I Love Christmas

Many, many years ago, my mother told me that time goes by faster and faster the older you get.  I didn't understand what she meant at the time, but now…….it's almost scary how the years are flying by!  I just can not believe that we will be in 2014 in just two days.  I certainly hope that you had a wonderful Christmas, or whatever holiday you celebrate.  I have to admit that I did - along with eating way too many goodies - but that's another story.  I had planned to blog this while I was at my mother's over Christmas, but her internet went out….WHAT???!!! Who can function without it??

We started the holiday fun (we meaning the hubby and me) by going across state the weekend before Christmas to spend time with our son who is in grad school there.  We have a family Christmas  tradition of going to a very VERY nice restaurant, The Capital Grill, that is located at Somerset Mall in Troy, Michigan, and also finishing up any Christmas shopping while there.  I live in a really small town now, and when I get a chance to go to Somerset Mall, I usually go crazy!!  The shopping is just marvelous.  HOWEVER - at Christmas time, it's really a zoo.

      Santa's "Castle" next to the escalator - can you see all of the people?? 

This really cool fountain is outside of the restaruant.

So we had a delicious dinner, and headed back to the west side of the state the next morning.  There had been an ice storm during the night that hit across most of the state.  It caused power loss to thousands of people, some of whom are just getting it returned!  You can see ice on the limbs of this tree….it was so "other-worldly".        

                                                         

Luckily we got home safe and sound, and found that the storm had not hit our area - what a blessing.  I had a couple of last minute gifts to finish for my sisters, so I had to get busy since we were heading out again the next afternoon to stay with my mother over Christmas.  My family loves Christmas music (actually any kind of music), and I had come across a random Christmas CD earlier in the season.  I enjoyed it so much, that I decided to get a couple more for my sisters.  Instead of just wrapping them, I made a CD holder and a matching envie.  

Supplies: Warmth & Wonder Hostess stamp set; Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler and Sahara Sand card stock; Winter Frost Specialty Designer Series Paper; Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding; Envelope Punch Board; and Simply Scored Scoring Tool  

So, we started all piling into mom's house, bringing our gifts, and like every year, we just cracked up when we looked at all the presents under the tree.  I must explain that not only do we have a really large family, but we love for people to have lots of stuff to open, so we make an effort to wrap any and every little thing possible.  It extends the festivities and celebration.

This was a bittersweet Christmas since we were missing Kelly (my daughter) and my dad, who both  passed away in the last two years.  But we are so blessed to have the family that we have, and are so grateful for our times together.  We truly enjoyed this year.

We couldn't tell if the tree was leaning, or if the angel was off kilter, 

but she is really beautiful and has been on mom's tree for a number of years.

I'm going to leave you with an idea for a gift for a guy.  My sister got this for my husband, and he LOVES it - but why not?  His favorite munchies that he can take into his "man cave" and chow on while he watches the games.  She picked up a set of canisters and just filled them with stuff he loves.  Then she put them all back in the original box and wrapped it.  I just think that is so clever.   

Have a safe and happy New Year!!