Christmas Memories

Hello, Dear Friends, I hope you all had 

a lovely Christmas! 

It always seems to go by too fast! 

I caught a bad cold in the week before, 

so many of my plans were put by the wayside.....

Christmas baking, last minute shopping.....

But I did manage to put together some gift baskets. 

We draw names every year and I picked 

my daughter-in-law, Jen, and Ramblin' Man

picked daughter, Heather. 

We had fun putting together gift baskets for them both.

The sweet 'winter scenes' gift boxes were part of
their gifts and I filled them with red wooden bead garlands
instead of the cookies I intended to bake :(

I found these darling gift boxes at Celestina Marie Designs,
one of my favorite Etsy shops.
Celestina has a wonderful blog called
Southern DayDreams
where you can find a link to her shop. 

She also makes darling tags. 

I found some wonderful things at her shop to help

fill the baskets - a wall urn, a small shelf, a painted sign......

I will take photos of them hung in my two girl's homes

next time I visit. 

Another Etsy shop I love is Stephanie's shop,
Rose Petal Blessings,  

from The Enchanting Rose blog.
You can find her shop-link there. 

She sews the most delightful little things and 

I found these darling little sewing baskets 

and set of coasters at her shop.

I also gifted myself with this sweet little basket :)

Both of these ladies go the extra mile with their
beautiful packaging, thoughtful notes and extra gifts
included in their shipments.

We had fun stuffing the baskets so full that they couldn't

hold another thing and some things had to travel separately. 

Both daughter's are wonderful homemakers and love 

to decorate their beautiful homes. 

DIL, Jen just remodeled her whole house
(which I will show you in my next post)

and Daughter, Heather is moving into a new home

in just a couple of weeks. 

Of course we have two little Grandsons, now,

and couldn't resist a few things for them! 

I even managed to bake a gingerbread cake (from a mix)
 Christmas morning to bring to the festivities.
Do you like my impromptu 'Poinsettias' ?

We were invited to my son, Gabe and wife, Erica's
home for Christmas dinner with our's and Erica's
family.

I wore my late Mother-in-law's Christmas pin.
xxxx

It was a beautiful, sunny day and the ride over
was lovely.
Can you see the fresh snow in the foothills?

We had the wonderful treat of seeing Mt. Rainier, too.

During the winter months, 'The Mountain' as we
call it, here in Western Washington State,
is usually hidden behind thick clouds.

Once we leave the open farmland, we travel through
thick forest skirting the foothills on our 90 min. drive.

We pass a few Christmas Tree farms on our way :)

After many miles we come to a beautiful, historic
town all decorated for the season.

We're almost there.....

It's a 'Grinchy' Christmas!
A favorite Christmas movie icon :)

Can you see my Grandson, Ethan's new Tee-Pee?
I made the Santa years ago.

A gift from Santa.....

His favorite trick - coming out from behind
the flaps to a round of applause!

Another gift from Santa - his own little table and chairs.

Sitting on Granpa's lap while opening gifts.

It was wonderful to see his reactions.

Look what Santa left behind!
 A little elf!
Our new Grandson, Gavin is
already 2 mos. old and you can tell
he doesn't like to eat much. Lol!
Check out those cheeks!
Just right for Gramma kisses xx

Time for us to eat!

Pita guacamole Christmas trees with pretzel trunks
and red pepper ornaments.

Baked ham, scalloped cheese potatoes, stuffed mushrooms,
salad, green-beans and rolls.

Apple, pumpkin, and pecan pies
along with gingerbread, for dessert.

(Diet plans are definitely in my New Year's resolutions!)

Then a rousing game of 'Pie in the Face'
with the final stand-off between the two Grandpa's.

Guess who lost........

All 'the girls' wisely declined to play......

There was one very special gift
from the family.

A Noble Fir tree to plant
in commemoration of their Nana,
that we can decorate each year
in her honor.

xxxx

All too soon it was time to leave.

Kisses and hugs all around,
'Merry Christmas and Happy New Year' wishes, too.

Then the long drive home,
happy and filled with good food
and wonderful memories of
another Christmas,
 too soon come and gone.
xoxo


Thank you, Dear Friends for all of your sweet visits
and kind comments on my last few posts.
You are all such wonderful, thoughtful friends.

I know I have been neglecting you lately,
but I will be catching up with all of you this week.
I've missed visiting you!

xoxo