'twas the Season for Sparkle & Shine

Maybe someday, I'll be one of those people that thinks putting a tree up means you're done decorating for Christmas. Until then, I'll continue to carry the tubs out of the basement and thoughtfully add fake pine and felt mistletoe and yards of ribbon to every nook and cranny. Here are some of this year's highlights:

• Picture frame with chicken wire to which our Christmas cards were clipped
• Entry hall table with lumberjack theme 
• Christmas Pfaltgraff blended with red and green-toned Fiesta on the kitchen shelves

• Mantel dressed with lighted pine garland, galvanized-shaded lights. Deer ready for Christmas with red pom nose and wreath headdress
• Library fireplace dressed with a fruit-and-gold theme
• Library buffet and table
• Parlor and kitchen entry (with kitchen-theme ornaments on lighted garland)

And, of course, the tree:

This year's beauty was from Earl May - a 9 ft. Frasier fir. Did you know that they will deliver your tree if it's bigger than 6 ft. tall -- for free!? Helped relieve the typical stress of hauling an oversized tree all the way to noTTafarm.

As if decorating noTTafarm wasn't enough fun, I was also responsible for decorating my church's sanctuary (under the direction of our Minister of Worship, Rev. Jerry Brabec.) We were especially proud of this year's effort!

 I hope you had a sparkly, bright, glittery, velvety, beaded Christmas!

Cookie Tradition

My buddy Leigh Anne and I have been baking and frosting Christmas sugar cookies every year for close to (or over?) 20 years. It's always an enjoyable day when we get together and this year was no exception.

Leigh Anne's daughter, Meredith, brought along her friend, Mia for her first cookie-decorating adventure. They are both 7th graders and fans of YouTube and Stranger Things and all sorts of other stuff unrecognizable to old ladies like me. They both did a great job!

Thanks, Leigh Anne, Meredith and Mia for a wonderful afternoon!

Stay Tuned for Our Next (Baking) Adventure!

Christmas Day Filled with Family

It's not often that we've had both Camps and Wards visit on the same day so Christmas Day was extra special. Our family-filled day began with the Camps desending upon noTTafarm for brunch followed by a visit from nephew Nick, Brooke and their three girls in the afternoon. It was such a wonderful day!

Christmas Eve, we were still prepping. Scott was a super good helper and even dipped the pretzels with a smile. They were delicious!

After we got home from church late on Christmas Eve, I still had many presents to wrap. Luckily, I was inspired by my retro-styled scottie dog wrapping paper and plaid ribbon. So cute!

It wouldn't be a great Christmas day without our great niece, Sophie.

Sophie created a personalized painting for us as her gift. Featured on the canvas are four kitties with nametags on their collars (Wilson, Bibbers, Leo and Rocket) plus a Scotty dog - all wearing colorful Christmas sweaters. We are proud of this "Sophie Original" and have displayed it upstairs near the guest rooms.

Our nephew, Andrew, and his girlfriend, Kate, were home from Arkansas. They are both teaching high school in Stuttgart and considering beginning a Masters' program soon.

The newest Mr. & Mrs. Camp (Jeff and Tanya) 

Pat & Kathleen were in Portland and Kate & Alessio were in Italy - but we were able to chat with them all via the miracle of Facetime (and nephew Pete's technological know-how.)

Just when you think you don't need a thing . . . presents! So many lovely gifts were exchanged, including:

Carl took this photo of our barn and then had it placed in a lovely mat and frame. It now graces a wall in the great room.  Beautiful!

Miss Sophie counted all the change that was in the unicorn bank we gave her (upwards of $16!)

Kate and Andrew gave Sophie a robot. She had alot of fun figuring out how to make it do tricks.

 Sophie & Kristin Selfie

Batten down the hatches! 

The Ward girls arrived at about 2 o'clock (along with their mommy and daddy.) How fun to have these three little balls of energy join us for the afternoon. (That's one-year-old Bailee making a run for it with big sisters Allie and Maggie.)

 Maggie and Allie "posing" for me.

Allie got a really cute kid-sized Polaroid camera from Santa. Here she takes a snap of Leo who was trying to avoid all the ruckus by hiding under the tree.

Allie joined in a rowdy card game of Spoons with many of the Camps. Kate taught everyone how to play and Pete, Sophie and Andrew helped Allie catch on. It was great to see both sides of the family represented in the competition. After the Camps departed, Allie challenged Brooke and I to a few rounds; she tried every trick she could to win every hand.

 The Wards will add Baby Girl #4 to the family in May. 💜

After everyone left and the house was quiet, Scott built a fire and we were able to relax. A wonderful end to a wonderful day.

We Hope You Enjoyed Your Christmas!