Christmas 2010

Another one is in the books and I will say it was one of the best.  Christmas 2010 found Lena home early from school and Ashley and Tony came in on Christmas night and will be here for a few days.  This time of year my kitchen seems to be so small and I have a terrible lack of counter space but I am so happy to have a house full of family.  This year I had both MY family and Byron's family here for dinner.  Instead of cooking ahead and trying to keep it warm, I thought it would be a great idea to cook everything and time it so it was ready by our 7:00 dinner time.  Lets just say that worked but it was way stressful for this hostess.  At 3:00 yesterday as I was beginning the preparations for the meal I found everything in my spare fridge (in the garage) FROZEN.  The cream cheese was like bricks and the spare gallon milk resembled a block of ice.  Thankfully, I found it with time to spare so a disaster was averted.  Cooking went really well and I was spared having to go outside to help with chores because Tony and Ashley arrived.  Tony rescued me from walking dogs and that was like a Christmas miracle!  I do love my soon to be son in law!!!  My mother in law arrived early and it was good to have time to visit with her.  Jacob was here with Lena and we are enjoying getting to know him.  He seems like a wonderful young man and it is always fun to watch a new relationship as it develops.  Byron's brother and sister in law, Keenan and Luann were here as well and that was a special treat for us.  Their kids are not coming home until New Years so they were able to spend the evening with us.  Aunt Patty graced the table as well and she is always a joy!  I love to hear her stories and just generally love having her around.  My sister Kathy, nephew Kurt, niece Caitlyn  and her boyfriend Will were here too.    My table was way too small and the kitchen was way too crowded but it was so good to have everyone here.  This year instead of the usual snowman dishes I used my Grandmothers china which, when set, made for a beautiful table.  I knew that I wanted to use the dishes so weeks ago I started looking for table linens that would complement them.  I had no success in finding the right linens, so I made my own.  I sewed napkins, table runners and a tablecloth..  I had so many complements on them and I will say that having the table set with Ti-Ti's dishes brought back some wonderful memories for me.  Memories that while I washed each piece before we used them and washed each piece before I put them back in the china cabinet flooded my heart with joy.  This time of year I miss those family members that have gone to be in heaven.  My Momma and Daddy most, Byron's dad, Grandpa Cade and my brother and grandparents.  Family is so important and is what truly makes the holidays "the holidays."  We have many traditions, some big, some not so big, some silly and others serious.  I hope that we have taught the girls well and that those family traditions continue on.  Lena said to me last night, "I hope that Ashley's children and my children are close."  I assured her that they would be but stressed to her that it won't just happen, both she and her sister will have to work to make sure that their children become close friends. 
Family, that is what this holiday is all about.  Let us not forget why we are able to celebrate such a joyful occasion...IT ALL STARTED WITH A BABY BORN IN A MANGER.  Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!