Monday, December 16, 2019

Accordion Angel

I was out Christmas shopping, and I stopped at one of my favorite shops.  After browsing around, I went up to the cashier to purchase my item, and when she was finished ringing me up, she said, "Happy Holidays."  I said to her, "does your work not allow you to say Merry Christmas?"  And with a smile, she said, "maybe."  I thought it was so sad.  
 
A few pictures around my town.
 
decorated steps
 
 
 
 
I bought lots of goodies at Trader Joe's.  The marzipan cake is so Yummy.  I think one either loves marzipan or doesn't.  How about you?
 
 
Loved this Starbuck's tree
 
 
 
~Danelle and Jessica, I took a ceramics class many years ago when I was a young mom.  I made this plate, and I have kept it all these years.  Your lives can be so hectic running around and raising children, but I wanted to remind you to take time for yourself.  Take a class, take a long hike, take a road trip, just do something for you.  It's so important, and you will be better moms for it.
 
 
There is a trail right by my house that is so lovely this time of year.
 
 
 
 
My mother-in-law played the accordion.  When I saw this angel, I just had to get it.  She passed away recently - it's not a sad thing.  She was in her 90's.  Perhaps she wanted to say Merry Christmas?  The angel has a sweet face, and I knew she had to come home with me.  ; ) 
 
 
This is the tallest Christmas tree I've seen!
 
 
A Christmas lunch with my son.
 
 
Jess' Christmas tree.
 
 
 
 
 

Francesca reading an old book.
 
 
Mia helping decorate the tree.
 
 
Nel made sugar cookies and Mia helped (and by 'help' I mean take the balls off the baking dish and squish them in her little hands, haha).
 
 
And so, with a joyful heart, your blog friend right here, right now, with no hesitation, says
Merry Christmas to you!
 

 
~Sheri 

35 comments:

Patti said...

Oh, so much to say. First, I lost my mother-in-law last year, so this is our second Christmas without her. She had been unwell for awhile, so her passing was good, but it really breaks my heart to address a package to just my father-in-law. That little accordian angel is really adorable. I bet your MIL would love her.

Y'all still have leaves on the trees! Our deciduous trees are barren now. I am learning to see the beauty in barren trees, but I do always miss the leaves.

I always enjoyed going to Macaroni Grill. We don't have one anymore. The one in our area closed about 12 years ago. I actually thought maybe the chain had closed, but obviously, it didn't. They have the best bread!

So sad about the store clerk not being able to say Merry Christmas.

Your photos are gorgeous.

Have a beautiful day,
Patti

Anne Hagman-Niilola said...

How sweet photos! Have a nice week;-)

Louca por porcelana said...

Merry Christmas,my dear friend!That Christmas tree is wonderful!Love that precious angel too.Your Grands are adorable as ever,really blessings!Hugs!

Sandi said...

I started saying "Merry Christmas" to the store clerks a while back. I noticed they will say it back, but don't usually say it first. 🎄

Jess' ornaments are beautiful! Are they homemade?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! Yes, I am screaming it. 😁

Karen said...

I LOVED ALL YOUR PRETTY CHRISTMAS PHOTOS. THE ANGEL WITH THE ACCORDION IS SO SPECIAL. CHRISTMAS WILL SOON BE HERE. HOPE YOU ARE HAVING A GREAT WEEK.

Mellie said...

Pretty pictures! My Mom collected angels. The Christmas after she died (it had only been a few months) I went to an ornament swap. I got an angel ornament! I left it in the box and it sits on a bookshelf next to my Mom's picture.

Jemma@athomewithjemma said...

Dear Sheri,
I love seeing your precious blessings! Aren't they just the dearest and I can only imagine the laughter and joy they bring to your life.
So many pretty photos here today, Sheri. You always are a joy to visit and I am going to wish you an early and lovely Merry Christmas!
Jemma

It's me said...

Wowwwwwwwww...merry x mas darling ...lots of love from Holland....enjoy being together with familly and friends ....love you...❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️🎄❤️Ria x

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Sheri, your town photos are so lovely. The white house with the garland and red bows are so Christmasy! The double doors with the wreaths are so pretty. Love the goodies from Trader Joes. We don't have one in our city, but love going into one in other cities. The photos of the grands are so sweet. Mia looks like she really enjoys baking. And Francesca really loves books--so wonderful! Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family, dear Sheri!

Rose said...

And I will say Merry Christmas right back at you! It is sad...that people cannot say Merry Christmas. I have not run into that yet...the thing is, even if it isn't my faith, I would not mind it.

Marilyn Miller said...

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU TOO!
Love your adventures about town and the very tall tree. Stollen from Trader Joe's sounds lovely. What fun for your little ones to now be old enough to be involved, even if it is squishing the cookie dough.
Love that you have trail by your house too. Do you go walking there?

TARYTERRE said...

love all your trader joes finds. wish the closest one to me wasn't 90 miles away.loved the sights and sounds around you. your grandchildren are precious. love your daughters tree. that plate you made is a keepsake for sure. merry christmas.

Laurel Wood said...

Such lovely photos, especially your granddaughters. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and many blessings in the new year. xoxoxo

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

What a happy post filled with lovely photos! The photo of your Trader Joe's goodies makes me want to visit the one near me. Have a wonderful Christmas and thank you for your kindness. ~ FlowerLady

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

And without hesitation I too my beloved friend, MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and may we rejoice over the birth of the Savior who lives forever in hearts that believe!!!

susie @ persimmon moon cottage said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family!

Please keep in mind that cashiers have no way of knowing what your religious beliefs are unless you wish them Merry Christmas first, or you are buying a Bible or other Christmas related items, and even then, you may be buying those items for someone else. She meant well wishing you happy holidays, why put her on the spot by asking if her employer prohibited saying Merry Christmas. That may make her think twice about wishing anyone anything again. In my opinion it's more pleasant to just take the words "happy holidays" as the kindness and good wishes they are meant to be,not as a slight to Christians. It is the season of joy and good will.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Marzipan is one of the most amazing taste treats ever invented!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I forgot to add, this is the time of year to celebrate Hanukkah and Diwali too. Perhaps you should have asked the clerk if she was allowed to express specific greetings for those festivities also. Happy Holidays seems perfectly fine to me.

Susan said...

Loved your post, Sheri. You capture some beautiful thoughts and photos. How sweet about the little baker, squishing the balls of dough. ha hahhaa Sounds about right to me, since I have those kind of helpers, too. Hope, with all my heart, the rest of your week is totally blessed. You are a very special blog friend to me, too. You always make me smile. Love, Susan

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

Merry Christmas! I love all the decorations. I have to laugh at the sugar cookie adventure. I remember those days. The angel is adorable. I always say Merry Christmas when I am shopping. (-: I don't understand why people are not allowed to say Merry Christmas at stores.
I am sorry to hear of your Mom's passing but I do understand too. The angel is a nice keepsake and I am sure she was guiding you in that direction to find her.

R's Rue said...

Merry Christmas.

Debbie Nolan said...

Dear Sheri - your photos are wonderful...the cookie maker looks like she would be a joy to have her help in the kitchen. Thank you for all the beautiful posts and joy you share on your blog. I have so enjoyed getting to know you this year. Looking forward to many more visits in the coming new year. Please have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Hugs!

Chatty Crone said...

I am going to guess the store that you can't get a Merry Christmas back is Starbucks! Sorry, but I think it is.
You have your home decorated so nice.
I love all those stores too.
You did a great job on your plate - and nice the angel reminds you of your MIL.
That was the tallest tree I ever saw too - they must have planted it outside - years ago.
And lastly your two granddaughters are so cute!
Love, sandie

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

It's so wonderful to have little ones around during the holiday season! They are such good little helpers and everything is so special to them. They are making memories! Holiday hugs!

Jeanie said...

You did have a good haul at Trader Joe's! Aren't the Triple Ginger Snaps the best? I can't buy them -- I'd eat them all! And I love Jess' tree and those sweet baby grand pix. I'm hoping to have a little baker in the family in another year of so! This post is so full of love, it just makes me smile, reading ever y word, looking at every photo!

Carla from The River said...

Merry Christmas my dear friend. I love marzipan too. I am the only one in this family.
I appreciated your post Sheri. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Carla

Natalia said...

Beautiful decorations, so so cute! Love the plate and the angel, have a lot of angels like this in our home. So sad about the girl in the shop, in here it is not a problem at all, so Merry Christmas !☺

Susie said...

Hi Sheri, I have missed lots of blogs lately. I enjoyed yours so much. The angel, the grandgirl making cookies. (So cute). I like the walking trail pics. Loved seeing the plate you made. Blessings to you and your family. I am wishing you a Merry Christmas. Love you sweet friend, xoxo, Susie

baili said...

i am sorry about your loss of mother in law dear Sheri ! i hope this angle brings your love for her

beautiful photos as always ,fall leaves are gorgeous ,how blessing to have lunch with your son at your favorite place :) stay blessed mom always :)i am missing my eldest son terribly this winter actually

loved the door step decor ,pretty indeed ,may be the sales girl you mentioned feel better and add these lovely wishes in her greetings

Nel's tree is elegant and beautifully decorated ,looking at it is such a pleasure

haha helpful Mia reminded me help i been receiving from my kids when they were little ,ah these memories are treasure within my heart :)))

Merry Christmas to you too my dear friend ! may you see many many more ahead with your precious family ,amen!

Ann said...

Oh yes I miss the days when people would say Merry Christmas
to everyone. The first pic is super lovely ♥
I love your Christmas decors, they are so lovely and
the stories behind them and about them are endearing. I love your upside down Santa mug, unusual and lovely. I love the Starbucks tree too and Jess's.
I love the pic of the autumn leaves that has the red to pink shades,
I think they look wonderful. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and pics.
Have a lovely week and Merry Christmas to you and your family ♥

Ann
https://roomsofinspiration.blogspot.com/

ALLIE NYC said...

Oh this plate is just lovely wow. Thanks for sharing your festive photos.

Allie of
www.allienyc.com

Patricia said...

Merry Christmas Sheri! Sorry I missed this post when it appeared. I am sorry Christmas is being pushed out of our society too, so I will say Merry to everyone I meet.
Love your pictures, as always, a delight to see. Those little girls are so precious and darling, and must bring so much joy into your life.
I am awaiting the arrival of my grandson today, here for 3 days at Christmas. I am very blessed. Wishing you peace, joy and happiness at Christmas and throughout the year.

Tammie Lee said...

Lovely to see your holiday photos Sheri. Looks like you are having some nice family time. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

The Liberty Belle said...

Such nice photos! Those pink little boots are adorable. Your siblings sound sweet and thoughtful. Best wishes throughout 2020.

Walking the Bean said...

Merry Christmas Sheri! And happy New Year! The kiddos are just adorbs helping decorate and cook!

~christopher