Christmas Eve .. day... so everything about this year's Christmas has not been the normal "way".. but it had made me come to think and appreciate things so much more, and for that I am grateful. We have received word that Dad will be home for Christmas and will be released from the hospital later on. Right now I am not planning on seeing him this evening, I think just getting home and settled will be enough "excitement" for one day, and we will be there tomorrow..... so, I stayed home, finished up some details and baked some more (of course) shortbread... my favorite cookie....
Then.. Titus and I watched some old Christmas movies and shows.......
Christmas eve we met up with Kas, Nate and Reagan and went to church. Reagan was so excited to see Baby, Papa and Danny walk into his church......
Danny was such a good boy.. the church was packed and really the room was so tight... but he just curled up under my feet, and like so many of the puppies before him... no one even knew he was there.....
Someone (though he is still too little to really know)... is excited about all of this... Reagan jumped from one person to the next during the service....
but this church is so about families, that one very excited little boy, only bring smiles to everyone's face......
After church we went back to Kass and Nate's for a bite of supper and just to spend the evening together. It was a "quiet" night for this family... with other members having gone other places.... but that's ok... I am appreciating what I have when I have it.....
and look who has discovered pockets!!!!! Reagan was so cute, putting his hand in his pockets and then walking about with one hand....
goodies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reagan loves the dogs, and it is so nice to see how good everyone is with him. He kept walking over to Danny, petting him and saying "what a good boy".....
Playing hide and seek with Banjo......
Pockets again........
Opening the gift that Miss Gloria had sent in the mail for him.....
and his ornament being a little snowman with his name on it....
Finding just the perfect spot on the tree for it.......
and then, bedtime rolls around, and since tomorrow is going to be very busy... one little boy must get some sleep...
more than likely this will be the last Christmas eve that his parents will get any real sleep... because after this year, when some little chap understands the surprises of Christmas... sleep on this night will no longer exit....
peace and blessings to one and all....
The day before the day before.... December 23rd has always been a favorite day of mine, it just seems it's a fun time and a good day before Christmas goes whizzing by...and with talk that Dad will be home for Christmas!!! it makes this day even more special.. they will make the decision for certain and will more than likely release him tomorrow... he's still very weak and has much recovery to go.. but the fact that we feel we are almost out of the woods.. it just amazing....
We woke to a bit of snow.... just enough to make it a white Christmas.... and remind us of the weather that is yet to come...
Abi has come to spend the day with me, and we made tracks up to the barn to be sure that everyone there is happy and well.....
It's a quiet day.. even the doggies seem to just enjoy being together and soaking up the warmth of the woodstove...... Hunter and Trev... my old boys.......
I did the last minute wrapping projects.... getting ready.... and just so happy in the thoughts of our family being all together over the next few days....
Some Christmas surprises came in the mail today for Abi and Reagan.. sent to me by "Miss Gloria".. a wonderful older lady.. my friend, Cynthia's Mom. (she's in her 90's)....
I tried to get Abi and Camille to re-create an old Christmastime photo.. Abie was more than happy to stage it... Camille... had better things to do....
Abi opened Miss Gloria's card and inside was this beautiful little hand painted ornament that Miss Gloria had made.... Abi thought it was beautiful and wanted to take a photo that we mailed back to Miss Gloria... makes me so happy to see that the grands can appreciate even "small" things like this....
tomorrow is the "magical" night... and I feel so blessed that threw this whole season, with Dad being so sick.. that the grands always seem to keep bringing me back to how special this all is.....
and though we have the "fun of Santa".. we celebrate the real reason for Christmas....
and I say Merry Christmas to one and all and hope that everyone may enjoy this wonderful time of year.....
So, I won't say that this Christmas season hasn't been "one bit normal" in our opinion. Dad is still in the hospital, he is improving, but the recovery road is going to be a long one. Ed and I had talked (last summer/fall) about trying to go to Arlington or even Williamsburg for a little trip away, but it never panned out, and then with Dad, it wouldn't have happened anyways. Disappointing, sure, but it's just the way things go. The thing is, we do have beautiful places right here at home.. places that people travel here to see...
and it makes me realized that sometimes, the things that are in your own back yard.. are the things you don't even see. We decided to spend an evening out, enjoying the things that are right here, and I have to say... it was quite wonderful.
It was a cold winter night, we bundled up... I had some shopping ideas that I wanted to see if I could tend to... and the city was just amazing as we walked threw. I loved seeing all the "windows" dressed for the holiday... and really loved this beautiful feather tree....
Portsmouth is an old historical city, and they have a number of events happening this time of year. Now, it wasn't Colonial Williamsburg, but Strawberry Banke looked just as charming.....candles in the windows, music playing... old time Santa greeting one and all
The city was all decked out, with both the modern....
and a taste of the "old"......
You could tour threw many of the houses, and they were decorated for their time... some along the Victorian age....
others more along the colonial age. The houses were warm and toasty and it was nice to step inside, and warm up in their charm. People were happy and kind (none of the usual holiday sneer...) and it just put everyone in that happy spirit that we so easily loose this time of year...
A new public skating rink has been opened for the winter. Everyone seems to be enjoying that.. and we enjoyed watching the skaters on the "pond"...
They even had carriage rides going threw the city. I would have loved to taken one, but the line of people waiting was long.. and really, I can do that at home. But it was nice to hear the horses walking threw and the happy sounds of the folks enjoying the ride....
"Thank you old city".. for a night "away".. (even if we didn't travel far) and I must remember to think about the things that are right here. Take the time to enjoy them more....
and yes, I did pick up some neat little Christmas gifts....
Even though life and Christmas is going on day by day.. and my Mom encourages us to "continue with our daily things" My Dad is always on my mind. He is still in the hospital, but we are seeing improvements... small ones, but improvements all the same. And all of us, continue..... so, this evening, we had our Christmas get together with the "Brentwood power equipment folks" aka, where Ed works... aka... family.
Just a time to get together, to celebrate not just Christmas, but the wonderful blessing that this extended family all works together. Dave being the owner... Nate the manager and Ed, one of the small engine mechanics... little Reagan is so blessed to be brought up in such a manner...
Dave looks "worried" (not)... maybe hoping that no one orders lobster!!! (and no one did!!! LOL) that's Lauren and Johnny..... too
serious conversations happening all around the table....
Reagan and Auntie Lauren, checking out the amazing fish tank that was in the restaurant... it was a fun evening, good food, wonderful company and conversation, and a change to be reminded of how good things really are.....
This time of year, the boarding kennel begins to get busy once again. Livy was just thrilled to see that one of our guests for a few days is her brother!!! (not of the same litter, but of the same Mom)..... he lives close by, so Livy is always happy when they can be together....
We don't have much snow right now, but it's very cold.. too cold to be outside long for playtime. So the mudroom serves a good purpose for that!!!!
And then another party of the week... my dog club's annual Christmas pot luck supper and then charity auction..... again, just a fun time to take a break, and have a chance to sit and talk with the friends I have. (we are often just spending a few moments together between dog classes or at meetings....) cute little tree put up by some of the members....
and the tables with cute decorations, and really good food. I am a pot luck gal, because I find that people always bring "their best things"... and there was much to choose from!!!!
I brought Danny Boy with me, and Mary and Scott had Peace with them. Both of these pups will be turning in soon.. Danny to neads of course, and Peace goes onto CCI. This is good "work" for them, and they both did really well....
We had a good turn out this year.....
Everyone filled their plates, and settled in for some good eats and visiting.....
Afterwards.. we have our auction. This is where the members donate "mystery" gifts.. with clues.. and we bid on them, never quite knowing what you might get. The monies that are made are donated to some "project" that we chose ... it's fun, and full of laughs and surprises.... Wayne is always our "volunteer auctioneer"....
Deciding as to whether it's a good buy or not.....
All these gals have been friends for many many years...not just "in dogs" but in real true life friendships.... maybe because my Dad is going threw his thing, but I am in a real sense of appreciation this year for all the many blessings that I have....
