MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS

LOUISIANA FAMILY CHRISTMAS

Since we will be spending Christmas with family in Mississippi this year, our daughter and son in law are coming over for a little family Christmas on Cypress Knee Swamp before we leave. I have been busy today with last minute gift wrapping and cleaning and cooking.  The tree finally has something underneath and I am getting a little bit excited thinking about seeing faces as gifts are opened.

Back door welcome!

Christmas Cactus in full bloom. Beautiful!

Supper will be simple, roast beef, mashed potatoes, peas, Cherry Coke salad and Orange Cranberry bread for dessert. Shannon and Dad will continue the tradition of making fudge after supper. This is something they have done since Shannon was a little girl.

The table is simply set  for this simple meal.

With a simple centerpiece of a favorite Christmas teapot and the sweet little red birds adding light.

For some reason, the tablecloth and napkin color is coming out more blue than in person. It is really a Christmas green. I am sure it has nothing to do with the photographer :-)

We ate and visited around the table, then came the fudge making. Everyone at some point had a hand in the cooking and all agreed this is the best batch ever! We then exchanged gifts early since this is our last opportunity to be together before Christmas (our daughter is an ER nurse and works nights) Santa was good to all this year and we are blessed. We will miss being with our extended family in Louisiana but looking forward to seeing the Mississippi relatives.

The best part of Christmas on earth is spending time with those you love. I pray your Christmas will be blessed with family, friends and the Peace of the season. 

Aunt C

THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Lately I have had a case of the bah-humbugs and couldn't seem to snap out of it. There seemed to be no end to the doing of Christmas and no beginning to the enjoying of Christmas. I think I have finally turned the corner! Last Sunday our children's choir presented their musical, The Best Christmas Present Ever, and it reminded me again of why Christmas is Christmas. After several Christmas parties and a couple of long work days this week, I took a vacation day to finish my shopping (almost finished too!)  Today I am hibernating and enjoying the tree, wrapping a few presents, listening to Christmas music, all with no sign of Scrooge. I pray he is gone for the season! Tomorrow, our Adult Choir will present the musical, A Baby Changes Everything. I am looking forward to worshipping that baby with my church family.

Not only was that true 2000 years ago, but for my nephew and his wife, it is especially true this Christmas. They have brand new triplets! In this case, THREE babies have changed everything. They arrived 2 months early and are tiny and Mom & Dad had to come home and leave them in the hospital for a while. Our prayer is that they will be healthy and home soon.

Finally, from the heart, Merry Christmas Everyone!
Aunt C

GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS

Each year I vow to cut back on the Christmas decorations. It's just dh & I at home these days and I think, "I'll just put a few things out and skip the whole tree, lights, Christmas dishes, etc." But once I get started, before you know it, once again, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Since my family in Mississippi doesn't get to see what my house looks like at the holidays, here is a sample of Christmas on Cypress Knee Swamp.

The only kind of snowmen we see in Louisiana.

I love the little bird on the one below.

The red striped bell in on the tree is almost as old as I am, and no, I am not telling just how old that is!

It was on our tree when I was a little girl.

Not only did I decorate a tree in the living room, but inspired by my sister Karen's bird ornaments, I now have a decorated tree in the kitchen. This is the window where we keep a pair of binoculars to watch the birds at the feeders in the back yard. It seemed appropriate to have this tree here. The unattractive light cords show up more in pictures, but it really is quite charming. Karen, this one's for you.

Can't wait to see your tree.

Recognize this feathered friend?

The sweet tea cup and saucer are from Cracker Barrel and a gift from my daughter and son-in-law.

 I love them!

I should have warned you this was a long one! I want to see some Mississippi Christmas posted soon.

Wouldn't mind a little Christmas from Florida as well. (hint, hint)

NOVEMBER MEMORIES

It seems November arrived only yesterday and tomorrow we say goodbye to this one of my favorite months. The month of December is so busy I scarcely have time to enjoy it, but November is a lovely time of cooler weather, changing colors and getting ready for what the South calls winter. Some reminders of November..

We saw the leaves go to glory,

Then almost migratory

Go part way down the lane,

And then to end the story

Get beaten down and pasted

In one wild day of rain.

We heard "Tis over" roaring.

A year of leaves was wasted.

                              Robert Frost

Mums brought from Grandma Fox's yard in York, AL over 35 years ago.

I am always a little sad on the one hand this time of year, to see this season come to an end. On the other hand, it means we are on our way to spring, another one of my favorite seasons! Farewell, sweet November.
Aunt C

THANKFUL

A few things to be thankful for this week:

Faith always first, then Family

I could not imagine life without Friends!

FOOD, of course!

I always look forward to pecans this time of year (thanks Gracie!)

And Pumpkin Pie, oh my!

and last, but not necessarily least, Flowers.

I took a vacation day yesterday and spent the day working outdoors. My yard and flower beds were in desperate need of attention and I needed a day of nature therapy! When I finished, the leaves were mulched, the sweet gum balls were raked and burned and muscles I didn't even remember having ached, but oh the joy of being outside! There is a satisfaction in a job well done, in being able to look around and see the results of your labor. The yard looked beautiful.... until .... I woke up this morning and saw all the leaves that had fallen during the night! Oh well, at least the therapy is still working. Once again, God's world has restored balance to my life, putting things into proper perspective, reminding me that when the irritations of life come, to continually keep asking myself, "in the light of eternity, just how important is this anyway?"

I am thankful for and looking forward to being with family around the table next week. What are you thankful for today?

Aunt C

LOVELY CHARLESTON

Our time in the Carolinas was cut short by a look at the weather channel on Wednesday. We saw what looked like the perfect storm headed straight toward our home in Louisiana. We left Thursday morning but had to take at least a drive through old Charleston. We stopped at the park and stretched our legs a bit and I was able to get a few pictures. Karen you are so right. This is a lovely place!

Beautiful ironwork.

Beautiful Grand Ladies

Did I mention beautiful ironwork??? (sorry my photography doesn't do this justice!)

Awesome architecture. This home was majestic, but had fallen into disrepair. So heartbreaking to see such a grand old lady in need of an uplift. The courtyard to this particular house had light gray marble and dark gray marble squares laid out in a checkerboard pattern. I could just imagine her in her youth!

There is just something about a gate that beckons one to open it and step into the garden for a stroll. But, alas, this one was locked and had no welcome sign.

And of course, no trip, no matter how fast, is complete with out remembering the part this lovely old city played in our history. Here is DH with guns and ammo (way cooler than having his picture made in front of an old house :)

And finally, just a glimpse of the flora! We must go back for an extended visit to this wonderful, old southern city! So much history and I didn't even touch on the painted ladies who were so very lovely and stately. (houses, I am talking about)  So ends our vacation memories in pictures. Ashley, how about sharing some of yours?????

BROOKGREEN GARDENS

As promised, a few more pictures of Brookgreen Gardens.

This is the only gold statue we found. I love the way the shades of green compliment the art.

This one was so lifelike, sorta like we could be eavesdropping on his conversation.

My favorite, Don Quixote. The detail on this one is amazing.

Sweet little girl among the flowers.

A bit of whimsey.

Lovely place to spend time, we just didn't have enough of it! I can understand why life began in a garden. There is no more beautiful, peaceful, restful place than surrounded by God's creation. A garden has a way of putting all of life's busyness in perspective. Thank you, Ashley, for suggesting we take time to smell the roses in this wonderful place!