A Christmas Poem...in Dishes

Twas the night befor Christmas when all through the house...

I love that Poem! I love dishes! I love that our Christmas dishes have portions of that poem on them. Several years ago, I ran across the most lovely set of Christmas dishes on Dillards website. We've been collecting ever since. We don't have the full poem yet, but we are well on our way. It's fun getting a few new pieces each year and seeing which part of the poem is on them.

It doesn't matter if we're having a nice family dinner or if we're having soup and sandwiches...I really think everything tastes better on a pretty plate.

Here's the link if you'd like to take a peek. Twas the night before Christmas dishes

A Christmas Wish List

Okay, so I have too much stuff. I am trying to downsize the amount of stuff I possess...but...everyone needs a Christmas wish list. It doesn't really matter if I get anything (or everything) on my list. I just like making lists. And...my sweet, loving, generous traveling man reads my blog. I thought maybe I'd help him out a little and post a few things. :)

If I could only have one thing, I think...no, I know I'd want this.

Here's the handy link sweetie... Le Creuset White Braiser Pan

I could be totally happy with it in the beautiful Caribbean color in the event they should be out of white...just saying.

Okay, moving on...If I could only have two things for Christmas, I think I'd ask for this ring. It's so me...and it's so pretty!

And just in case the link is needed...Rose Red Enamel Ring

I adore books. I read mostly non fiction. I can read a cookbook and be happy and content. I like some fiction from time to time. When it comes to fiction, I'll probably hold out for Pioneer Woman's new book in February. It's only available for pre order right now honey, so I can wait.

Anyway...books, here are a few, but honestly you should just tap into my Barnes and Noble wish list. Jared can show you how...right Jared!?!

Since the last book is titled "Keeping Chickens", maybe now would be a good time to mention that I might want to get some chickens. Really, I'm just kicking the idea around. It's good to be prepared though.

A few other misc. things I might desire would be:

• A gift certificate for a pedicure
• The 2011 Gooseberry Patch wall calendar
• Some mini cast iron skillet (for skillet cookies...so we'd all benefit from that purchase)
• Gift certificates for Chick Fil A (yum!) Sheetz, Anthropologie, or Barnes and Noble.
• A couple DVD's (Eat Pray Love or It's Complicated if you're asking)

Honestly, if I don't get anything (except the braiser pan) for Christmas I will still be content and happy cause I have you! ♥

Christmas Merriment and an Advent House

Today is December 1st. The first official day in the countdown to Christmas (at least for me). The countdown to the day we celebrate Christ's birth. I adore the Christmas season! I love everything about it. I love celebrating the birth of my Savior as well as all the traditional merriment.

What do I love about this time of year!?! Let me list a few things:

• The annual children's Christmas play at Church
• Candlelight service and singing Silent Night
• Ringing the bell for the Salvation Army
• Caroling
• Christmas music
• Christmas movies ( Elf and Prancer happen to be my favorites)
• Snow
• Decorating and favorite decorations from years gone by
• Shopping
• Christmas cookies
• Family traditions
• Making a gingerbread house
• Celebrations with family and friends
• Puppy Christmas pictures
• The magical glow of the lights on the Christmas tree
• Opening the mailbox and finding Christmas cards
• My Christmas dishes
• The hussle and bussle felt in the air
• The quiet times spent in prayer
• Random acts of kindness

Oh my, I could go on and on. I'll have to come back and add to this list.

One of the decorations I love most is our Advent House. George bought it several years ago. I love that he bought it with our future grandkids in mind. How sweet is that!?! I love that it gets him as excited as a small child. I also love that it is a replica of the one from the famous movie "Christmas Vacation".

Tonight before dinner we will open the first door. It will be extra special since Jared will be here to share in this little tradition. He's been away at college for the last 5 years and isn't usually home that much. I'm so thankful that isn't the case this year!! Just one of many blessings to count.

Whew have I been busy!

Sorry I have been MIA for awhile. We made it home from Massachusetts just fine, but the mess that we brought along took days to sort through. We basically emptied our apartment's entire contents into the house. I'm glad to report that we've found a spot to store everything. Glad that can be checked off my to do list!!

After we got our house back under control, we had Thanksgiving to plan. Of course that was fun! We had 13 people and tons of food. Just finished the leftovers last night.

Tomorrow is December 1st. The house is (almost) decorated and my lists are all in place for shopping, activities, cooking, baking and fun. I am so excited! I have tons of holiday magazines stacked up just waiting for me. I cannot wait to see what inspiration is waiting in between their pages. Speaking of magazines, have you seen Where Women Cook? I am loving it!! Check it out if you get a chance.

Okay, I'm off and running onto the next thing on my list. See you back here tomorrow.

Heading North

I'm leaving in the morning for Massachusetts. It's the last trip of the year to my home away from home. I have so many things I want to cram into the week while I'm there. Dinner with some friends, shopping, cleaning and closing up the apartment, shopping, stocking up on Dunkin Donuts Coffee (I think it's cheaper up there because they have so many DD's), one last road trip to Boston, church on the Cape, and did I mention shopping!?!

I'm excited! I'm as excited (if not more) to be taking the train again. Have you ever traveled by train? If you are more about the process than making time, then it's definitely a good option to consider. It does take longer (about 12 hours start to finish as opposed to 8-9 by car) but it is 12 hours of bliss! 12 hours to do whatever you want...or maybe nothing at all. It's my last 12 hours of solitude before meeting up with the guys and then hunkering down to spend the winter with them...all of them...all the time. I'm not complaining...just saying. I'm packing books, magazines, knitting, comfy socks, a pillow, a cozy throw, a mini DVD player, chick flicks and anything else I can cram into my carry on bag. Hope I have enough room for some clothes...if not, I did mention shopping...wink...wink! I have a lay-over in Philly. Looks like I'll need to get a steak and cheese while I'm there. Other than that, I don't need to leave my seat...unless I need a cup of coffee or a potty break. I'm hoping that the scenery is still pretty. I also hope there are some interesting characters to watch...I love people watching!

When I get home the following weekend (other than showering my pugs with tons and tons of affection), I plan to kick our family holiday celebrations into full gear. See you when I get back!

Oh, and if you'd like to follow my tweets from the train, my user name for twitter is Gkrigo.

Change

I just sent the guys back to Massachusetts. I am leaving on the train Friday to join them. I have four days to get things done around here. When I come home from Mass, they will be coming home with me...for the winter!! While that excites me more than I can express, it also freaks me out a little. It means change, good change, but change none the less. Do you do well with change? I don't. When you are married to a traveling man, you get used to being home alone. You get used to doing things your way. It seems normal to stay up late to watch Gilmore Girls for the millionth time. It's routine to make dinner one night and eat the leftovers for the rest of the week. It's perfectly okay to trash the house and wait until the night they are coming home to make it presentable. You can get away with it. Nobody cares. But that is all changing...at least until spring when the cycle starts over.


I've set myself a couple of goals for the week...in preparation of their return...and the mayhem that will take place.

• Clean the house and remove all the clutter
• Work on the leaves so they are caught up till we get home.
• Plan my thanksgiving menu and shoppping list.
• Spend a few more nights staying up late watching Gilmore Girls :)
• Pamper the Pugs since they will be staying behind with my uncle.
• Work my one day and run all my errands
• Keep up with my bible study (since I will be missing the next two weeks). Check in with some of the ladies.

Spending Some Time with this Guy

This is Brantley. My youngest. My gentle giant. One of the kindest, sweetest, most thoughtful people I know. Even though I am a tad partial, I can honestly say he is one special guy. He's home from Massachusetts for the week. I get him all to myself. We can have long conversations, I can cook for him, we can watch Expedition Wild together, I can get all the gossip about George and Jared, we can spend quality time together, just the two of us. Times like these are rare. I'm going to take full advantage of having my son all to myself!!

But there's someone else that's fighting me for his attention. She's actually trying to keep him all to herself. She loves him just as much as I do. Hello Meatball...okay...we can share.