Nothing says Love like putting up a Christmas tree together

I've always loved a real Christmas tree.   Somehow the fake ones don't evoke the sense of tradition and Christmas spirit tht the real ones do.

Luckily for me, Hubby loves a real tree as well.  There was never any fighting or discussion over real vs. fake.  Also, we are both pretty easy-going about lights - there's no controversy over twinkle vs. big bulbs or white vs. colored lights.

When we got married 5 years ago, we were able to meld our ornaments and our personal tastes and always ended out with a tree we loved.

This year, of course, we're putting up a tree in our new house.  We both feel extra-specially excited about it. 

Following tradition, we went to the place around the corner to pick a tree.  We were both pretty shocked over the prices.  Instead of the usual $40-$50 per tree, we were seeing $60-$70.   Way over our price range.   We walked around and eventually did find a tree for $40.    Actually, it was really $35, but we gave them $40 cause the proceeds go to charity.  Also because usually we talk them down and pay less than they're asking, so we thought we could make up for it a little.

Anyway, we brought our tree home, and for the first time, we struggled to get the tree to stay up in the stand.    Neither of us were being very nice about it.  Cranky was a word used more than once.  But eventually we got it up.  

And Hubby surprised me with this:

Isn't he a sweet romantic?

Our Yearly Tradition

Ever since I've lived in Salem, I've gone to the annual Christmas Parade.  It's a tradition I've always enjoyed.   When my kids were young, I'd dress them up in winter coats, hats, mittens, boots and we'd stand and wave at the people on the floats.

As they got older, we joined in the parade as members of boy scouts, girl scouts, PTA, sports teams.  Probably the last time one of my kids participated was when my son, as a high school senior, joined the float celebrating their undefeated, state championship football team.

Even after the kids had left the house and no longer came with me, I always went to watch the parade.  It's such an old-time tradition, and, after being a resident of the town for 25 years, I knew a lot of people in the parade.

Recently, it's been our pleasure to bring my niece Laura and my grand-daughter Emily to the parade.  They both love it, and love being together.

This year was different.  Our new house is right on the parade route.  Emily couldn't make it - the poor thing is sick.  But Laura still wanted to come, and we met up with some friends to watch.

Our "crew" includes my friend's daughter Ashley, her dad Red, my friend Sylvie, my friend Debbie, Sylvie's husband Jim, me and Laura.  Hubby was manning the camera.  We are standing in front of the fire station because Ashley's husband is a firefighter, and is newly arrived back from Iraq.

Lancaster school was the school my children attended.  I think they had the best float in the parade.

Girl Scouts always have a place in my heart.

Ashley's husband is on the float of veterans newly returned from Iraq.



Our Salem High marching band.



And of course, Santa and the Mrs.





My New Craft

My friend Kay, whom I work with, is a "stamper".   She makes all her own cards.  We went over to her place a few weeks ago, and she has a whole room downstairs filled with stamping materials:  paper, stamps, punches, rolling stampers, etc, etc.

I was quite envious.  I love craft paper.  I've been scrapbooking for about 12 years now.   Stamping is one step away from scrapping.  

So she's turned me on to this new craft.  I joined her stamp club.  Every month I HAVE to buy at least $15 worth of stamping materials. 10 or 12 other women do the same.  And every once in a while, I get to be the hostess for the month, and earn free stuff and hostess gifts.

I tried out my new "talent" on two cards for my daughter and my sister.  They're very basic, as I don't really have any materials yet.....but here they are:



Another Home Improvement Project

Our new house has a mudroom off the kitchen.   It was in very sad condition.   The roof leaked, the lights didn't work, the floor was a disaster.   

Hubby took care of the roof.  And he also installed a new ceiling light and fixed the electricity so the ceiling light and the porch light both worked.  

Then it was my turn.

The very sad floor:

The stained ceiling.  This one is only a partially "before" picture because that is the new light fixture.  The old one was falling apart, rusted and had no glass covering.

If these tiles look familiar....well.....they are.   They are the same as the tiles I put into the bathroom.    6 boxes of these tiles were given to me by my brother.   "Free for Me!!"

Now that the ceiling and floor look so nice, I've decided I want to paint the walls.  It's paneling but I'll paint right over it with a nice bright color.  



Our New Addition

My Hubby is a musician......and a musician without a piano is like a day without sunshine.  

One of the first things he wanted to do when we bought the new house was get a piano.........

and he did!

Watch out Cake Boss!

My baby daughter is turning 30 years old this weekend.   We always celebrate her birthday on Thanksgiving because she was, after all, a Turkey baby.

She plays women's football, so I created this lovely cake just for her.   You can't see it in the picture but there is a replica of her team's logo in the middle of the cake, and all the players and the line markers are "30".

Thanksgiving

My Dad did most of the work of cooking for our Thanksgiving feast.  Then my brother John carved the turkey and we all helped serve it up.

Of course, Dad had to do some quality control taste-testing of the turkey.

Nick, Kelly, Courtney, Sammi and Lloyd wait patiently for the food to come out.

Steve passes some food to Doug.

Ruth and Paul are replete after their holiday meal.

Sammi enjoyed her dinner.

Laura played a little Barbie dolls with the little kids.

Kara leads Ciera, Emily and Hailey in a sing-along.

Jamie and I took the kids on the traditional after-dinner walk.  When I was a girl, we took a walk after dinner to avoid doing dishes.

Aren't these little faces sweet?