Christmas Cactus

Christmas Cactus

Countdown to Christmas

Merry Christmas!!

Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Lord Jesus, born in a stable because there was no room at the inn; come into our hearts and dwell there forever. Grant that the peace and good will of which the angels sang may shine forth in our lives, and in the lives of people everywhere.

Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas

Santa Barbara Sunset

Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas

Countdown to Christmas:

Third Sunday of Advent

Dear God, bless our family. May it be like the Holy Family into which Jesus was born. Help us to make our home a happy place; to do our work cheerfully and well; to share with others. May Christ be with us in all that we do together, so that we can be truly one, living in love and peace.

Countdown to Christmas: Bright Stars

Countdown to Christmas:

Countdown to Christmas: Holiday Baking

Countdown to Christmas: Toys for Tots

Making gift selections for Toys for Tots was a difficult as choosing gifts for my own children. Not knowing exactly how the program worked, I wanted to make sure that the donated toy was significant enough to stand as the only gift a child might receive and be of the quality that could come from Santa's Workshop. It had to be a gift that my own children might receive and enjoy.
I selected basketballs.

Countdown to Christmas: Santa's Workshop

This illustration came from the same book and has been the image of Santa's Workshop and the toys from the workshop.

Countdown to Christmas: You Better Watch Out

This picture came from a book that was read to us every year as children. The yearly reading was a much anticipated family tradition.

Countdown to Christmas: Family and Tradition

Feast of St. Nicholas

Second Sunday of Advent

Jesus, the light of all who love you, help us to make ready for your birthday by preparing room for you in our hearts. Let no selfishness or ours darken our home. Let no ill feelings spoil our fun. Draw us closer together by showing us the way to love you and others.

Countdown to Christmas: Putting Up The Tree

Christmas Countdown: Stockings

... and the stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that Saint Nick soon would be there.

Christmas Countdown: Christmas Classics

There are two Christmas movies that our family enjoys watching together:

White Christmas and A Christmas Story

Countdown to Christmas: Christmas Classics

Of all the animated Christmas movies, only two stand out as my all time favorites:

A Charlie Brown Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Countdown to Christmas: Selecting Tree Colors

We have picked the colors for this year's Christmas tree: bright orange, lime green, blue, and magenta. It is too early to put up the tree.