Decorating On The Prairie: CHRISTMAS TREE

Decorating On The Prairie 

made beautiful...always need a CHRISTMAS TREE for the Holidays.  ALWAYS.

Something about the twinkling lights that cause the ornaments to shimmer makes me smile with contentment.

The tree we have has to fit in the bump-out just so so, soooo it doesn't hit the walls as it rotates around in the stand.  This year our rotating tree stand died.  Not sure it can be resurrected.  The tree is still this year.  

Here's a glance at my tree that sparkles 

on the prairie this year.

White flocked tree with silvers, blues, whites, crystal transparency, 
and iridescent shimmer.

Bulbs and snowflakes.

May you a very Merry CHRIStMAS,

d

DECEMBER Jibber Jabber

The WINTER wind is blowing with force.  Pleased to be inside where it's warm.  I woke up during the night to the sound of howling wind.  This afternoon the skies are wintry grey and it just looks like it could snow.  SNOW.    

Our CHRISTMAS TREE is up and some lights made their way to the outside of the house. Thanks to my dear HUSBAND who made this happen last week-end.


The Nativity Scene is displayed and CHRISTMAS music playing.  CHRISTMAS SEASON is here and Christmas Day is near.  


Cards are in the mail.  Gifts are taken care of.  Taking a deep breath and wishing all a very blessed and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

NOW if I can just make some fudge 

and call it good,

d

'Life Just Got A Little Easier' Holiday Salad

~HOLIDAY FLUFF~

Ingredients

14 oz. canned whole cranberry sauce

20 oz. crushed pineapple, drained

8 oz. frozen whipped topping, thawed

3 cups miniature marshmallows

Instructions

In large bowl stir together cranberry sauce 

and drained pineapple.

Fold in whipped topping.

Stir in marshmallows.

Place contents into decorative dish, 
cover and chill for at least two hours.

Serve.

Grand-daughter helped me fix this Holiday salad.

She made it look easy.

Great helper!

d

 Place the ingredients in bowl and mix well.
Cover and chill at least 2 hours
before serving.

Before you know it, it's ready to eat.  

Light and fluffy 
FLUFF.

Life during the HOLIDAYS can be a tad bit easier with quick fluff to fix!

Merry Christmas,
d

Linking to Foodie Friday
http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/2015/12/foodie-friday-and-everything-else_37.html

CHRISTMAS PAST

It's the week-end as I sit here going through all the old CHRISTMAS post I blogged over the years.  I must be feeling better cause the tears didn't flow as I remembered CHRISTMAS PAST.  Smiles beamed across my face.  Beamed.  

Look at this cute SANTA....who is now 6.

TIME HAS FLOWN.

This past Spring, I had an emotional ride as I went through my children's childhood memorabilia to gather items for my oldest son's 40th birthday.  This was a walk down memory lane that caught me off guard and was VERY tearful.  It was what we call PASS ME THE KLEENEX THIS IS A TEAR JERKER moment.

I've continued to go through vinyl storage tubs to gather up gifts for the children as they grow into their 40's.  Placing the gift wrapped presents back into the tubs that presently hold their memorabilia.  All in the plan of organizing our HOME and continuing on as we the Parents age as well.

The images of my Grandchildren when they were a wee bit younger is really noticeable to me as I look at their smiling faces at CHRISTMAS.  The pics bring back some sweet times that I was BLESSED to experience as a Grandma as well as a Mom.  Wife.

Yesterday, I cleared the Parlour Desk, oiled it, then went hunting for the gold table runner that hung in a closet.  Placing the table runner on the desk prepared my heart for the Nativity Scene.  Today I carefully unwrapped the items to be displayed.  I have a different Manger than this one in this old photo.  I knew as I was placing the items out that this was a different one than what I have used for so many years.
  

Anywhoo...it made my day to be able to think about the CHRISTMAS STORY as I organized the NATIVITY SCENE.  It has lifted my SPIRITS to have BABY JESUS in the manger.  It was quiet in the HOUSE as our NATIVITY SCENE appeared piece by piece onto the desk top.  CHRISTMAS HAS BEGUN.   

 

Lord willing we will have the tree up this week-end and wreaths on the door.  We have had a SLOW start as we have been nursing our health back.  Illness doesn't read the book about when one can get sick.  It had been a difficult month health wise with respiratory issues that don't just disappear because it is inconvenient.  

My ribs ache with soreness from coughing.  I can breathe through my nose now.  That's a plus.  Hubby has started round two of antibiotics.  Mine run out Sunday.  Pray I am well enough to attend OPEN HOUSES and Church Services.  "Oh HOLY NIGHT!"

 

I so hope we can get our CHRISTMAS TREE up this week-end.  

SO HOPE.  

So hope you are well and having a blessed month.

d

I DO LOVE ME A CHRISTMAS TREE

MY BAD....I DO LOVE ME SOME CHRISTMAS TREES.
This is one custom or TRADITION that I love.  It makes the little girl in me excited about the CHRISTMAS SEASON.
I'm one of those odd ones that enjoys seeing the houses, stores, Churches and streets decorated for CHRISTMAS.

During Queen Victoria's day her German Husband carried with him a tradition of having a Christmas Tree in his HOME.
We all carry baggage into our marriages don't we?  grins.  His tradition of the Christmas Tree was a gorgeous one that so many through the years have copied dazzling their HOMES, places of business and other locations.  Prince Albert may not have come up with this idea on his own, but he carried on with it.  So do I.  Martin Luther was known to cut down a tree to place in his home to remind him of what he saw outside, a tree where the stars were twinkling through the winter branches.   

SHINE and SPARKLE.  It's all good.

Dad took me and baby Brother across the road into a field to cut down a tree for Dad's Momma.  She did not have a Christmas tree.  Dad thought it important enough to get her one.  The old fashioned way...we cut one down and dragged her HOME.  Small, but she'll do.  Extremely cold out with snow crunching under our feet, we made foot prints on the ground.  We bundled up for the occasion.  I was probably 7 years old at the time.  I don't rightly remember the exact age, but I'm alright with that.  I was young and excited to go hunting for a Christmas tree.  A hunting we did go with tracks in the snow of where we had been and where we were going.  A sweeping white trail followed us across the field as we gleefully pulled the tiny tree back to Grandma's tiny place called HOME. 

Grandma got a tree stand out and up the tree went on top of a table in her living room in her modest HOME.  Soon lights were added and I added to my sweet memory bank of experiences a brilliant one.  A sparkling treasure to take out and think upon whenever I so desire.  Even when it's not Christmas this treasure of a memory shines and glitters with joy making me a happy Lady with that little girl inside of her.  The old colorful ornaments remain untouched as they dangle from the branches of my mind.

I want to call up these memories because this is a good one of my DADDY that took time with me as a child.  I must recall all the good memories I have and feast on them to brighten my LIFE.  I want the good memories to be weighty.  I want the good memories to OUT WEIGH memories that were never made.

Soooooo...me loves me a Christmas tree.
Deanna

CHRISTMAS PROGRAMS, PARTIES AND PEACE

DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY it's so very easy to get overwhelmed and exhausted.  E Z to get lost in the crowds and get sick.  WISDOM and experience tell me to plan ahead and pace myself.  

Preparations are needed to accomplish goals and desires that need attention.

In a Mary and Martha World, it's possible to be wear both their personalities.  There can be time for preparing for the festive holiday without interrupting QUALITY time sitting at the Lord's feet.


Time with HIM.



Planning and making preparations ahead of time takes the pinch off of stress if illness comes along or unexpected turn of events.  Things are ready to go.

Jesus has told us that He has gone away to prepare a place for us.  Even the LORD prepares. 

Merry Christmas! 
d

FOR GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON JESUS  that whosoever believes in HIM shall have everlasting LIFE.  AMEN.

In a nut shell::
PLAN WAY AHEAD.  Take advantage of After Christmas Sales for next years cards and decorations. 

Christmas Savings Account a must, buy gift cards and gifts through-out year.
Christmas cards addressed in July leaving envelopes open.
Deep House Cleaning in Autumn.
Christmas gifts, outdoor lights and cookies in freezer in November before Thanksgiving.
Clothes for Programs, Parties and Church Services ready to go.
Thanksgiving over.  Turn on the Christmas music.
Christmas Wreaths on doors, Nativity Scene displayed and Christmas tree up early.
Christmas letter written, copied and inserted into Christmas card envelopes.
Christmas cards and packages in the early December mail.
Additional decorating and baking to take place. 

Christmas Programs, Parties and Peace.
Christmas.

LONGER VERSION::
START OFF BY COUNTING YOUR BLESSINGS AND PRAY.


1)  Christmas Cards::  Purchase next years Christmas Cards during the After Christmas Sales when cards are half off or better.  Same with decorations.  Have a theme.

2)  Gifts:: Look for gifts through-out the year to bless others with at Christmas time.  Hopefully you'll take captive some real bargains.  Write down in the back of your calendar or budget book presents in collection so you can recall what you have hidden or already wrapped.

3)  Christmas Savings Account:: Have one.  Build Christmas Savings account through-out year.

4)  Christmas in July:: Sign Christmas cards, place in envelope with interior of card left open for easy insertion of Christmas letter that will go in December.  Leave envelope open.  Address envelopes in July.  Pen Christmas letter in December and make copies.  Insert letter into envelopes, seal, stamp and mail early in December.  Purchase wrapping tapes and brown craft paper for mailing gifts later in year.

5)  Cleaning::  Deep House Cleaning in September, October and November.  Spot clean in December.

6)  Outdoor Lights:: Consider hanging outdoor Christmas lights when weather is still decent and can be done in a more comfortable temperature.  Here in Kansas it's a guessing game and the Almanac might be consulted before waiting on a week-end to follow through.

7)  Gifts:: Might have Christmas gifts ready to give to Family at Thanksgiving Gathering so there's no postage or trips to the Post Office standing in line.  Get Christmas gifts in the mail early.  Budgets can be tight and gifts difficult to give.  Make something or purchase gift cards during the year when there aren't so many end of the year expenses to dance around. 

8)  Thanksgiving:: Before Thanksgiving, BAKE Christmas cookies and store in freezer for later use.  After Thanksgiving, morph into the Christmas Season.  All Thanksgiving decorations go bye bye.  Look over clothing for dress clothes to wear during Christmas Holiday.  Ready, Set, Go.

9)  Wreaths::  Christmas Wreaths hung on doors.

10)  Nativity Scene:: Display.

11)  Christmas Tree:: Christmas tree selected and decorated.

12)  Christmas Letter:: Christmas letter composed, printed, inserted into Christmas cards and mailed with addressed Christmas Card envelopes.

13)  Decorating:: Additional decorating and baking can take place.

14)  Celebrations:: Christmas Programs, Parties and Peace.

15)  CHRISTMAS:: Christmas.

16)  Winding down::  Wassail in the evening and feet up.

17)  Count your blessings and pray.

SHORT VERSION::
Listen to some CHRISTMAS MUSIC.
Think on the things of God and the brilliance of HIS MAJESTY.
Take time for Thanksgiving and PRAISE.
Hallelujah for a God like Jesus that knows us through and through.
He is the reason for the season.
He is very much ALIVE.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

CHERISH

Good health is a gift to cherish.
Not sure how this happened but I am sick again.
It seems like this go round I'm closer to having pneumonia with the bronchitis I have.
I had put off going to the doctor thinking I could conquer this.
No chance.
I have had aching ribs for i don't know how long…like they were hardened.
Coughing took over and I felt weak.  Asthmatic wheeze.  Horrible whirring.  Fever.
Off to the Doctor.
Shall see how this goes.
I have found myself saying, "Jesus is Lord, the Son of God and the healer.  In Him will I trust."
I am sick.
Husband is on meds as well.
Sick.
The two of us are ill.
Praying.
This Christmas month will be slower paced because it will now be necessary.
The tree is still in the box.
The door wreaths are hidden away.
The Nativity Scene will slowly come out of the box. Hopefully.
Slowly with intentional importance and thought.
I did managed to get a few acrylic snowflakes carried to the Parlor.
If possible, the tree will stand tall in the conservatory soon.
There may not be any Christmas lights placed on the house this year.
We'll be alright.
I hope I can get a white cake baked covered with white frosting and coconut.
Hope.
I have wanted to have a white birthday cake for Christmas day to help celebrate JESUS.
Perhaps I will be blessed to do so.
Hope.
There may be no Christmas cards in the mail or Christmas letter.
I can say MERRY CHRISTMAS!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LORD.
I do CHERISH you.
Cherish.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you, my blog friend,
d