Our Mid December Weekend....

  I'm happy to say I've turned the corner on my Christmas preparations and decorations!

I now have more rooms done than I have yet to do.

And the remaining rooms are all much easier than the others.

Except the sewing room but it isn't at the same level as the den, foyer, porch, kitchen and dining room!

The cats are loving all the lights and trees and ribbons to play with and they keep us totally entertained as they do so.

It's turned cold in the DFW area and I think Samantha was trying to stay warm.

I learned long years ago not to keep the house too warm.

Way back when, we had lots of cold when my ex husband insisted on keeping the thermostat in the upper 70's.

For the last 20+ years I have kept it at 69 degrees and at night we use an electric blanket and I turn the heat off completely.

I know this won't work for those who live up north but it works for us here in the south.

Last week this room was a wreck!

However, Saturday night Ilene joined us for dinner and a movie and we ate at the dining room table for the first time in months!

I made pepper poppers for our appetizer and we sat by the fireplace with our fancy wine cocktails before dinner.

I choose fruity low sugar and low alcohol for our movie nights.

This one was strawberry wine with strawberry sparkling water and fresh strawberries.

It was seriously delicious.

Next week I plan to serve a hot mulled wine which will be perfect for this season.

Dinner was stuffed bell peppers and mashed potatoes with a garden salad.

It was nice to sit at the table to eat and visit with Ilene.

She is such a gift to me as she's a good listener and gives me such comfort and support.

She loves Louis Dean and will sit and talk with him while I do other things.

The Lord gives us all gifts and I realized early in life that mine was the gift of hospitality - or giving - as Ilene calls it while she has the gift of serving.

• Giving: The readiness to give resources with generosity and cheerfulness.
• Serving: The talent to faithfully serve others and help in their needs, often behind the scenes.

I often tell Ileen, "You make me feel normal again."

We enjoyed our dinner and our movie with peppermint popcorn at 'Intermission!'

Our living room is special to me as I spend my morning quiet time - or at least some of it - in the chair on the left (bought at the thrift store for $15) while listening to soft instrumetal Christmas carols.

I love the lights and the candles and the music and ambiance.

I also go outside on the kitchen deck with my prayer cards and first cup of coffee - no matter the weather - and look up to heaven and praise God for all that He has done for me. He's redeemed every single area of my life and I am so grateful.

This is 2025 and I made this stained glass nativity scene in 1965.

I have lost the camels, sheep and shepherds over the years but am thankful for this piece.

All four of my children remember seeing this through their lifetimes and it continues to be on display to this day.

I love traditions that seem to go on and on.

In keeping it real - which is so important to me - this is my next 'big' room to do.

I hope to start it tomorrow or - realistically - on Tuesday.

This morning we woke up to seriously cold temps so I got a fire going in the den and had it all warmed up by the time Louis Dean joined me for watching Fellowship Church service live on You Tube.

I made oatmeal, crispy bacon and toast for breakfast as we watched.

We spent the afternoon at the Plano hockey rink watching Kailey and Logan play.

The more games I attend, the more I learn about hockey and the rules.

I'm so grateful we are still able to get out and about.

Neither of us are as agile as we used to be - but we continue to show up and will do so as long as we can. No regrets wishing we had done more when we could.

Amber and her dad....

She was officially adopted by Louis Dean in 2013.

She wanted him to be her REAL dad and so he is.

Me and my dearly beloved son in law, Mike.

He is a man among men.....

• "A godly man builds not just his house, but his legacy—one brick at a time with faith and integrity."
• "The measure of a man isn't found in his success, but in his ability to serve others with humility."
• "In every trial, a godly man sees an opportunity for God to reveal His power and provision."

And THAT is who Mike Bell is!

And then there's my daughter, Amber!

From the moment I knew I was pregnant with her, I prayed she would be mighty in Spirit!

And so she is and has been and always will be.

This is my first journal entry on my new laptop!

I am loving it and all my important data transferred with no problem.

Christmas is coming and I hope you are enjoying the season as much as I am.

If you haven't received your Christmas card by the end of the week, please let me know.

I ordered 20 extra and will mail you out one.