Christmas fun!

Ok - I have a confession to make.  I still like to have all the lights off in the house except the lights on the tree - then sit down and squint my eyes and look at the tree with the lights kind of fuzzy and blurry through my squinty eyes.  This was a habit begun back in Upstate New York when I was just a child - and I seem to want to do it every year.  Does anyone else do that?

 One night I came out all ready for bed to unplug the tree for the night.  I just decided to sit down and half close my eyes and enjoy the tree.  Then it struck me I should grab the camera and take some shots. I am sure at least one person besides old me likes to do that half-closed eyes trick!  The little lady in the same office as I was right before I retired admitted one night that she also did the 'squinty eye' trick.  She was a tiny little thing - no bigger than a minute.  I would tease her and say I could leave the top drawer of the five-drawer file cabinet open and she would be able to walk under it without bumping her head.  Anyway, we decorated the office in a beautiful country/nature theme with lots of greens, pine cones, berries and a little tree with twinkly lights and red ornaments.  We liked to turn off the office lights at the end of the day and sit all squinty eyed and look at the twinkly tree. 

 I don't have one of those beautiful ornament - everything matching trees.  I have what I call my sentimental tree - full of shrink art ornaments (top right), dough ornaments, construction paper decorations with toothless first grade photos stuck in the middle and surrounded by glitter, and marshmallow snowmen and knitted stars and knitted bells, all made lovingly by the kids as they were growing up.  Some new decorations and ornaments have been added as gifts, and I always think about who gave them to me and what they mean to me. Many are home made or quilted even, and I love them all.  Priceless.  Anyone can have a tree with color coordinated ornaments, but not everyone has a priceless tree like this one!

A fun "Cookie Exchange Luncheon" was the big event today. I was invited to attend this annual event held in a beautiful big country home.  We were treated to a scrumptious lunch and delicious desserts, as well as a bounty of cookies.  One little lady came dressed to the hilt in a glittery sweater complete with fringe, lighted bulbs, glitter and even ornaments.

 Look at that fringe!!!!  And the ornaments around her collar and around her wrists!

 She kicked off her boots (we had wonderful snow outside) and low and behold - get a look at those socks!  Complete with fur no less!  White fur to match the trim on that sweater!!!

 When she twirled around - she had fringe across the back!!!!!

 Fifteen ladies attended, each bringing five dozen cookies and recipes to share! 

 Just look at those yummy creations!

Peppermint truffles!

 Gingerbread reindeer!

 Cookies with coconut ....

 and raspberry creations all decorated with frosting ......

 and sinful nut/chocolate yummy cookies ..... that is only a few of them!!!!!

 And what should be sitting on the table in the kitchen?  A homemade gingerbread house, no less, complete with gumdrops and peppermint and all kinds of candy.  This was a creation of the young man who lived at this country home.  He happened to be at a birthday party or I would have given him a high-five for this wonderful centerpiece.

In the dining room was a glass bowl centerpiece full of shiny ornaments and glistening Cardinals.

With more Cardinals nestled in angel hair.

 Then I come home and find Sandrew all comfy cozy among the greenery on the table behind the couch, perilously close to the clay nativity Christine brought back from the mission trip.

He is quickly falling asleep - obviously in no hurry to move.

What a delightful time - I am so blessed to have good friends and live in a beautiful state with open country and kind, good-hearted, sharing people.  Life is good.

Love,

Janet