It is Starting to Look a Little Like Christmas...

I have all but a couple of gifts bought, wrapped and under the tree. It is easier to do that when your children are older and you don't have to worry about "Santa." It is more about storage, which I have hardly none, so things get wrapped fast around here. It is a good feeling to know I am a hair away from being done.

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I put my tree up Thanksgiving weekend. It took me another week to get all the storage boxes put away...good grief.

My main tree is full of angels, nativities, seasonal words and symbols of Christ. I LOVE it. Sometimes I just sit and watch the lights shimmer. It is simple, but that is how I felt this year. Simplicity was the key for me this year during a very busy and crazy time. I never even found something for the top of the tree. I thought about different things, but nothing seemed right, and I didn't want to spend the money. However, the more I look at it, the bare top has grown on me.

Sometimes I wish I could keep it up year around...so peaceful. But then it wouldn't be as special, would it?

My "Santa tree" is in my dining room. It holds all the santas, snowmen, Hallmark ornaments and handmade ornaments that the kiddos have collected through the years.

My snowman collection. It wouldn't bee holiday decorating without them. I love each one, and the special people that gave them to me.

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I was LATE getting my picture for my Christmas card this year. Too busy, rainy days and kids not working with me, that I was "stressing" about a picture. Finally, the night of the band Christmas concert, I got them both to agree to pose for their CRAZY mom and her camera. Simple, right? It was worse than taking pictures of toddlers. One would smile, the other wouldn't, or they would get goofy, and mom was serious. That is NEVER a fun moment. In the end, I didn't get the DREAM shot, that I can frame for the grandmas, but a few worthy enough for a Christmas card, I guess. I took plenty trying, though.

Some with Santa hats...

There were some with hugs...

There were some with the dog...

After umpteen BILLION shots, this is the one I finally ended up putting on a card, only I did it in black and white. Or it might have been one similar. Who knows, I took so many. :)

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Move over Betty Crocker, I got my baking on. Last night I made Christmas cookies to give to my coworkers for the holidays. I made four different kinds of Oreo balls, easy but very yummy. I made peppermint bark. I made fudge. I also made these cute little guys...

I put a sampling of all I made in little gift boxes and gave them out today. Yummy for the tummy! They were received with smiles.

Christmas is just around the corner. It is so hard to believe it is almost here.

Praying you all have a safe and happy couple of weeks preparing for the holiday.

May you have peace...

After all, it will be the Prince of Peace's birthday real soon.