The White Sofa

We needed a new sofa. Desperately. The one we'd had for the last 6 or 7 years was pretty shot...ripped armrest, sagging springs and squished foam cushions. But it had been a freeby and served us well.  Although hubby is back to work after being laid off for a year and a half, we're not quite ready yet to buy a new one. We found a used one in excellent condition, but it was....white. A creamy white, but white.  You have to understand. Our living room is our everything room. We have no "family room".  We eat, watch tv, entertain, have visiting grandkiddies and granddogs in this room. I said to hubby, "It's pretty, it's comfortable, it's in excellent condition, the price is right, but it's....white! So very not practical."
A week went by and we both kept thinking about that couch. So we bought it. It really does look nice in the room and it's so comfortable.  There are new sofa rules. No food and no dogs!

A Perfect Christmas

(Even though I didn't post this until today, I wrote it Monday December 27th...how's that for being behind?)

 
My two sons just left after being home for about a week. My two daughters live close by, which to me is a wonderful blessing.  It was so great to have them all here for Christmas. And that's what makes a holiday special. 
You see, although I had great plans, I was sick with a bad cold pretty much from Thanksgiving until about a week before Christmas. It sapped what little energy I have sometimes. On top of that, we kept my three grandchildren for about a week and a half while their mother was off in the tropics for a wedding. They didn't get the best me either. 
Thankfully I didn't have a lot of gifts to buy because I had all my shopping to do the week before Christmas.
I wanted to have a beautifully decorated house...I did manage to get the swag on the stairway and one on the china cupboard earlier in the month. 

The tree was purchased the second Sunday in December. It set outside until Christmas Eve. I struggled half the night with lights that didn't half work (definitely a must-purchase for next year).  Last night I added Meme Gamby's vintage ornaments to a little tree in the kitchen. Yes, last night. (I still have a week to enjoy them).

God bless my girls, because thanks to them we have plenty of delicious cookies for the holiday.  Despite my lack of enthusiasm, they insisted we have our baking day and I'm so glad they did. It's always one of my favorite times. 
But, thank you Lord....I felt good in time for Christmas and enjoyed every moment.  The tree wasn't perfect, the house wasn't perfect, but when we're all together we always have a wonderful time. And isn't that what it's all about anyway?  
Happy birthday, Jesus!  

Angelic Beauty

 

My extended family continues to grow (I have two nieces expecting babies...how exciting!). When we get together it's quite a large group: my 2 parents, 4 children (of which I am one) plus spouses, 14 grandchildren plus spouses, and 7 greatgrandchildren...that's 36 with 2 more on the way! Plus there are usually additional friends, girlfriends and boyfriends in the mix too. This makes for a large and fun gathering. I love it!! And I said all this to explain that for a good many years we have exchanged names for obvious reasons. This year my lovely and very artistic niece had my name and made this gorgeous creation for me. Sigh....
Make sure you click on the photos for a closeup to appreciate all the beautiful details, especially the hand painted face.
This is Chriss, the artist!

Catching Up On the Holidays

December was such a busy month that I didn't do any posting. So now I'm trying to do a little catching up on our Christmas. This is our tree. After thirtysome years of the country, homemade, memories kind of ornaments, I'm trying to go with a little more elegant look. That's why the tree is still a little sparse. The scheme is gold, glass and crystal and I can only afford to do a little at a time. I hope to at some time have two trees, because I still have and love those other keepsake ornaments.

Autumn Basket

I just wanted to post a pic of my fall basket, because I'll be replacing my title pic with a winter one. I love this basket. I got it at for half price at Michael's a couple years ago, and it has become my holiday basket I keep on my kitchen island. It holds pumpkins and gourds in the fall, pinecones and Christmas decorations in the winter, marble eggs in the spring, and miscellaneous themes in the summer. Time for the seasonal change!