Sunday, December 28, 2014

Looking Forward

Yes, I am looking forward. Today, however, has to be a day of rest and mentally catching up before my body can move forward, for we have had a whirlwind of excitement.



After all of the cookie baking, I baked pies. The mosaic shows the pumpkin pie and pecan pie from start to finish. I use Martha Stewart's pie dough recipe, which has been no fail for me. Yes, I know, it is easier to buy frozen pie crusts, but there is something challenging about rolling out crust, as I remember my mother making pies and then watching my husband's grandmother roll out her crust. She could literally roll a perfect circle with the dough actually spinning around in a circle beneath the rolling pin as she rolled it out.


Traditionally, here, Santa pays a special visit to the Garden Spot's children. So his chair is in place ready for his visit. The house is quiet now, but soon it will be filled with excited, exuberant (mildly stating) children ranging in ages from 9 months to 13.


Inspired by all of the toy trucks decorated up for Christmas on Pinterest, I dug out my husband's old toys. Usually I make the decorations all girly with old dolls of Christmases past. This year the dolls has to remain put away most especially because of Boone. Then after an entire fall of searching the thrift stores for a glass apothecary  jar, I finally found one last minute, filling  it with fake snow and my Chevey truck I found at ARC.


Of all of the Christmas photos, this is my favorite this year of little Lily looking over her list wondering "How'd he know all of that stuff?"


He brings a bag full of pre-Christmas gifts.


After he hands out the gifts, he dazzles the children with a bit of magic. They are always in awe of his greatness. Joining the party this year was Susie, one of my first Christmas dolls that I have managed to keep safe all of these years. While she does not have her original body, she still smiles and makes me happy. I didn't leave her out for long, though.


Soon, Santa is off with a kindly wave and a hearty "HO HO HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS."


Lily finds her spot after Santa's visit.




December here is the month of birthdays followed by January with 3 more birthdays. Jennifer's birthday is December 24. She was born in the wee hours of the 24th, and, yes, we were home for Christmas. Isn't modern technology grand? 


One sweet Santa party guest brought this really cool wreath (?) that she made herself. Being a horse person, too, she knew we would appreciate this special horse. 

And now the dismantling and putting away begins. I am not all up to it today. Maybe tomorrow. Right now I just need some peace and serenity. 

I will have plenty to occupy my time after the first of the year, which might make for a decent blog post. Until then, I hope you have some peace and serenity after the busy holiday season. I'll be back in a few days to wish you Happy New Year.

Thanks so much for keeping me company all year. I have enjoyed your visits so much. I welcome my new friends and appreciate everyone's sweet comments. Be sure to joint Be sure to join Judith @ Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday.


12 comments:

  1. Lily is adorable and what a great looking Santa. Glad you had a great time, seems the good times = tiredness!

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  2. Wonderful photos, Ann! I was probably as excited as the children, when I was scrolling down the Santa Claus photos...
    Beautiful Christmas decorations, and the pies look so delicious...
    Wishing you and your family all the best for the new year 2015! ♥

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  3. Wonderful photos sharing your Christmas.. Your Lily looks sweet with Santa.. The horse wreath is pretty. Enjoy your Sunday and the week ahead. I wish you and you family a happy & healthy New Year!

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  4. What a delightfully festive post!!! Happy New Year!!! Cathy

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  5. How wonderful that the real Santa visits your house every year! What a fun tradition. And I love the horse wreath...it's perfect! Let's wait another day or two before we start putting things away! Sweet hugs, Diane

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  6. I must say, you have control of your pie dough Ann, I am yet to roll our a nice looking circle. The little ones make Christmas special don't they? Lily is sweet checking the list with Santa and later with a chocolatey face.
    Here, the Christmas decor stays up until the Epiphany on January 6 and I'm happy to have the twinkling lights that much longer.
    Thank you for stepping up to join Mosaic Monday, it's a lovely group of bloggers each week and I'm glad you became a part of it.
    All the best in 2015!

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  7. Now that is what I call Christmas, Ann! Beautiful tasteful decorations (I love your mantle) and a great Father Christmas coming into the house to deliver all what is on his list. Since I was away from my home country (where Christmas is celebrated with a big C), I have missed those beautiful festive days creating everlasting memories for the kids and adults. Here it is all so very commercial and all focused on Saint Nicolas and Christmas itself is not really happening. I love the horse 'wreath' you got, a fantastic gift! Wishing you and your family all the very best for the New Year.

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  8. Ann, thank you for sharing these lovely photos of your home and family Christmas. It brought back wonderful memories of my childhood in WI when we all were together with cookies, the tree and waiting for Santa to come. The horse wreath is fantastic! Happy New Year to you and your family.

    Carla and Tony

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  9. Ann what lovely holiday traditions...and yummy pies. Time for a good rest until next year!

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  10. What a wonderful Father Christmas!

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  11. Your decorations look really festive and pretty. Santa is lovely. And your cooking sounds like a treat. I've been doing lots of cooking too and suppose more to come with the new year celebrations! Happy New Year!

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  12. Your daughter lily is really adorable and I am happy that she loved her Santa. Anyway, I am looking for some of the best venues for events in NYC for this Christmas and this time I want grand celebrations. Can you help me with my search please?

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