I had a lot of fun decorating the guest room yesterday.  I plan to add some Evergreen boughs to the shelf later in November, but I am pretty happy with the results of my labor!

I love a Country Christmas!

A couple of Teddy Bears greet our guests with a gift....and old fashioned ornaments from my childhood.

Close Up of the Shelf about the bed.

Early start

Does Friday count as the "weekend"? I hope so because I just couldn't wait to dig into my Christmas boxes any longer!!!  It actually began last night with a trip to the basement for 2 boxes, and then 2 more...just to get a little peak at what I have.  Its been almost 2 years since my boxes were in storage and I was so excited to see what was in them!  I think there might be a box missing, or perhaps I sold some items and don't remember doing that, but in any event I am so happy to have my Christmas things ready to use here in Canada!  At first I wasn't sure where to even start, so I just took everything out and then sorted the items in piles based on what they had in common.  Snowmen with snowmen, lights with lights, bow with bows, etc.  Since we won't be getting our tree till right before I leave for Michigan, I wasn't sure which room to start with.  I decided on the guest room.  It has a country/lodge/rustic theme so I sorted the decorations that were similar to that theme and started this afternoon.  I think it looks really cheery and festive, yet cozy.

I have so much left to do, but I am tired out from all the creativity!!!  Think I will sit with a cup of coffee and a couple of Country Living magazines and plot my next  Christmas decorating challenge; the kitchen!

My messy living room!  So much left to do!

 

This little Elf was mine when I was a little girl.  He is a little "beat up" from his many years of Christmas times and travels from house to house, but he still brings a smile to my face when I see him!

My daughter turned 20 the other day. 

Sigh....  How can it be?  Wasn't she just running around the house in pig tails, dressing the cat up as a baby and singing about mermaids and princes?  I miss having her with me in the day to day activities of life.  Chatting as we folded laundry or did the dishes, running to Starbucks in our jammies for a coffee fix on Saturday mornings.  I remember telling her every year on her birthday that that had to be the last year each time, she wasn't allowed to get any older, she could not grow up...but somehow, time wouldn't let her stop and now she is a young woman, married and thinking about having a family of her own someday.  Although I miss my little girl, I have to say I truly enjoy the friend she has become..she comforts me when I am sad, she laughs with me, cries with me, encourages me and prays for me.  No matter how old she gets though, or how mature she becomes, she will always be my little girl.

I have decided to go ahead and start putting out Christmas decorations this weekend....it will be November and then I can justify it.  HAHA  All this early snow and shopping in stores that are playing Christmas tunes and displaying adorable snowmen has gotten to me and I just can't wait any longer!

Okotoks

Today Amber, little Emma, Juddson, Michelle and I headed over to Okotoks to spend the day NIC NAC shopping.  We visited one of our favorite little shops called "All through the house"...the owner had some really cute Christmas things!!!  The store also sells antiques, candy, ice cream and books.  I found two more cranberry wooden blocks used as decorations in door frames from an old farm house...I already have two so four is even better!!  It was nice to get out and just be with the girls, oh and ummm, Juddsonn too!

 Today was one of those days.....you know the ones are that full of silly little things that remind you "Your only human."  It started out pretty good...got ready, took Ben to school, but then came grocery shopping time.  Mind you, I never have liked "going to market"...but anyway, I made my list and away I went.  When I got to the grocery store I soon realized I lost my list.  Strike #1.  I decided I would just get things that I know we really needed, shampoo, laundry soap, toilet paper...etc.  Then I made my way around the store getting ingrediants for tonights supper...when all was done I wheeled my way to the check out..as I was lifting laundry soap onto the conveyor belt, it slipped from my hand and smacked lid first on the floor, and of course the top craked and blue syrupy liquid came oozing out all over the place.  Strike #2  When I got home I decided to just forget those 2 strikes and continue on with my day.  I started dinner which is spaghetti and meat sauce with garlic toast.  MMMM, I love garlic toast.  So, I start gathering the items I need for the toast and when I open the lid off of the minced garlic I notice it looks kinda funny, probably because its minced GINGER and not garlic.  Strike #3 and I am out.  I think I will just get in my pajamas and call it a day!

 Mountains remind me of times in our lifes when we thought we could never overcome the hard things; and then God made a way and braught us to the summit so we could see all the beauty we had missed during the climb.

Calvin makes me smile.  This past Sunday he took me for a drive out in Kananaskis Country and we took a walk around this dry river bed.  I love spending time with him enjoying the simple pleasures of life. 

Snow Day

Today it snowed, not just regular snow, but BIG white fluffy flakes that made you want to break out in some festive winter song!  I had a hot cup of coffee and just sat on the couch watching it all come down and felt all warm and happy inside.  I love the start of winter, the excitement that follows, knowing that soon Christmas will be here and all the wonders that go with it.  In a previous post I mentioned how I am longing to put out my Christmas decorations, and todays gift of snow just made it worse!!!

A candle always makes the house just a bit cozier....

Our garden, in retirement.  :)

This is Max, the neighbors cat.  He has found a way into our hearts and home and often naps as well as dines with us.

Ready! All Ready....

Today my friend Michelle and I paid a visit to our favorite country decorating store....and they have started putting out Christmas items, and well, now I have the urge to start digging into my Christmas boxes! It is only October, so I don't think I can justify snowmen and red berries when Halloween hasn't even passed yet!!!  There is just something incredibly homey about Christmas decorations....the smell of holiday candles...the burst of red and green colors...red and white candy canes and shining, twinkling lights.

For now though I must be paitent and content with the colors of Fall...which really aren't bad at all now that I think about it....unless you compare them with the colors of Christmas, and then, well then, they just won't do.

Kids and other things

Joe and Amanda treated me to a get away week in Houston.  I cannot believe how fast it went!  Of all the things we did, places we ate, gifts given to me, the thing I think I enjoyed the most was just being with the people I love.  Joe has grown up so much and is becoming a fine young man.  Amanda is a caring young Mom and a good wife to her husband, and she is so content with her life.  As a Mom, it makes your heart happy to know your kids are doing well. 

Out on the town with friends..

I am enjoying my time in Houston.  The days are flying by and I cannot believe I will be coming home in 3 days!  Each day we do different things and recently Amanda, Elise and I met with some friends for dinner at a Mexican restaurant called Los Cucos.  Sherrie Lindsey and her family are home from St. Lucia for a bit as her daughter Kayla is getting married, so we were able to spend some time together.  My friend Rosemary and her daughter Alicia met with us too.  We had such a good time talking and catching up and laughing about the memories we have made together!  I forgot how good the Mexican food is here.....I ordered a beef fajita meet stuffed avocado that is breaded and then deep fried...piled on the plate are refried beans, pico di gallo and rice. MMMM MMMM  Last night Daniel, Amanda, some of thier friends, Joe & Jessica and I went out to a Bubble Tea House here in Houston.  I've never had Bubble Tea before and I have to say it was really good.  Then we went to this Memorial that is like a Pyramid and we climbed around on that and sat around talking till the mosquitos drove us away!!!  This afternoon we will be attending Kayla's wedding and then I think most likely we will just relax.  Church tomorrow! Then a trip to Galveston and before you know it, it will be Monday and I will be on my way home.