It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas ...

... did you sing-song the title? :)

One would think that I would be hyped up and ready for the season ... and, honestly? That is farther from the truth than anything! I can hardly believe that it is the eve of December 7th and not only have I not pulled together recipes (let alone bake them!), but I haven't even shopped!! Of course, this is not completely unusual for us - - it would not be the holiday season if I were not cross-eyed with exhaustion and nearly cutting my fingertips off instead of ribbon while watching Christmas Vacation for the hundredth time!! It's just how we roll ... it's tradition. However, one of these years - I swear! - I will have gifts purchased and wrapped before December - - how lovely that must be for those on the ball (sigh).

The one thing that is checked off of my list - - we are decorated and the tree is up! Truly, an accomplishment as this year was trying ... we were all suffering from head colds and what normally takes me a couple days of decorating, took me practically a week! It was making my son crazy ... he kept reminding me of our need to decorate (as my dining room table was HEAPED with decor!) and how Santa will be so upset with us - - too cute! Then, I would find little decorations placed here and there, and when I would go to move it, he had a fit saying, "I'm decorating! Go lay down and rest." :) My helper.

So, I decided that since my daughter was having major drama over our tree being in a different place this year ... really? Does it matter? ... I figured that I would have to put up the village. Lord knows that a hissy fit would have occurred if all of our tradition took a different spin this year! So, up went the village ...

My ode to Charles Dickens and Norman Rockwell :)

Some other new do-dads to note ...

A large, grungy ornament...

A sweet, little Christmas mouse ... perched atop my favorite flea-market find ...

... that also houses my seasonal books and snow-bound memories. BTW, loved this book! Dorothea Benton Frank ... awe, just the best!!

... and something not so new - - our nativity. It's as old as I am! Just don't ask HOW old ... :) My dad had built the manger when I was a little girl ... I love having this in our home.

Something else treasured ...

My daughter's skates. The last ornament given to my daughter from her great-Pap-Pap.

And, finally ...

... our tree.

I'm thinking that our visiting elves should be arriving this week to spread a little magic - - perhaps that will be the kick in the pants that I'm waiting for!

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.

~Burton Hillis