A WONDERFUL giveaway...

'Tis the season to be jolly...and I don't know about you, but getting Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2 would make things down right fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-bulous!

Check out these two blogs to enter:

MckMama

and

The Grammie Diaries

And yes, I am blogging about this so that not only do I get extra entries for the contest, but to let YOU know in case YOU wanted to join me in entering! Wouldn't it be fun to win?

There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays...

I don't know about you, but I LOVE my house right about now.  I am thankful that on nights where it is cold, wet and dark outside, I am in a place that feels warm, cozy and bright! I thought it might be fun to post some pictures from my house...to share with you guys and so that I can remember how I decorated for Christmas in 2009.  Ready for your quick tour?

    

I love my three wisemen.  I love them even more when I put them on a tray with fresh evergreen branches and votive candles.  I would love them even more if I had a nativity set to go with them, but that's another story.  Moving on...this is MY stocking.  Yes, the country looking one with an angel on front.  I bought it with my mom several years ago at the craft fair downtown.  Notice I didn't include the other three stockings in the picture.  If I had, you would've realized how GINORMOUS it is.  My husband shakes his head every year when I bring it out.  It's kind of become the running joke of our Christmas decorations, but I love it!

Okay, so pardon me, but I'm gonna stop at our gorgeous LIVE tree and breathe in all that wonderful real, live tree smell.  I love it!!

 

A few of my favorite ornaments.  I love the way the snowflake sparkles (really glitters) on the tree.  And then there is the ornament I bought for my first Christmas with B.  Kate was like, "woah...1998"...as if that was from another century.  Yeah...moving on.  Everyone needs a little hope...even during the holidays.  A great reminder that God hasn't given up on me, and He never will.  Lastly, this year's family ornament.  I buy them at Crabtree, and have them personalize it with our names and the year.  I love traditions.

 

This cute little guy greets me every morning (it's right beside my coffee pot).  I love the flickering candlelight.

 

I've had this Partylite bowl for years, and I finally decided to put it on my kitchen table.  The jewel tone ornaments and candy canes add some fun...now if I could just keep the kids from eating my decorations!

 

As I've already mentioned...I don't have a nativity set.  It's sad because I really really really want one.  I just haven't found the right one yet.  That said, I was VERY happy to run across this decoration at the Junior League Shopping Spree two years ago.  Click on the picture so you get a better look...don't you just love how baby Jesus is laying inside the "O"?  It gives me great JOY to put this as my centerpiece for my dining room table.

A house wouldn't be a home if people didn't live there, right? So, I end this tour with two recent pictures of my family (yes, Kelsey...you are included!).  In the first picture, B is hard at work, decorating our gingerbread train.  It's become a tradition now...every year, B shows off his artistry by decorating a gingerbread house (with the kids).  We opted for the train this year, and I think it turned out so CUTE.  And finally, here is a picture of my sweet kids snuggling in front of the tree with our wonderful friend and neighbor, Kelsey.  Warms this old heart like nothing else!!!

Haul out the holly...

I'm sitting here listening to "Joy To The World" and enjoying this quiet, peaceful night.

I'm also very excited.

On Sunday, we went to the Shepherd's Way Farm Stand and bought this:

 

Two nights ago, my hubby starting putting on the lights.  You might recall that lovely Christmas carol "The Twelve Pains of Christmas"?  Um, yeah.  Rigging up the lights.  We had a few moments.  Also ran out of lights (this is a yearly tradition), and had to make a trip to Wallyworld.  So...tonight?

 

We're doing a happy dance (okay, this was from last night, but it was cute & it worked here)! By the way, my sister is supposed to be a tree, and Kate is pretending to be a snowflake?

Back to my story, tonight...tonight, tonight, tonight...B finished the lights! And then we had so much fun putting on all the ornaments (I got to explain to Kate what each one meant to me and Daddy).  B added the finishing touches, and WE HAVE A DECORATED CHRISTMAS TREE folks! I feel like a kid again.  I get all the same excited, yet happy feelings every time I look at the tree. 

Someone else is excited too.

This is her favorite ornament.

Childhood wonder...remember?

(i'm savoring it)

 

"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time." -L. Ingalls Wilder

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree."  -R. Smith

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree:  the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other" -B. Hills