Inside looking out

The opposite from my last post. This is Izzy checking outside for squirrels, deer, wild turkeys, or the lady that walks her dog with the motorized wheelchair. Oh those furry babies do not like her at all. The pillows are all nice and pretty until Piper tosses them around to make the sofa all comfy for him. Usually he is under one of the pillows when he is finished. Hubby's leg searching for another Christmas movie to watch. The TV used to fit in the cabinet.

I put the children's tree on the little chair and moved the other one that was there. You are wondering aren't you....why this is the children's tree when all the other trees look like trees for kids. Well this one has Charlie Brown ornaments and Crayola ornaments. The Crayola ornaments started with a gift from a friend. You see, I met our adopted son at a pre-school named Crayons. The mason jars are missing their lids because I can't remember where I put them. Two have candy in them, one has pictures and the other has a bottle tree. Don't you love all the things in jars for decorating this year. So cute, aren't they.

My house ornaments on the china cabinet, my Dad's antique chair. Had to move it from under the tree because I couldn't get to the outlet to plug in the tree.
A basket full of all the catalogs for Christmas. Geez, how many trees were used for those crazy things. The frame is many different years of my children on Santa's lap. There are ones with the first born only, of the original trio, the youngest alone and also with his birth sister. Very special pictures.

Piper, the check eater, looking out. He loves this spot. His toy is on display on the white coffee table, hah.

I want to paint this sideboard this summer. I am thinking of white. Speaking of white. Still nothing but those little flakes the other day. I heard last week that we might have a White Christmas, we will see. I know once it starts it will be snowing forever but I still love it.

So this is my house in it's Christmas glory.
Plain and simple but COZY.

(((((HUGS))))) to all.

Outside looking in

We wish you a Merry Christmas inside and outside of our holiday home.

The wreath from the Boy Scout's fundrasier. I took off the bow, turned the pine cones around so you couldn't see the red bells, and added this garland (from Urban Farmhouse, last year) and it looks so much better.

The Santa was a gift as was the star lantern. The high chair is from this summer's Buckeye Blogger outing. We went to the neatest little antique store in Tipp City. Everyone walked out with goodies from that store. The chair was $5. I was going to refinish it and let the kids play with it. One of the Bloggers said to put a plant in it and set it outside. Well it's had a plant, then a pumpkin and now Santa. It has made it to the front door but never inside yet. Love this $5 chair
We all need angels in our lives.

Of course, Santa is the star of the season but we need to always remember the reason for the season.........

the birth of Baby Jesus. (Sorry Baby Jesus, I almost didn't get you in the picture)

Just pretend the white spots in this picture are snow flakes.

The bank cashed my check. There were some giggles about it but not to my face.

My cards are mailed as some little packages. My decorating is done. Several things still in the boxes but I am pleased as I don't like it to be all cluttered up. My presents are all wrapped. So now there is Peace in my house. I still have things to do but Christmas is under control. It amazes me, but it gets easier through the years.

I remember when I worked at a Montessori day care. They parents were so stressed the first couple weeks of December. The kids were a mess. It dawned on me that it was from all the pressure of getting the tree and the decorations, the presents, the cards, and the parties. Then things seemed to settle down the next couple of weeks. I have learned from seeing what it did to the parents and the children that things need to slow down for everyone's sanity. It all gets done somehow. So hoping that you are all taking time to enjoy and to rest. Happy Holidays my friends.

Santa is in the house (Well kinda)

Cindy of Rick Rack and Gingham hosted a little house swap. You were supposed to make a house that reminded you of your blog. The little houses make up a "Blogging Neighborhood". I hope to turn mine into a banner and display it in my craft room. Look how creative these sweet ladies are.

Ooops, this one is blurry. See the bee hive with the banner.
All gussied up for Christmas. Somehow I missed that part of the instructions. Can you tell which one is mine, hah.

How about the little camper. The other one looks like a candy shop.

A cottage that's cozy but still in summer mode, two sweet little cottages.

Thanks Cindy for hosting this swap. Thanks to all that made these sweet homes.

I hope your sweet homes have a bit of Christmas cheer. You don't need alot to make it sparkle. My wish for you is that you take time to take care of yourself during this crazy busy holiday season.


Piper chewed a hole in my babysitting check. Just happened to be half of the account numbers and half of the signature. Will they take the check? I will let you know. It might help that the person works at the bank.....we will see.

Happy 2nd Birthday

Happy Birthday Sweet Baby Q. We love your blue eyes, your curly hair and that great smile.

You have style as well. XOXOXO Grammy and Grampy love you.

Do you have a best friend

I watched these two from the time they were 6 weeks old. Of course the one on the left is K. Bug my granddaughter) and the other Doodle. (just like a granddaughter) You have heard about her many times before. She was so tiny when she was born. I think she only weighed 6 lbs when I started watching her. These two have been the best of friends ever since. K. Bug and I went with Doodle's family to Breakfast with Santa.

This is how they stood in line to see Santa.

They have their lists ready. When they get this age you dread that they find out for real about Santa. I loved Mrs. CLaus. She was so sweet to all the children.

The girls are in their own world aren't they. That's Baby B. in the middle. He has no clue what is going on. He's only 18 months but a very tall little guy. Everytime anyone says anything about Christmas he says, "Happy Halloween." It is so funny.

K. Bug jumps out of the picture and Bew Baby B. sits down. He wasn't liking this at all. He's almost 3 months.

Mrs. Claus is going over K. Bug's list while Santa is in shock over Doodle's long list.

Later that evening Doodle's parents went to a Christmas party. I took care of all the little ones. I finally got the boys to sleep but those little girls chatted to the wee hours. I slept with the 18 month old. That was interesting. He'd reach over and pull my hair every so often. I think he wanted to make sure I was still there.

If you haven't talked to your best friend in awhile give them a call and say hi.

Thank you Ruby Jean

Ruby Jean posted how to make these sweet skates. She stuffed the tops with goodies. She also made a garland with them......cute, cute, cute. I made little ones and big ones.......think the littles are my favortie. I haven't stuffed mine with goodies yet. I bought more felt to make more, I'm on a roll..........glue, felt, glitter, stuffing and that's it. I made bows on mine but Ruby Jean made pom poms on hers.

Curly Girl after 4 shots. She was hurting by the end of the day. Does she look like a mini adult.

Little Miss
A. was very happy to model the skates.

Updates: I watched 4 darlings over the week-end. Got to sleep with an 18 month old..... whoa that was an experience. Still no snow here just lots of rain. Finished the grandchildren's Christmas.
Not much left now. I think I mentioned this before. Quaint toy shop, no crowds, and they wrap. I went to Barnes and Noble this week-end and had to leave.......the crowds swallow me up. I went to see Santa and Mrs. Clause. Pictures to follow. So far this season has been pretty mellow for me. Hope it stays that way. Hope you are all surviving.

little bit of Christmas

Cindy and I had a challenge to post our decorating today. So here are a few of the pictures. I still need to take some pictures and post in another post.
No special camera or lighting so look past that.
This chair was passed down to my father. It has to be at least 100 years old. The teddy bear was a gift for my anniversary from my hubby 9-12-11. I bought the doll because it looked like my daughter.
The wagon in a favorite of mine. I love it. In the newest PB catalog there was a small glimpse of one like it with Christmas things in it.
These are the little trees that I put out instead of a big tree. It looks kinda jumbled up with the cabinet in the back. But, really it doesn't look like that in person, you have to trust me.

Lots of
Boyd's bears here.

Another view, sorry about the cords. The trees are tucked in the corner to avoid furry babies and little curious people.

I found a little
Brownie. Do you see what it says "Holiday Flash". I was cleaning it up and my husband saw it. He said he had the same camera and told me how it worked. Usually he doesn't get why I have these things but this one brought back memories. How cute is that little angel looking at you. She was a gift from a friend that paints beautiful faces. (I also have the little instruction book that came with the camera. There is a penciled in date of when it was given as a gift....1956.....thanks Murphy for finding that for me at the sale)

A bear from my cousin Jo. So many of my Christmas items came from her. Glad to have the memories. The little desk it is sitting on is supposed to be from CHina and 100 years old.

A new little ME wreath from my sweet friend Genie.

My grandma's hutch and punch bowl. The punch bowl has ornaments in it. There was a bear in the little basket but he is hiding it looks like.

Our old TV fit in the cabinet. I loved being able to close the doors on it. The new one just fit on top. It limits what I can put on it. Has to be low so the controllers work. This had been a favortie place to decorate.

A little musical tree in the kitchen.

More to come later. I am trying to make it simplier every year.

I am headed out to a toy store to see if I can find a little gift for Mabel. She wants a baby carriage for her Calico Critters. It's a fun store that has lots of little stocking stuffer like toys.

Are you getting in the holiday spririt. Sometimes it is hard. I had one of those weeks nut it is time to move on.
Blessings.