots to enjoy my tea in the morning. The view never gets old!

I love this tree at Hillwood Country Club---where I play duplicate bridge every Thursday. The bow on top is gigantic.

 This is a bit aggravating. I've always said that Michaels marks things up so they can mark them down. These ornaments are $9.99 each. Of course, they are on sale for half that. I really like them, but didn't buy any---I have too many ornaments.

 I saw these in the BCBG window. I texted the picture to Stephanie as these shoes are something she would be all over---me too---in my younger days. I didn't stop in to find out how much they cost or if they "jingled." I just loved them.

While we're on the subject of "things to buy"---Sandy and I saw these at Kirklands. They are so soft and come in tons of colors. Normally they are $15.00---30% off makes them $10.00! I didn't buy any because of the problem of getting them home on the plane. I might run buy the store here tomorrow. Nothing like starting your shopping for NEXT YEAR with sales from this year! They would make great hostess gifts too!

I still really love my Murano glass Christmas trees. They are funky, but that's one of the things I like about them. I hope one of my "girls" will like to inherit them some day.

One of my friends gave me this unusual Christmas amarillys. She said she was a little nervous about giving it to me because the bulb is encased in wax---thus needing no watering. The problem is that it kills the bulb. She thought that since I'm a flower lover and master gardener (ahem, I have not actually done any gardening in several years) that I would be put off by this. Heck no! I can appreciate flowers in any way! When it is in full bloom, I'll share a photos. Can't wait!

I love white flowers at Christmas too. I got these white mums at the grocery store for $5.00. They will last a couple of weeks. I picked up those little poinsettias at Christmas Village this year. It's been since the second week of November and they are still going strong. I think they were about $5.00 too. Totally worth it!

 The wider view.

And then, of course, my surprise from Nicky. There you go Nicky---a second "shout out!"

Mindy has been productive with her holiday baking. She makes treats for her work friends, the people that work in her condo building and us.

And then there's Stephanie. This is the most awesome thing she has ever created. She's a good sport about the fact that she's not much of a cook. But she would take a gold medal for trying! This year, she was so excited about how well these turned out. She made them for our annual mother/daughter ornament exchange. She was so excited that she texted me this picture. I was so happy for her! Sadly, they did not make the trip. By the time the cupcakes traveled in her car all day and the 25 degree temperatures, all of the little trees crumbled. Luckily we had the picture to prove how cute they really were. A far cry from the "mouthwash" tasting peppermint Rice Krispie treats she tried a few years ago!

When I got home on Monday, I immediately went from the airport straight to my friend, Nancy's house. She asked me to decorate her dining table. I was so excited to do it. On the way there, I couldn't believe the traffic! It's just getting busier and busier on the roads 'round here. That line of cars is at least a mile or two long. Luckily, I know the "back ways."

Nancy had everything out for me to choose from. I went around her house and pulled together a few more things. Whenever I do this, I ask a couple questions: how often are you going to be eating in the dining room, do you want a tablecloth, do you put your food on the table? That determines what I do. You don't want to have to keep moving all of this on and off the table. She serves buffet style and uses placemats, so all is good.

I remember years ago when I first started decorating tables and chests like this, one of the grandkids (they were little) said "grammy, it looks like a store!" Meaning it looks like things for sale. I guess it does, but I love the eclectic-"ness" of the look while enjoying all of your special things. Each one has a story. I didn't ask Nancy about her stories, but I know she has a few! Sounds like a great scrapbook page to me!

And then there's this! This was one of my Christmas gifts from Sandy (or Victoria and Elizabeth---can't keep all the gifts straight). It's a phone charger strung with Christmas lights.

 It's so bright and colorful at night in the car.

I just love it! At first I tried it on the dashboard but decided it was actually too bright at night. It lights up the car!

I am so excited to see these two when I get to St. Louis next week. Travis on the left just seems a little bored, while Nathan on the right looks like he's just humoring his mom!

I hope you are enjoying your holiday season and taking the time to notice the little things making you happy!