Merry Christmas to All!!

What a wonderful and relaxing holiday season this is turning out to be...here is the tree and some gifts from Santa...

Christmas day is just for the four of us (at this point)...we spend the day in our jammies, watch movies, eat good food, and play games...no one comes in or goes out... Teddy and I are just relaxing with a good cup of coffee still in the wee hours...taking in the peace of the early morning...reminiscing and missing the sounds of the kids, when they were little, and all the excitement of Christmas morning. Now they want to sleep in and take a shower before they sit to open presents...Well...life has a way of moving along doesn't it?

Note the layers and flair of my Christmas Day outfit...Yes it feels as comfy and good as it looks...

Here is a pic of Claire with her big gift and Gabe goofing off for the shot...

Here is Bindi enjoying her yummy doggie bone/gift...she also got a big bag!!! She loves to crawl into tight spaces-here she is happy as a clam.

Here is the Brunch set up for the whole family ( a couple of days before Christmas)...from here we move into a fun day of games, snacks, gift-giving...then on into diner...WHEW...at the end of the day, I am just pooped out! But we always have lots of fun. Wish all you out-of-towners were here-we miss you all!!!

Here we are playing a family game (a really fun one at that) and Teddy just has to be a part of it all...here is how he proposed to do so... note the stealth moves he is pulling over on us...

...until Mister "M" catches him and allows him to join us...That Mister "M" is just spoiling this little guy something awful!!!

Hope all of you has a great and Blessed Holy Day!! Merry Christmas to all...And Blessings for your new year!!!

until next time, Mary

Between Holidays

Sorry it took me so long to post-again...I am not even going to tell you I have been busy...However, with Mister "M" working out of town again (in the deep south), I have had to be both mom and dad...God bless all you single parents for your strength and for your dedication...it has been a new thing for me and my kids are teens not even little ones...! The hardest part of this single parent thing so far has been the---are you ready---the grocery shopping thing!!!!! Yes, Mister "M" is the shopper in this family. Yes, of course I go , but I don't get the deals he does...(we get the good stuff). Sorry Mister "M"...I really am working in it (got a killer deal on salami)!!

Lets go back a week or so...here is the Thanksgiving table... now, before you comment on how informal my table setting is...know that it was just us and Grandma for dinner. I cooked as much as I usually do and we are still eating the leftovers...but it was really good (tried some new recipes) and we had a wonderfully relaxing low-key family day..fire in the fireplace - family games and after dinner - movie...

Te family game was Poker with the kids and of course, the dog. Teddy has the some potential, but he looses interest too soon and starts to lick the cards-tried to explain that this is not good card etiquette...

...teaching the kids how to play Poker. One is a penny hoarder ( even with the family penny jar) and one is a wild risk taker...he understands the concept of "family penny jar"... it was fun.

I set up the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. I am not by nature a procrastinator (that is with most things) and I love all the lights in the house as I gear up for Holy/Holiday season.

Here is the tree...

Here are some wooden trees we made for the festival in the summer. I kept some to put around...I think they turned out charming...The larger ones in the background, I usually wrap with lights.

Oh yesssssss..and look at my Christmas gift is this year!!!! I get it early so I can make sure it is working (30 days same as cash) It is soo cool...!!! I did wrap up the box though...

Last night the pond froze! The duckies are wondering what they are supposed to do now...Mister "M" will set up their winter lodgings this weekend when he gets home. Until then, we will continue to break up the ice and fee them corn. Hopefully the coyotes will not come in for a peek before we get it all arranged. They usually wait for the colder nights when it is harder for them to fin an easy dinner.

The Robins and the Ceder Waxwings love the berries on the tree right outside my kitchen window. I love to watch them and snap a pic when I can. Once I had 12 Blue Birds on the tree in the middle of winter!!

Yes, for you Northerners, that Robin should have moved on south...at least in my estimation...shows you how delicious those berries are-think'n about trying some my self...Anyway, have a wonderful week and God Bless you all in the Glorious Advent season!

Till next time

Mary