I don't have to be me til Tuesday!

Starting tonight, I don't! And let me just say that I'm going to live it up and squeeze every minute I can. I ♥ three day weekends, I do! I like knowing that work is closed and nothing's piling up while I'm not there. Bottle up that feeling cause I'd buy it!

I think I'll do some of this

and enjoy some of that (ok, more than some)

and that

and maybe watch some of these

oh yeah and lots and lots of this

with him

and him

and Jim...

Enjoy!

It was good...

It was really good...we spent Christmas Eve visiting with Daddy and Linda and going to church. We went back to the church we attended when we lived in Frederick. It was like going home!

Christmas was quiet. Jim and I went skiing on Christmas Day....and I'm still alive! It wasn't pretty but I made it down the 'bunny hill' a few times. Silly me believed Jim when he said I was ready for the next step. Let's just say I didn't ski down the entire way and let's also say it was a bit of a show...but I survived...more importantly Jim survived! Ha! Not sure if he'll ever be willing to take me again. ;)

The kids came later Christmas night...it was so good to see them! The day after Christmas was our Christmas Day! I laughed so much today. The kids and Mom and Jeff were all here. The house is a mess, things aren't in their place, laundry isn't done but it was fun! Now there's the occasional glimpse of Jake passing through in his ho, ho, ho boxers to retrieve more cookies and then back to his game, Julie's laid out on the couch surfing the net, Jon's giving a fashion show with all of his things from Santa and Jim's enjoying a Christmas cigar in the smoking room...ok, the garage!

Santa was good to all of us! But more important than any of that...it was good!

Wishing you the Merriest Christmas from our home to yours!

Enjoy!

Thankful

I have so much to be thankful for! Today is a good reminder to stop and think of those people and things. We spent the day visiting with local family and had more than our share of great food! I have great parents...all four of them! I've been blessed four times over. They have each molded me in some way and made me who I am (they might not think that's a compliment ha! ;))

Daddy, me and Linda

Mom, me and Jeff

All in all, I'm a pretty lucky girl!

I hope y'all had a great Thanksgiving too! One month 'til Christmas...just sayin'!

Trick or treat!

I admit, I'm not a big fan of Halloween. But it is fun to see the little peeps dressed up in their costumes (even the furry peeps), going to the Mummer's Parade and handing out treats.

This year, Jake helped Julie with parade festivities. Each year her work participates and is always looking for volunteers to assist. Let's just say that Jake volunteered...with a little convincing. ;)

And instead of candy, Silly Bandz were in our basket this year. Thought it would be different and fun.

I think it was a hit but I admit that I'm missing sneaking a candy bar here and there....you know the one for them, one for me philosophy?! But guess my jeans won't be quite so tight. Ha!

So, Happy Halloween everyone!

Hickory Bridge Farm

We had Easter dinner at Hickory Bridge Farm in Ortanna, PA.

It's a very quaint place with good home cooking and a relaxed atmosphere.

Good food and great company!

Calvin, Jeff, Mom, Duffy, Julieanne and me!

Until next time!

The weather was absolutely heaven sent! We hope you had a great Easter too!

And that's a wrap....for now

Tonight we celebrated Christmas with the kids. The older they get the harder it gets to get them the things they want and like. But, I think their gifts were a success this year. Every year I take a picture of them by the tree. For some reason it was a challenge to get them all looking, eyes open and smiling this time...so, this one is my favorite. Yes, Jake is OVER smiling and being silly - but it's so him to do that! =)

Oh yeah, my gifts from the kids? Well, I got a beautiful red dress that I've had my eye on...love that they pay attention :), a watch and a great sign. See, I love signs, the ones that you put around the house that remind you of positive thoughts. This one is a quote from Dumbo...it says, 'The very things that hold you down are going to carry you up'. Isn't that great?! Love it. Here's a peek at my watch...

I figured I sneak in one more pic of me and Duffy before the tree and decorations are packed away until next year.

I'm so hoping for the energy and motivation to hit the ground running in the morning. I would love to have the Christmas stuff packed up and the house back in order. Shew, I'm ready for a break!

We had a great Christmas and we're looking forward to celebrating the holiday with Jim's Mom, Dad and Grandma in January, but for now....is it really bad for me to say I'm glad it's behind me? Well if it is, sorry...but I really am! =) Bring on the new year!

Merry Christmas!

The big day is here! The day started off quiet for us but celebrating got in full swing by the afternoon. We enjoyed a delicious dinner at my aunt's home! Many thanks to Aunt Alma for spending much of her Christmas day preparing for us!

It was fun to visit with everyone and catch up with our cousin from California.

Tomorrow we'll celebrate with the kids. It's a tradition for them to open their presents from us the day after Christmas. A perfect ending to the holiday!

We hope you enjoyed your day and that Santa fulfilled all of your wishes!

Let the holiday begin!

Merry Christmas Eve! Today was a crazy day, trying to finish up last minute shopping, tidying up around the house and putting the final touches on everything.

In the midst of that shuffle, I was blessed with some pretty amazing presents from Julie, Jon and Jake! It amazes me that they're so grown up in so many ways. Weren't they just little yesterday? Excited and waiting for Santa? Now here they're playing Santa for themselves. (I'll share more about the details in the next couple of days!)

The day was rounded out by visiting with Daddy, Linda, Jaime, Drew and Lauren. It was great to see everyone and to spend time with Lauren. She's grown up a lot in a year!

She even tried on her ballerina outfit for us to see!

She's soooo cute!

Great start to celebrating Christmas!

Merry Christmas y'all!

I'm trying hard to focus on the reason for the season this year! It's so easy to get caught up in the hustle and demands of Christmas sometimes it's too easy to lose sight of the real meaning! One of my favorite things has always been the glow of the twinkle lights. As I sit here tonight, there's a peaceful glow in the house. Not a light is on except for those glowing from the decorations and you can see perfectly - subtle but just enough. I love that!

I admit that I scaled back a little this year. Two trees are up with lots of other decorations but I just couldn't find the energy or motivation to do the typical 4.

Our main tree and the one with my favorite decorations is in our family room.

I've been collecting Longaberger's tree trimmer baskets for many years - they're fun to tuck amongst the branches.

This year I'm trying something a little different. For the past couple of years, I was trying to think of a creative way to display our Christmas cards. Well while blog hopping a few weeks ago, I saw this idea and thought it was just perfect! (sorry, I don't remember exactly where I found it.)

I'm excited for the cards to roll in so it gets nice and full!

Oh yeah, one last 'tree'. It sits on the kitchen counter and is by far the easiest to decorate..ha!

Stop by Kelly's Korner to see all of the beautiful Christmas tress!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas traditions

Christmas traditions around here include getting the decorations out early! It's not unusual for lights to be twinkling early in November. BUT, once Christmas day is over...they're coming down! :) No joke, 2 days after and they're packed away waiting for next year. Funny, it becomes messy once the holiday has passed (at least that's how I feel).


Here's a peek at this year's tree (I'll share more in a couple of weeks when The Nester hosts The Christmas Tour of Homes ;)).



No matter my great intentions, it always seems I'm finishing up gathering presents and getting wrapping done all the way up to the last minute...please say I'm not alone!


We typically spend Christmas eve with Daddy and Linda - opening presents and spending time together. Mom and Jeff arrive Christmas morning and stay until around lunch time. Then it's off to Daddy and Linda's to visit with family before heading off to dinner. Guess this year will start new traditions - dinner's always been at Grandma's. When a door closes, a new one opens, right?


Merry Christmas!


What are your traditions?

So thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving! Today I'm thankful - thankful for my health, for a home that's comfortable. Thankful for my family - for parents who are supportive and loving a husband who puts up with me (ha!) . Thankful for Godchildren who have been so very special in my life. Thankful for friends - each and every one of you! Thankful for my pets who truly do give unconditional love. Thankful for a job that while is very challenging has been a blessing. I'm thankful for each of you who are reading this! May you have a blessed holiday season!

Yep, it's true, it's starting to look a lot like Christmas around here.

I definitely didn't plan to decorate today, that's for sure, but let's say the house was screaming for a little attention so why not! I mean if I was going to clean, why not go ahead and go for it.

It's usually a work in progress so I'm sure I'll add more over the next couple of days/weeks but all of the main things are out. I'll admit that I'm feeling a little bah humbug this year so I'm hoping the glow of the lights make me feel a little more festive.

I'll share pictures of our decorations on December 14th when The Nester hosts the Christmas tour of homes!

It's beautiful outside today too! I mean it's one of those days that you know won't happen many more times this year. So between sneaking in a peek at football, Duffy's trying to get the yard cleaned up a little. Of course he has lots of help!

So back to finishing up laundry, maybe squeeze in washing my car and then off to watch the boys play hockey this evening. Hope y'all are having a good weekend!

A time for thanks!

This week we're sharing Thanksgiving traditions at Kelly's Korner. Sorry, but there's no pictures to share, more just my thoughts and memories. As a child and for a lot of my adult life, Thanksgiving's were spent at Grandma's. She was a great cook and we always joked that she made enough food to feed a small army! Always with the kitchen a disaster of dishes and food. And by the time dinner was on the table, she would be full from sampling all day! And this feast was prepared in her small apartment kitchen! Honestly, when I think back, I'm not sure how she did it, but she always did. Some of my best memories are from there. But if you remember, she left this life in June.

Over the past few years, we've started new 'traditions'. My step-mom Linda is kitchen wizard! Not only does EVERYTHING she makes taste delicious, you would never believe how organized and clean things are. No evidence of the effort that it obviously takes to pull it all together! She's amazing at it.

From one great dinner to another...Mom took over dinner duty from Grandma a few years back. She's a lot like her (not sure she'd want to hear that she's like her Mother...ha! but in this case, it's a compliment). She spends the day preparing more food that we can eat in 4 days! Believe me, we try! Always good and we always eat waaaaaay too much! Guess that's what it's all about.

Sometimes I think it would be nice to have dinner here, at home. I'm so tempted but wow...it's a lot to take on. Especially considering I'm not exactly a chef. The first year we were married, I declared Thanksgiving would be at our house! Thank God for Grandma Herrmann and the Mom's. Shew....I think I've blocked a lot of that day for sanity sake! =) Think I could really pull it off again? I'm not so sure.

And, for the record...the concept of Thanksgiving sends me crazy! I say it every year but we should be thankful every day! I guess the holiday is a good reminder but PLEASE find something every day to be thankful for!

Happy Halloween

This year, Trick or Treat was on Friday around town. The main reason is that the annual Mummer's Parade is held on the Saturday night closest to Halloween and yep, this year that fell on the actual holiday. Surprisingly, we didn't have a lot of visitors. Jacob was in charge of handing out candy and only saw three small groups of kids. Hmmm...too far to walk to our house? Maybe....oh well, there's plenty of candy left for us! YUM

Julie participated in the parade with her friends and 'kids' from The Little Gym! Thankfully, the rain held off for the most part. We had few showers to struggle through but stayed dry.

Think it's too early

To decorate for Christmas? OK, maybe a little but I get excited to do it when I see things like this!

I'm going to do my best to hold off 'til the first weekend in November. I know, some of you are thinking that's still waaaaay too early but that's gonna take a lot of self discipline on my part after looking through some of the great ideas from other bloggers. I've always been an early decorator. I mean if you're going to go to all of that work, my as well enjoy it, right? But come the 27th of December I'm ready to pack it away! Magically it becomes messy once Christmas has passed.

Thanks to everyone for the inspiration! I have to admit for the past couple of years I haven't been that into decorating. But this year, I think I'm ready! Bring on the twinkle lights and snowmen! Fa, la, la, la, la...ha!