Christmas comes to Mamaw's Place

I have finished decorating for the Christmas holidays. I thought today would be a good day to share my decor and hook up at Friday Foto Friends. 

Do you ever wonder about Joseph?

Over the ages, theologians and laymen have pondered Mary and her role as the mother of Jesus. Books have been written; songs have been sung. Everyone has wondered how she felt, what she experienced, did she ever think about what her Son would go through and who He really was?

But what about Joseph? He had to have played an important role in the first twelve years of Jesus’ life on earth? How did he feel when he learned of Mary’s pregnancy? Once Jesus was born, did he hold that little life in his hands and rock him gently. Did he accept his role as Jesus's earthly father?

When he came in from work at night, did he pick up the Baby and place his finger in the tiny hand of Jesus? Did he laugh at the antics of the little baby boy as he took his first steps; said his first word? Did Jesus gaze up at him adoringly? Or snuggle up against his earthly Daddy.

When Jesus was young and inquisitive, did Joseph take him into the carpenter shop and teach him to build a table? Did they work together quietly or was Jesus full of questions for his earthly father?

Did he take pride in his Son as he tucked him in at night? Did he stand in amazement at the words the young boy spoke, marveling at the child’s intellect? Was he humbled as he listened to the young 12 years old teaching in the temple.

Would you not love to be able to sit down with Joseph and ask him, “What was Jesus like?” The world owes a debt of gratitude to Joseph for standing beside Mary, believing in God and following God’s instructions so that the perfect plan could be put into place that Christmas eve so many years ago. Too me, Joseph is a wonderful example of putting 100% of your faith in God. To follow him where he sends you. To do what he asks of you. Joseph could have come to the fork in the road and said "No. I don't want to do this." But he didn't. He had faith and went where God led him.

A little Christmas humor

My idea of a perfect winter day...

My idea of a perfect winter day is a light snow on the ground about 3 - 5 inches and not having anywhere I have to be.

Sleeping in and waking up to make homemade peanut butter cookies.

Then fixing a cup of peppermint hot chocolate to enjoy with the cookies for a late morning brunch.

Warming up in front of the fire place and staying my jammies and warm socks all day.

Vegging out on the couch and watching my favorite Christmas movie.

Then I would read my favorite Christmas book, Deck the Halls.

I would finish off the day with some homemade bacon gravy and Grand buttermilk biscuits.

Oh, what a perfect day that would be.

Weekend wrap up....

It's been a crazy past four days. I worked till 3:00 on Thanksgiving. There are two gals I worked with the past two years that are in college now so I don't see them much. But they worked with me Thursday and we had a blast. We call ourselves the A Team because we really rock when we greet together.

Did some shopping on Friday and found some great deals on some things on my wish list. I can't post those. But when I got home, I started decorating for Christmas. I don't have it all done yet, but I did get out my favorite Christmas decor. My daughter-in-law had it made for me a few years back. 

I got the kitchen done. More pics later but for now here is the kitchen table.

Found the cute little felt hot chocolate mug at Target on Saturday for just $3.00. Since I had all this other stuff except the sign I got for $2.49 at Hobby Lobby Saturday, I decided to create a little hot chocolate bar. Loving it.

Put the tree up on Saturday night and hung all my favorite ornaments. Some go back to my hubby's grandmother. They are from the 40's or 50's. But I love the one my daughter-in-law got me last year with all our names on it. 

I love the way my tree turned out. I am trying the "no icicle strands" plan again this year. I have never had a tree without the icicles. I tried it last year, but two weeks before Christmas I caved and put some on. I can't help it. Mom always had them and I loved them so I have always had them. Traditions are hard to break. We will see how I do this year. 

I did wrap a few gifts and put under the tree along with my snowmen bags. 

I found this button tree I made last year. I want to do some more this year.

Saturday evening I made my grandson Caleb a 7-Up Lemon Pound Cake with my homemade glaze. He loves these. I was going to do one last weekend for him but didn't have the right ingredients.

I saw this idea on Facebook. But in researching I found out that it is vinyl letters on the pot holder. They didn't come that way. I wanted to do this for an inexpensive gift but found out the vinyl costs $5 to have somebody put it on for me, making it an $8.00 gift instead of a $3.00. I have fabric and may use wonder under to put a candy cane or gingerbread on them. 

Came home Sunday from church to find a cat that had adopted my front porch. I don't know where it came from but it was there about three or four times today. I have seen it around the neighborhood but never at anybody's house. Not sure where "home" is but I can't keep it. I'm hoping it goes back home today. I just had a really sunny spot and I guess he liked it.

I was so tired that after church Sunday morning, I laid down on my couch to rest after lunch and fell asleep and slept for 5 hours. I was so exhausted. Well, that was my weekend. Hope you had a good one.