Day Three Hundred Fifty Five 2013

Yes, Christmas is almost here, and yes, it would be nice to have one of everything [and we all know that ain’t gonna happen, right?]. That’s not why I took a snapshot of my computer desktop screen. See that? 66 degrees? First day of winter? Maybe it’s just me, but this time of year, I’d rather it be cold and sunny than hot and rainy. It’s also the  shortest day of the year, for all you daylight savings time people out there. We’ll be inching toward longer daylight each day, one minute at a time.
Wishing my bro-in-law, Terry, a big Happy Birthday today!

Day Three Hundred Forty Six 2013

HO HO HO ~ have you been naughty or nice today?

Day Three Hundred Forty One 2013

Here Comes Santa Claus!

The Cookeville Depot Museum held their Christmas open house today. We took grandson Knox to visit with Santa Claus. Kelly gave him a pep talk last night, telling Knox what to expect, but he was still a bit intimidated by the man in red.

“What’s your name?” Santa asked.  “Knox,” he said, pointing to himself.

Knox was very brave and sat on Santa’s lap. He told Santa he wanted Thomas The Train for Christmas. He didn’t cry or get upset, but he only sat there long enough to snap a picture or two.

For a little boy who adores trains right now, Knox was thrilled to be at the depot. He literally squealed with delight when he saw this display case with his favorite Thomas The Train stuff inside.

Best of all was getting to watch the electric train travel the track around the replica of the Cookeville Depot.


Another train on a track circling the Christmas tree caught his eye. I think he could have watched these trains all day.

He got to visit one of Santa’s reindeer ~ Comet ~ who was having breakfast.

Knox had the best time ever at the train depot. Seeing Santa wasn’t so scary after all.

Day Three Hundred Forty Seven 2012

Alas! How dreary would be the world if there was no Santa Claus!... There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence.
~Francis P. Church, New York Sun, Sep. 21, 1897

Day Three Hundred Fifty Four 2011

The Christmas party at my mom's assisted living home was a blast tonight. We were serenaded with holiday tunes by the karaoke guy, enjoyed ham and biscuits, hash brown casserole, green beans and cobbler for dessert, and Santa Claus dropped by to hand out gifts for the kids and the residents, including snow globes which always bring happiness and joy (right, Jane?) as you can see by the look on grandson Elijah's face. We had a great time together visiting my mom, who is never ready for the party to end.

Day Three Hundred Twenty Four 2011

Each November, Neil and I try to attend Santa’s Workshop, a fundraiser for the Cookeville Junior Woman’s Club. Lots of homemade arts, crafts and goodies on display and of course for sale. I was drawn to this primitive Santa with his crazy real wool beard and his cute little sheep. He followed me home, along with some rocky road fudge. Sweet.

Day Three Hundred Fifty Six 2010

Each Christmas I remember

The ones of long ago;

I see our mantelpiece adorned

With stockings in a row.

Each Christmas finds me dreaming

Of days that used to be,

When we hid presents here and there,

For all the family.

Each Christmas I remember

The fragrance in the air,

Of roasting turkey and mince pies

And cookies everywhere.

Each Christmas finds me longing

For Christmases now past,

And I am back in childhood

As long as memories last.

~~Carice Williams, Christmas Past

This is a picture of my hubby/honey Neil, sitting on Santa's lap, circa 1955.

Day Three Hundred Fifty One 2010

You'd Better Watch Out!

No crying. No pouting. Asleep. Awake. Naughty. Nice. Bad. Good. You're on the list. But which one?! He's your worst nightmare. Because....he knows. So you'd better watch out. I'm just saying.

Day Three Hundred Forty Four 2010

Happy T.G.I.F. !

Neil had the day off today. He and grandson Elijah enjoyed coloring a picture in the giant Santa coloring book. Fun stuff.

Santa Claus paid a visit this evening to my mom and the other residents at the assisted living home where they had their annual Christmas Party/Open House. Looks like Mom was doing a bit of flirting with old St. Nick, eh? Good times.

Wishing everyone a fabulous weekend!