Time To Relax

Christmas is over and we wait for 2009 to come to an end and the new year of 2010 to begin. It always amazes me how quickly the holidays pass. The house along with Mike and I are recovering from the celebration of Christmas. No need to rush around this week. I had hoped to make it into the city at some point. I love to visit downtown and walk along Michigan Avenue during the Christmas season. The hustle and bustle is exciting for a little while and then it's nice to return to the quiet of home. There won't be time this year.

We are preparing to leave for the Northwoods of Wisconsin on Wednesday. Several family members are traveling up to Camp Nawakwa again to spend a few days amongst the beauty of the wintry woods. This area has a distinctive look during each season. The winter is can be fierce, but absolutely beautiful.

Just as the family has shared a week in August each summer up north, it has become a tradition to spend New Year's Eve there.

Merry Christmas Everyone

It was a quiet evening here. Everything seems to be in place for tomorrow. It will become very busy and hectic early, but tonight we are enjoying calm and quiet!

Another evening of watching Christmas movies like "White Christmas", "Holiday Inn", "Miracle on 34th St.", "It's a Wonderful Life" and of course " A Christmas Carol".

We are back from attending Midnight Mass at St. Mary's in Elgin. The church dates back to the late 1800's. It's in an area that has many beautiful old house build around that same time. It's a tradition that just before the Mass is over the lights in church are turned off, with only the soft glow of the lighted trees and nativity cast light, while the congregation and choir sings "Silent Night".

Wishing all my family and friends the Merriest Christmas. Enjoy the moments in anyway possible. It's the moments that are important not the things.

I hope to share some photos of the gathering tomorrow.

Peace!

It's Almost Here!

Another quick post before off to do some last minute things. We are having a variety of weather here. First it was snow, then sleet, changing over to freezing rain and now rain.

Yesterday was a good day to be inside and I took advantage of it. Finished decorating the gingerbread train that is first a decoration and then a treat for the kids (everyone).

Wanted to share a photo of it sitting on the dining room table. The neat fluffy snow around it will be a hit with the kids (everyone). It's fun stuff, almost feels real, but doesn't melt.

More Christmas movies and music all day today! Enjoy your last minute hassle and bustle!

Work Continues

Taking time to make a post. There is still lots to take care of, but it all seems to be coming together. Cleaning starts today. Tables are up and being set for the crowd on Friday. Did I mention that there will be 35 here for dinner?

With any amount more than a dozen, you have to improvise. Thank heaven I can mix and match my dishes and extras to help make the setting fit the celebration. Mike made small versions of wooden reindeer for our table decorations, I then added pine cones and candles. When you have to mix and match everything you need to use for such a crowd, it's a challenge. Trying to stay away from paper and plastic for easy clean up is also a challenge. I purchased several yards of white muslin (while on sale at JoAnn's) for a base covering for the tables. Will do the same next year and make reusable napkins. Yards of burlap in two colors of green, were recycled for added coverings. I cut it into squares and fringed the edges.

We have tried to make our unfinished basement into a festive setting for our dinner. (My hope is that next year this section of the basement will be finished.)

I made ornaments for each, that also is a "place card". Gingerbread men for the kids, paper wreaths for the guys, and tinseled balls for the ladies.

A tree sits on an old trunk, lit up with clear lights and icicles. Various strands of Christmas lights are strung across the ceiling.

More as Christmas draws closer.

Christmas Day's A Coming ...

It's getting closer! Still working on details for the big day on Friday. It's been sometime since I have posted photos, but I will again soon. I had to finish up several projects the past two days for Beacon Adhesives. They are pieces that will be on display in their booth at the CHA trade show in January.

So now it's back to finishing up the table setting and making the place cards for each person. I made "paper clay" gingerbread men ornaments for the kids, origami wreaths for the guys and tinseled glass ball ornaments for the ladies. Mike made several small wooden reindeers for the tables. Are unfinished basement is taking on a festive look. Once everything is in place, I will be taking several photos and share the ideas with you.

Final decisions for food are being taken care of. Coordinating side dishes and more with other family members. We are looking forward to having the family here on Friday.

One Week!

Christmas Day is one week from tomorrow! Yikes! What happened to all the time? Why do these weeks just seem to fly by? It only makes me glad that I did decide to decorate the house earlier than usual and try to stay ahead of the rush.

Everyday has been so busy with running here and there, helping others in a variety of ways, baking, making grocery lists, preparing for Christmas dinner, visiting with friends, listening to Christmas music, watching holiday films, and finishing up projects.

Yesterday Mike and I helped out at my brother's parish for a few hours. The parish runs a food pantry, but at this time of year when the people come, they can also pick up gifts for their children. We helped with the sorting of toys and other goodies for the kids. It was overwhelming to see the donations from people. In this time of hardship for so many, it is so wonderful to see the giving nature of others. Seeing the people waiting outside as we left to run more errands left me with a variety of emotions. As Tiny Tim said, "God bless us, everyone!"

We hope that in this new year we can offer to help out at the food pantry from time to time.

At this special time of year I can't help but realize how lucky our family is.

Cookies And More Cookies

Because of some unexpected situations and schedules, the usual process for baking had to be adapted this year. Though we were thrown a curve, we prevailed and accomplished quite a bit.

With Amy baking several varieties of cookies at home and with the varieties that I made on my own, we ended up with a good assortment to get us through the holiday. We have divided them among Ali, Amy and myself.

Let's list the varieties we made: Butter Cut-Outs, Spritz Trees, Chocolate Shot, Pecan Logs, Chocolate Spice Drops, Peanut Butter Blossoms, Mint Brownie Squares, Coconut Patties, Raspberry Thumbprints, White Chocolate Drops, Christmas Candy Stacks, Dipped Pretzels Rods, Sweet & Spicy Pecans.

Not as many as past years, but still not bad! Now to put the finishing touches on the Gingerbread Train that I'm making for the centerpiece.

TRYING TO SOLVE A PROBLEM WITH COMMENTS

It's come to my attention that people are having trouble posting comments.

I will be trying to find out why this is happening. Now that my blog posts

will be showing on facebook, those who are facebook friends, please post

your comments there. I would love to hear what you have to say. I'm open

to any suggestions. Those who just check out the blog from time to time, but

are not on facebook, till I find out the answer to this problem, post using

"anonymous", but also leave your name.

I really want to hear from you!