The Weekend AND Monday!!! I Got Behind!!!

I don't like it when I get behind in my journals - online as well as in my real paper and pen Country Diary! 

The weekend started with Saturday when we began the task of taking Christmas down......

I worked in the sewing room and we made a start on our new storage area.

If I don't PLAN something - it will never happen!!!

My friend, Brenda, and I PLANNED on a fun evening together with our husbands!

If you know BILLY, then you know it was a LOT of fun!!!

I was taking a pic of Louis Dean (to use in my blog since my blog is ALL about HIM!!!) when who should appear in my photo but BILLY!!!

This was the start of a great Saturday night!!

We all ate and talked and caught up with each other over a HEALTHY meal at Jason's Deli!

The party moved to their house where we played some 42.

I am SO not a good 42 player but Brenda and Billy are THE most patient teachers!

THEY are awesome players and we are grateful for them taking the time to teach us!

Between them and Roy and Ruth Ann, someday WE may become REAL 42 players!!!

Louis Dean is certainly looking the part!!

Me? Not so much!

I always PASS when it comes to bidding!

HE got the hang of it!!

My handsome husband!!!

Next time we get together I will ask if I can take pictures of our good sweet friends and use on the blog. I try to respect the privacy of my friends!

I do have to say - Brenda was looking exceptionally beautiful this evening and I SO wish I had taken some photos of her!!

Home for bed and I had every intention of waking up in time for SUNDAY SCHOOL and church!

I made it to church - late!

Louis Dean pulled his 'Old Man' card and stayed home. He DID watch Ed Young Sr on the Winning Walk on TV.

I got a bonus!!!!

Trystan went home with MeeMaw!!!

Granddad was out the door and waiting to get her out of the car before I even turned the engine off!

He had lunch all ready - BLT's! WITH potato chips!

We all ate fireside as the Dallas Cowboys played.

Trystan is like THE most perfect child!!

She plays. She eats.She sleeps. She is precious!!!

After our nap together ( YES! Louis Dean gave me the news about the game results and I felt GUILTY for not staying awake and cheering! I take some responsibility for their loss!) we had a tea party!

Is she NOT adorable????

We had Tea for Two using this ceramic tea set I made for Amber when she was just one year old. 

1986......how time flies......

We finished up our Sunday here at the house and Trystan said, "I want to go to Trystan's house and see Mommy and Dada!!" So that's exactly what we did ......

We stopped on our way at Central Market.

Just LOOK at all those birds!!!

It reminded me of the old Hitchcock movie!

I think these are starlings but not sure......

The BIRDS were a bit scary!!!

When I was checking out, the lady said they come every night!

Lots of things to look at in a grocery store like Central Market!!

We bought a muffin to share later in the cafe.

I SO wanted a whole CAKE!!!

Coffee on a Sunday night? Perfect!!!

This was delicious!!!

I brought a cup home with me and heated it up this morning!!!

I have no shame over leftover coffee!!

Trystan enjoyed being the center of attention all day!

I want to see the FISHES!!!!

In spite of what she said - she was ready to see Harrison, Logan and Kailey!

One last look at the BIRDS!!!

Ah!!! There were four kids SO happy to see Granddad!!!

We stayed to eat some of Amber's delicious Chicken Soup -

perfect for a cold January Sunday night - and she made it spur of the moment!

She can make up a recipe in her head quicker than anyone I know!

Louis Dean stayed in the play room with the kids while

I watched the latest episode of Downton Abbey while sipping a glass of wine from the Bota Box of Pinot Grigio I picked up at Central Market. Then after the kids were in bed - we all watched Madam Secretary together. It was a wonderful Sunday!!!

This morning Louis Dean and I started a new book -

We are in chapter two and love it already!!

Louis Dean is a big fan of Bill O'Reilly and now I see why!

We spent the day doing my least favorite thing in all the world.....taking Christmas down!

The bedrooms, bathrooms and sewing room are all done.

Next was the den and that was a JOB!!!

We worked at cleaning out the former 'Lawn House' and have now made it a Christmas storage room.

It's been a warm and cosy day INSIDE!!!!

Everyone snores around here!!!!

Cat.......

dog......US......

Lucy is a crazy dog and barks at Louis Dean.....but we really do love her!

It's a cold night in Texas!!

Louis Dean has the college football game on!

Oregon Ducks and Ohio State Buckeyes!

The Buckeyes were the underdogs and that's who we are rooting for!!!

THEY are WINNING as I write this!

While HE was watching the game......I was working on our front porch.

I bought a dozen pieces of pine picks at Hobby Lobby on Friday for 90% off!

I stuck these in the grapevines twined above the porch.

Since I keep white lights up year round - inside and out! - I thought I would make a WINTER porch!

I kept the red cover on the bench and the red and white snowflake pillows.

After I took these pictures I added some red wooden bead garland on the tree and over the door.

I can't tell you how many nights Louis Dean and I sit outside on our driveway and how much we enjoy the lights on our porch. Why, the last time we were sitting out there with a glass of wine we had TWO cars stop by and say how pretty it looks!!! In warmer weather, the neighbors JOIN us for a glass of vino!!!

I just LOVE the white lights! My porch ALWAYS makes me smile!

I'm working on the den tree - which stays up year round. This is a work in progress.

I haven't decorated for Valentine's in quite awhile - but I am embracing the holiday this year!

Tomorrow I will CLEAN the rooms I have Undecorated!

I also plan to go to the library and check out some videos, puzzles, books and audio books to use for our Quad Wednesday! We MAY make a trip to Big State Fountain Grill for lunch!

We ALL need to be rewarded for good behaviour from time to time.

The taking down of Christmas will continue on Thursday......