Christmas At Jess'

Jess always puts the red balls and poinsettias on her Christmas tree every year, and it looks so pretty with the white lights all lit up.  I noticed many ornaments on the tree that I gave her through the years that she still has.  I try to give the girls an ornament every year.  The Mickey train under the tree is a nice addition.  Jess loves Nutcrackers, and her new teddy Nutcracker, Joyeux Noel, means Merry Christmas in French.  The little wooden house is a new find this year.  It's handmade from Germany, and if you put an incense cone inside the house, its chimney will smoke!  Continuing a family tradition, she piles all the presents in the master bedroom with initials on each of them, then they will go under the tree on Christmas Eve.  She pulled out all of Francesca's holiday books and piled them on her dresser for easy access.  The angel on top of the tree is old and special, and something I gave her many years ago.  It's a reminder of the times we visited the angel shop in my hometown, that since then has closed.  Here's some Christmas at Jess' house.

Back at my house, I was out of cocoa, so made some cocoa with chocolate mints.  It turned out good.

A New York steak dinner.

I've been drinking lots of tea lately, just because I want to stay away from caffeine for awhile.

But I did want to get a Christmas coffee for the season at the drive through, and I ordered a decaf peppermint mocha coffee.  Their specialty coffees are delicious for the holiday season.

Isn't this the biggest Christmas tree you've seen?

Some decorations in town.

My grandmother's candle holders (my mom's mom).

When I saw these cute little Dutch ornaments wearing their clogs, I had to get them.  It looks like they are all girls, and it reminded me of the village of girls that we have in my own family.  I'm thankful for my son and sons-in-law who bring their own special presence to the family.

Speaking of girls, they went to see the Nutcracker this weekend.

I thought these cookies would be fun to make.

I bought this sweater for the cold Winter ahead.  It's so soft and furry.  It's going to snow soon, and I want to be ready.  Most of the clothes up here are bought at the sporting goods store.  They are kind of pricey, but there's really not many shops up here to buy clothes.

   I woke up to an early Christmas present.  My son bought me a candle in the scent of rustic pine.  I love it, it's the perfect scent for living in the mountains.

My brother-in-law is coming over this week to drop off some holiday cheer from the in-laws.  I love surprises.  ; )

I am just enjoying these quiet moments before Christmas, looking at the lights and being still for a time.

~Sheri