Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Amber's Christmas House!

 Monday I went over to Amber's and we went off to do our Christmas food shopping together.
We first stopped at Starbucks - tea for her and Skinny Vanilla Latte for me and a cinnamon coffee cake to split between us! Then on to Target!!
It took us awhile but we got it done!

After we came back, I hung out at Amber's for a little while.....
and took pictures of her beautiful Christmas home!


This photo is one of Amber's and she and the kids made the gorgeous garland around the door last year!


Her entry way.....


and her dining room!
SO pretty!


Logan is good at napkin folding.....isn't this pretty?
SHe used the Lennox napkin ring as her tree base.


Amber does her napkins into bows.


I just love her dining room!!
I admire all her Spode Christmas dishes.......


Amber has arranged the hutch in such a beautiful way.


I'm thinking thsi is my favorite room right now.


Trystan said, "We don't have as many Santas as YOU do, MeeMaw!"


The playroom fireplace.......
I LOVE this!!!


Amber's house ALWAYS smells so good!!


Back to the dining room......
Amber chose wisely when she bought these chairs!
They could not be MORE perfect!!

I stopped at Aldi on my way home last night for a couple of things ....
and when I got in my car, I was trying to call Louis Dean and tell him I was on my way, when I looked up and saw a lady at my car window smiling at me and asking me something.
I got a little bit scared and just pulled forward and drove off.
It was stressful getting home - I had clicked my trunk to open and then put the groceries in the back seat instead - so my TRUNK AJAR light came on bright red. I took an exit off the Bush Toll Road and then traffic was so heavy and the stop light so long that I got right back on and drove home like it was. 
Funny but I must have hit a dip and the trunk slammed shit because it was NOT unlocked when I got out of the car to close it!

You would have thought I had walked into a bakery when I came through the front door!!
It smelled SO good!!!


Louis Dean had made 120 cinnamon roold while I was gone!
 That's four batches of sweet roll dough!
Damage control was MASSIVE!!!
I didn't even get it all cleaned up last night as I had to make the icing and then package all the rolls up before I went to bed. Think great big hands covered with buttery sticky dough! He touches everything with them from the cupboard doors to the oven handles and the stove dials and the faucet and even the cinnamon container was sticky! And the FLOOR??? My lands!

I was gone while he baked - as we had talked about it and whenever I'm here he gets disconcerted and loses his concentration. Well, that didn't work to leave. I need to be here to smell the rolls so they don't get too done and to keep an eye on him and to make sure he doesn't over do. 
The fact is - he made two batches too many as his energy and concentration wore out when he was only half way done.

We are learning how to deal with the changes we're going through in getting older and there is a learning curve to it all. But you can't go wrong with cinnamon rolls and milk for a good supper!


I forgot to post from the camper last week the finished the Red Christmas Truck!
I really enjoyed painting this!!
It will be the gift I take to the Chinese Christmas Tree in Fort Worth on Christmas morning.
But I am going to take pictures of it after it's glazed so I can make canvas prints.
And I may paint another one for next year.....only different.

Today (Tuesday) I spent finishing up the kitchen cleaning and doing other housework and prepping two more vegetable dishes for Christmas Eve's dinner - the cream cheese corn and candied carrots.


Tonight we watched Polar Express.....which reminds me of the first time I met my friends from Finland, Jutta, down in Galveston. We went to Moody Gardens and saw The Polar Express for the first time! Good memories of a good time with my friend.
Unfortunately, Covid has changed the travel plans that once included the USA.


So this is the scene next to my desk in the sitting room tonight as I write.
Louis Dean is waiting in the living room for me to join him with my glass of wine.
I still have Wednesday and Thursday to get ready for Christmas Eve.


Yes, Lord!
Help me see others through your eyes.




15 comments:

Bluebird49 said...

Oh honey! The red Christmas truck is so perfect. You must be very pleased with it!!
What can I says home is just so beautiful. Goodness, it looks like a magazine spread, and it should be!! She needs bro o a born pur be channel not she would be very popular. I love watching channels that show decorating, cooking and craft ideas, and she would just ace it! She is such a beautiful mom, and I know she gets her beauty and talent from you. My Sherry and I used to go shopping together, and I'm so glad you and your daughters can get together with you to do that.
Ooh, Louis Dean and the cinnamon buns. I'm sure it's a labor of love, and you putting up with the aftermath is avlabor of love, but mostly just more labor for you, isn't it!!I don't know what to say except, well, Ed doesn't, can't, won't - cook a thing but hot dogs in the broiler. Maybe it's a good thing, but I don't know!!πŸ™πŸ˜
So glad you have time to blog. I so look forward to your photos and words! Don't know if you'll have time to before the big event, but I hope so! If not, Merry, Merry Christmas to you and your baker! 😎

Ginny Hartzler said...

Amber's home is totally PERFECT! she could easily work as an interior decorator. I think my favorite is the outside front, it is awesome. Now I am really hungry for Cinnamon Rolls. I love your red truck!! I am also glad you pulled away from that strange woman, things are so crazy nowadays, you just never know...

Sandi said...

Beautiful doorway!

Susan~aredheadonthego said...

Merry Christmas beautiful Linda. I just love Amber’s home. Coming home to a bakery is a wonderful way to put it! I love how you so graphically described the mess poor Louis Dean made. You keep it all in perspective though. I agree nothing better than a cinnamon roll dinner with milk! Linda I received and will treasure my Christmas card from you. Thank you. Hopefully you will get some well deserved rest after hosting Christmas Eve. Be well. I treasure you my girl!

Vee said...

So much to do; so little time. May you have all the energy needed for the tasks at hand. Merriest of Christmases to you and blessings beyond measure. πŸŽ„

Arlene G said...

Bless your heart Linda....I pray things will settle down and you can just enjoy the rest of the holidays. Love Amber's house!! So festive. Your red truck is amazing!!

Changes in the wind said...

Amber's home is lovely and just wished the computer had smell:) I loved the stockings on the fireplace. Your painting is fabulous! The rolls look delicious but sorry there is such a mess to go along with it.

Deanna Rabe said...

I love Amber's garland around her door! So beautiful.

I wish I could take some of those extra cinnamon rolls off your hands! I love that he loves to make them. My brother is a good cook and baker.

Debbie said...

ambers home is just lovely...how does she do that with 4 kids running around?? i really LOVE the christmas tree napkins, and the bows, both are perfect for the christmas table!!

the red christmas truck is really special, a favorite of mine!!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

Your daughters's home is beautiful She has done a wonderful job of decorating. And Louis Deans cinnamon rolls are lovely too. It makes all the mess worthwhile. They will be a delicious treat for all. I have to set timers all the time here so I don't over cook things. Usually I can tell by the smell when something is done, but timers, help keep me on track.

photowannabe said...

Ummm, yummm I love cinnamon rolls..especially the made from scratch kind. I agree with you that with age comes adjustments and a boat-load of patience. Thrilled that LD still wants to do so much to make this time of year special.
Praying for extra strength for you to get everything done that you want to do.
Amber's home is a magazine extravaganza...wow, is all I can say.
I've said it before and I'll say it again..love your Christmas card and cherish it as I cherish your blogging friendship too.
Sue

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

The are beautiful decoration inside ad outside Amber's home and the holiday napkins in the shape of Rees and bows were very creative and festive. Louis Dean certainly does get in to baking and those cinnamon rolls looked so good and nothing better with a glass of milk or perhaps hot chocolate! The Christmas card is beautiful, Linda. Sending all best wishes to you and Louis Dean and your family for a very Merry Christmas season and a better New year for all.

Wanda said...

What a delightful post. Love Amber's home. Just as warm, beautiful and inviting as yours. She learned from the best! Oh dear, my heart goes out to the changes we have to make at this season of our lives.
I still have my "get up and go", but can't do much of that because of my dearest's needs. But from time to time I get to run around with my girls. Yesterday we did a Costco run, TJMAXX, Marshalls and Homegoods. Finished up the last of the Christmas shopping. Dispite all the negative..Could be the best Christmas ever!!!
Merry Christmas to you and Louis Dean...and if I were closer, I'd take a few of those cinnamon rolls off your hands. HaHa.

Robin from P'ville said...

Your painting is beautiful.

Carole said...

I felt zonked after I went to the supermarket this morning - first time in a year I have gone in instead of click and collecting - and they've changed all the shelves around! Berries are in short supply - the classic Kiwi Christmas dessert is a pavlova (and no, they're NOT Australian) covered with whipped cream and berries. Hope your runup to Christmas is nice and stress free. Cheers