Day Three Hundred Thirty Six

'Tis The Season

I'll be the first to admit that Christmas is not one of my favorite holidays, so I have to warm up to the idea of decorating and ease into it. Today I took down the Thanksgiving flag and put up the Santa Ho Ho Ho flag (which says oH oH oH on the flip side).

Found this small berry and pine cone wreath half price at Hobby Lobby not long ago and hung it on the pie safe in the dining room. Festive, isn't it? I know. It's not much. But it's a start. Tomorrow, I just might break out the candy cane candles.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Five

Never Ignore Anything In The Shape Of A Heart

Impossible to ignore this perfectly heart-shaped leaf. It caught my eye as I was pulling out of the driveway at lunch time today. Since the leaf isn't much longer for this world, I thought a portrait was fitting. A valentine in December.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Four

Sweet!

Grand daughter Shelby's third grade teacher picked up on the fact that Shelby loves the whole 'Twilight Saga' stories. Of course, Shelby has made no secret of it. When Shelby got in from school this afternoon, she couldn't wait to show me what her teacher had given to her today--a package of Twilight New Moon creme filled chocolates. No kidding. Shelby was so pleased and excited that she immediately began to create a thank you card for her teacher.

The one she opened was inside a Bella wrapper. It says Bella on the first heart and Cullen on the second heart, along with the Cullen family crest. How cool is that! Shelby says her teacher told her she found these at K-Mart. What a sweet thing for a teacher to do for a student. This teacher is obviously paying attention. And, yes, Shelby thoroughly enjoyed her chocolate!

Day Three Hundred Thirty Three

Christmas Tree Shopping

It's our family tradition to head out to Savage Christmas Tree Farm near Baxter, Tennessee, the weekend after Thanksgiving to pick out our Christmas tree. Just follow the sign ...

Our traditional tree is White Pine. We like the long, soft needles. The tree farm seems to be trending toward the Frazier Fir, though. Cutting down a tree that is specifically grown to become a Christmas tree is best for the environment they say and will certainly stay fresher longer, especially in a house with a wood stove (which keeps us toasty all winter).

Such a beautiful day for tree shopping. We were thankful for the mild, dry weather this time out.

The one. We tagged this one and will return for it in a couple of weeks.

Can you see the Mockingbird perched atop this huge Frazier Fir like a tiny ornament? That little bird was happily singing its lungs out. So sweet. Probably some Christmas carol. It's that time of year again.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Two

Postcards From Poet's On The Square

The gang's all here around the tables at Poet's coffee shop this afternoon where we gathered to hang out, enjoy some tasty drinks, make a lot of noise, and play 'Apples To Apples'. From left around the table: niece Sarah Foy, daughter Kelly Kimbrough, grand daughter Shelby Myers, niece Julia Foy, daughter Holly Myers, grand son Elijah Myers, and son in law Kerry Kimbrough.

Holly and Elijah contemplate what the meaning of the word "is" is ... no, I'm kidding ... I have no idea what they're thinking, but I do know that Elijah concentrates better with a Fruit Rollup hanging out of his mouth.

Kelly, Shelby, and Julia are in the process of choosing the card in their hand with the word that best fits the meaning of the word on the card turned face up on the table. (uh huh yes it does so make sense.)

Sarah enjoys her orange mango (I think) smoothie while waiting for everyone else to choose their cards and lay them in the pile. She's got some sparkle going on there. I think those vampires may have rubbed off on her last night at the movie.

Each person takes a turn at judging the cards and picking the best match. Looks like Shelby's in the judges seat.

Shelby and Julia having some fun. (That's my peach smoothie--it was delicious)

Holly's thinking, Hmmm...which card...which card.....Elijah was content to just hang and toss in a card now and then.

Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmmm! Sarah says it doesn't get any better than this. Yummy drinks, fun card game, great family hang time. I totally agree. Let's do this again sometime. Soon!