Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Twenty-Six Lists~ Holiday Ornaments and Memories

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Good morning, y'all! Happy Wednesday. December is here! We're in the second week of Advent and Christmas will be here before we know it. It truly doesn't seem possible!

Today's topic is Holiday Ornaments and Memories. 


Holiday Ornaments and Memories~

I love this topic. Christmas and all the other holidays are so special. Christmas is truly the most wonderful time of the year. It's my favorite holiday and season. We decorate our homes with beautiful items from our childhood and children's childhood. For years now, I have been blessed to have my daughter help me decorate the tree and the house. When both kids were little, they both would help, but as my son got older he didn't find it as fun as it once was. He did decorate his "apartment" last year. He has a family room and a bedroom in our basement. It was nice to see him decorate it, but he doesn't help decorate much upstairs. 

My daughter on the other hand helps with everything! The trees, the decorations that go in all the rooms, and even the bathrooms get decorated. She helps with the outdoor lights and the decorations that get put out there. We even decorate the chicken coop. You can say we go all out for Christmas. We start around Thanksgiving and all the Christmas love stays up until February 2nd, which is the Presentation of the Lord. 




Over the years, we changed and added a few items to our Christmas collection. No matter what I do, I'm definitely a traditional Christmas girl. No sad beige, no weird colors, no Grinch Christmas. 




Quite a few years ago, my dad passed down the Nativty that was his mother's. I love placing it out every year. It reminds me of my grandmother and all the special memories of visiting her house at Christmas. She was a small, feisty Italian lady. She always had some delicious cookies to share and a warm cozy hug. We added a new piece to it this year, a vintage angel my husband found on eBay. I'd like to continue that tradition going forward. I know my kids already cherish it. 



My grandfather on my mom's side was a huge train collector. When we were little, he had a whole train village set up in the attic at his home. He would use the ceramic Christmas houses to create the village. When passed, my son inherited a few trains and we got all the ceramic houses, stores, churches, etc. I now use them to decorate the top of my china hutch, Yes, I do have China. Rarely use it, but it looks pretty in my hutch.





I also use the houses to decorate the top of our built-in coat rack and my 3 tiered tray that sits on our breakfast nook. It makes me feel like he's still here. When I was little and after my parent's divorce, we lived with my mother's parents for a few years. Having pieces of their stuff up reminds me of them and all the love they gave us. 


I even added a Victorian-inspired house warmer to the counter a few years ago. I can fun holiday scents and really bring the Christmas feeling to life. 


Our tree is a combination of Hallmark Ornaments, gifts, and handmade ornaments from the years. I even have a few glass ornaments from a classmate from middle school. For a while, I had vintage glass balls my mom gave me when I first started out on my own. Sadly, I have 3 left. They had some help getting broken when a certain kitty climbed the tree and toppled it. 


I have one Hallmark ornament that I collect that I absolutely love. It's the Nostalgic Houses and Shops. My mom got me the very first one back in 1983. I've added the collection most years and a few years ago, I started searching eBay for the few I didn't have. I now have only 2 from years past that I need, a Gazebo and a library. I will admit when they tried to do a few houses and shops in the 50s style, I was not happy. I don't think a lot of people were because they changed the style back. I love the Victorian, classic Christmas style. 






I also collect Mary's Angels and the Puppy collection. Those 2 series, I buy if I think they are cute. 



My wooden angel from Germany



Do you have a special ornament or decoration? I'd love to hear about it!
Merry Christmas!


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Till Next Time,

Monique






Monday, December 9, 2024

Happy Homemaker Monday~ December 9, 2024

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Happy Second Week of Advent! I can't believe that it's already December 9th. I'm still trying to figure out where September, October, and November went. The months seem to be flying by. Oh well, I guess that's how life goes at times. It's been a while since I posted and I apologize for that. Life's been a little crazy with house renovations and a trip to Maryland to see my dad because he was in the hospital. And of course, Thanksgiving fell in all of that too. Busy, Busy, Busy! I hope y'all have been healthy and happy. 

Let's get on with Happy Homemaker Monday with our beautiful hostess Sandra from Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Be sure to stop in and say hi.






The Weather~

Oh my, it's been cold here. We've had quite a few nights in the teens. During the day, it's been very windy making it feel even colder. We're currently in a little warm-up, but the temperatures will be dropping back down soon. Not as cold as last week.  I guess old man winter is coming to stay. 


Monday~ Rain, 56*
Tuesday~ Cloudy, 56*
Wedenesday~ Rain, 54* 
Thursday~ Partly Sunny, 36*
Friday~ Partly Sunny, 36*
Saturday~ Partly Sunny, 40*
Sunday~ Rain, 41*


As I Look Out My Window~

It's cloudy! The morning rain has stopped for now. According to my weather app, it actually has stopped for the day which is better than a day of all rain. The trees are bare. Now that the rain has stopped, the squirrels have begun to scamper about. 


Right Now I Am ~

I'm sitting on the couch with my two favorite girls typing this up. We are enjoying the pretty lights of the Christmas tree. The house is quiet since I'm the only one at home. 






Thinking and Pondering~

Honestly, I'm trying to figure out how to keep things smooth and happy here at home. Things have been a little stressful here and it's added a lot of stress to everyone in the household. I'm praying that we can find some peace and contentment with what we have and relax a bit. We need to trust in the plans God has for us. I really wish it was easier than it is. Why do we fight it so much? Why do we feel the need to be in control all the time? 

"Pray, hope, don't worry." ~ Padre Pio


How am I Feeling~

My gallbladder has been acting up, so that's not fun. I'm still having some stomach issues. Things really haven't gotten back to normal since our trip out west in September. I keep forgetting to take my enzymes and probiotics so that's not helping I'm sure. I also need to get back into walking and exercising again. I have slacked big time since we've been back. I can tell a difference and I've put back on 5 pounds...ugh! I really do feel better when I'm exercising and eating better. 


What's for Breakfast~

I had a cup of coffee this morning and a mandarine orange. 






Looking Around the House~

I need to vacuum. The dogs are still shedding like crazy, especially Miss Ruby. She also destroyed a toy so there is stuffing everywhere. I need to mop but we're getting more rain on Wednesday, so I'll mop on Friday because I know I'll have muddy pawprints throughout the house. 

On the To-Do List This Week~ 

Work on a few new wreaths
Laundry
Clean the master bathroom
Cleanout the fridge
Vacuum and mop on Friday
Head to the store to get a gift for the little girl I took off the Christmas tree at church
Last-minute Christmas shopping



On My Reading Pile~

I'm finishing up Cold Nights, Warm Hearts by Nora Roberts. When that's done, I have the new Nora Roberts book, The Mirror, to start. It came out last month and is part of The Lost Bride Trilogy. It's book 2.

I'm still working through my book for my women's bible study. We are studying the women of the Bible this year. We are currently reading about Abigail. The book is called Discovering Our Dignity and can be found on the Walking with Purpose website. 






I just downloaded a new Kindle book. It was recommended in our Bible study book. From Anger to Intimacy: How Forgiveness Can Transform Your Marriage by Dr. Gary Smalley and Ted Cunningham. I haven't started it yet. I downloaded it this morning, so I'll let you know more later. 



On TV this week~

Lost
Call the Midwives
Christmas Movies!!!!


On the Menu this Week~

Monday~ Homemade Meatballs and spaghetti, salad, and bread
Tuesday~ 
Wednesday~ 
Thursday~
Friday~
Saturday~
Sunday~

I have to figure out the rest of the week. It's a little crazy trying to plan dinners, I have to see who is working, and who will be here.  I'm going to sit down later this afternoon to meal plan for the next few weeks.



If I Have a Few Minutes to Myself, I Will~

Work on two new Christmas wreaths


One of  My Simple Pleasures~

Curling up next to the woodstove with a cozy blanket, a good book, and a warm cup of tea. 


From the Camera~







The girls have matching Christmas bandanas. We got them at LunaPupsCo on Etsy.  If you would like to make your pups as cute as our girls. Head on over and pick out a few. Be sure to use MaddieRuby15 to get 15% off your order. They are well-made and so cute. 





Inspirational Quote/Bible Verse/Faith~




"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
James 1:2-4





Praying For~

My dad's health
My family and friends
A joyous, happy Advent season and Christmas



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Till Next Time,

Monique


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