The morning after

Packages are opened, bows are all about, and the final remnants of Christmas lay untouched. Today is the day after a much anticipated joyous holiday that tends to take all energy from everyone concerned. We put out our best food, and decor, beverages flow freely, new recipes are ventured into. Families come and laugh and celebrate. Carols are sung, remembrances of the reason for the season are thoughtfully attended to, and today is the day that it all catches up to me.

I stayed in my pj's until one, then feeling guilty pulled it together to get some clothes on and do some cleaning up.  We had a fabulous time. Two FULL days, little ones, elders, friends, and family all coming together.

Bauna Caulada, which has been our Christmas eve tradition for several years. Lots of laughter, too much food, and lots of fun

The DIL is such a good sport. As I look back on the photos, there was a LOT of belly rubbing going on!

In our family it has always been a tradition that the youngest child has bows stuck on their head at some point during the festivities. This year, daddy joined in on the fun

Such a clown! He wore that waste basket for quite awhile.

New books are always a hit. Great Aunt Nancy takes a turn as reader

Christmas morning, all the adults are awake, drinking coffee and trying to patiently wait for the children to awaken so we can begin the fun.

Santa even had a stocking for the "bun in the oven"

We call baby boy the cobbler for his love of shoes. The cowboy boots were his choice of footwear and then Santa brought him new shoes that he tried his best to put on over the boots.

Such a sweet moment when the brothers had a snuggle.

Bun will have cute hats to wear.

Baby boy has his own guitar now. Wonder if he will leave Boppy's alone?

The gentle brain washing continues.  :-) Go Giants!

Ride 'em cowgir1l

Some of the sweetest gifts are hand made.

When we were pulling up to our house, what did we see???

Wednesday the nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews will come together for a family reunion and try to pick it all up again. Oh Lord, grant me strength.

Fresh

Today's prompt is FRESH.  Yesterday I had the privelege of visiting a new baby. Ten days old and as fresh to this world as can be.  Sweet Everyly.

Have a joyous Christmas.

Sharing, my favorite part of Christmas

Linking up again with Mortal Muses and the days of Christmas. Today's prompt is near and dear to my heart. Sharing. I love to make things and share with friends and family. The flour storm has been constant, the mixer and oven have been working overtime, and the result warms my heart. Homemade cocoa, and marshmallows with savory shortbread given with onion jam, is what is on the mix for today. I hope people enjoy it as much as I loved making it.

The credit for these recipes goes toAshley at notwithout salt, who is so talented.  I was fortunate enough to attend a couple of classes from her last year, and have benefitted from her skills and love of cooking.

Joy Joy Joy

  The song I sang in Sunday school is running through my brain, I have the joy joy joy joy down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart to stay.

Number one....Mr. Blue eyes. Sharp as a tack, sweet as honey, and a kind soul. I often wonder what he will be like when he grows up, but I hate to think that far ahead.  This photo was taken on the day I had to drop everything and go play games. Such a fun day. Such a love. He has and always will bring so much joy to my life.

Peace

Early morning. Rise and shine. All is quiet, and the moon glows through the branches of the trees. Wishing everyone peace during the holiday, and new year.

cosy

 Linking up again today with Kristen for the word prompt of the day.  Today's prompt is cosy. How perfect I thought, and hope you do too when you see Rowdy in his cosy hat!

These sugar people have a cosy place to spend the holidays.  #1 and I did speed decorating while baby boy was ripping and tearing through the room.  Special times.

Oh how he loves wearing his hat! So many comments when we went to the store and he waved and smiled at all the other shoppers.

Crunch time!

Linking up with creative exchange and  So much to do, and so little time!

HOPE
The hope that a new child brings to a family. All their hopes and dreams tied up in this sweet pink bundle. Everly joins two big brothers, and so much love..

This is how I'm feeling, all jiggity, trying to tie up all the loose ends before the Celebrations begin.

Scavenger Hunt 12-18

No need to say how busy the week has been, because this next week is crunch time! Not much is wrapped here, I've hidden gifts and hope I can find them all.  One day of sickness, one day of a birthday party, and I need to be productive.  Quickly, here is my list from the week's scavenger hunt over at Ashley's.  What is it?, Children, fur babies sleeping, window, half, joy...






 HALF                                                                           

                                                                         WHAT IS IT?

It's a Christmas tree...playing around with camera settings. Knew it wasn't right, but then thought this "oops" would fit the prompt

                                                                              WINDOW

Baby boy leaving his little handprints on the window as he watches what goes on outside. No doubt a large flock of geese.

Fur baby sleeping

This is the fur baby that was MIA for ten days. She still acts like a PTSS kitty.  Wont make friends with the other cat, and they used to be the best of buddies. She's letting us love on her, so we'll just take it one step at a time and hope the two kitties work it out soon. 

                                                                              JOY

This was in someones yard. In our small town there is a neighborhood that is know for their light displays. We took the father-in-law and his lady friend out for a drive to enjoy the lights. Taking elderly folks out is so similar to being with toddlers. They really did find joy in so many of the homes.

Wishing everyone a joyous season this week, take time to find the joy in the week, and to smell the coffee. Can't wait to see all the photos that come along from this week!

How sweet he is...

linking up with my3boybarians.com holiday bokeh party and live love, travel bokeh party




Had a sweet sleepover with #1 last night. Don't usually get him on weeknights with school and everything, so it was most memorable.  He's getting big so fast, and I try to treasure these times. Guess I need to encourage more late night's out for his mom and dad which makes staying here easier.  This morning after breakfast, shower, and shine, it was time for a photo.  I present to you "The Christmas angel"

Cheers to the holidays

Here is my entry for the holiday photo challenge

Scavenger hunt 12-11

Early Sunday morning, with my coffee and my photos, this is such a nice part of my week. I have my photos all in a folder to put on the blog, ready set go....except the one that I struggled with, the one that I just came up with is no longer fitting.  More on that later.
Here are my interpretations:

                                                            LESS IS MORE

As I mentioned earlier last week, my house cat was let out by a worker who failed to shut the front door.  This is the cat that remained. Less cats, more needs. She has been super needy since her friend escaped 10 days prior. Then last night I received a phone call from folks one street away who thought they had found Tilly the missing cat. I went over, and low and behold, fat cat had returned. Ten days in the freezing temperatures, and she was still fluffy, but many lbs lighter. Now the remaining cat has a short memory. She howls and hisses at Tilly.  How short of a memory do cats have??
Also linking this photo up with furry friends over athttp://www.iheartfaces.com/

HOLIDAY LIGHTS

I wanted to go out and take photos of the outside of homes, but it's been so blasted cold, I just took a shot of the Christmas tree lights. Maybe this week I'll try the outside lights in the neighborhood.

ORNAMENTS

I love this time of year. We pull out the bins, and it's so fun to look back at ornaments from years gone by. So many memories. A trip to St. Baarts, a decoration from daughter's December wedding two years ago, and Joy, from a dear co-worker named Joy.

NATIVITY

One nativity is in our home, and the others were in the neighborhood while I was on a brisk afternoon walk

CUP OF CHEER

Getting out the holiday dishware, preparing for a dessert I'll be hosting later in the week.  Most likely there will be glasses of cheer, but I'll have these cups ready in case someone needs coffee or tea.