Christmas at the Lake, Christmas in my kitchen and Merry Christmas!

Okay, I thought I’d just cover a few things since it seems I’ve lost my blogging mojo lately.     Every year we do our family Christmas at the lake house and this year was no different.    All the “little” kids are getting so big and next year we’ll have another little once as my niece is due to have a baby in June.

Before I share a few pictures I’d just like to say thank you to every single one of you that commented on my last post and kept me in your prayers.    You’ll never know how much that meant to me!     The day after I posted my “debby downer” post, I got an e-mail from a dear friend who said she’d dreamed about me the night before and she’d had a very symbolic dream about my illness which she knew nothing about…the dream was very much related to my illness and within a day or two my problem had vanished!    I know some people might not believe in that type of thing but I just know that with all the prayers offered up the Lord honored them and healed me!    I tried to respond to each and every one of you but if I didn’t get to you, please know your words and prayers mean so much to me.

Then last Monday morning around 1:30 a.m. we got a call that my 92 year old mom had fallen at her assisted living home in the bathroom.    I rushed out, we were in the ER until 5:30 a.m. Monday morning.   They did a CAT scan and x-ray on her leg but no concussion or brain trauma although she had a big goose egg on her forehead.    After getting her settled back in her room I came home to rest.    That afternoon we went out to check on her….she not only got up to eat lunch in the dining room but her goose egg had almost completely vanished!     Now she is just black & blue (and sporting a black eye) but that lady is a real trooper!     God has been so good to her.

Alrighty now, moving on.    I did very little decorating this year.    Just a little hot chocolate station in the kitchen and I decorated the mantle in the den.    That’s about it and truthfully, it’s been very liberating!    After I got over feeling inadequate about not doing my usual “all out” Christmas decorations, I was good with what I’d done.    

I sat out hot chocolate fixins’ on a round wicker charger.   We’ve really enjoyed our hot chocolate station this year….right now there’s not much left of it!    Hubby keeps eating the “smarshmallows” (our granddaughter’s name for marshmallows) and the white and chocolate chips!

 

I found the tin of Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix at Big Lots of all places…I think it was like $5.00!

 

 

I loved these cute little napkins!

 

I’ve started collecting these vintage Santa mugs….so far I’ve found 3.    I think they are so cute!

 

This is a $$Tree frame and I printed out the wording and just inserted it where a picture ordinarily goes….funny story, when our handy man was here installing my new plate rack, I heard him ask my husband what was “that” referring to the Hot Chocolate Bar…so I made this little sign so he’d know next time he was over here!

 

In my 3 corner cabinet I added a Christmas plate, another of my Santa mugs and some sprigs of faux greenery

 

 

Here’s a couple of collages I put together showing the mantle in my den

 

 

Our day at the lake was beautiful…not a cloud in the sky and not too cold.    Everyone brings a dish so there is plenty to eat.    The kids can run around like crazy.   It gets kind of loud at times but this is the one time of year we all get together and we really enjoy ourselves!

 

The water is really down and I found a huge piece of driftwood that I had my son pick up for me….I know just where I’m going to put it in the house (once I’m sure there are no little critters inside it!)

 

 

 

I just love this picture of my son and grandson!  

 

My brother in law has a real green thumb….look at this plant!

 

Let’s go inside and see what’s goin’ on….

My granddaughter Taylor is in l-o-v-e with Stephanie who is engaged to my nephew….a wedding is planned for next summer

 

My sister fixed these sweets from one of her “Pinterest” pins….don’t you just love Pinterest?

 

Stephanie is enjoying the fire

 

My sweet grandson Jackson (Taylor’s twin) loves nutcrackers so when I found this one I just had to get it for him.    When we’re at the lake the kids just get little gifts with the big ones coming Christmas Day from the grandparents.      Since we’ll be gone Christmas Day, we’ll see daughter and her family on Monday and go see son and his family after we return.

 

On Thursday granddaughter Taylor had her class Christmas party….she invited me to come!    I love that she always wants me to be involved with her school activities and I’m lucky that I’m able to be there for her! 

 

We’re going to the beach with sister and her husband on Christmas Day.    Since I doubt I’ll be posting anymore until after Christmas I want to wish everyone a very blessed Christmas.     Enjoy your time with family and friends and don’t forget the “reason for the season”!

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!