Well! How is it possible Christmas 2015 has come and gone so quickly. It was so magical and wonderful to be reminded again this year of this totally amazing event that is celebrated every Christmas.
Many years ago the children helped hand-paint the Nativity Scene shown in the below photo. As I look at each statue I realize now what a good job they did. I remember so clearly sitting out on the front porch several evenings in a row as we all painted a different statue. Ceramics were a popular craft back then.
Needless to say, this is the very first Christmas decoration we put in place each Christmas.
Our "reason for the season" as seen in the below photo.
After mass on Christmas I usually spend the rest of the day cooking our Christmas Dinner. Our daughters also help cook some of the favorite family recipes. They bring them over when they arrive Christmas afternoon with the rest of their family.
On Christmas Eve the table is set in order to give more time for cooking on Christmas day.
In the below photo you can see an overall photo of our dining room. As our family grew with the children, and then the grandchildren, we slowly added on to our home, so we would have enough room for everyone. The room you see in the below photo was actually our double-car garage many years ago. We decided to convert the garage into a much needed larger dining room.
When all of the children and grandchildren come home to visit we set up two tables with chairs. Fortunately, the converted garage is big enough to do that. And then, you will see in the corner there is still room for what we call our holiday pie table. There are usually more pies on the table for Thanksgiving than for Christmas.
If you look to the right of this photo below you will see what once was the stairs leading down to the original garage, which is just off from the kitchen. Now, of course, they are the stairs leading down to the dining room.
If you look to the right of this photo below you will see what once was the stairs leading down to the original garage, which is just off from the kitchen. Now, of course, they are the stairs leading down to the dining room.
Several years ago while visiting the outlets in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee we found ourselves in the Lenox store. We happened to spot the dishes that you see on the table in the below photo. We live in the country and so very much enjoy the outdoors. These dishes have beautiful images of nature which include a lovely life-like painted cardinal, pine cones, pine branches, and holly berries all accentuated with a red Christmas bow and intertwining ribbon.
We enjoy the simple, and subtle Christmasy feel of these dishes
accentuated with Christmas red glasses and napkins.
Just in case you like this pattern as much as we do I checked with Mr. Google to see if this dinnerware is still available. Of all things, there is a huge sale on this collection at the Lenox site. This particular pattern is called Lenox Winter Greetings.
Lenox also offers several serving dishes in this pattern and nice heavy duty, but elegant coffee mugs in the same pattern. I sound like a commercial, but, no, just sharing what I have found out about this simple Christmas dinnerware that we enjoy so much.
Christmas dinner at our home would not be the same without
Mr. and Mrs. Santa salt and pepper shakers at one end of the table....
And, Mr. and Mrs. Snowman at the other end of the table.
Yes, it was a delightful Christmas dinner with our children and grandchildren who live here in town. And, of course, we missed the part of the family living out of town who could not join us this year
As you can see in the below photo we gathered out in the family room for after dinner pie, visiting, and opening of Christmas gifts.
Our grandsons in the below photo are our greatest gift at any time of the year.
On the left we see Ryan (19) our daughter Stephanie and husband John's son, and then Lawson (10), Papaw and Mamaw, and Preston (13), John Scott (19) and Will (16) the four sons of our daughter Sharon and her husband Charlie. And then there is Chase (18) and Dillon (21) in the front, also the sons of daughter Stephanie.
All of the boys are a great joy to us. It was delightful setting around the Christmas dinner table visiting with each one of them, and our children as well.
We hope that you too have had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones, friends and family.
As the New Year approaches we wish you and your family a wonderful year ahead filled with many blessings wherever you may be.
Happy New Year !
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