It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

 

We enjoyed attending once again, Caldwell's Night Light Parade. Waiting in the truck to keep warm, the kids take turns getting hungry and needing to go potty. Seven individuals in a space crowded with coats, boots, lost mittens, spilled drinks and various crumbly food items gets a little crazy. Let's be honest, voices raise and feelings are hurt (mostly among the children....haha.)
But then the magic happens.
Among the secular and traditional lighted floats, we spot numerous nativity scenes and enormous lighted birthday cakes for Jesus. This year's theme was "Christmas Through the Decades." One float boldly declared, "Jesus....the same through each decade!" Listen close, and in the background, you will hear, ...cast out our sin and enter in, be born in us today...
Beneath it all, a hurting world still somehow knows that JESUS is still and will always be the answer, no matter what the question.

 

 

We are enjoying time spent around the fire so much! One basket on the hearth holds a warm fuzzy blanket and the other some sparkly snowballs and a few pinecones.

 

 

The front porch is decked with greenery, old fashioned ice-skates, and a wooden sign I painted which proclaims, "JOY!" On the door is my old stand-by antler wreath.

 

 

Inside, you are greeted with the above Christmas-y scene on the hall bench hubby made for us this fall.

 

 

My baker Santa is still a favorite of mine. His jolly pose is nearby to some of my antique baking utensils.

 

 

More scenes from my Christmas kitchen.

We made the "Ugly Christmas Sweater Trees" from none other than old ugly Christmas sweaters and scraps of wood from our remodel project.

 

 

Did I mention that we have lots of wood scraps? All of the above wood signs and chalkboard art, are from said scraps, free-hand decorated by yours truly. It's been my relaxing little escape on hectic school-day afternoons. Its fast and simple which suits my style!

 

 

I really LOVE the little wood mailbox hubby made for our entryway. It has a practical purpose as well. Outgoing mail goes in here until the following morning when one of the children takes it out. Sometimes we even send mail to each other in this handy mailbox

 

This one I did for my mom, who really enjoys snowmen.

 

 

I already posted a fireplace picture, but this seemed like a good place to leave off especially since it shows the fun deer pillow cover I made. (Stockings pictured were also fashioned with scrap fabrics.)

 

Now, excuse me while I go finish up a few loads of laundry, score a test, check on supper in the crock pot, address a few Christmas cards, practice for a Christmas program, and compile a list of Christmas baking goodies.