Christmas humor

Weekend Wrap Up

Saturday I went to work at 8:00 after only about 5 hours of sleep because I was up so late watch the deer frolicking in the field. But instead of working till 10:00 they let me go home at 6:15 because I went down and worked one of the shows at our other theater, Smoky Mountain Adventures. It felt weird but it sure felt good.

Since we had a busy group day and I'm a group greeter, I decided to take my pedometer. From 9:00 when groups started arriving at Dixie till 6:15 when I was done with the last group at the other show I walked 12,341 steps. That is over 6 miles. I worked for 4 of the shows so that means I average about 3,000+ steps for every show we have. That's a lot of walking. No wonder I crash when I get home. 

I did get time for lunch and since it was a little cold being out all day, I opted from chili from Wendy's. I love their chili.

Sunday at Children's Church we did some fun decorating the hallway for Christmas after our lesson on the birth of Jesus.

I had a couple of helpers in the hallway while the rest of the class made candy canes from pipe cleaners.

Then they lined up and hung their candy canes, snowmen and snowflakes on a line down the wall.

I forgot to get the picture of the finished project. After they were done, I had some Christmas photo props so we took some pics. 

I came home and had some hot chocolate and donuts before heading out to work.

It was a great weekend. 

Sunday Song

These songs are from the Christmas movie The Star. I hope to take the grandkids to see it next Sunday.

The little things in life....

Sometimes in life we let things aggravate us and upset us. But sometimes if we didn't have those aggravations we would miss out on something joyful.

I got home from work around 11:40 last night. Movement caught my eye at the fence across from my driveway. It kind of scared me and i looked to see what it was. It was a big buck. Just standing there staring at me. I watched him about 10 minutes, I didn't move. Didn't want to scare him off. I carried stuff in the house and went back out to get my work bag and he was still there and had been joined by by two more that looked like does. The moon was out and full so I could see pretty decently. I stood there and watched and saw movement behind them and to the left of them. I came in the house, kept it dark and watched out the window. Every so often I would go back on the porch where I could see even better. They were frolicking and running all over the field. I counted about 11 or 12. They were playing so much it was hard to count. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. A siren sounded on 66 and they took off bounding back into the woods.

I was supposed to get off work at 10:00 last night. But one of the managers asked me if I could stay over to do a few things in the office. So I said yes. Normally, when I stay over it is only 15 minutes. But I forgot the show had a late start so it was even over till 20 after and then we had a few guests with questions and a couple other delays.

So instead of being home by 10:30 as I would have been, it was 11:40. We have a five show day today with more groups than I have ever worked with since I have been there. It is sure to be exhausting so my plan had been to come home and hit the bed. But these deer were so beautiful and I had never in my life saw so many just hanging out and playing the way they were. I was so mesmerized I couldn't quit watching. Bottom line is I was up until 1:10. Outside. Watching deer. Knowing I was getting up at 5:30 or 6:00 today and that I had a long day.

But as I sat there all I could thing was this. If I had left at 10:00 like planned, I would have been in bed when this all happened and look what I would have missed. So even though it was a rough night at work and ended up a little different than it should have, I wouldn't have missed what I got to see for anything.

And because I was so tired, my mind kept thinking "So this is what reindeer games looks like."

December is here!

Hello December! I have been waiting 12 months for you to arrive.

December is such a special month to me. First and foremost for the wonderful birthday of our Savior.

December is also the month I became a mother. God blessed me with a beautiful set of twins.

It's also my birth month. I was just a few days old in this picture. 

December. A time when winter coats come out and you can be all warm and cozy.

Getting to set on Santa's lap on your birthday.

December is a great time to get selfies with the grandkids. We finally captured one with all of us. Just wish the sun hadn't been so bright through the window. But I remember how many takes it took to get us all in there so I am not complaining. 

Christmas has always been a time for family. Here's one from when my twins were little and we were at Mom's with family. At this time, I had 2 nieces and one nephew. I look back on this and remember how that Christmas we were so excited because there were FIVE children in our family. Wow, we couldn't believe Mom had five grandkids. And I had THREE nieces and nephews. Now we have grown so much that I have one sister, two brothers, two children with spouses, five grandkids, six nieces, three nephews, five great nieces, and seven great nephews. And we thought this was a crowd at Mom and Dad's.

I loved seeing my babies faces on Christmas morning.

They didn't waste any time checking out the new toys.

One of our favorite Christmas's was when me and my sister got matching dolls. We got two dolls that year...the ones in the picture and we got babies in cradles. I always got dolls with the light hair and Rachel always got the dark haired. They matched us way before American girl dolls were even thought of. Check out one of our vintage Barbie cases in the floor. This was an awesome Christmas.

I miss a few years back when Santa and Mrs. Santa lived beside me. I went next door one day to take him a letter to Santa that my granddaughter Shelby wrote and asked me to deliver. He was in full attire because he had been skyping with kids in England and Russia that day. He was one of the most amazing men I have ever met. He let me take a picture of him reading Shelby's letter so I could show her he got it. He loves children. I hated when they moved.

For the past few years, I have had a visitor every Christmas. My daddy bought Edgar for me over 30 years ago to hang on a ladder Daddy made for my tree. Now Edgar hangs out with me wreaking havoc wherever he goes. Although, he can be helpful. I'm working on my Christmas menu and trying to decide for my desserts for the holidays. He's helping me look up some new ideas to try. I just wish he would leave my reading glasses alone. I need them to look at the recipes too.

I would love to reminisce all day about Christmas past. But the fact is, this is the month of Christmas present and I have a lot of stuff to do. Going to be a busy day with an even busier weekend. Then from there, it's going to stay busy until New Year's day. Hopefully I will have lots of fun to share with you. Have a great weekend.

Sharing some peppermint hot chocolate with Edgar

If you've read my blog for awhile, you might remember my pesky little elf friend, Edgar. Daddy bought him for me the year I got married and he has come to visit every year since then. He is a little mischievous at times, but he is a load of fun. I decided to make some peppermint hot chocolate yesterday and while I gathered supplies, Edgar decided to join me.

I love this stuff. I use my favorite Nestle's Hot Chocolate mix. I pour the mix in my cup.

While the water is boiling I make what I refer to as peppermint dust. I just use a nutmeg grater or any fine grater. I am going to get me a mini chopper and go ahead an just make a jar of this but for now I was just doing enough for one cup.

I used a different brand on my candy cane so it didn't grind as fine. I used full size ones but the best to use are the box of all the mini candy canes that you can get at Walmart. Taste is the same, but the small ones are easier to grind up.

Edgar still sat patiently watching me as I poured the hot water in.

Of course I added marshmallows. What is hot chocolate without marshmallows. Sometimes I use the jar of Fluff, but yesterday I went with mini marshmallows.

I had stirred some of the peppermint dust into the hot chocolate mix after I poured the water. Then I sprinkled some on top of the marshmallows and garnished it with candy cane. 

I cleaned up my mess before sitting down to it and when I returned, Edgar apparently thought I made it for him. But I pointed out to him very quickly that it was MY hot chocolate. 

Next thing I knew, he had grabbed his cup and filled it with marshmallows and headed over to visit with his good friend Ginger. That elf sure makes himself at home when he comes down from the North Pole.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Worked hard on my decorating yesterday. Here's some things I wanted to share with you. 

The snow globe is 16 years old. It was bought when the oldest grandchild was two. Every Christmas the kids would gather around as Papaw wound it up and they listened to the music as the train went around. Now that he is gone, somebody always winds it up each year and they all gather to watch it.

I love my Santa collection. I have a few more scattered around the house. The trees with snow on the bottom shelf are candles that my hubby made me in 1989 when he worked for a candle company. The tree on top is the one my grandson made that I showed you yesterday. 

My tree. I am heading to Walmart this morning to return the icicles. First time in 35 years that I have not decorated my home tree with icicles. I was going to. Had it all planned out. But there are so many sentimental ornaments on my tree that I didn't have the heart to cover them up this year. I love my little $40 pre-lit tree. 

Papaw's chair was taken over by my mischievous little elf, Edgar and his friends. I'm sure we will see more of Edgar in the days to follow.

This is a blurry picture and the color wasn't good, but these are a few of my nativity sets.

I think of Ms. Debbie at Jeremiah-2911 when I set this out. I know she loves cardinals. Deb, look at the little box I got. It has a cardinal down in the snow. 

I posted this yesterday, but I just adore it. The good list and a stack of presents behind him. 

This is my Christmas mouse display. Mom made these things a few years back. I think she did an amazing job on both of them. 

More nativity. The little children on the top shelf and the angels with them are all Home Interior I got when my kids were little. These are over 30 - 35 years old.

I love my old vintage lights.

Just some cute stuff. The snowman and Santa on the right are nesting dolls. I sat them in an easy place for the kids to get to. They like to play with my nesting dolls.

My wine rack decor. I am the only person in the world who has a wine rack that she doesn't use for wine.

My hot chocolate and junk food station.

I need to find me some more cookie cutters.

My quilt rack with more of the dish towels Mom made as well as some I found at the store. I bought the sled at a yard sale this year so I had to get the sled dish towels.

We put the leaf in the kitchen table and with cookie baking time coming up soon, I just left it in. My daughter had a tablecloth she doesn't use any more so she brought it over to me.

Not sure if I like this display. May move some things around . I still need something for the dining room table as well.

My coffee table. 

Well, there you go. I got a lot accomplished yesterday.