we woke to this this morning...

it was so pretty...

the wet snow clung to everything...

and the branches were completely outlined on each and every tree...

just under 2 inches...

but the temp was up and it didn't stay long...

there are a few places here and there now...

but tomorrow will take care of that...

spent the day with laundry and cleaning...

ate BBQ at the deli...

nom nom...

and then took a good 2 hour nap this afternoon...

hamburgers and fries for supper...

tired of left overs, so we took a break from them today...

we can finish them tomorrow...

need to make more of those Mrs Fields' chocolate chip cookie bars in the morning...

only one left...

my bestie, Rebecca and her family need prayer...

they called hospice in for her Grams, Ella Mae, yesterday...

she is ready to go and isn't eating anymore...

she is aware of them and what's going on...

been talking with her mom and dad from the other side...

and holding her baby that had been stillborn so many years ago...

from my experience, when they come from the other side...

there isn't much time left on this one...

and that's been the day...

quiet and peaceful and reflective, talking to Rebecca...

praying for her...

and others...

and spending time with my guys...

folding clothes...

putting up most of the Christmas stuff...

have a cozy evening...

my guys...

Craig gave Doug antlers...

my red gloves...

Craig, Doug and DH...

can you believe that they still do bunny ears?

its a Christmas tradition in my family...

this was taken this morning before Doug went back home...

the camera was not used at all this year!

and Doug felt so bad when he got here on Friday...

he was very upset and told me he had run off and forgotten my Christmas presents...

I told him that that was ok...

I had him...

and then DH took him home and brought my presents back...

this was one of them...

and I love him!

my very first sock monkey!

he is a TY beanie baby!

isn't he just the cutest sock monkey you have ever seen?????

ready to party?

here are some fun images to kick out the old year...

and kick in the new...

here comes 2012...

the year I turn 50...

ready or not...

here it comes!

our Christmastime...

Christmas eve morning was fun...

we started our day baking...

we waited to do it when we were all together...

so we could do it together...

first we made Mrs Fields' chocolate chip cookie dough...

and we put it in a cake pan for pan cookies...

once that was in the oven, we moved on to buckeyes...

which is a round peanut butter cup...

and you know how I love those...

got the batter made and rolled into balls...

Doug melted the chocolate chips and spooned the chocolate on top of those...

then we moved onto the apple cake...

each one had their jobs to do and it was fun...

we shared licking the bowls and spoons...

and we talked of all the past Christmases...

while Christmas shows played endlessly on the tv...

we did lunch, whatever you wanted in the fridge...

a few took naps- I was one...

DH ran to the deli in Ashmore and dropped of Rebecca's bag on her back porch...

she had to work yesterday...

then...

we started the prep work on supper...

made the salads...

got the baked potatoes and chicken in the oven...

then DH and I delivered a post card to friends and went to the post office...

back home just hanging out until it was supper time...

Craig grilled steaks and supper was so easy and so good...

then we opened gifts...

talked...

and then Doug and I went for a drive so he could see the lights in town...

we had a very good time...

and then this morning we got up and started cooking the big dinner...

we did it together and ate so much!

it was all good!

then the naps happened again...

LOL

we have ate off and on all day...

its hard to move now...

Doug is going home tomorrow...

he has had a good time being home again...

and now-

the Bears are about to kick some Green Bay butt...

its been a peaceful Christmas...

no stress, family and yummy food...

I wish this could last all year...

Merry Christmas...

"It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

I got everything that I wanted for Christmas...

I have what matters most...

and you can't buy that...

it's given freely by God...

Peace to you...