Christmas in Review 2011

As I told you yesterday, Christmas did not

turn out as we expected. I guess the good thing

is we packed it all in on Christmas Eve with

our family.

We had my Brother and Sister in law over at noon

for our traditional dinner and unwrapping of presents.

The table was simply set with my Mother's

Lenox and her Holly Fostoria, the silverware

is my Silver Artistry.

Simple centerpiece of a silver compote with a candle.

Everything was illuminated in the dining room

My sister in law gave me some great gifts, a

Encaustic painting she did just for me

with vintage Victorian paper and

a truly unique silver creamer and

sugar that belonged to her Mother.

I will feature it at some point

She is a fantastic photographer and she took these next pictures

Greta enjoying her first Christmas with us, Uncle Mark brought a treat.

She spent most of the day chewing on this then took the remainder out

to bury in the yard....reminded me of the dog from the Travelers commercial.

I still miss Heidi, but who could not love this face?

Boots loves laying under the Christmas tree.

Pinky is put out, he did not get his picture taken!

Then it was on to my Brother in laws, where there is usually about 35 of us.

We have appetizers, a white elephant gift exchange and charades

My husband is one of eight, all were there but one brother and his children

and 2 other granddaughters.

This is my beautiful 87 year young Mother in law with my nephew from

New York's fiance.

We also found out that night one of my nephew's and his wife are

expecting a baby! That will make the 5th Great Grandchild for

my Mother in law.

We took Mom back home and opened up some gifts we got

for her and made it home at 1 am!

Then the next morning Mr. was sick for the first time

since I ever known him in 15 years.

So it was a quiet day at home being a nurse for

him...I did have to run to Walgreens for

some chicken noodle soup.

Today looks like another day of relaxing since he

still does not feel great.

But then that is ok, just sitting and visiting, we

don't get to do that enough.

Hope yours was wonderful!!

It's Christmas Night

It is Christmas Night

and here I sit alone.

My poor husband for the first time I have known

him in 15 years is actually sick with a

stomach virus.

Luckily we had my brother and SIL over yesterday

and last night was at Mr. Brother's.

But tonight we are missing dinner at his

sisters with my MIL.

It was not what I had planned.

But I had leftovers and ate on my Christmas dishes.

It makes me think of the Christmas of 1977.

I was a senior in HS, and my Mother got the

stomach flu, we had a blizzard and well....

let's just say it was not what we had planned.

However, it is the Christmas I will never forget.

I made dinner, my first turkey. I was so upset

that I left the gizzard in! I cried.

But my dear sweet Daddy laughed and

told me it was ok.

But I was proud I made the entire dinner for us

that Christmas.

And of course after the snow stopped and

Mom felt better we made it to my Grandparents

the next day or so.

Why is that Christmas so special?

It was my Dad's last Christmas, and I am able to

say that at 17, I cooked him a

Christmas dinner.

I am really missing my parents and grandparents tonight.

Sometimes things do not work out they way we plan.

But as my Uncle Don told me years ago, "we don't know

why things happen they way we do but their is a reason".

That was the reason that season.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Eve

This is my favorite day of the year

I think it is always been the anticpation of what is to come.

May your Christmas be as happy as mine was in 1962!
So kick up your heels and have fun with your family.

Merry Christmas!

Ann



There is Alot to do Today!

If your like me there is alot to do today!

We are having my brother and sister in law for Christmas Eve tomorrow.

That means I have to wrap the presents, clean the house

 and start cooking.

I must get the dining room table looking like this

It is only Christmas if I get to spend it with my brother.

We still exchange gifts like we did when my Mother

was alive, in other words we will be unwrapping

for a couple of hours! And the house will look

like a disaster.

Here we are in 1961

Do you notice my jumper?

yep, there it is on the right, sitting on a stool in the pink bedroom

at 1515. The other is a top that was in a picture that was

taken at 1515 in 1962 with me on my Grandad's lap.

So I better get cracking and get out to the kitchen

Have a wonderful day!

A Cold Snowy Morning

Cousin Mary is still asleep, and I can not seem to sleep past 6am.

But it is my favorite quiet time.

I am sitting here in the living room at 1515 with the only the lights from the Christmas tree

and the bookcases. I love it.........

I arrived to 1515 on Wednesday and cousin Fred and I went out for lunch and a drive. Then we stopped and got the tree for the house.

He put the tree up for me and then put the lights on.

Cousin Mary and I met in my hometown yesterday

for some shopping and lunch.

But the most enjoyable thing was that

Robin from Decorating Tennis Girl

met us for lunch. Robin and I grew up

2 blocks from each other and go to the

same church at home.

I was so excited to see her addition .

And I forgot my camera!! So these are from my phone

Her addition is gorgeous, as it her entire house.

It is so cozy and so full of old world charm.

Here is the tree at 1515 at night



I had this post ready to go last Friday...but having trouble getting the
pictures to load.
More to come

Oh Christmas Tree

We got our Christmas tree up on Sunday.

I love sitting in the evening with all the lights off except the ones on the tree.

Seems my camera does not do the tree justice.

Decorated with vintage family ornaments and 

Hallmark ornaments collected over the years.

We use big and small lights combined, with some large twinkle lights

oh yes, and tinsel too!

My very favorite ornament from my childhood, it is the first

one on the tree every year.

I can never get tired of the vintage ornaments with scenes

or writing on them.

This years tree seems a little smaller, but a great shape and it had a birds

nest in it. That is suppose to bring you good luck so we left it in!

And my precious tree topper. My angel my Dad bought me at the Western Auto,

when I saw it I fell in love with it.

Starting tomorrow I am off for 8 days! Headed to 1515 in the morning.

Cousin Fred and I are going out to get a small tree for the house, and

on Saturday night is my sit down dinner for about 20.  And my PJ

Christmas day with cousin Mary and the twins!

Trip To Get The Tree

Since I spent Thanksgiving Day with my husbands family, I did not get to see my brother.

 However, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, my brother and I have a tradition of going out for brunch and then our Christmas trees.

We had always gone to the same place for brunch, but we had not thought it was too good the last few times. My SIL found a new St. Louis restaurant named Salt.

Let's just say.....she did good!

It is in a old mansion across from the St. Louis Basilica

Beautiful courtyard

They had several cheese plates, which I could not pass up. It reminded me of Paris.

I had the blue cheese, Mr. the Italian and my brother the Wisconsin Cheddar.

homemade orange marmalade with salted almonds, raisins,

and toasted french bread, it was divine!

They are know for cooking in duck fat....and their fries and

fried chicken have been rated the best in St. Louis.

So my SIL chose....

with homemade ketchup and mayo

how about some eggs benedict with ham salad?

yes, they were great. good thing this was breakfast and lunch

Mr. and my brother got omelet's

Then it was on to the usual spot to get our Frazier Fur

nice and full, great top and straight bottom. Fits Mr. criteria.

I always wonder what people think when they see us driving by

with two trees on top?

Today will be putting away the Fall, laundry and hauling up Christmas.

It has really turned cold out....usually we put the outdoor lights up today, not

sure if I can talk Mr. into it or not!

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Ann

Joining