Hi Everyone:wave:
Well Thanksgiving has come and will soon be over and now you all know what that means don't you :coach: Its Christmas ,did you all hear me :coach: Its time to decorate ,:lol: just kidding of course you already know this, but its exciting is it not . Time for baking all those holiday treats that were not supposed to be eating :nono:maybe a few just to taste :cookie: :cookie: no one will no how could they :nose: its a tough time for weight loss ,but its a great wonderful season, I am excited to see the pictures when they start coming , someone will have to show me how to do it ,because I have never done this before , but it will be so much fun to share our holiday pictures. I still have a bit of decorating to do outside ,I wish now, it was a little warmer just for one day, to finish then it can snow snow snow but I don't think thats gonna happen so I will just have to put on some warm duds and get to it times a wasting thinking about it. Its such a warm feeling when our homes are decorated for Christmas , I wish it felt the same all year round ,but then I guess thats what makes it so special isn't it.I know its not about the decorations ,or the gifts ,but its such an undescribable feeling this season brings that I would never want to be without,Happy Holiday Season everyone enjoy every minute of it .

Ellen - yep, now that T'ging is over, we can concentrate on Christmas full-time, lol. Neal and I will be decorating this weekend. Once we get the lights up outside, I'll be tying small red bows to every-other spindle on my porch railing. Then on to the inside!! My favorite is the manger scene, followed closely by the snowmen kids I have. They get left out after the other Christmas things are packed away, since they have a winter theme. I got the cutest new wreath for my door - maybe I'll post a photo of it. Hope you get an opportunity to finish your outside decorations. If not, well, it just wasn't meant to be. Have a good day!

Yeppers Ellen, it's time now and I am trying. :lol: We did manage to get the outdoors done. Put lights around the whole house and on the front window and garage. Of course have some holly on the top of the front door with lights. Also have two lighted deer and a snowman plus the humongus wreath above the garage. And we put icicle lights around the deck. To me it seems like a lot but from a distance it looks kind of bare. Oh well it's done. Now to finish the inside. You know I don't normally bake any goodies for Christmas but decided to make some and give a container to my neighbor. She is alone although she does have family that comes over and she goes with them a lot but I thought it would be a nice gesture. She has been wanting to get together just haven't had the opportunity and this would be perfect. Although, I am never sure about taking baked goods to someone you don't know much about as they may not be able to have the stuff. :dunno: Maybe I will come up with something else. Any suggestions anyone? Anyway, some snickerdoodles sound oooooh so good.

Jane~we almost bought a big lighted manger scene, I thought it was gorgeous. Already had the yard decorated. But they go on sale in a couple of weeks at Lowes and may buy it for next year. Already thinking of what we will do next year and thought the nativity scene with the deer and white lights all around would be nice. We like to try something a little different every year and this year it is color lights around the house with white lights here and there. Would love to see your wreath, bet it is purdy. I used one from a couple of years ago but think next year I will redo the one I used last year. Michaels has some really pretty ones but rather than spend a lot on them I buy a naked one and do it up.

Anyway, what is everyone else up to with their decorating and such? Love to hear about it and see pics if ya feel like sharing. Are ya ready for Christmas? Finished with your shopping, cards, etc.? Will you be baking some goodies?

Hi Cristi AND EVERY HAPPY HOLIDAY LADIES AND FAMILIES OF COURSE
I always take a special ornament to my neighbours last year I gave them an angel, they are the absolute sweetest, kindess elderly couple ,when my son and I were cleaning our yard ,my son offered to prune some of the dead branches on his trees and while we were chatting he said the nicest thing to us, he said that it was so comforting to know that they have neighbours like us who alway show care and concern for their well being and make them feel safe in a world thats not ,so heartwarming to hear , its so nice to know the little things really do mean a lot ,so whatever you take Cristi , it will be the thought behind the gift that matters most. Your decorations sound wonderful can there ever really be too much:lol: I had to combine years of collecting in to one little space when I moved .One of my sons friends whom he hadn't seen for a long time, came over in the mids't of the interior decorating frenzy ,and commented that he had forgotten how all out I went at Christmas ,My son smiled and said yes but she's been in training for an additional ten years :lol: I think I used everything I had this year,My children gave me a beautiful manger scene last year,from the Bombay company ,it also has the three wise men on a horse a elephant and a camel they are all jewelled and absolutely beautiful. it takes center stage on my coffee table. I'm sure I already said this at the beginning of the whole Christmas discussion.that I do the living room in victorian decorations, flowers of roses and magnolia's in shades of cream , red and green and the kitchen is very traditional red and green christmas , my daughters boyfriend who saw it for the first time said its like were at the north pole:lol: he loved it ,this year I added red and white gingham bows and tablecoth , from the usual Christmas plaid which I also love ,but it looks so pretty this year, I also hang little tiny kitty stockings on the plate rack ,one for every kitty.so cute, I hope that doesn't sound like I'm blowing my own horn ,it just wouldn't sound right to say it looks ok .I hope that I can get someone to help me with the pictures to send ,and I can hardly wait to see all of yours,I can never get enough .Last night I caught a bit of a holiday decorating show from the very beautiful simple to the very beautiful elaborite , dosen't matter its all beautiful and all from the heart of everyones homes.I really hope to get the outside done ,I can see weather changes outside ,I have done the white lights for years and always with green garlands and red bows until I moved ,I just needed a change so although everthing is the same I changed the bows to large gold bows I made out of that ribbon netting its about 10 inch's wide and has a soft glitter ,I also have two large reindeers made out of vines,I decorate the porch with garlands ,lights and bows, and I swag garlands and lights down both sides of my walkway.I have two large black urns that have Christmas trees/with lights in, on each side of my front door and two smaller urns / with the same but smaller trees ,just below the front step I have a trellis into the front yard that i place lights on top so they look like stars when you walk through,there are bushes sprinkled with white lights and wreaths on the fence the house and doors.For the front door this year I have one of those wreaths that looks like sparkling ice,my front door is painted black and all glass so I thought it might look pretty. On the front porch tucked away in the corner is a little house we made insulated from the cold ,filled with soft warm blankets, for the little strays to go in on cold winters nights,the little overhang has a little wreath everyone gets Christmas here. :lol: Have you girls heard enough about Christmas from me ,because it even surprises me how I can go on and on and on. I hope you really don't mind , I don't have much going on in my life ,so waiting for the little guy in the manger and the big guy in the red and white suit is about the biggest excitement on my list right now. Well I will give it a rest for now, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE

WOW Ellen, your house sounds BEAUTIFUL! and I can't wait to see pics! Sounds like something out of House and Garden or Country Living. I love looking at all the decorations. Also, love magnolias! I have some on my living room wall and am looking for a hugs picture to put above the couch. Anyway, can't wait to see your pics and I will never tire of hearing about you decorating. It all sounds so lovely and you are giving me ideas. Oh, I never thought to give Wanda (next door neighbor) an ornament, that would be nice also. I have seen some at Hallmark that say something about a neighbor. :thanks:

Ellen--Your house sound absolutely beatiful!! I too can't wait to see photos!! I don't think I could have my house decorated like that....want to come over and help! :D

I've been collecting Nut Crackers and Old World Santas for the last couple of years and so that is what my house is usually decorated with. I"m wanting to add more to give it a more cozy look, but I'm just not sure what to do. I can't wait to see photos of everyones homes!!

Hi Cristi and Marti
Thankyou , Gosh I sure hope its not a let down :lol: Keep in mind my house is small, just a little space ,I would love to help Marti , If I start walking now I might make it in time for Christmas which one I don't know though:lol: I love Nutcrackers I have maybe 6 or 7 on the kitchen mantle,all different sizes, I would like to add some larger ones but honestly I'm running out of room and I finally have to accept the fact this is a small house :rolleyes: :lol: problem is I have more ideas than space or money.but if we finish the basement ,where we would like to make a small family room just to watch tv since the living room doesn't have a tv. Although the kitchen has , the chairs are not made for long term comfort, so to make a long story shorter I could expand my decorating down stairs,but then where will I store all the decorations since they are stored downstairs what to do what to do.Ohhh!!!! I can't think about this right now:nono: like I don't have enough to do. See what I mean, I just go on and on like the never ending story. Anyway I want to hear more about all of your rooms so please keep me quiet:lol: be back to soon

Ooooo, nutcrackers...I almost bought one the other day, just thought they were so cute. That is one thing I don't have, any nutcrackers. Just a lot of Santas and Snowmen. DS#1 has a few nutcrackers that his teachers helper from first grade sent him. She collects frogs and has a zillion and so he finds a little frog each year to send her and she has sent him a little something also. Although the one nutcracker is not so little.

Ellen~I don't think you will let us down, your house truly does sounds beautfiul and with all the decorating you have done there's no way it couldn't be gorgeous. Now mine on the other hand...it has taken me a while to do but when I sit down and look around it doesn't look like much.

Marti~I would love to see a pic of your nutcrackers and santas, bet they are purdy.

Christmas Quote
What is Christmas ? It is a tenderness for the past,courage for the present ,hope for the future.It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal and that every path will lead to peace

He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under his tree

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree :the presense of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.

There is no ideal Christmas, only the one you decide to make a reflection of your values,desires, affections ,traditions.

Ellen, how true! Thanks for sharing that!

Here's a picture of the new wreath I got at K-Mart..... kind of crafty looking, which is just what I wanted. I'll take one of my Snowmama and her 3 little ice skaters to share, too.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...CmasWreath.jpg

Ellen~I don't know where you find your quotes but they are beautiful and that is so true. Thank you for all the wonderful quotes.

Jane~what a cute wreath-I LOVE it! I would love to have something like that but we have a screen (glass) door that limits what I can put on the door. So I have to put the wreath on the side of the porch and I put a sort of flat hanging of some sort on the door. But I love your wreath-snowmen/people are my fav too!

Cristi - Thank you! I also have two doors, and the wreath barely fits, lol.

Here's a photo of the snowbabies. Two of them already have their ice skates on, and the momma is fixing the scarf around the littlest's neck. The beads are just for fun - I love beads. The comforter on the back of the couch is one that I made about 10 years ago, and all of the ornaments on it are hand appliqued. The Santa boot on the side table to the left holds candy canes. The figurine in front of the boot is 2 little sleeping mice all tucked into a double bed, with their stockings hung on the end of the bed, lol.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...snowbabies.jpg

Your house looks cozy!! I love your wreath.....I need to get one this weekend. I want to also go to my grandpa's and cut some greenery from his trees! Deck out my front porch.

I will post photos this weekend.

Hi Jane
I love your wreath it is so adorable, I can feel the warmth coming through that front door and into your home,your snowbabies are wonderful, as are your bears and quilt, I have quite a few bears enjoying my kitchen sitting on chairs and atop the hutch, they make everything feel so warm and cozy don't they.Thankyou for sharing those pictures ,they make me smile every time I come here.