December 10th already?

Please tell me that it isn't December 10th already. How can that be? I see that my last post was December 1st. Yikes! I do have a good reason, I hope.

There are so many delightful commitments at this time of the year and it does seem as though we are on the go all the time. As well, there are lots of projects that I have been trying to finish up for Christmas gifts. I know....I always say that I will start these in January. Does anyone else do the same thing? I guess I work better under stress.

Last week I was without my DSL connection and it was a frustrating week. It amazes me at how dependent I have become on this computer. I am shocked at how often I will go to the internet to check out a recipe, shop, communicate or research each day. It is only when it is down that you become aware of how addicting it can be. The modem failed on Monday and it wasn't until Friday that things were up and running again. I do have to say that it did allow me a lot of time to accomplish other things.

Although it was terrible timing, we had a painter in doing a lot of work that needed it badly. He finished up last Friday after two weeks of work. I think I have finally gotten the bedroom out of the living room and can now proceed with decorating for Christmas. Yeah!

The first thing that goes up in our home is our collection of Nativity sets. We have close to thirty sets that we have picked up through our travels and as gifts. The pictures that I will show you will include all the pieces, however, in reality there are no kings and infant in our sets until Christmas day. It gives us more of a sense of anticipation during the Advent season.

We will have two trees this year - a first for us. We "inherited" my in-laws Christmas tree after my FIL passed away last spring. My husband and I would always go over fix dinner and decorate their tree for them during the holidays. It will be a special tree for us this year and I like the idea of being able to have the tree up early and not worry about it drying out. My husband really wants a "real" tree with the smell filling the house so we will have two trees up.

We were at my mother's last weekend with my sister and BIL while we put her tree up, decorated her home and had dinner together. It, too, is another yearly tradition. Her tree is covered with mauve roses and small satin packages.

We have Christmas parties today and tomorrow. The office party is on Friday and Saturday is our big family dinner here.

Each year we have a lovely Christmas dinner party for our children, their spouses, and my husband's five brothers and their wives. It will be a little smaller this year without my FIL and his caretaker, but it is still a group of twenty two. It has always been a great way to celebrate the season as a family. Everyone lives close by so no one will have to travel too far to attend. My kitchen is ready for the cooking to begin.

In my next post I will show some of the projects that I have been working on while I was internet-less. Until then, continue to enjoy this beautiful season.