Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Christmas 2010

Although Christmas day is over and the house has returned to a little more normalcy, I really love these days.  There is a certain amount of quiet calm to reflect on the wonderful times that we spent with family and friends and to think about the true meaning of Christmas.  I will leave my decorations up until Epiphany on January 6th so there is a lot of time for quiet reflection and I never tire of these days.

Our Christmas was absolutely fabulous.  I love the fact that we still have so many  little believers around.  Christmas is always so special with children. 

We celebrate with a large gathering at our home on Christmas Eve.   Rather than trying to organize a dinner with excited children, we have resorted to lots of hearty appetizers.  Everyone brings a couple and the food is left for snacking on throughout the evening.  It works out well and not one seems to leave hungry.

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It seems like the kitchen is always a great gathering place.



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SIL, niece and my two sisters.



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My mom and one of my DILs.




Opening presents always starts off VERY ORGANIZED!!!  One person opens a gift, starting with the youngest,  and then moves on to the next.  After about six or seven gifts are opened it invariably turns into happy chaos.  As they say, “best laid plans”.  We follow gifts with dessert and the singing of “Happy Birthday” to our Christmas grandson.  There is nothing like celebrating your birthday with ALL of your cousins.  The party breaks up shortly afterwards as there is still assembly of Santa gifts at other homes.  Those late nights of doing that are NOT missed!!! 



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Patiently waiting for gift opening.

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Everyone finding their seats for the best vantage point.



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Happy chaos.


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I made the gift cards a little more difficult to get to this year.

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Happy Birthday to you!!!!!!


Christmas Day started off with Church and then several of the kids came back for a Christmas morning brunch at the house.  The little ones got to play for a few hours before our son and his family headed on home after the fun days spent with us.


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A Christmas/birthday hug.

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We did not want to let this dolly get away from us.


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Our first rollover - on Christmas Day, no less.


There wasn’t a lot of sewing that went on over Christmas as the studio is used as a nursery.  I am always excited to get back into sewing again and there are endless new inspirations as the new year starts.  I need to catch up on my blocks for my Thread Head Quilt Along before I get too far behind.  I will share those in my next post.  I did finish up a candle mat that I made for the gal who helps my mom.


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I loved the fabrics on this one.
Several delightful packages have arrived in the mail.  The first was a beautiful centerpiece made my my friend, Midlife Mom.  It fits perfectly on my bare table under my pear tree arrangement.  How did she know that I needed something there????


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Perfect!

As well, Micki sent me a delightful quilting magazine from Ireland.   This was the second one that she sent as the first one was lost somewhere in the mail system.  Thank you, Micki, I have really enjoyed some quiet time looking through it.


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Thanks, Micki
Lana sent me a wonderful selection of fabrics and a pattern that I won from her Christmas giveaway.  Thank you, Lana, I know that I will enjoy using them.


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Thanks, Lana


Speaking of giveaways, be sure to check out Linda's wonderful Giveaway to celebrate her 300 followers and the bringing in of 2011.  Linda is a delightful and prolific blogger and I am sure you will find lots of inspiration on her blog.

It’s hard to imagine that 2010 is coming to a close.  It seems like only yesterday we were concerned about a new millennium and here we are already almost eleven years into it.  Time really does fly.  Our new years will be a quiet dinner with my mom, sister, BIL and our daughter and her children.  Her husband has to work on New Year's Eve.

26 comments:

  1. Happy chaos sums it up beautifully, doesn't it! Such excitement with all the little ones around! Midlife Mom's gift is beautiful, and perfect for your pear tree!
    I have some projects waiting for me when I get home too, and I can't wait to get going again in the new year. Enjoy relaxing after your wonderful Christmas!

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  2. In my kitchen there is a sign above the large entry that reads "Gathering Room" because like you and yours...it seems this is where we always visit! You sure have a nice large family and I have to ask...was it warm out that day at yours? I'm so looking forward to warmer temps; can you tell? Happy New Year to you!!

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  3. Oh my goodness! It looked like such fun!
    Love those bows on the cabinet doors!!!That is one cute dolly for sure she is precious!All your goodies look wonderful! Yes soon on to 2011 I say WOW a lot just thinking about it! I have some things I would like to do & a few to finish but not going to make any kind of declarations as to WHEN...hahaha!
    Happy New Year to you and yours!!
    Hugs,
    Lola

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  4. Looks like your Christmas was delightful! Happy chaos is a good thing now and then. All your Christmas mail is wonderful. Enjoy! The candle mat is great! I also love the fabric.

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  5. What a lovely centrepiece your friend sent. We had happy chaos at our house too. But wouldn't miss it for the world. Now that everyone has gone home, I'm going to reorganize my sewing room and start sewing. Have many ideas for 2011. Happy New Year.

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  6. I just tingle all over when I blow your photos up and look at your amazing family. It is beyond my comprehension. They all look like they get on so well too although I am sure there are squabbles at times.

    The pear tree with the scenery through the window in the background is fabulous and gives my a much better idea of your location. I am just trying to imagine looking out on that scene every morning.

    Have a great new year and many blessings for this coming year Mary.

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  7. looks like a great christmas was had in SoCal.......

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  8. I loved the photos full of happy grandkids. What a delight!!! I want the view from your table with the pear tree!!!! Lovely gift to sit it on! And the fabric in the candlemat is soooo pretty! Beautiful gift for the lady who helps your mom. :-) Happy New Year!! I agree that it seems only a short time ago that it was all about the Millennium!

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  9. Thank you for sharing your Christmas with me! It looks like fun was had by everyone.

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  10. That sure is a happy bunch and so many,LOL
    It looks like everyone had a great time.
    MM gift was beautiful so sweet of her.
    Have a great day.

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  11. Your Christmas looks like a wonderful time! You have a beautiful family. You have to tell your Mom for me that she has the prettiest hair. I hope my hair turns that awesome shade of white. It is just gorgeous.
    Your partridge in a pear tree is the coolest thing ever! Where did you find that?

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  12. Wow what a houseful!!! Lots of kiddy-beeps amongst you!!! Sounds like a wonderful time was had!, and what wonderful gifts made and received! Good stuff! 8-)

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  13. Oh you have a beautiful big family! May you all be blessed.

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  14. The chaos is great and the pictures are wonderful. Thanks for sharing your family's celebration. Happy New Year to you and your family.

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  15. Oh My, what a beautiful, wonderful, house filled with family and love. Thank you for sharing.

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  16. You and MM do such lovely work! What a fun surprise.

    Our celebrations were very small compared to yours this year - not much cooking either, which was fine with me. Then I ended up with the stomach flu yesterday, which ruined our anniversary today.

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  17. It looks like you and yours had a great Christmas! I love that centerpiece!

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  18. I just loved doing christmas with your beautiful family in your lovley home. TFS Mary.

    Love the table mat under the Pear Tree.

    Wishing Your Family and You a Happy and Healthy 2011.

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  19. You have a beautiful family, and I envy the loud, boisterous, loving gathering that you hosted. What fun it must have been, and thank you for sharing the wonderful photos.
    Here in Iowa we've dealt with snow and frigid temps and uncooperative driving conditions this past week, but we did have family gatherings, and that's the only way I truly enjoy the holiday season -- being with family.
    Happy New Year to you and your family, and may 2011 be a special time for you.

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  20. what a fabulous post...looks like you all had an amazing time!! I LOVE that you "wrapped" your cupboards!!!!!
    how fun toe have the first roll over on Christmas...darling! love the pear tree...and LOVE LOVE LOVE the candle mat!!!!

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  21. Your post brought back all the memories of Christmas at Grandma's with my 14 cousins and our parents! What a wonderful time :)

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  22. and there are those lovely and beautiful cabinet bows...I LOVE THOSE! You have a LARGE family! And can we talk about that little baby girl! WOW.
    I love reading everyone's posts about Christmas...your family has been especially fun!

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  23. such wonderful festivities! Love it all the more chaos the better right? lol!!!
    our christmas was quiet and very different this year it was nice though! i spent the day in my pj's:)
    so out of the leage of computer use as i use the one at work for mostly emails...hopefully i get it tomorrow! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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  24. Your Christmas looks fantastic, how great to have all your family close enough to come and visit and to have a home big enoughto fit them all in! My daughter and I were just saying if it was hot here at Christmas we could all spill into the garden and there would be so much more room. Have a happy and blessed New Year!

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  25. Your Christmas celebration with the family sounded wonderful! I enjoyed seeing all of the pics of your large family. Glad that you enjoyed the magazine.
    Micki

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