Merry Christmas from My House to Yours - Around the House

Merry Christmas from My House to Yours - My Nativity Collection

These are just a few from my nativity collection. I have 49 representations of the nativity.

Richly painted tin nativity

Papier mache with small spotlight

Huge Barbie-doll sized set with incredible detail

Stone look - I particularly like their shape and the 'star-stable'

Click for larger view. Incredible color and detail. Each wiseman'
depicts a different nativity scene on his robe.

Merry Christmas from My House to Yours - My cat

I don't think you can get much more Christmas - y than this.... a cat in front of the Christmas tree by the hearth.

Merrry Christmas from My House to Yours - My bathroom

Putting bathroom pictures online may seem a little unusual to some, but my goal is to be able to show family members, who didn't get to see my home, so they can share in a little of the Christmas season at my house.

This window looks out onto a built in porch, which is now a part of my living room.
I decided to hang a watercolor of Vail, so that it looked like we were looking out
onto a beautiful snowy mountainside instead of a brick room.

Merry Christmas from My House to Yours - MY TREE

Here are some pictures of my decorations this year

My tree reflected in a mirror

My tree topper

A favorite ornament on my son's tree.

My son's traditional tree, on the built in porch room
off our living room

Where'd the chicken go? Here, chickie, chickie!

This was so funny. My kids and I were howling and my husband was just rolling his eyes and shaking his head at us!

I, once again, tried to use a baking hen - instead of a fryer - for my roast chicken. Once again, it turned out too tough to be able to carve and get much meat off of it, so in the spirit of Christmas, I gave it to my cat.

I took it outside on a large piece of foil and told him Merry Christmas.

Later, as we were leaving, I saw the foil blowing down the driveway, but no chicken in sight. I was afraid that another animal, possibly an o'possum, had carried it off... but no. As we pulled out of the carport, there it was sitting, oh so properly, at the end of our driveway.




It struck my funny bone, so with our elderly next door neighbor's son looking somewhat askance at us, we proceeded to traipse outside and photograph the run-away fowl, laughing hysterically all the way.

I know... I know.... I'll be the first to admit I'm somewhat weird. LOL!!



It is funny.

A Night in Bethlehem

We've had so much fun at our church this Christmas. We turned our sanctuary into a Bethlehem marketplace. This is one of my favorite pictures - the herb and spice shop. It was so colorful and smelled wonderful. We had frankincense and myrrh, along with many other dried herbs and spices, as well as fresh rosemary, aloe and mint.



Please visit my Sherman House of Praise blog for more shops and pictures.



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Christmas Haitus

Just wanted to let everyone know that I won't be blogging until after Dec. 21, 2008. We have so much going on with work, home and church that we just don't have time. And now, my husband's laptop has frozen up, so I can only access a computer before or after work.

I have lots of pictures and thoughts I want to share, but it'll have to wait!

Have a Merry Christmas!

A Thanksgiving Meme

I saw this Thanksgiving meme over at Jewel's blog called Down in My Little Valley, and I liked it... so... here it is.

1. Which do you like better: cooking at your house, or going elsewhere?

I enjoy cooking in my own home.

2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen bird?

Frozen

3. What kind of stuffing?

Definitely cornbread dressing - my Mama's recipe!!

4. Sweet potato or pumpkin pie?

I personally, don't like either, but my husband and son like pumpkin pie.

5. Do you believe that turkey leftovers are a curse, or the point of the whole thing?

Mmmmm..... not a curse, but not the point, either. That would be the ham and dressing LOL!

6. Which side dish would provoke a riot if you left it off the menu?

I think that would probably be broccoli rice casserole, possibly the green bean bundles.

7. Do you save the carcass to make soup or stock?

NO

8. What do you wish you had that would make preparing Thanksgiving dinner easier?

More stove/oven space!!

9. Do you get up at the crack of dawn to have dinner ready in the early afternoon, or do you eat at your normal dinner hour?

Well, maybe not the crack of dawn, but early.


10. If you go to somebody else’s house, what’s your favorite dish to bring?

Green bean bundles or No Name Pie (an almost sinfully rich frozen pie)

11. What do you wish one of your guests would not bring to your house? What would you like them to bring?

I don't care for green bean casserole and corn casserole. I definitely vote for more dessert!


12. Does your usual mix of guests result in drama, or is it a group you’re happy to see?

Ummmm...... just depends, really.

13. Is your cranberry sauce fresh or canned? Whole or jellied?

We use canned, jellied cranberry sauce. My son will eat it all by itself.

14. What’s your absolute favorite thing on the menu?

My cornbread dressing

15. Share one family tradition.

Oh, dear... I don't think we really have a Thanksgiving tradition, other than the meal itself. Should we get one? Any thoughts... ideas?

Pay It Forward drawing at Debra's place

Just wanted to let everyone know that Debra, at Clothed with Scarlet, is hosting a "Pay it Forward" drawing. Drop by her place and say hi!

29 Years of Life, Laughter and Love

My wonderful husband planned a surprise getaway to the beautiful Brendan Manor Bed & Breakfast, for our 29th anniversary, this weekend.

He ended up having to tell me about it, but that's okay
- I'm still excited and savoring the special time.

We'll be staying in the Sarah Ellen suite, complete with fireplace, tv and huge jet tub. And they provide the most luxurious, wonderful robes - ever!

Thing 1

will take care of

Thing 2

... and there, you have all the makings for a very special, romantic anniversary weekend - the perfect way to celebrate 29 years of life, laughter and love!