Memories that hold a special place in my heart this Christmas...

 

 

A "white Christmas Eve".  When we went to leave my brother and sister-in-law's home on the evening of the 24th, snow was softly falling and everything was covered. 

The evening was still and quiet, and the beauty of it all, was magical. 

 

The amateur attempt to copy an idea on Pinterest that actually worked, and the successful feeling that went with it.  Never mind that the white powder on the doughnut holes, did not stay on.  The used Starbuck bottles worked perfectly for the milk and doughnut snowmen.  Thank you Pinterest for the "snowmen" memories.

 

 

All the unexpected captured moments, when cousins spent learning to know each other better.

It was so special to see them showing their love for each other, and creating memories for me.

 

 

 

 

The doses of humor that were intertwined throughout our days together.

This little guy was thrilled with his new "magic tricks" gift.

I will never forget his heartfelt laughter, and the adults who made it all possible.

 

 

 

When one realizes, without a doubt, that the gift choice one made, was a huge hit.

Thank you "Thomas". 

 

 

 

Yes, the treasured memories will remain in my heart for a long time.

This picture brings a smile, every time I see it.  Curlers for the first time, and she was so happy.

 

Oh, how I hope you hold some treasured memories in your heart too, of the Christmas holiday.

 

Thank you so much for stopping by.

 

 

 

 

Good morning!  Just checking in with you all.

I've been quite busy lately...

 

 

...this may help to explain as to the "why" of it all.

I will be back soon.  Looking forward to visiting you and your blogs in the near future.

Her mother sent this to me.

She just helped her mommy make batches of chocolate chip cookies, and she is sooooo proud!

She knows she will be bringing them to our house and sharing them with us.

Praying that you will have someone that shares a chocolate chip cookie with you this Christmas.

Praying that you will be made aware that someone loves you this holiday.

It is better than all the gifts in the world.

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you!  Your lives certainly are a blessing to me.

 

 

It was a Sunday evening "Christmas" dinner.

It was an annual event for six couples and we all look forward to it every year.

The host and hostess took three folding tables and arranged them to make one large "table".

Each and every arrangement and favor was put together by the artistic hostess.

Magnolia leaves were featured everywhere, adding their own beauty to everything.  That intriqued me, since I never think to use magnolia leaves in my Christmas decorating. 

 

 

 

 

Softly lit candlelight vignettes were placed around the rooms.

 

 

Our hostess took ribbons and Christmas ornaments and created a touch of "magic" with them.

The blue, white, and silver tablescape was exceptionally beautiful!

 

Our gracious host and hostess certainly possess the gift of hospitality.  Their warm welcome and genuine interest in each and every guest, made it an honor and privilege to be invited into their home.

 

 

Delicious yogurt, served with fresh fruit and granola were part of the appetizer selection.

 

 

 

Ordinary fruits dressed up for a special occasion.

Our hostess grew up in the South.  She served us a "glorified grits" recipe that my husband is still raving about.  She had such attention to detail, portraying to each of us that she cared.

 

She raised three fine sons.  Her and her husband are now empty nesters, and entering a new chapter in their lives.  And, they're  handling it with such grace and style.

 

The flickering lights of the Christmas tree can make any room look cozy and inviting.  As we gathered in the home on Sunday evening, we all came with heavy hearts from the horrific news of the past week.  It is amazing how friendship, care, laughter, and prayers can lift one's spirits.  It did that for all of us on this particular evening. 

My sister so skillfully took each of these pictures.  Really, she is quite gifted at capturing moments. 
I thought I would share this picture of my husband and I, and take this time to wish each and everyone of you, a Merry Christmas!   We wish you times spent just enjoying each other...time to listen to each other...time to let others around you know that you really care and appreciate them.  More than ever, we need each other.  Material things, food, and entertainment are secondary.
Most of all, may we never forget the real reason why there is a "Christmas";

"Come to Bethlehem and see
  Him whose birth the angels sing:
  Come adore on bended knee,
  Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
  Gloria, in excelius Deo."

  ~Traditional French Carol

 

You know those plastic white lights that you buy at the dollar store?
The type light that one can hang in a closet, or any dark area.  You add batteries and then push down on the center.  That simple!

 

 

Along with that, I got out my pretty, very old crystal bowl, and some of my gold, clear, and white ornaments from a few years ago.

I put the little white light in the bottom of the bowl, and then preceeded to cover the light with all the ornaments.

That simple...a lit centerpiece for our dining room table.

I like it when I serve a candlelight dinner.  Soft, inexpensive ambience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I always look forward to hanging the "Merry Christmas" banner, at the kitchen table.  This year I hung a few small stars from the chandelier, because...

I had a "star" theme going this year.  A simple vignette on my kitchen counter.

Thank you for stopping by. I have so enjoyed seeing how you all decorate for the holiday and reading about your family practices and traditions.  So much beauty is shared via the blogging world and I find it so inspiring.

One more item, I would like to share.  At a Christmas get-together on Sunday evening.  I received this unique and beautiful canvas picture.  At first I did not realize that it would light up, by flipping a tiny switch.  It comes alive when it is lit, and the best part, the Christmas tree lights flicker.  One more "star" to my theme, as the star on top of the tree, is the focal point of this scene.

What an inviting, cozy, and warm scene the picture depicts.  It will be a treasure to me for years to come.

 

 

 

What does one do when the news of the day is so difficult to bear?

When one's heart overflows with deep saddness as the latest stories unfold.

When being a parent and grandparent yourself, and being closely related to those in your own family who are teachers in school.

 

 

We go on.  We spend time helping others, whether it be the older ones who need technical assistance... 

 

 

...or the younger ones who could use our advice and supervision.

And, we do it all with more love, care, and attention than we ever did before, because we are made aware, once again, of what treasures they are to us.

What gifts!

What precious people, and how quickly all of that can change, and has changed for

one Connecticut town. 

 

 

We are reminded that the lives around us, are so very special.

 

We pray.  We thank God for those we love, and we pray for those families whose hearts have broken in hundreds of pieces, in the last few days.

 

Yes, that is what we do right now in our nation, in our family, and in our hearts.

 

And, we share our gifts with others:)  "Kindness gives birth to kindness".

 

 

Good morning!

Don't you find yourself wondering what you will find on ..."justalittlesomethingforyou"?

 

Certainly, you have discovered that it is never anything "earth shattering", or of utmost importance to your day's agenda, but as true to this blog's name, it always is "just a little something".

Today, eleven days before Christmas, I thought I would share a small (but of value to me) discovery I made recently.

 

 

 

That one long panel of vinyl siding, turned upside down and placed on a slope, can bring literally hours of enjoyment to the little guys spending time in your home.

I asked their grandpa to go to the attic and see what he could find to help make their "Matchbox" cars and plastic cars more exciting.

This is what he found, and what a find it is!

 

 

 

So, if you need a Christmas gift for some little guys, you might want to consider visiting the local building supply store and buying a panel or two of vinyl (not metal) siding.

 

The speed with which each little car goes down the track, is amazing!

Even I found it fun to do.

 

So there, I helped you with your Christmas shopping or your entertainment possibilities, and it could not be more simple and inexpensive.  You can go to the local dollar store and purchase packs of "Matchbox" cars and plastic sand buckets(for retrieving the speeding cars) and you are set.

 

 

Hesitantly, I will also show you this extremely simple project that has also brought hours of enjoyment.  Believe me, this will never make "Pinterest", but it works well for us.
Empty all the big sweet potato cans that you used for the thanksgiving events, and throw in some empty soup cans too.  Grab a roll of red(or whatever colored duct tape you have on hand), and an old unused table board, and make yourself a garage for all the little cars that you can confiscate from the toybox.   If you are feeling really good, you can give the little ones a marker and let them mark roads leading up to each garage space.  There you go, two ideas for you on this Friday morning.

 

Hope you are given some holiday smiles today.  They sure do help make one's day happier.