Christmas Stuff

I'm afraid I don't have anything new to show you this Sunday; I took a little time off to play with my family.

Yesterday, we busted out the boxes marked "Christmas Stuff". Hooray!

 I made a special place to display my favorite kid-made ornaments. I love them so much!

 The mantle was dedicated to all things Santa.

 There may have been an interloper here and there.

I made these little houses 3 years ago. You can make some too.

And what Christmas village would be complete with a giant red bear?

 It's a well-known fact that Little Red Riding Hoods are especially fond of Christmas.

Today we'll go chop down a tree and decorate it all up before College Girl has to go back to school this evening. Then it's back to our regularly scheduled arty shenanigans. I really like my life.

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving

by Ralph Waldo Emerson

For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food,

For love and friends,

For everything thy goodness sends.

.............................

I've got the menu planned, it's the standard traditional fare. Turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole, lots of pie. My brother and sis-in-law are bringing the mashed potatoes and candied yams. My folks are bringing the drinks. College Girl will be making the deviled eggs, and Boy Kid will be making the leaves on which we'll each write three things we're thankful for. Then we'll throw those leaves in a basket. At dinner we'll pass around the basket of leaves and take turns reading the one we pick while the rest of us try to guess who wrote it.

Unlike so many Thanksgivings I have experienced in the now-distant past, there will be no raised voices. No feuds. No fists, no malice, no belittling comments. No drama. Any tears will be caused by joy, laughing too hard, or chopping onions. More than all of my many blessings, I am so grateful to be able to spend this day with my wonderful present-day family.

Whether or not you do Thanksgiving,

what three things are you grateful for today?

Another Merry Trio

Yay for white beards!

This trio of Christmas cheer, along with yesterday's trio,

will be available in the shop tomorrow.

Sunday, 5:PM Pacific Time