It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas........

Every year, since the kids have grown up especially, I say I am going to do less and less when it comes to Christmas decorating.  I am not one of those who LOVE to do it.  I don't know why.  It just isn't my favorite.   I was even going to get a very small prelit table top tree this year.  But while looking for something up in the rafters, I discovered a new box marked, NEW XMAS TREE TAI PAN!!!  Oopsie.  I bought a new prelit tree last year at the after Christmas sale at Tai Pan Trading, and completely forgot!  I wanted a tall and skinny tree.  One to take much less room in my somewhat small living room. I do love to see it from the big picture window, but our old tree was so bushy that by the time the gifts were under it, and we got all of us in there on Christmas morning, there was barely room to move.  I have been slowly decorating all week.  I still don't have any of my garlands and greens out yet.  But it is looking kind of festive.  Come on in and see what I have been up to.

We replaced our house lights this year with the new LED lights.  They are supposed to be much cheaper to run.  We shall see.  I have had white lights the past few years, and I let Mr. G talk me into colored lights this time.  I like them though.  They are fun, and pretty.

Let's peek inside the window and see who's in there.

Do you see him?

There he is....on the floor.

The table is set for breakfast.

My Mom brought me these cute dishes one year on Christmas as a hostess gift.  I wish I knew where to find more, because I only have the four of them.  But I love them, and they remind me of the first cabin my family had in Big Bear.

I have some fun treasures on this table.  Two of my Christmas AnaLee dolls.  A favorite holiday table cloth that I have folded up and scrunched into a runner.  The holiday placemats I bought last year.  Some cute felt stockings I found at the after Christmas sales last year, that I have tucked the silverware into.   My red cardinals.  The chairs tied up with a red bow.
I have another complete set of Christmas dishes that I love to use too.  We have been enjoying those for the last few days, and I always hate to put them away when the season is over.  Those I'll show in a later post.
There a few things I never tire of seeing.  Each year when I unwrap these treasures, a flood of memories comes rushing in.  I can remember sitting at our kitchen table after the kids had gone to bed to paint this boot.  I chose it not only because of the mice, which was the nickname that my Dad called me, but also because it had three mice.  I painted each one of our children's names on them.  Twenty One years ago.  Our son Drew was just shy of a year old.

And throughout our home, are numerous reminders of my Dad, in the gifts he has given me over the years.  He gave me mice for every occasion.  There are Christmas mice......

And giant mice.....

I have hundreds.  One day, I will do a mouse post and tell you about the time the newspaper came out to photograph my mouse collection with me and my Dad. 
I also like snowmen.  I have lots of those too.

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care.....all 9 of them!! 

Ducey Dog and Maui the Cat have to share. 
This photo in the Christmas frame was probably my all time favorite Christmas card photo we did.  That was my Dad's truck.  We had a fresh cut tree in the back. We did some in the front of the house and a bunch out in the grove too.  The kids were about 13, 11 and 5.

A very favorite treasure of mine.  This ornament was given to me by my dear friend Ally, who lives in New Jersey.  She had seen this photo I had of my Grandmother, Nana, meeting our oldest granddaughter Hannah for the first time, and she had this ornament painted to replicate the photo by an artist.  I cherish it.
We don't have fancy decorations.  I like to keep it simple.  Our house is very casual, and I like to fill it with things that are special to me, and to us.  I love quilts, and things from yesteryear. 

Christmas will be on a much smaller scale this year, due to the poor economy.  But it will be special, and we will make new memories with these three darlings.

We will miss those family members we could not be with, and remember those who are no longer with us.

Yes, Christmas will be Merry!

I hope that all of you reading this....family, friends, fellow bloggers, new followers.......are enjoying the beginning of this Christmas Season.

I wish you peace, and joy....and happy times with those you love.

Yes....It is going to be a Very Merry Christmas!