Then and Now

Once Christmas day comes and goes, I am always ready to restore order in our home.  After a month of Frazier Fir needles falling on the floor and furniture where furniture normally isn't, getting things back to normal is a welcome thought.  Some of us are sad, and yes, I am a little bit, but I know that all good things must end.  It reminds me of the Sesame Street episode, "It's Christmas Again" when all of the people on Sesame Street were trying to sing "hang some tinsel on the tree it's Christmas again" with as much enthusiasm in July as they once had in December.  It just wouldn't be special if we had Christmas every day....and we would all go broke.

Looking back...

On Christmas Eve, Eve, a little elf delivered this.

This is the giveaway that I won from Sandy at Reluctant Entertainer, one of my very favorite blogs.  At the ripe age of forty...ahem, cough, cough, this is my first apron and I couldn't think of a sweeter person to receive it from.  Sandy always knows just what to say and how to say it, occasionally bringing me to tears.  Needless too say, I have already put the apron to use and am fully enjoying it.  The Hip Hostess, the sponsor of the giveaway, has all sorts of adorable aprons, and I am certain they will be seeing more of me. 

On Christmas Eve, we went to Mom's for a wonderful dinner and gifts exchange.  We always gather around the tree and visit for hours, eat more food than an individual should, then exchange presents.  This time when Mom got up to play the piano, Mattie Gray was the first to listen. She loves her grandma.

By the end of the night, our girl was tired.  She wasn't about to take a nap for fear she might miss something.

 As tradition would have it, we didn't leave the house on Christmas Day and with the rainy weather, it was the perfect day to stay at home.  We started our day with yummy Cranberry Lemon Pull Aparts, definitely a do again.

Also, as tradition would have it, the tree is now at the street, the ornaments are in the attic, and the furniture is back where it belongs.  Some of us are sad.  Some of us aren't.  One of us will be working for days to come, because you never have it all put away.  You just think you do. 

You may not hear from me for the next few days.  I will be:

1. Making the playroom more playful
2. Enjoying the last week of winter break with the boys
   
3. Trying to resist the urge to eat yet another piece of chocolate
4. Giving thought to seat cushions and window treatments for the kitchen 
5. Thinking about a slip cover for the ottoman
   
6. Attempting to get back to some sort of fitness routine, ugh and oink
   
7. Celebrating the New Year

Thank you for all of your kind and supportive words and your constant supply of inspiration.  I really appreciate all of your comments and always look forward to hearing from you.