Peace. On. Earth.

So the gifts are wrapped, the baking is done and since I'm not cooking this year, I don't have to worry about the meal prep .  The crazy madness is winding down.

All is calm....

In years past, when the boys were home, our tradition was to decorate the tree on Christmas Eve. The boys would all help...we'd drink egg nog or hot chocolate and of course have cookies.  It was always fun to take out each ornament and recall when we first got them ...  ooh and aah at the memories. 

This year (for many reasons) I didn't put up a tree and really missed those moments.  So tonight, in the quiet of the evening, I started looking through some Christmas pictures from 2009.  For years our tree has been white & blue with a snowman theme, but we always add our special keepsakes.  I was happy to find I'd photographed some of them.

So, as a way of saying my own little Merry Christmas, here's a parade of a few of those special memories.

My mom gave me this...I love the ocean and especially lighthouses.

 Alex's "first" Christmas.

Erik's "first" Christmas.

 Ian's "first" Christmas.

 Wynkin, Blinkin, and Nod

(from the book my folks read to my 2 brothers and I as kids)

 Raggedy Ann and Andy

(my mom gave me this the year she gave me my collector's Raggedy Ann)

 Joe Montana...remember when the 49'ers used to WIN!!

(Pretty sure this is Alex's).

Spiderman, for Erik (but they all loved comics)

and of course Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle,

a favorite with all of them!

And finally, another lighthouse. 
I really love how the light actually works like the real thing.

And now, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and...

 may you sleep in heavenly peace. 



Friendly Ghosts of Christmas Past

 My favorite part of Christmas is setting up the tree.  Looking at each of those keepsake ornaments as I choose their perfect place among the branches brings back so many memories of Christmas Past. Unfortunately, this year I won't be able to put up a tree with my ornaments and I was already starting to miss this tradition.  But then, over the weekend I came across pictures of many of my favorite ornaments (taken over the last few years). 

TMNT for Ian

  So, one of these evenings I'll sit down with a cup of hot chocolate and take a trip down virtual Santa Claus lane. 

In the meantime, I'm sharing this one since it fits in with the latest entry update in Wendy's Quiltfolio, the blog where I record my quilt finishes. 

Hope you'll check it out and maybe it'll bring back memories for you too.