Christmas Season Smiles part 2 & Happy Hanukkah

I can’t believe that it will be Christmas Eve by the time I post this and the last day of  Hanukkah for my Jewish friends.  How did the holidays get here so quickly???

I love Christmas and I’m not ready for it to be over so soon.  I think my friend Zoe’s poinsettias are not ready for the season to be over either.  Aren’t they lovely!

I especially enjoy getting together with friends. Zoe and Louise hosted a Christmas luncheon for us.

It was lovely being in Zoe’s beautiful home and partaking of the sweet spirit there. After our lunch she shared Christmas stories about her pioneer ancestors. It was delightful.

I’ve enjoyed having a couple of Christmas dinners at our home too.

I just love fixing good food….

….and setting pretty tables…..

…but most of all I enjoy spending time with friends and family.

I’m very thankful that I’ve had the health and energy to do this.  I can’t do near as much as I used to do  but after being down much of the year it feels great to  do something nice for others  and accomplish a few things.

We’ve also enjoyed eating out several times. We had a lovely lunch with John’s brother and his wife who were visiting from Utah and a fun Chinese food dinner with Paul & Michelle.

It was also fun getting together with friends to celebrate Ruth’s 90th birthday and attending our church Christmas dinner and program.

Tonight we had a fun “Taco Tuesday” dinner out with Louann and Darrell and then went to their festive home for pumpkin pie. It was really nice but I forgot to get a picture…. grrrr….

I love looking at my little Nativity sets.

They are not fancy but each has it’s own story to tell and special meaning to me.

                                   This one I got in Alaska  ….. and….. this one in La Paz, Mexico.

I’m not ready to put them away for another year.

I’m also not ready to unwrap the pretty gifts or take down our trees.

I DON’T WANT CHRISTMAS TO BE OVER YET!!!!!

I’m not through watching wonderful Christmas programs and movies on TV.

I’m not ready to put my decorations away…

But… time marches on… soon it will be our new year 2015.  2014 has been a hard year. I can’t say that I am sad to see it go…. but I wish I could hold on to December longer.

I can’t make time slow down so I will just enjoy every minute of this Christmas season that is left. Mindy will fix a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner tomorrow and I will do Christmas day brunch.  We will love sharing Christmas with them…. I’m sure there are still 1,000s of pictures to take and share!

I’m sending you best wishes from our home to yours.

Merry Christmas  or Happy Hanukkah to you with hugs,

Grammy Lura

Christmas Season Smiles part 1

Merry Christmas dear Blog friends

My Christmas trees are decorated.

I did not do as much this year but my favorite decorations are out.

Somehow they seems extra special to me this year. When I was so sick with sepsis and organ failure earlier in the year, I wasn’t sure that I would be here to enjoy this wonderful season this year. I also think living with a blood clot in my chest makes me appreciate each day more than I did before. Each day is precious… especially during this season.

We have attended some wonderful Christmas programs this December.

EJ’s Jazz Band put on a great community Christmas concert. Claire was invited to be their guest soloist. We were so proud of both of them.

Today Claire sang like an angel at church. I can’t seem to post a video on here but I did on Facebook if you want to hear her.

Mindy played her flute and Ernie lead the music. My heart was filled with happiness as I listened to my loved ones praising God with their beautiful music. They are so talented…. and they don’t get it from me.

I’ve heard beautiful choirs and madrigals sing….

….And a pipe band play at the Upland Nativity and Arts festival put on annually by our church for the community.

I’ve attended this Nativity festival with my friends Randy and Mary…

…I was totally awed by the beautiful displays…

…and the effort of love it is for our church to put this festival each year.

The joy of Christmas fills my heart. I’m so thankful that I am well and can enjoy every minute of  this wonderful season. I hope that you are enjoying it too.

I have lots more to post but will save it until next time.

Merry Christmas my friends.

Hugs, Lura