Christmas '09

Merry Christmas from the Browns! Here are the kids waiting patiently for our Christmas Eve dinner, back from our candlelight service.

It's our tradition to have a nice dinner on Christmas Eve, something special that we don't usually make. In the past it's usually been shrimp dishes, but this year Randy wanted to do Prime Rib. Thanks to a Christmas surprise by my Dad and stepmom, we made prime rib, twice baked potatoes, salad and homemade rolls. Unfortunately, I'm not really good at this picture taking thing yet so I didn't get pictures of our candle light dinner. It was fabulous, just trust me. I do have pictures of desserts.... I usually don't forget to take pictures of that.

I made Peppermint Cheesecake Truffles, Peanut Butter Cheesecake Truffles, Chocolate Oblivion Torte and a  Raspberry Roulade. Yummo as Rachel Ray would say.

This is what we enjoyed on Christmas Day, all snowed in with just our family. The meat and cheese tray was thanks to my Dad and stepmom again. They know the way to my boys' heart! All the goodies are thanks to friends and co-workers. We were abundantly blessed with treats this year..... thank you very much. I woke up this year planning my New Years diet.

I hope your day was very blessed as well.

Decorating on a Dime

I've never had a room full of Christmas decorations. They've consisted of a fake tree and a tub for decorations. Years of moving, many children, and a small budget has been the reason for this. But, in our previous, very small home, it wasn't like we were having company or Christmas parties or teas or anything so I was content with it. This year, however, we moved into a grand three story house. My desires and expectations grew quite a bit. My measly box of decorations would look down right silly in this house.

I surrendered the matter to the Lord and unpacked my box of decorations and put up our little tree... in the third floor window where only passersby and family could see it. I think it looks pretty cool way up there. Who else has a tree in their third floor window?

Well, the first floor remained empty. I read of a tree farm that is selling any size Christmas trees for $25.00. I am excited and Randy and I go and find the loveliest 12 foot tree they have. After borrowing a tree stand because ours is too small we erect this majestic beauty and add the only decorations I  have left, lights. I determine to love this big and beautiful empty tree, just like our big and beautiful empty house. And I really do. The boys, Alex and Joel, were found sitting on the couch facing the tree at 7am the morning after it was put up singing "Oh Christmas Tree." They love it too.

But God isn't finished blessing me yet. A friend tells me of someone wanting to give away some Christmas decorations and this friend also has a few to spare. So on Saturday after work I go on a Christmas decoration acquisition mission. I first head to The Caring Cupboard to see what they have. Not only do they have a lot of Christmas decorations, but it is buy one, get one free! I load up with about $12.00 worth of stuff. I then go to Hanna Variety, our cute little variety store in town. They have everything. I spend about $10.00. Then I am off to the lady that wants to get rid of some of her decorations. She is a wonderful sweet lady that gives me a beautiful oval braided rug ( I am jumpy for joy inside as we desperately need rugs) and a small box of decorations.

I then head over to my friends house who hands me a huge box of lights, the cutest garland and a few other things.

I spend the afternoon going through my treasures and decorating the house. The kids help with the tree.

Here is our living room before. Well, we've painted since then.....

Here is our living room after..... (I just love before and afters.)

Okay, so it's not House Beautiful or anything, but you should sit in there. It's beautiful and cozy. The photo of the tree just does not do it justice. It is simple and beautiful with red and green ornaments, lights and four spools of really nice fabric ribbon I got from The Caring Cupboard for 50 cents, tied in knots all over it.

Here, can you see the little knots of ribbon I tied all over the tree? I just love it.

Here's the mantel:

I know its hard to see, but I have little reindeer baskets at the bottom with apples ornaments in them.... Caring Cupboard. Candles and candlesticks, Caring cupboard; lights, garland, and curly gold things... ting, I think she called it, from my friend. Two glass bottles from Hanna Variety and the rest I had. So cute in person, you must come see it!

I also got this lovely wreath for $2.50, or free, which ever way it went.

We have lights and snowy, sparkly garland for the window sills, and several other Christmasy  things to randomly place around the house.

Now, when you look at the front of our house, you see this:

So people can stop asking me if we are going to spend Christmas in the attic with our Christmas tree way up there.

I usually look forward to ridding our house of the Christmas decorations and have to force myself to leave them up for a few days afterward. This year I'm going to be sad to see them go as they really warm up the place.

Hope your enjoying your Christmas season and keeping your eyes on Jesus, the real reason for the season.