Sunday, November 27, 2011

Christmas Memories

Today...I decorated! Both at home and my Mom's. Holiday decorating is extremely nostalgic for me...the ornaments all have a story...


I needlepointed quite a lot of the ornaments...this one in 1983, the year Maggie was born...my little redhead


Our first puppy Chloe...I made this in 1982. Yep, she was our first "baby"


Maggie wanted to play violin...for about 5 minutes.


Trips to St. Louis and Chicago inspired these...


Memories of summertime in Michigan...


Madeline's days at Stevens School of Dance inspired this


Crawfish and Dixie beer....times spent in New Orleans with my best friend...


Memories of times in Florida with my parents


Summers in Michigan again....


In 2002 the children designed their own ornaments and Maggie and I needlepointed them.....





And then, my love affair with hearts....


This very special heart is from one of Addie and Laura's tea party's.


My friend Adah gives me heart ornaments...so I think of her often as I admire them!


And my dear friend Nancy gives me wooden ornaments each year, all hand painted by an artist in Michigan





The Ludington lighthouse


Stockings I made in 1983, 1986 and 1989


Memories from my time in Texas, a hand painted creche


The dining room in progress.....





Papa Joe hard at work on the outside....
Then I went to my Mom and Dad's..... Millie helped me...


Chandelier ornament I gave Mom years ago...love the ferris wheel. Did you know that 99% of all portable ferris wheels are made right here in Jacksonville?


Madeline has always loved these trees.....


I made mom and dad this doorstop over fifteen years ago...


Mom made these stockings for my sister's families...I did the lettering on them





A day spent reminiscing....and cherishing each memory and each moment spent together. So get you jolly on folks!!!!

Friday, November 25, 2011

Thanksgiving!!

The day started at the Y.... Gotta workout before you eat, right? Well, a lot us thought so!


Khara





Yep, that's my mat...just waiting for me!!!


Our cute instructor...Angie...sideways...sorry
And then...first meal of the day..... At the farm


Julie, Cole, Bubba and Henry


Ron and Adam


Happy Papa Joe, doing what he loves, cooking breakfast...short order style


My two oldest children....


Beth and Adam


Happy boys...have I told you how much I love my son in law??? crazy about him!


Finley and Sam...best best best buddies. I told Sam that he had beautiful eyes, he got a bit indignant and said: "what about Finley?" he thought I was ignoring her pretty eyes!


Rhonda, Mike and Harmy


The gang....





Then the fun began...


Football fun!


Way to go Carter!!


It was a great morning to be at the farm...


Bubba and Cole
Then late afternoon, we gathered at my parents for THE MEAL


Mom and 3 of her girls


Ninny and Dede surrounded by some of their grandchildren...


Uncle "Tole" and the spirited Finley


Madeline and her Ninny


4 generations...do I have a huge head, or what?????


Millie and her girls made acorns...delicious!
Then....insanity prevailed...Millie, Annie, Lucy, Maggie, Karen, Heather and I headed off to the Ozarks...... Black Friday shopping started at the Outlet mall at ten pm....


The line outside of coach....
I was behind a man in Brooks Brothers who spent $1,145.00 on $30.00 shirts. I am thinking he is going to resell them on EBay at full price... Crazy!
When we got to the house...the new desk and chair were there....


Love them!


It was 68 degrees and my flowers were still blooming...


And out, the pool guy???


Well, he FINALLY covered the pool!


The saga of the Super highway continues..... Finished!


I thought they were going to put in a fire pit....nope....just a sitting area...


A LOT of concrete...


Papa Joe's dock in late fall....


Karen and Heather on the way in to breakfast....


The fruits of our labor!!!
Then home to the Christmas parade...the big guy was on his way....


The Three Legged Dog was hopping!


Jake at work...


It was such a great small town evening...





Everyone was infected with the Christmas spirit!








The man himself, arriving in style!


Did you ever see The Christmas Story????


I love my town!!!!!!!! And my tree skirt...Maggie did a fantastic job!!!


And tomorrow??? Sweet Annie turns 16.....check her out in her car.... So darling!


And as always....