Glad Tidings

I've been soaking up every blessed minute of this Christmas season ~ this is what life is all about...rejoicing in life's simple pleasures, indulging in all that we love, surrounded with our family and friends, fondly remembering year's past while hopefully looking to the New Year ahead :)

Christmas 2010 was filled with sweetness and joy in our household.  Pure bliss! 

For Christmas time is magical ~ the lights, the sounds, the sweet smells, the smiling faces, the unexpected surprises all adorably wrapped up and waiting to be opened.   I don't care how old I get, I always feel like a child again at Christmas. 

People often ask me why I go through so much hassle ~ as if turning our home into a Christmas wonderland for the joy of my son can be considered work!  

To the naysayers, I ask what could possibly be more important 

than bringing happiness to a little one?!?  

Seeing those little eyes light up ~ the excitement, the anticipation....truly nothing on this earth is anywhere near as important! 

 

I decorate inside and out...trees in nearly every room.  Little seasonal splendors tucked into virtually every nook and cranny ~ holidays soaps and towels in the bathrooms, candy cane holders for guests to take home a treat (or two), holiday DVDs, Christmas books, freshly baked cookies and treats, holiday candles in peppermint, Christmas Cookies, pine and sparkling cinnamon, fresh greenery, cheery snowmen, warm cozy throws...

Our home gets turned into Christmasland 

each and every December.  

And I wouldn't have it any other way :)

A giant Santa airblown in our front yard.

~ Sharing Christmas Love ~

On Christmas Eve, I finished up my baking, 

carefully wrapping up boxes of cookies 

to give as tasty & thoughtful little gifts for neighbors, friends and family.

A variety of delicious handmade cookies tucked into darling gingerbread boxes.

Who wouldn't like to receive a box of homemade Christmas cookies?!?

Then my son and I made our annual perfectly imperfect gingerbread house,

getting messy and sticky with icing and candies,

laughing and sharing memories together :)

And we finished up the afternoon baking his cookies for Santa.

What sweet memories in the making...

learning at my hand just as I did from my mom.

Both of us wearing our matching gingerbread aprons.

The special Santa plate and key we put out each year.

My husband went outside to light the traditional white paper bag 

luminaries that line our walkway, 

and turn on our Christmas lights...

while my son sprinkled reindeer food (oats and Christmas sugars) on the lawn.

An early gift on Christmas Eve!

It's a tradition to open one early gift on Christmas Eve,

A Frosty the Snowman,

a Frosty recordable storybook,

and new Christmas pjs!

Once the little guy is tucked into bed,

it's time for Christmas magic to begin!!

Christmas morning bounty waiting to be discovered!

Wrapping paper flying

discarded boxes and bows

A piping hot pot of coffee brewing,

fresh cinnamon rolls baking away in the oven...

Ahhh, Christmas morning!!!

I love every blessed second of it!!!!

Entertaining special company throughout the day,

playing with our new treasures...

watching favorite Christmas specials and movies.

It makes all of the planning & all of the prep 

SO worth it!

For dinner, I made a savory beef roast,

with succulent herb-roasted seasonal vegetables,

and homemade melt-in-your-mouth buttery-softened dinner rolls.

I hope your Christmas was filled with wonder and delight,

and I wish all of you 

a joyous, prosperous, and healthy

2011!