'Twas the Week Before Christmas

Just a few more days to go, and it will be Christmas Day.  The day we've all been making lists for ... and decorating for ... and cooking for ... and shopping for ... and little ones not-so-patiently waiting for.  Our houses are all warm and cozy, and even more welcoming with the soft glow of Christmas candles and colored lights casting flickering shadows on the walls.   I've finished my decorating and shopping and will be moving on to my list-making mode this week, as I gather recipes for our favorite Christmas candies, snacks, and goodies, along with all the traditional dishes we make for our Christmas Dinner, which we have at noon on Christmas Day.   This past weekend I took a few pictures of some of my decorating efforts.  They're mostly of our breakfast area which adjoins the kitchen, our main gathering place during the holidays.      I love having the tree in the breakfast area so I can enjoy it while I work in the kitchen. The old Welsh dresser is the focal point of the room, and I love decorating it for the different seasons. I think Christmas is my favorite season, because I can display some of our children's beloved keepsakes and decorations from Christmases Past.  Every time I look at them, they make me smile ...   Like the little angel chimes my husband and I bought for one of our first Christmases ... And the Santa's Workshop we bought when our children were babies ... A new addition to the dresser this year is this tiny, but oh, so beautiful poinsettia that was calling my name when I was in Kroger's one day last week.  There was no way I could leave it there ... The little chandelier elf came back this year, and is carefully clutching a candy cane he must have helped himself to during the night (I thought I heard scampering!)  ... Just look at that sweet little face ... he looks so pleased with himself. Our granddaughter Avery Grace's Santa Claus collection is growing ... And one of the Santas is watching over the festivities from the dining room, since there was no more room in the breakfast area ... The "candy jar centerpiece" on the breakfast table is, of course, our grandchildren's favorite decoration. You can just see the "visions of sugarplums dancing through their heads" ... and the elf's! This cardinal watches over his nest hidden amongst the branches of the mantel garland in the living room. Don't you just love Christmas candles! I've saved my favorite Christmas keepsake for last.  It is the nativity set I bought several years ago and, although it is rather plain compared to some of the more elaborate and expensive sets, I wouldn't trade it for anything.    I hope to capture more pictures this week, and hope you are enjoying your preparations for Christmas, whatever they may be.  I'm sure mine will involve making lots of lists and "checking them twice."