A treasured cross-stitch picture
by my daughter
by my daughter
given to me one Christmas past.
While unpacking these decorations, I made the decision to eliminate many items that I've not used in years and/or ones that don't have any sentimental value. That felt really good. (Hey, I'm getting good at this de-cluttering thing.)
A 32" x 32" applique piece
I did a a couple of years ago.
(It stays.)
Now it's time for me to bake a big bunch of sugar cookies for my daughter. No, it's not that she allows herself to indulge in copious amounts of the cookies, but rather gathers together her little group of six happy urchins (children of her dear friends) and has her annual, huge Christmas cookie decorating party with them. Thus far, the boys are still eager to enter into the spirit of the season (and frosting and assorted toppings) and dive into the project with as much enthusiasm and gusto as the girls.
I love this large jingle bell wreath
given to me by a friend
a few years back.
And then there are my own Christmas goodies to start making and baking. Each year I waver between getting them done early (and often having too many disappear too soon) or waiting until right before the 25th and feeling we don't have adequate time to enjoy and share them. Also, I kinda like to have them ready to make plates of assortments to give before the (sometimes glut of) sugar-laden goodies appear in everyone else's homes. Such a dilemma, eh?
The little Santas on the right are
from Iceland and were
a gift to me from my daughter
when she visited there
about 15 years ago.
At any rate, I'm definitely experiencing that getting-close-to-the-holidays feeling now and plan to relax and enjoy the season to the utmost.
Bring on the aroma of cookies baking in the oven and Christmas music on the player.
Tra-la-la-la-laaahhh!