Christmas decorating

Each year as soon as Thanksgiving Day has passed my family clamors for the Christmas decorations... and each year I am more than willing to comply!  I love the lights, the smells, the sounds and most importantly I LOVE thinking back on the previous year.  Bringing to remembrance how mightily God has blessed us and how we've grown, both spiritually and physically!   Now I am not an extravagant decorator.  If someone asked me what our "theme" was I would have to say nostalgia!  Our tree is graced with plastic M&M stocking toppers from our first Christmas, salt dough ornaments, finely carved wooden snowflakes from my childhood in Germany, and plastic lighted cows (just to name a few of our decorations!)  But do you know what is more important... it is graced with memories!

Our Christmas tree

Above the left book case, my Ballard inspired wreath and vintage accessories (gotta love yard sales!!)

Above the right bookcase, our faith full nativity!  (If you noticed baby Jesus is missing that is because he is in the clock... yep we bring him out after everyone is in bed on Christmas eve to be "born"! and the wise men usually travel from "a far" but seemed to reach their destination quickly this year... I wonder...)

One of our scrappy garlands which grace many a place in our home.

My favorite twig wreath with its ever changing "center piece."

(The boys have asked me to make a bird to hang in the center, either a cardinal or a bluebird...)

And more importantly... my very own paperboy!  He faithfully goes our and retrieve the newspaper every single morning, rain or shine, sleet or snow!  My "baby"!  Oh how he is growing up, far too quickly for my comfort!  At least I still have one who has a silky soft check not yet covered in prickly scruff... :)

Now I am off to go decorate.... I have been blessed to spend much of this week with a lovely group of ladies at church as we decorate for the season ahead.  They are so sweet and funny and wise.  I just love regaled with the stories of their childhoods and early marriages!  

Soon I will be back to making and baking... Last night I made up two loaves of wheat french bread and my family devoured one at dinner!  I am so glad that I ground up extra wheat so that I can make more for the week ahead.  Ah the smell of freshly baked bread!  Is there a candle out for this?

Have a great week!