Merry Christmas!

Hello friends. I know I’ve been gone for a bit and I feel I’ve really dropped the ball on blogging this month. I had so many great posts ideas, but never got a second to get them out. Things were crazy with school and Christmas and then my dear mother was in the hospital for a surgery five days last week. That took priority over everything and Christmas fell by the wayside. Thankfully, she is now home and healthy and that is the greatest gift this year. Besides that, the shooting has put a little cloud on everything this season for us all. While I’m determined to do some things to make a difference, I am trying to find those special moments with my family and friends.

I realized December has been so manic I haven’t barely enjoyed my tree…or our special keepsakes! Tomorrow, I am sitting in my living room and putting my feet up. I will take it all in.. Like my old Father Christmas, above.

The bells made for me by my talented friend Sue..

Our Christmas photos of years gone by…I love seeing photos from Christmas’s past at others homes too.

Cherished ornaments like this otter from the Monterey Bay Aquarium bought by a little boy.

I’ll get another look at all the adorable cards we have been lucky to receive.

I just love the California snowman my youngest made at school! Get it?

We wrapped the last presents today and we delivered our bags of cookies for our neighbors.

The kid’s trees came out so cute as did their peppermint pinwheels.

Made my Christmas lasagna for tomorrow too!

While we are at it, I had to show you how darling some people decorate! Look below at my friend Sue’s kitchen table..

My friend Kim’s dining room…

And my friend Leasa’s mantel…

These women so inspire me. I love how creative each one was using found and bought objects to make their homes festive and stylish.

I’m going to take a week or so to just be with my family and get offline. Before I leave, I want to share this little gift, a wonderful show about the rituals of the season. I couldn’t imagine a Christmas without watching Rick Steves’ European Christmas. If you’re a PBS viewer, you may be familiar, as it’s played a lot this time of year. Let me tell you, it warms the heart. I know it sounds corny, but I cry at the end every time. My family is crazy about it too. Watch it with those you love. It really does bring the true meaning of Christmas in focus. It’s about the traditions and not the gifts. We could all use a little more of that and a little less black Fridays in our world in my opinion. You can see it here.

Thank you so to all the readers and fellow bloggers from California and all over the world who regularly stop by this blog. I am truly grateful for your comments and notes and just for reading and being here.