Christmas and surprise in the mail

Christmas was very hard this year without my mom. I did alright sometimes and cried other times.
I  made my dad a nice meal for Christmas and enjoyed my visit with him.
  My kids and grandkids were at my house on Christmas eve. and also for Christmas breakfast.
 I also received a wonderful surprise package in the mail from a former blogger, Trish ladybug.
  I will share a few pictures of Christmas and my surprise box from Trish. Trish is always encouraging me, especially when my mom was sick and her passing. Thank you Trish for your
friendship and for spoiling me with a box of goodies.

Me and my sisters at Christmas, when I was 5 years old, another picture of my mom, dad and me.

Luke and my Christmas dog Bo.

My floating Christmas candle.

My three grand children eating Christmas breakfast.

Luke and Jake

My husband Ronnie

Stephanie and Mat

Riley

Jake

Cole

Me and my dad, he was so proud of his Marine Corp hat

Surprise package from Trish

Beautiful Rock art from Arizona

Sunflowers from her garden and twig wreath from her property

Wonderful handpainted bowl full of vintage cookie cutters, greenery and snowflakes

Beautiful primitive Tray, it is gorgeous!

Handmade keychain for Ronnie

Lemons and oranges, I know the lemons were grown on Trish's property.

Cookie bake slumber party!

What an awesome weekend I had in WV at our old farmhouse. We had our cookie bake, slumber party. My daughter, granddaughter, sisters, nieces and some special friends were there. We baked a variety of different cookies, decorated the tree, watched Christmas movies, went to a little country diner for dinner and had a gift exchange. It did us all so much good, to laugh and have a wonderful time together. One of my favorite times during the Christmas season.

Wonderful Box of Christmas goodies!

I received the most wonderful box of Christmas treasures yesterday from my sweet friend
Wendy "Ravenwood Whimzies" . The box was packed with many wonderful treasures.
Wendy made me the most beautiful table mat, adorable snowman, scarf with snowmen on it, a santa candle, tart, sachet, Oh come all ye faithful block, cookie cutter, Christmas ornament, and Joy sign.
 I love everything!!! Thank you so much Wendy, Most of all I cherish our friendship.

Getting ready for Christmas

This year will be so hard at Christmas without my mom, but I had to tell myself I have to go on
for my dad, and my husband, children and grandchildren.
 I had a few days off at Thanksgiving so I was able to do some decorating. I will share some
photo's with you. I put out my santa's and will be putting out my snowmen after Christmas.
 This weekend my sisters, daughter, granddaughter, nieces and I will be having our farmhouse
cookie bake and slumber party at our farmhouse in WV. I am getting geared up for that.
 And I was so preoccupied with my mom being sick and passing that I haven't even had time
to get excited about becoming a grandma again. My daughter Stephanie is expecting a baby in March
Her name is Ruby Grace, can't wait.