Comfort Food and a Visit to Quadville

We took a break from all this decorating and I left the house!! 

This was the first time I have been out since we took Jutta to the airport last Saturday so I have been home nearly a solid week! For the first several days I was sick with a head cold and then I have been busy decorating. It was time to take a break, though!

Amber and Kailey had an appointment so Granddad and I stayed with the other three.

I just LOVE how these kids LOVE each other!!!

When Kailey got ready to leave, she went to each of her siblings saying, "Now Trystan, you be GOOD for MeeMaw!" Then Logan told Kailey, "I know you will be good for Mommy!!"

These are the best kids I have ever seen!

I took a nap with Harrison and Logan and Trystan. I napped on the floor in between their two rooms and it was wonderful. Logan woke me up so she could go potty and Harrison was still awake when I took Logan in the bathroom and he was SOUND ASLEEP when we came out just a few minutes later!! Trystan was just waking up so the three of us went back downstairs and cleaned up the playroom. Logan said, "It's a MESS!"

Not any more!

Harrison was so cute when he woke up!!

He grabbed hold of Bandit ( their cat) and hauled him to the playroom and dumped him in the ball bath! Bandit was not happy about it! Harrison thought it was funny - and so did we!!!

Granddad had done a lot of the cooking for dinner tonight so he turned on one of our favorite programs - Paw Patrol!!

I was waiting for food to come out of the oven so I joined them and enjoyed watching this cat!

He had been batting at the ornaments on the Christmas tree but stopped when I got my camera.

Then he pretended not to be interested at ALL in that tree!!!

But he couldn't resist for long!

Everyone sat around watching TV while I watched Bandit!

Can you see him back there by the tree??

I love visiting my friend Estelle!

Yesterday she shared a recipe for brownies that sounded simple and delicious!

It WAS!!! You can find it on her blog:

 BROWNIES FROM MISS KATERINE HEPBURN!

Our whole dinner menu featured comfort food.

Amber stays worn out these days with keeping up with the kids and  doctor's appointments, errands, her writing and work PLUS all the  extras the holidays require!

I do not know how she does it!

She was feeling a bit weary and worn when we arrived in early afternoon.

There's nothing like fried chicken, cheese potatoes, green peas, biscuits and gravy to make you feel better!!! I loved that she could come home to a clean playroom and a good meal she didn't have to prepare! By the way, Logan helped me clean up all the toys. She and I make a good team!

Dinner was served!!

Amber said how nice to come in and have family, Christmas music, good food, decorations and all things homey! As Trystan said when we gathered at the table - "We're eating together as a FAMILY!!!" Notice Amber's elegant wine glass! Louis Dean was drinking wine too - just from a Dickey's plastic glass! Red wine WITH ice!!! 

 You might be a redneck if.......

HAHAHAHA!

Logan has some pretty big shoes to fill!!

Don't all kids just love to wear grown up's shoes?

It's a good reminder that they want to be like US when they grow up.

That realization has always motivated me to be a better person because of the children in my life.

I remember the poem I read years ago that I have never forgot.

"Little children follow me -

I dare not go astray!......."

"The Little Chap Who Follows Me!"

A careful man I want to be;
A little fellow follows me.
I do not dare to go astray
For fear he'll go the self same way.

I cannot once escape his eyes,
Whate'er he sees me do, he tries.
Like me he says he's going to be;
The little chap who follows me.

He thinks that I'm so very fine,
Believes in every word of mine.
The base in me he must not see;
The little chap who follows me.

I must remember as I go
Through summer's sun and winter's snow,
I'm building for the years to be;
The little chap who follows me.

 Author: Unknown

Granddad started playing the piano and in minutes he had kids sitting in his lap while he showed them a few things on it and then let them play.

It was a lovely evening and I think we did some good for Amber.

That's what mothers love to do! 

Wipe the weariness from their children's eyes and leave them smiling and happy.

That's pretty much what Amber does her her little ones and I am blessed that I can still do that for her!

Back home I did just a little bit more in the foyer.

This morning I spent over an hour in there and I plan to finish it up before noon tomorrow.

It will be my first COMPLETED room - and it is my smallest! It's the FOYER!

I always use an angel theme in there and this year I have done it differently.

I use the same sequined skirt for the lamp base 'dress' every single year though!

Who knew how much use that skirt would get??

Normally I use yards and yards and YARDS of ribbons but this year I am using that mesh type and am loving it!

You'll never believe what I did!

I made a garland of gold unbreakable bulbs last year - after seeing Summer and Amber making some.

I used it along the top of the den couch last year.

This year I added 100 count strand of lights and put it under the curio cabinet in the foyer.

I had tucked pumpkins and lights here all fall and it just looked so EMPTY now!!!

I love all things golden! Especially lights!!