CHRISTMAS DECORATING ~ ~ ~

 The decorating that's done now will be it for this season!  There is more in the basement but I can't do anymore!!!  Sonny cut and decorated the tree ~ he always does ~ I appreciate it a lot ~ he knows that!!  At the top is a Santa tree topper made from heavy paper, given to me by daughter-in-law Cheryl many years ago!  There are others, but this one is my favorite ~ tree toppers ~ not daughters-in-law!!  Can't have favorites there!  But they're all nice ~ thank goodness!  And I have to tell you, the tree was a gift ~ someone we used to do business with and is retired, called and left a message to come get our 'free tree'!!!!  Free is good and one of our Christmas blessings!

We love this centerpiece created by our friend Margo ~ it was a Homebuilders Auction purchase quite a few years back!  In the background, the Norfolk Island Pine is decorated with glittery candy canes ~ that tree has been with us many years ~ I actually can't believe I've kept that thing alive all this time!  It's a Christmas Miracle!!

 The two Santas are by Twin Feather Trees ~ handmade and signed in 1988 and 1990!  I was shocked when I saw those dates ~ 23 and 21 years old!  Good grief ~ soon they'll be antiques ~ like their owners!!

 For the first time, there's an artificial wreath on the front door ~ with a papier mache Santa suspended inside!  It's always been fresh pine ~ I decided to spend the money once, instead of every Christmas!! 

This is also in the front entry ~ this little table resides where the Christmas tree is right now.  Over it is  "Baby in Red Chair" ~ I've always loved that painting and brought this one back from Williamsburg one year.

Friday, I had a luncheon for five old friends ~ it was nice to get together ~ life gets so busy and we don't all live close by each other ~ so it was really nice to catch up!  Tonite we had our friend, Marge, in for dinner  ~ she is  the giver of the antique cupboard that we got a while ago!! This is her second Christmas alone and she's doing quite well ~ her 'dance card' is always full ~ she has lots of friends including her in Holiday plans ~ that's a wonderful thing!

I hope to do some other entertaining this week ~ we shall see!  We have another choir concert and a 5th grade talent show on our schedule so we'll have to squeeze friends in where we can!  And shopping ~ there are three things that can be wrapped ~ three things!!  We've never missed a Christmas yet ~ it's hard to know what to buy for all these kids ~ but we'll figure it out ~ soon, I hope!!

Sonny, otherwise known as Dora Domestic to me ~ made jam today ~ 24 jars he said!  Strawberry-rhubarb and blackberry ~ I'm not a jam maker ~ thank goodness he is!  Much of it will go to the kids and friends.  Tomorrow is the library hook-in in Akron ~ I thought I was going to go ~ now, it looks like maybe I better put my nose to the wheel and figure out some gift giving!!

It's 11 p.m. ~ I think I'll drag myself up the staircase and 'dream' up something fabulous to put under the tree!  Sweet dreams to you and hope you're enjoying the season!!!!
Alice

Oh ~ Free Shipping Friday produced a couple of orders ~  it was a good thing!  Thank you!