christmas past and present # 6

I'd better get busy!

Have a wonderful day,

Rene'

christmas past and present #7

Baking Day

We cleared the island

(see yesterday's post)

and

made our traditional cut-out cookies.

Ian has to do everything the big boys do.

Ian and Auntie Gracie

Today we all went to Tasha's

She can't take the babies out

so

Cookies on the GO!


WE had a hard time getting started

Everyone really just wanted to hold the babies!



Brogan gets a bite!

christmas past and present #8

This is a "Keep it Real" post.

Let's be honest

As women, wives, and mothers,

the Christmas celebration

brings pressure, expectations and

more work to our already full lives.

There are goodies to bake,

homes to decorate and give that "magical" feel to,

gifts to make or purchase, and wrap,

dinner to make,

advent to celebrate,

all while making sure

that the "traditions" go on

and our children have warm fuzzy memories.

All of this is supposed to be done,

with the *spirit* of Christmas;

Remembering the

*reason for the season*

I confess

it is a constant battle for me

to keep it all in perspective.

I'm sure I've failed miserably at times

and been,

*gasp*

cranky!

And there is a reason I only posted

the parlor the other day-

it is the only room finished!

The rest of the house is a disaster...

We have company coming in 6 days!

Help!

My soul magnifies the Lord,

and

My spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.

Luke 1:46,47

I will *choose* to magnify

I will *choose* to rejoice

in the midst

of the chaos and pressure

swirling around me.

A Pretty Little Christmas...

Welcome to my

Christmas Parlor





Thanks for stopping
by to visit
I'll be to your place soon.

And many thanks to Heather!

Have a wonderful day,

Rene'

christmas past and present#10

christmas past and present #17

And they will call him "Immanuel"-

which means "God with us"

Matthew 1:33

I'm just getting started with Christmas preparation...this is a good place to start! I found this somewhat vintage nativity over the weekend and loved the coloring.

Tomorrow I'll share one of our traditions with the nativity...

Winter whites...

This is my *tent*
I had way too much fun setting up.
I was determined
to
give it my all.



Remember that bedsprings?

New purpose.

Although I can't take credit for the idea:)


My warmer, homier touches.

Merry Christmas!




Still more changes to come...

a shabby house christmas...

A few photos

from the "Shabby House"

holiday open house

cute birdhouse, huh Cindy?
I just love this dress

I'm wondering

why

it hasn't come home with me , yet...

Isn't that the most adorable little tutu?

These are just some of the reasons

I love being a part of this shop.

That, and Lesli and Lore,

they are just great to work with!

I just wish I would have had my camera

with Lesli running around with her curlers in

trying to finish getting everything ready!

I 'll be back soon with pics of my space.

simple beauty...

Here is a glance

of my daughter-in-law and son's dining room.

They have a farmhouse on 3 acres of cherry trees.

Doesn't Sheila do a great job?

I just love these windows

Look at this cupboard

full of dishes!

This is the son

that gave me such a hard time about

all of my frou-frou, dishes and doilies!
Just

a

hop, skip, and a jump

from where I grew up.

Quaint.