Year in Review - Edited

I am joining Cindy at My Romantic Home for her annual Year in Review. This is a difficult challenge. For a blogger to pick just a "few" highlights from the previous year, when there are 1000s of pictures to choose from.

I, of course, highlighted my children, my grandchildren, my precious Bentley....but there is also the infamous Bunny on a Stick, Cloche Party, Tablescape Thursdays, and various places we visited this past year. I wouldn't say 2009 was one of the best years, but any year VERTICAL is a Great Year!!












Marty, from a Stroll Thru Life and I have been TRYING to get together for lunch during the holidays. But then we both got sick...yada, yada, yada....I had already set the table for when she would come over...so I told her I would post it. The reindeer dishes were Target clearance 2 years ago. Everything else, I have had, I just switch it around. The jingle napkin rings....those I have to count whenever I use them....people tend to want to take them home! So I will also join in on Tablescape Thursday at Susan's.

If there were only words to tell all of my blogging friends how much blogging means to me. The prayers said for our family across this land and foreign....the inspiration to continue to dream and create, the sharing of fun and sad times...Blogging has brought hours of friendships into my life I couldn't even imagine. I am thankful for you...and I pray that 2010 will be a wonderful year for you and your families.

The possibilities are endless!!

TIRED!

We are beat! And I think a lot of us in Blogland must be! It is rather quiet!!

My husband and I had a wonderful Christmas with our family...busy and the house was in chaos with all the toys! Yesterday, we never left the house, not even to get the mail. We were just done. Today, we both woke up to Colds AGAIN!

I just wanted to pop in and say hi! Hope you are all getting back to normal after all the hustle and bustle! It is fun though, isn't it?

Merry Christmas!

Anyone Still UP?

WhooHoo.....I LOVE steroids! Not only do they help to make you FAT...but they keep you awake! I have been up since 3:30 AM. Don't worry....the sleep WILL COME later! So if you can't sleep, and you can't vaccuum....what do you do? You Blog!

My daughter gave me this sweet package of kleenex. Now you KNOW I am not using them. She KNOWS me!

I went to a Cookie Baking Party last week at my friend Kate from church. We had such a wonderful time talking about Christmas memories. Picture of me making cookies. I thought someone should see it as proof!

I just love these reindeer in my Family room. I bought them last year at a family grocery store here in AZ and they are some of my favorites. Yes, I know...there is no real theme to this post....remember...sleep deprivation.

Santa is resting just a bit at my home. I gave hime some Christmas tea and I figured if I let him sit in my unsittable antique chair....that might influence him to remember my NICE and not my Naughtys!

This picture is for Debbie at Ribbonwood Cottage. She has the most adorable kitchen tree...so many of you do...this little pan my mom would make me a cake in for Christmas. I just love it.

Oh, man....can I relate.....I would say this could be on my headstone someday....but it would also have to contend with WHATEVER!

When my friend Candy and I went to tea last week...we stopped at a consignment store....oh my word......does this tree scream Ceekay??? I am telling you, I really did TRY not to squeal so loud and EMBARRAS Candy. You could tell it yourself Candy....IF you would start that blog!!!

Be still my heart!

Oh, oh, OHHHH

Candy and I went to tea at The Front Porch in Mesa (previously Abbey Gardens). This was a wonderful tea restaurant, reasonable, friendly and so good. We will definately be going back

My box of goodies for Candy....oh, it is all in the presentation!

Her box to me. It was filled with such wonderful goodies....soaps, teas, tea strainer, ornies...but there was one absolutely feet stamping, jumping up and down goodie in there....Hold on to that thought....

I have been looking all Christmas for a teapot. Finally found it at the teashop and 35 percent off....I just love it. It has its own strainer in the lid.

Ok, the gift.....I never knew I need this until Tablescape Thursdays. Then I said, where have you been all my life you precious thing? I tell Candy when she goes to Missouri each year some antiques I would like to find. She didn't know what she was looking for, but she found it. Kept it all summer to give to me for Christmas. Ok...I will show you....but it is MINE, all mine. Just keeping it real!!!

Don't you LOVE it??????

See the little scoopy!!!

Anyone up yet???

AMAZING AND UNBELIEVABLE

Now I know I said I was journaling my cancer on my new blog...but you all gotta hear this. Remember at my last doctor's appointment the news was not good. The clinical trial drug was not working and they were going to start me on a traditional chemo with a booster. I was to wait until I heard from them to tell me when to start.
This past week has been difficult. Although I KNOW I am in God's hands, Christmas is an emotional time and full of memories....well, let's just say my poor hubs has put up with a lot of emotions from me.
I get a phone call this morning from my doctor's office. Answering it, I hear MY DOCTOR. In my head I am thinking, oh, this can't be good.
Well, long story short, the radiology center sent the wrong scan. They did not compare the most recent scan. THERE is STABILITY. NO NEW GROWTH. The drug is working. I don't understand totally why there was confusion. That will be found out more later....but, can you say Merry Christmas Ceekay????
So, tomorrow, I will be in the chemo chair. Getting the same trial for another 3 months. This time there should be some improvement.
I just had to share! God is so good. I am sooooooo happy!

I'm Dreaming of a Vintage Christmas

If you came to my home for a visit, you might be a little confused.
I have always been into "styles" of homes. Years ago I asked my Aunt Barbara, "Aunt Barb, what is your home style?" She laughed her wonderful chuckle and said, "its Aunt Barbara what she likes style!" As I grow older, I am liking this style more and more!

Ok, back to my home....I would say I decorate "kinda" old world. But then I have a country touch, a victorian side, and Grandma's attic too! So you can see my confusion.

One of these days I am going to have a vintage ornie tree. But until I do, I thought today, I would show the ornies I have in a collage for Mosaic Monday at Mary's.



If I just had a bigger house, all my decorating desires would be solved! But I am blessed with the home I have....and I just cannot have 10 trees...although I would like to!

I have enjoyed seeing all the tours of homes these past few weeks. I am always amazed at the genius ideas of blogland.

I don't know if I will post again before Christmas. Maybe, but if not....

I wish all of my Blogging friends the Merriest of Christmas. I hope all your wishes come true...that Santa is good to you....but most of all

I pray you remember the true Reason for the Season....to celebrate the birth of my personal Saviour, Jesus. I am so thankful to be a Child of the King!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

It Really Isn't MY Fault....

that I am spoiled. I mean, I was an only child. He knew this when he married me!

I really have been so good this year...no, not the whole year! just this Christmas season. Have I bought extra decorations...NO.....well, just the black tree, but you all would have done that...
any new plates this Christmas...NO....well, just the etched monogrammed ones from Kirkland...but they had our initial....how could I not buy them? I know you all understand that one!

So when UPS came by with this sweet little box....my husband said it was a PRE Christmas present!!! OOOOOOh, I love pre-presents!

Inside, the sweetest miniature tea set. It is precious!

So, yes, I am spoiled. I admit it. And I am enjoying it!!!

Doors of Welcome - Christmas

Today is Doors of Welcome at my dear friend Karen's. Please make sure you visit all the other lovely homes she has listed.

In past years Hubby and I have put out a lot of lighted animals and such...but this year in keeping things simple we just did the entry way with a few items. It really still looks quite lovely.

These were taken at night....so maybe, opposite of Karen, I will try tomorrow to get some daylight pictures. This bistro table is in the little alcove in front of our home.

This is just a dollar tree wreath that I added red ribbon in....I had the little lantern.

These adorable pillow covers were from the 99cent everything store. I really think I need to go over and pick up a couple more for inside.

This is our front door. See the wreath. Ladies, I have tried so many years to get a new wreath. It is the same one on my Blog header. None of my friends will let me get a new wreath. They love the music ribbon and the violin that is in it...hard to see at night. I just keep babying it.... so here it still is. The door hook my hubby found at Target after Christmas sale....It says Merry Christmas.


One of my Snowmen that managed to talk me into letting him out. My daughter gave him to me last Christmas. He is sooo cute.


Now you can see the wreath and holder better!

I hope you enjoyed my simple decorations adorning our Door of Welcome. Knock on it anytime!

Edited...Christmas Mosaic and other things!

Mosaic Monday at Mary's is so much fun. We get to play with our photos. I finally finished tweaking the buffet with all my nativities. So I thought I would show it one more time. If you look on the background picture to the right bottom you will see the itty bitty cloche. That has a ultra mini pewter nativity scene in it...as shown on the left bottom picture. The framed nativiy is from YEARS ago, but I chose to hang it on the closet door in the Living Room. Next year I think I may paint the frame, but since I had all the others in that room, I thought it should be there also.

My dear friend Kathy send me a Christmas box FULL of Christmas joy. But one of my favorites was this precious set of notecards. I mean, it wasn't but minutes later I had one of them framed. I just love it!

This is the centerpiece in the living room on the coffee table. I just take a Walmart green plain wreath and put matching "stuff" from the tree. The candle is the middle is a 3 wick. That gorgeous wire bow, I bought in Michigan last year when I visited Kathy.

This chest sits on top of my half round curio. It was a gift from my choir leader at church his last year directing. It is precious to me as choir was a big part of my life for many years! Thanks Ric and Sally.

I am ready for Christmas. All I need to do is get stamps and candy for the candy jars. Other than that....done! I can now sit back and watch the Christmas specials, and all my favorite Christmas storys....It's a Wonderful Life, Meet me in St. Louis and of course, The Christmas Carol - the OLD version!!

I will be in the good ole chemo chair Monday. Will get my results from my scan that day also, so if you would, say a prayer for good results. That would be the best Christmas present anyone could give.

I am enjoying all the showing of decorations. Wow, you ladies are talented. It is like a daily dose of new magazines!

Added Monday afternoon: Well the chemo chair did not happen. The current treatment is not working, so on to Plan ?!? ...not sure anymore. But nothing till after Christmas Yeah!!!!!
I decided to start a new blog in journal format regarding this whole cancer treatment stuff and leave my Home blog for that. You will find the info right under my Blog header if you would like to visit it.

My Christmas Story!

Yesterday evening was such a wonderful time. I wrapped presents, listened to Manheim, wrote Christmas cards....love it. When my hubs and I went to bed, we snuggled under the extra blanket and I cuddled up and said, "Honey, tell me a Christmas story." Waiting for him to say something of memories past...I hear him tell me.....

L goes to Mall for Ceekay's Christmas present....THE END!

Gotta love him!

Hi Everyone!

I am still here....but I have been pretty sick. I had a CT scan done and it was a NIGHTMARE. First, of course, they damaged my good vein trying to get an IV in. I was squirming and begging them to stop. Finally, they decided to use my port. Well, they put the Iodine contrast in, which I have had many times before. I started shaking uncontrollably and they tell me oh, it is fine. I knew it wasn't FINE, but they got the test done. I stand up and I am in excruciating pain. My back feels like it is broke, around my kidneys. I still had to go to my oncologist's office for MORE bloodwork. I go in there crying....they calm me down and tell me, go eat and relax....you should feel better. Well, as the day went on, I felt worse. My poor husband did not know what to do. I thought I was having a heart attack and I am not exaggerating. I was shaking so hard and had a fever. Three quilts on me and I could not get warm. I tell you, I was pleading to the Lord for help. The only thing keeping me from going to the emergency room was that is the LAST place a cancer patient wants to be! Finally, I went to sleep. Woke up in the morning and I was fine. Well, I called the doctor's office and told them what happened....they said I had an allergic reaction. So now, I will have to be premedicated before the iodine. Man.....no kidding!
The picture is of my living room tree. I just love this tree. Same every year...but it reminds me of snow in Michigan. Bentley...well, he is wondering where his present is.
Actually, I did finish Christmas shopping. Yeah! Now I can wrap.
Hope all of you are having wonderful days getting ready for the most wonderful of holidays. I am getting excited.

Cloche Party!

Oh you will want to join us at Marty's for the long awaited Cloche party. Although I am still tweaking, I wanted to play!

I decided to do some of my Nativities together on the buffet in the Living Room.

I have always loved this Mary and Joseph with their hanging legs. I placed them on a New Testament from the Holy Land

I put this dingle dangle cake plate with a cover to hold some ornies.

Yes, my colors in the Family room are gold, red and black.

My Cooking Santa....he had to come out and play....

Inside the wire cloche are my cookie cutters that I used when I was a child.

A good ole Apothecary jar....filled with the red, gold and black ornies again!

Everyone must have a glittery Merry Christmas!!