Wednesday, Dec. 5

Hello and Welcome

to my special day (Dec. 5) to blog with all of you!

Christmas is my VERY, VERY, VERY favorite holiday of all.  When Stacy invited me to do another blog hop this year I was a little reluctant because I pretty much do the same thing every year....lots of trees (13-15 at least in the house), lots of family (this year if everyone here in Florida comes, there will be 29 of us) and lots of FUN! (We certainly can be a loud bunch when we are all together!)  It just doesn't get any better than that.  We've been hosting Christmas day dinner here at our house for 37 years.   It's always been our gift to our family.  As I get older I sometimes think perhaps someone younger should do this, but I just can't seem to pass along the torch yet!

Since this isn't my first Christmas hop you've already heard stories of family traditions in the past and if you've just purchased my new book "Deck the Halls" you have an even more detailed description of past traditions.  I wish I had pictures of old to share with you, but dad usually took movies on his old "Brownie" movie camera....remember them?  I actually still have that camera along with those movies and we've gotten them out over the years and looked at them often.  Times have really changed.

I've been told I'm the biggest kid when it comes to Christmas and YES indeed I still believe in Santa Claus.  It's been a family tradition since my husband and I got married 43 years ago to go get our "real" tree the day after Thanksgiving.  Living in Florida, a tree is much better off being in a stand that has water in it in our house than sitting on a lot with none.  The smell of the tree always inspires me to get started with all the decorations. 

And, we did just that this year....Our real tree has been sitting patiently waiting for me to feel better.  I'm afraid there will only be 8 trees this year.  But, the house will be festive when everyone arrives again this Christmas day.

My gift to each of you this year is Homemade Homespun garland instead of a

homemade ornament. Here at our house we've made a ton of ornaments over the years. They usually are on the 6 foot fat primitive tree in the loft. You can download this homemade garland by clicking on the FREE downloads on the right hand side

of my blog. (I wasn't even able to do that last year! grin) Here's a picture of the garland and also how it looks on a tree.

The instructions on the download will explain all the 

details of making one for your tree.

Making Cookies is something we've always done since I was a little girl.

Mom, Sharron and I would have a special day to make our favorites. We always

had enough for all our friends and neighbors.  I remember there was always some

for the milkman delivery guy and the post man.  We always had some to take to

school for our teachers as well.  Christmas carols would be playing on the old 33 record turntable....(oh my, am I ever getting old!) and we'd be singing for all the neighbors to hear I'm sure.  Dad would arrive home from work and he'd join in.  Believe me, none of us would have ever signed a record deal.   

When Curt and I got married and had our family, two sons, I've done most of the baking.  The boys always seemed to find the correct time to show up when they came out of the oven and had to taste them all. 

Our granddaughters, Rebecca and Sarah, have moved to Tennessee, but I have such fond memories of them helping me make Christmas cookies.  I'm not sure who could make the biggest mess in the kitchen, them or me.  But, it was such fun!



So, raise your hand if you like Cream Cheese?!!!!!  A friend of mine gave me this recipe many years ago.  I apologize for not having a picture to share, but never did have one and haven't gotten around to the baking part yet this year.  They are so very good though....I bet you can't eat just one!  (Oh, by the way, did you know that Christmas cookies don't have any calories in them?!  Ofcourse, Santa told me that!)

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I've posted a smilebox I made. Each year there are things the same, but then new items are usually purchased and added to the mix. I've gathered a few new friends and will be happy to share those with you at the end of this season when the house is completely decorated.

Customize a scrapbook design



I hope you have the best time reading everyone's blog.

Can't wait to read Cherie Payne's

Friday, December 7th blog post

quiltsbycheri.blogspot.com/

TO ADD TO THE FUN OF THIS CHRISTMAS BLOG,

LEAVE A COMMENT BEFORE YOU LEAVE.

THERE WILL BE A DRAWING FOR

A HOMEMADE HOMESPUN GARLAND

I'VE MADE AT THE END OF THIS BLOG HOP!

Here's a little preview of some decorating going on this year.  

Free greeting made with Smilebox

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EACH AND EVERYONE!

PS - A great big Hug to my friend

Stacy West

for hosting this Christmas Blog Hop

You are the best

my friend!