Weekend Wrap Up

What a full weekend! I am exhausted this morning. I need a weekend to catch up from my weekend. It started on Friday when I took part of the day off to go shopping with Hubby. We did pick up a few Christmas gifts so at least we got a start. Check out the really big storage bag that is soon-to-be-released from Thirty-One. It's awesome. It's coming in handy right now to put presents in until I can warp them. 

When we got back home, I made my Reese Peanut Butter Brownie Trifle that I seem to end up making for every dinner or function I get invited to. It is in high demand. 

Hubby and I bought some lights to put on the little tree on the curb. We may do some more outside decorating, but not sure. We are almost at the end of a cul-de-sac so not a lot of people see our lights. And on the back side we are at an angle so you only see them coming from one direction IF you glance over that way. So not sure about anything else, but we did want the little tree lit. 

Friday night was a Christmas Party hosted by the three local Directors who have "adopted" me into their fold. I was so excited to be invited. 

We had some really good food. 

Some chips and dips.  

Some cheese, crackers and fruit. 

Some little sausages in pineapple and brown sugar and some meatballs in barbecue sauce.

Some awesome dessert. 

Then we played Dirty Santa and the laughs were on. Lots of fun and everybody ended up with an awesome gift.

At the end, we posed for a group picture to commemorate the party. What an awesome group of ladies. I am so blessed to have them in my life. I'm the "grandma" of the bunch, but when I'm with them, I feel like I'm about 30 again. 

Saturday morning was the Christmas Parade in Sevierville. One of my grandsons was riding in it with his baseball team so I went with my daughter. Saw lots of the girls from church in the Sevier County High School band. 

Our church had our newly decorated float in it.  

Hats off to a great job by the float committee.

My grandson, second from the left was happily waiving as they went by. He was more excited about riding on top the firetruck than he was by actually being in the parade. 

After that, I did a little more shopping and then went on home to finish decorating for Christmas. I was very happy with how my table turned out. I put my pine cones in a basket in the middle of the table since my little place mats have a Snowman woodsy look to them. The brown of the pine cones contrasted well with the little bit of brown in the placemats. Thanks again to my granddaughter, Alexis, for remembering to bring me some pine cones. 

This little shelf is going to be my "seasonal" item that I decorate every season. Here it is with the Christmas decor on it. 

A man I worked with made these for me around 20 years ago. I have a little window sill that they fit perfect in. This may have to be there new home every year. 

These are three of my favorite pieces for Christmas. The Santa on the left is Home Interior, the little tree was a birthday gift from my mom a couple of years ago and the other Santa is one I love because of his pipe. 

After I got all that done, it was time to tackle the tree. I always hang some of my old ornaments first. This year, somebody decided to help. 

This is one of my favorite ornaments. It belonged to Hubby's grandmother. (Stay tuned for further posts about ornaments this week.)

I am still old fashioned on my trees. A hodge podge of ornaments, lights, tinsel and good old fashioned stick-to-you-when-you-get-too-close icicles. I cannot see me ever giving up my icicles. There are way too many childhood memories attached to them to every quit putting them on my tree.

My daughter surprised me Saturday before the parade by buying me a new tree topper I've had my eye on. My living room is mostly Santa stuff so I wanted a Santa for my tree. Isn't he gorgeous. 

Then Sunday came and more fun and excitement. Next week is our Pre-K Sunday School class program It's a GRAND Christmas that we are putting on for the grandparents. Here is our live Nativity. Mary with the little blue headdress is my granddaughter Shelby. She had wanted to be an angel all along but at the last minute yesterday, her and her little friend Megan decided to swap out and Shelby wanted to be Mary. I'm pretty sure it was because she wanted to be closed to the baby doll in the manger. 

Then we did the Christmas Story and they got to help tell the story of Jesus's birth with a little nativity set. We have so much fun in our class. 

We always have snack time so it was not unusual for there to be a table set up with plates and snacks. I never really paid attention to it until the teacher said it was time for a snack. Then she proceeded to tell the kids we were having a birthday party. It was a surprise for Miss Janie and myself. Both of us have December birthdays. We were so surprised. We had a huge chocolate chip cookie and the kids got to put on icing and sprinkles on to decorate their own. 

I got a Visa gift card which is going in the New TV fund. We finally settled on one we want. It is a 32" LED and even has a built in DVD player. Hubby and I have decided that will be our big Christmas present to each other this year. I can't wait to get it.

Guess you can see why I need a weekend to rest up from my weekend. 

A special Christmas Story

As Christmas approaches, I can't help but remember those days of my childhood and all the memories they evoke. I can feel the comfort and coziness of the warmth in front of the living room stove. I can smell the goodies baking in the kitchen. I can remember Mom's little plastic nativity she would set out every year. 

One year when I was around 7 or 8, she sat it under the tree and I can remember so well laying on my stomach and gazing at it, thinking about that night. That one special moment in time when that one special baby was born. Several years ago, I decided to write a poem about that night and how we should never lose the true purpose of Christmas. I hope you enjoy my Christmas story.

 A Christmas Story

Packages wrapped up with ribbons and bows,

Stockings over fires with embers aglow;

A tree in the corner strung with tinsel and lights;

A soft falling snow on a cold winter night.

Under the tree on a soft woolen skirt,

Sat a nativity scene of the dear Savior’s birth.

As I knelt down close to take a good look,

My mother would read from an old worn book.

She told of a mother, weary and worn,

Looking for a place for her child to be born.

The inns were all full, no room could be found.

They were shown to a stable with hay on the ground.

She read how the shepherds were watching their sheep

When angels came to them with voices so sweet.

She read of their messages of tidings of joy

As they told the shepherds about the birth of a boy.

We’d listen intently, eyes glued on that book

As she told how the shepherds went to go look.

How they found the sweet baby in a manger that night

And how they gave praise to God for the sweet blessed child.

We hung on her words, the picture so clear,

For this was a child the world would hold dear.

She flipped back some pages as we knelt at her feet,

While she read of some wise men and a star in the east.

She told of their journey to see the small babe.

She read of their worship and the gifts that they gave.

We heard about the frankincense, the myrrh and the gold,

As Mom quietly finished her story of old.

As she closed the worn book that she’d just read,

We’d get our kisses from Daddy and scoot off to bed.

As she tucked us all in and kissed us good night,

We’d think of that story as she covered us tight.

For we had been raised to know the Lord’s love,

And we knew that sweet Child was a gift from above.

We knew that a great sacrifice had been made,

That started with the birth of Jesus that day.

So forget all the presents, the ribbons and bows.

Forget all the stockings and lights all aglow.

For the greatest gift you’ll find on your Christmas morn,

Was given by God, the year our Savior was born.

(Copyright Brenda Garretson Keefer 1999. Do not use or reprint without the express written consent of the author)

Extra Extra Read all about it.

I don't normally post twice in one day, but while I was going through my Christmas decor I had an idea. 

When I rented my first house on my own, my daddy made me a little ladder to lean up against my Christmas tree and gave me this little elf to hang on the ladder. 

He has been through 33 Christmas's with me and always hangs out somewhere different every year. I thought it would be fun to do my own little version of Elf on the Shelf. I'm going to call him the Eager Elf because he is going to be doing everything I do, going places with me and sitting around the house watching over things. 

Every time you see him, leave a comment on that day's post. On December 26th, your name will be entered in a drawing once for each comment you left about seeing him. The winner will receive a special item from our new Spring Thirty-One catalog. Stay tuned for Elfie's adventures. 

Some Vintage Pretties

Even though summer is over, even though yard sales are done, even though I am concentrating on Christmas instead of thrifting, it doesn't mean I'm not scouring the internet for vintage pretties to add to my wish list. Yesterday in one of my Facebook groups a lady posted a bowl she found for $1.99 at a thrift store. It is a CathrineHolms Enamelware bowl in Cobalt Blue. They are so rare that they normally go for about $60-$70. I have never seen nor heard of anybody that has seen one for that low of a price. This has to be the bargain of the century.  

Another pretty pattern I have never seen until yesterday was this Pyrex bowl. The pattern is called Horizon Blue.

I love the mixing bowl set in the Horizon Blue pattern. I may have to keep my eyes open for these. 

Craig's List has some good items in my area. This Verde Casserole is just $8.00. That is not a bad price since the casseroles rounds are usually harder to find. 

This was a pretty pattern on Craig's List. I would love to find this pattern (Pink Daisy, I think) in a different style of bowl.

I heard about something new last night and I just wanted to post it today as well. Many of you love Fiesta ware and many of you have fallen in love with Tervis Tumblers. Did you know that Fiesta and Tervis have combined forces to create a Fiesta Ware Tervis Tumbler? You can find them at places like Kohl's and Belk's that I know of for sure, but I'd say they will be other places as well. I like this one. 

One last item that I would love to find soon is the 1950's casserole dish in Snowflake pattern.

Well, my decorating is not going to finish itself this morning so I need to get busy. Have a blessed day. 

The Dysfunctional Decorator

Someone has stolen my mind! I have been working on decorating for the holidays for the past three days. This is so not me! I normally pull out one box at a time and unpack each item and set it out on the kitchen table and coffee table. Then I pack all the stuff that  I am putting away for the holidays to get it out of the way. Then I start putting the Christmas stuff where I want it to go. So far, I've accomplished hanging the wreath in my office.

Putting the tree together so it can "fall out". Hubby will shape it later today. 

I moved the place mats to the kitchen table so I can redo the table today for Christmas.

I did put together my little Christmas platter that I made last year and put it on the stand where I want it to go. That can be checked off my list. 

I found Ted E. Bear's Christmas sweater so he can change clothes this morning and get in the Christmas spirit. He hasn't decided where he wants to set this year. Mr. & Mrs. Christmas are still packed away. He usually sits with them in a red wagon.

T.B. Santa and T-bear are in their sled setting on top of the TV watching all the mayhem and madness.

I hung my favorite wreath behind Hubby's favorite chair. 

I unpacked the houses for my little village. These are new this year and I'm not sure where I will sit them.

I guess I will just jump in this morning and finish up the tub from yesterday and see if I can get it all completed. 

I am going to have a busy, busy day today. I want to finish the decorating (except for the tree). Then hubby and I are going to go pick up some lights and bows and who know what else to do some decorating outside while he is off today. I have to make a dessert and go shopping for a gift for a party I'm going to tonight with my local Thirty-One sisters who have adopted me into the fold. I'm really excited about it. I know what I'm getting for the gift and it will be interesting to see who ends up with it in the Dirty Santa game. 

Have a happy Friday.

It started with a .50 cent folder.....

Why, oh why, do I go to Staples?

First off, it started with me needing a printer cartridge for my printer. I have been fussing about this printer for a year or more because it takes 4 cartridges to run. Pink, blue, yellow and black. Normally, I buy them on line at a really low discounted price, but sometimes it runs out before I can get any and I have to go to Staples...which charges $18 per cartridge. But I had some printing that needed done for a deadline.

Well, they were out of the cartridge....which happens a lot. So I decided to look around the store. I found these adorable folders for just .50 each. So I got two of them. 

Then I saw two more patterns I liked so I got those. I like different patterns so it makes it easier to pull out the folder I need. So I got these two as well. 

Then, for a dollar they had this folder that actually has interior pages that make it a six pocket folder. It was really neat. I just hope the wild patterns don't blind my eyes. 

Then I came on home. That was all on Tuesday. They were supposed to get cartridges in Wednesday so I made another trip to town and they were still out. In the meantime, I decided to research printers. The one I had, if I don't order the cartridges on line, cost $18 per cartridge for the 3 color one and $25 for the black. I have been wanting a new printer for quite a while now because I hate having 4 cartridges to worry with. I wanted one that only has 2 cartridges (black and color). In my research, I found this one at Walmart. It is a Canon. I have had Canon's before and loved them. This one has a very good photo quality to it as well. So I made another trip to town and bought a new printer.

Then I decided to move some furniture around because I have been wanting this little file cabinet in my office (it had been in the living room by Hubby's desk but he doesn't use it any more.)

I was really getting excited to pull out the new printer. So I dusted the file cabinet and got the new printer out. 

I took off all the little protective papers and tapes. 

It installed easily and I did a test print and it was awesome. The quality of the color is unbelievable for such an inexpensive printer. Did I tell you it was only $29.00? What a great find!

So now, I am ready to re-organize and rearrange my office ... again. I am great at getting organized, but not so great at staying that way! I'll let you know when I finish the project. I might as well put my office  Christmas tree up while I'm getting organized. One of these days, I will get my office exactly like I want it and will quit subjecting you to these "I'm reorganizing my office" posts.

Ten in Ten

I am launching a new Thirty-One campaign, Ten in Ten. I am trying to get 10 orders in 10 days. Any orders placed before December 10th, will arrive in time for Christmas. 

Most everyone has someone on their shopping list that they are not sure what to get for them. Thirty-One has a wide variety of totes, purses, thermals, accessories and bags. Something for everyone. Here is the special for November 27th through December 31st.

You can place your order online and it will ship direct to your house. The entire catalog is online and you can view it or place an order by clicking this link: Order Here

I appreciate your business. Anyone who places an order through this link, will also receive a free gift from me as a Thank You for your order. Your free gift will be from our new spring line and will ship after January 1st.

Many of our tote bags and thermals are used as "gift bags" that you can fill with goodies for the recipient. If you need any gift ideas for that special someone on your list, I would be more than happy to help you find that perfect something. You can also email me any questions at beesplace31@gmail.com.

Thanks again for your help in reaching my Ten in Ten goal. Happy Shopping. Check out this video for December.