Merry Christmas EVE!

Golly, we have been so busy around here, I've neglected this little blog!

Anyway, here are the things we have been doing that has been filling up so much of our time

Presents for neighbors:

The taller ones were made with "fried onion" cans and covered with paper.

What is in them? Well, I forgot to take a picture of that, but there are Chewy Ginger Cookies (that are as pretty as they are delicious), Peanut Butter Bon-Bons and Fudge Dipped Ritz crackers with sprinkles . . . all very festive ; )

The menu is set and so is the table.

The tree is adorned and usually quite more beautiful, but ALL the white lights stopped working, every single one, bummer. SO, new there are just a few red ones left to glimmer. Hopefully, we'll get it figured out for next year.

The only Christmas decoration I bought this year (stop gasping, it is true!)

I just couldn't stop the tradition of buying a dated ornament. This one plays music too, "Hark The Harold Angels Sing."

The mantle has been decorated since November.

With red berries and vines.

Our upstairs tree is still glimmering with lights and boughs of fir adorn the stairs.

We've also been counting down the days to Christmas with our Advent Boxes. Each box can hide a new surprise that I can change every year and it flips from the date with a picture to an "x" after you've opened it. I love it. And, for the surprises that are too big for the box? I put a key to the treasure chest pictured beside it in the little cubby. Everyday before we open that day's box, we read from The Bible discussing different topics, like Peace, Love, Joy and we read a chapter from Mark so that they can hear the entire story of Jesus, not just that of His birth, for what good is the Joy of Christmas without the Hope of Easter?

This little nativity set has been growing as we open the doors to the boxes.

Notice who is missing? Yes, the little baby Jesus and the Angel will announce His birth . . . they'll arrive in the box for December 25th!

Merry Christmas EVE!