the day after...

you won't see any actual photos of us "today" in this post.
we all have bed head...
and even though it's 5:00 pm...
we're still in jammies.
it has been the most beautiful day.
sunny and bright.

the remnants of yesterday all sitting
as if time stood still.

our tree is nearing it's end...
as i type i hear the needles drop every now and then.

yesterday was wonderful...
my little family was so good to one another.
the girls were excited to GIVE...
and watch the reaction of each other.
beautiful.
sweet and thoughtful.

it was a nice slow moving morning...
coffee and sticky buns.
nibbling on chocolate too.

we had christmas dinner last night with the big family...

the smell of turkey.
the table set for the feast....
that makes elsie so happy!

i love to watch the cousins together...

there was a lot of talk of santa...
and toys...
and how magical it all is...

We all wished for a merry little christmas...
and that's just what we received.

I WISH YOU A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS...and a heart full of love

here it is...down to 3 more sleeps...lots left to do
but i couldn't go another minute
without remembering and sharing why christmas...
and santa...mean so much to me.
it started as a little girl
because of a very special man...
a santa who's love for me was pure and unconditional.

...because he was also my papa.

he is the reason i believe...

he had the most amazing heart
and the spirit of an adventurous boy

he was so much more than a grandfather...
he was one of the best friends i've ever had.

never judged me
or scolded me
never expected a thing from me.
he only loved me.
everyday, until the end...he just loved me.

and we shared a love that needed no words.
we both just knew.

he was fun, silly, goofy.
he was wonderful.

even growing up with him so far away...
it never changed.

and now that he's been gone 16 years
he is still right here with me.
he's one of the reasons i have love in my heart...
especially at christmas.
i wish you all this kind of love.
thank you all for letting me share
my favorite things with you throughout the year...
merry merry christmas
xoxox

the most important tree...

well. you've seen both #1 and #2 trees.
i've saved my favorite for last.

for a few years now i have enjoyed
a "decorated tree."
one with a colour theme
with only co-ordinating ornaments.
.....but this year, because we got to have three...

tree #3 has all the really special stuff.
the ones that haven't been out for a while.
these are the ones that make me happy sad.
baby's first christmas...
handmade for mommy from pre-school class...
very precious ones with hand written names from nanny.

and then there are the ones that are just cute.
can't forget the ones that are from such a long time ago...
from great-aunts and grandmas and nanas

the amazing thing to me
is how well they all go together...
like a well planned "theme"
just for us.
this is where we'll be christmas morning...

still in the making...

our little space for creating
got a bit of a switch around

we took everything out
and started over

stuff finally went up on the walls

our smiles grew as things just kind of came together

there's more than a few nooks to fill

and i have more than a few boxes to sort through

but this room is becoming...
a bit of a dream come true

and we're not done yet...
ok, back to Christmas...

wordless wednesday...around the house

brrrrrrr..

oh sure it looks lovely out there...
but it is so cold,
oliver doesn't even want to go out.

glad i can just watch the snow pile up
from in here.
tired of looking at my tree and fireplace yet?
i'm not.
i can't take my eyes off them...
they are a great form of relaxation therapy,
after a few nights of entertaining
i've needed it.
now it's time to get the gift shopping finished up.
i guess that means i'll have to go outside...

white christmas...

this year we added a white tree...
i've always wanted one
and looks so nice in the living room

the girls were in charge
and they did a lovely job
it's not too overdone..
simple...
perfect

this room is soft and quiet,
creamy, light and calm.
easy going...plain jane.
party no.2 is tonight.

i am so mad at myself...

at about this time last night, my dining table was
completely covered with beautiful packages of cookies...
and i FORGOT to get my camera out!!

i played host once again to the now
annual cookie exchange party
we had 13 girls all excited to take part in the fun
 

i was sure to share my love of christmas decor...

of course there were bits of evergreen...

and christmas trees...

and we enjoyed some wine and goodies 

it was so much fun
i wish we could do it more often...