Decking the halls

I love Christmas it's my most favorite time of the year.I love Christmas trees and twinkle lights and peppermint mochas and hot chocolate.I love gathering together with friends and visiting as it is so hard for many of us to do that anymore with our busy lives.I love singing Christmas songs about the birth of the Savior,Hallmark movies and driving around looking at Christmas lights.

I always change my decor in my house for every season and holiday,whether that is pumpkins and scarecrows in the fall or beach items for the summer I just love seeing all the changes in decor.It's something that makes me truly happy.

 My window all decorated with clings and two cute little pine trees with twinkle lights and some forest friends.I have lanterns with tea lights and some frosty vanilla and red candles.

These are some of my favorite pieces that I got this year from Hobby Lobby.I just love this little guy pushing the snowball to make a snowman and the picture of the cute little trailer behind him all cozy.

This couple look like they are having a great time on the ice. One of my favorite places to be.I love his Dicken's style clothing and her fuzzy hat with the white pompom.

This darling little girl hugging the deer with the sign behind her exclaiming the joy of the season.

 My last piece is of this cute little girl all decked out in her Christmas finery checking the mail for a special Christmas card while her faithful doggy sits by her side. At the bottom it declares how many days are left until Christmas.

 

There is also a pudgy snowman with his scarf and top hat embellished with holly all covered with glitter

Bookshelves lined with Christmas trees,snowmen
houses,snow globes,two dogs in bright red old fashioned truck and a tiny little nativity scene.
Several of these things came from The Dollar Store.

Christmas stockings,some playful Polar Bears with scarves,a rocking horse tea pot and the beautiful globe with the light and Cardinals painted all around it came from my mom.
Thanks mom,and my Susan Branch calendar.

 Above the window a string of colored lights and bright red poinsettias.

Winnie the Pooh Christmas window, A red sleigh,Christmas package and peppermint candle.

        

 The boys helped me decorate the tree. I think they did a great job.
The only thing that saddens me about it is that somehow my special ornaments got lost.They were ornaments from our first Christmas together and baby's first Christmas for each of the kids and a lot of events we did together over the years that we bought ornaments for.I guess I'll have to buy new ornaments for new events.

 We even decked out Michael's bunnies.

 I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was nice quiet and peaceful.So much better than last year when we barely made it out of the hospital and Ariel was having to get non stop treatment for blood clots.This year we decided to decorate for Christmas early,so that way after Thanksgiving we could just take it easy.

Daniel and Ariel were both great helps to me in the kitchen.Daniel did the turkey.We don't stuff ours with stuffing,although we make that on the side.We fill the cavity with oranges,lemons,onions,celery and carrots and  of course baste with butter a lot.It makes the turkey moist and juicy,but in no way does it taste like citrus.

 

While the turkey is cooking we always watch the parade and A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving of course.

We also had fun watching a few movies.We were just very casual and relaxed.The day before I made an apple pie for the meal.It turned out great.I also make a Dutch apple that is very good. I've even won the church pie contest several times with it.I can't take all the credit though.One secret is the incredible pie crust recipe from this book.

It is the flakiest and tastiest pie crust I've ever had and it holds together really well.

                Then the table was set and it was time to eat.

         Here is how Daniel's delicious turkey turned out.

 Our meal included Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy
cranberry sauce , yams , green bean casserole , pistachio salad, deviled eggs, rolls,olives,sausage, crackers and cheese, 
 sparkling cider and oh so many pies.Chocolate,berry,pumpkin, apple and even a gluten free cheesecake.We make a ton,because we love leftovers.Everyone loves a good turkey sandwich the next day with stuffing and cranberry sauce.

It was a wonderful day spending time around the table recalling what we are all thankful for.

 We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.