All about Love

Valentine's Day is fast approaching, ya'll.

And so the question for today is, what do you think about the holiday?

Do you prefer flowers, candy and cards?

Or, are practical gifts more your style?

My inquiring mind wants to know. Please tell.

That's all. Come back tomorrow. Hopefully there will be something with more substance then.

I have not the words

The Christmas season has been amazing for our family. Amazing and tiring all wrapped up into one.

Remember I told you that Husband was off for a full five days? Well, in this house, that pretty much means that not much laundry gets done, the beds don't always get made and lots of junk food is eaten. Guess what I'm going to be doing this week (on top of the final preparations I have for a New Years Eve fundraising event I am helping coordinate)?

All this to say, I'm having to put blogging on the back burner for a few more days. I so want to catch up with all of you and tell you about what we've been up to. That would take time, though, and extra time I have none of at this point.

I will leave you with one parting picture to give you and idea of how amazingly happy D-Man was on Christmas Day that he was left this at NaNa and PaPa's house by Santa (B, please don't judge because it is the wrong car...there weren't many choices).

Wishes, wishes and more!

I'm signing off for a few days to enjoy the season with my family and friends. Husband is off for 5 days straight (someone please write this down because I don't know when this will ever happen again during a holiday) and we are going to have lots of family time.

I wish all of you a joyous holiday season filled with much love and laughter and remembrance of our wonderful Saviour. Merry Christmas everyone!

Tis the Season to Celebrate the Real Reason

(Knock, Knock)

Oh hello! Welcome to my home. I am so delighted that you could come by and take the tour hosted by BooMama and Julia from Hooked on Houses. What? You love my wreath? Well, me too! Thanks Mrs. K for making it so special for the D-House last year.

May I take your coat? Here's a cup of hot, marshmallow-filled cocoa to warm you as you make your way through.

Christmas is my absolute favorite time of the year. First and foremost, I love it because of what it represents...my Savior and the miraculous events that surrounded His birth. Second, I love it because of the excitement that I see in my son, D-Man's, eyes as the days unfold. And third, I love it because the decorations make me happy.

That's why I'm glad you stopped by. This way I can show you all the things that are special to me...all the things that make me happy this time of year...and all the things that remind us of the true reason for the season.

My entryway is decked out with much red and green and gold. What? Things look a little blurry? Must be that morning fog rolling in.

The first tree that you are seeing is my "woodsy"tree complete with candy cane sticks and big red berries. And feathers...lots and lots of feathers. Love the feathers!

The second tree you see is my decked to the nines with red and gold and lots of it. What do you think about my topper? And the mantle...so very fun and festive and full of lights. Man, that morning fog is sure causing lots of blurriness today. Please forgive.

Here are five of my nativity scenes that I have displayed. Each one has special meaning.

The first one is the very first nativity scene Husband and I bought for $1 the year we were married. We were poor, poor college students, but knew how important displaying Jesus in the manger was to us.

The second was given to us by my Granny and PaPa several years ago.

The third was the second nativity Husband and I purchased for $5 after being married for a few years.

The fourth was given to D-Man the first year he was born by NaNa RAD and PaPa. We've added to it each year since then and it is so great to bring it out every year and have him be able to see it and touch it and talk about what it means.

The fifth was carved by someone in Africa and so greatly depicts how precious the relationship between Joseph, Mary and Jesus really was.

Here are some other fun splashes of Christmas cheer that I have spread throughout the house.

Oh, let's take a quick peak in the playroom at one of D-Man's trees.

And here's the other one that is in his room.

D-Man has become very partial to snow globes and here's the start of what I'm sure will be a lifelong collection.

And I'd like to end our tour in the kitchen I need to take some cookies out of the oven and would like you to sit a spell and enjoy one.

Isn't the red bird cute at the table?

And here's proof that making those cookies was fun and games.

Aren't the cookies tasty? And the cocoa, oh sure, let me fill your cup again.

I'm so glad you could come by. I hope that my home felt warm, cozy and inviting to you and I invite you to come back everyday of the year to be treated with southern hospitality. Our home is always open, come back again soon.

Enjoy the rest of the Christmas season and don't ever take the Christ out of Christmas.

God bless! Be safe! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

Oh, and D-Man wanted to say something while laying down on the deck (or he could be on his side due to my lack of camera skills...I prefer the first reason).

A Day to Remember...

Just wanted to stop in for a quick minute and wish you all a Happy Memorial Day! May this day be one of remembrance for all those soldiers who died protecting our freedom.

Enjoy fellowship and food (I know I sure will!)

I'll be back on Tuesday with a normal post!