Christmas Eve

I believe this is the sweetest version of the Christmas Story I have ever seen.

I hope you enjoy it.
I especially love Mary and Joseph, the star, and the glow sticks.
I absolutely love the glow sticks:)
Make sure you turn playlist off to fully enjoy it.

Tomptar and More

Found just in time for Christmas...

Guess we will have to make some Glogg now :)

The Baking Begins

This summer when Dave found my Irish Blessing plate, he also found cookie stamps that once belonged to his Mom.  I knew that when he found them, I would make sure  I baked a batch of cookies using those stamps.

Although I never met Dave's Mom, he has told me that she loved Christmas and loved baking and cooking for the holiday.  I think she really just loved taking care of her only child and son. 

So in honor of her Swedish heritage and my children's love of shortbread, I decided to make the shortbread using the recipe that came in the accompanying book...  

 
I prepared the cookies as directed and used the sheaf of wheat stamp.  Isn't it funny how a 35 year old box of cookie stamps can conjur up so many memories from the past and establish new ones at the same time?
I hope your night is filled with magic and memories also :)

It's Up and Decorated

We put our Christmas tree up earlier than we ever have and I like it.  I just love looking at the twinkling lights and all the ornaments that I have collected throughout the years.  Each one has a special memory associated with it and it brings me closer to what I believe Christmas really is - connection to those we love.  

This weekend we prepare treats for those we love. 

Have a great day :)

At the Feeder

My dogs love to go outside and investigate.

However, when it is as frigid as it is right now, they are content to just sit on the ledge by the fire and watch the birds.

We make sure that our feeders are full of seed during the winter months. 

The birds need the nourishment and everyone in our house enjoys watching them...

We have a great variety of birds.
We have finches...

Cardinals...

                      

Red bellied woodpeckers...

Chickadees...

And downy woodpeckers...

to name just a few.
Go fill your bird feeder and see what shows up.
I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

Bringing In the Tree

Here they go rejoicing...

Bringing in the tree...

My boys...
Gotta love em :)

No Charlie Brown Tree Here!!!

Dave, DJ, and I went out this morning in search of the perfect Christmas tree.

Yep, folks (Lori) that's me - sans the makeup, cute hat :) 

It's the weekend....

What do you expect?

Anyway, we searched far and wide and found it.
The perfect tree...

Did I hear ooos and aaahhs?
I thought so:)

And it's cut and paid for ;)
More fun tomorrow...
DECORATING IT!!!
YAY!!!

Who Knew?

Who knew that the Wii and Netflix were such great friends?

Dave did!!!

That's who!!!

Now we're cooking with gas :)

Merry early Christmas to us :)

A Glimpse Of

My world this Sunday night...

Hope all is well in your corner of the world :)

Peace...

Walking Through

A winter wonderland...

Can you hear the sleigh bells rings?
Are you listening?