~To live, love, and journal our days at~: Christmas memories

Written by Sue,Wednesday, January 8, 2020 sunny, cool temps. 50

I love a new year, I start to write a new chapter in my book of "Life". The week between Christmas and New Years is usually spent at a slower pace than previous weeks, it is a time Mr P. and I reflect on the past year, make plans and anticipate the year ahead. Since I decorate early, I like to have all of my Christmas decorations, packed

and put away, as soon as possible, it makes things feel clean and refreshing as we begin a new year! Task at hand is completed!

Each Christmas, DH makes Mother a fruit basket.

in return she bakes him one of his favorite cakes, this year it was a Japanese fruitcake, so delicious.

We had a wonderful Christmas celebrating the birthday of our Savior, it was simple, slow paced, and just plane sweet! Luke 2:14~"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill to men!"

As usual Christmas Eve Day was at my Mother's home for a most delicious lunch and exchange of gifts with, Mother, my brother, his family, and us; my sisters could not make it this year, for health issues.

Later we went to Susan and Charlie's for another delicious meal, with friends for an authentic Mexican dinner, it was so delicious, the weather was great, afterwards we sat by a campfire and talked for hours.
A fruit platter I made, the dip is so easy and so delicious.,8oz cream cheese,7 oz. marshmallow cream,2 TBS. orange juice, orange zest,voila'

Christmas Day we were back over at their home for leftovers, still delicious, and opening of gifts.
Would you believe I didn't take any photos, and this is the first year I didn't have any special dinners at the farmhouse, I think I was a bit spoiled, how say you.

And so... the New Year begins, once the decorations are put away, I am ready to clean and bring order back to the farmhouse. I like the word,"order", I also like the word, "clean". ~wink~ I am finding it is taking me a little longer these days to complete these tasks.💪😅

We always receive a new devotional book from dear daughter at Christmas, this is our one for 2020, beautiful photos and thoughts from the mountains.

Because we like our previous devotional books so much we have incorporated them with the new one, thus our time in the morning seems to get longer and longer. ~grin~ One of the perks of being semi-retired.~smile~

We don't make resolutions, however we do set goals, I have found that there is a difference, that resolutions seem to be more vague, whereas goals are more specific and planned. Since I am a list maker this works for me.
So how is your New Year going, what are your goals for the New Year!

We have been busy with the ewes lambing, we always have a Christmas lamb, this is Noel, our first one, she was born Christmas Eve night, we now have 16 and counting, I love to see them together, they remind me of children, running and playing. I will try and get a video soon.

Joe is so sweet, he always greets me when I walk by the pasture, and waits for me to give him a head scratch!We have eight donkeys with three more on the way.Uncle Joe was a little upset with me that he didn't get to wish you a Merry Christmas, so I promised him that he could wish you a very Blessed, and Happy New Year, as I do also.

Love,

Sue

Written by Sue, Friday December 13, 2019 Cold rainy day, 50's, a good day to blog!~smile~

When I was a child I thought December was the longest month of the year and that Christmas would never come. Now, wanting to savor each day, it seems to be the shortest month, I am wanting to put a stop on time, it seems to be flying by so fast!

Tuesday Mr P. and I decided to take a trip to see how my grandmother/great uncle's old homestead was doing, we were so pleased that the old home place is being so well taken care of! I love this place, it holds so many wonderful memories for me, both childhood memories and memories of bringing our children here for Sunday lunch, where the children played with the farm animals.

100+ yrs.

Christmas was so special here, my g-uncle would go out into the woods, cut a small pine tree, secure it with crisscross wood slats, Granny and I would cross our fingers as we plugged in those large, colorful lights, (if one would not burn then none would.)~smile~ she didn't have many decorations, but they were beautiful decorations,hand painted mercury bulbs, oh how I wish I had her decorations today, one thing that she placed on her tree that I still do, is the silver tinsel!

This tree is our memory/homespun tree, my favorite Christmas tree, each year we buy a Frazier Fir,

it is decorated with bubbling lights (another childhood memory),

Handmade ornaments by our family, children and grandchildren made many years ago, the final touch is the silver tinsel!Here are a few of the ornaments that make this tree so special, The cloth cut-outs were made by my sister Mary, Susan and I about 35 yrs. ago. The white felt angel was made by my Mom a few yrs.ago. the painted wood ornaments by grands during summer visits, and a few by our sons 30 + yrs. ago. Lets not forget about Rudolph and his family,he has been with us for many years too!

Some crocheted, some smiling, happy faces, some sleeping waiting for Santa!

Each handmade ornament brings such a special memory, such as the cloth cut-outs we girls made, I remember that evening many yrs. ago, laughing, talking and making plans as we hand stitched and stuffed each one.... I must find this angel's secret, she has aged so much better than I have. ~wink~

Each tree has its own nativity ornament, ... the reason for the season

I remember our sons painting the wooden ornaments at the kitchen table while I prepared dinner, I can now hear their sweet voices as they talked about what Santa would be bringing them, so anxious for Christmas to come, I think all children feel as though times stands still all through December. A tree must have an old teddy bear.

Each year I would buy each of them a Christmas coloring/activity book! Would you believe that I still have some of them packed away somewhere. Even though the children are grown and live far away, I still buy and read children books. Some folks refuse to grow up!~grin~