Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Christmas Joy




We've been decorating more and more each day and it really is beginning to look and feel more and more like Christmas.  Having a helpful husband certainly takes the burden of trying to do it all away. 



Our Christmas tree pretty much looks the same every year as we use the same ornaments that have been collected over the years.



Beloved ornaments from our parent' s trees as well as gifts from our children find a special spot each year.




Our family history is all tied up on every branch!  If you've been reading here very long, you've seen the same ornaments year after year.  I'm not one to do a themed tree.



I'm an old fashioned gal when it comes to Christmas.  I tend to want the same menus, the same decorations, the same family members visiting though I know changes happen over the years.  Embracing traditions, I have to be careful to embrace change as well. 


Having snow over the weekend has certainly added more joy to our environment.  Even though quite early for us to have snow, the blanket of white certainly makes it feel like Christmas, even if we hardly ever have that! 


The above photo was taken from the indoors where the Christmas tree lights seem to light the Leyland Cypress as well.


As you can see I need to change out the Autumn pumpkin garden flag to a Christmas one!



"Christmas is a bridge.  We need bridges as the river of time flows past. Today's Christmas should mean creating happy hours for tomorrow and reliving those of yesterday. "
Gladys Taber


We never get too old for cookie making at Christmas!


Chocolate chip are my grands favorite, so their grandmother indulges them.


Merry Christmas to you, my friends!  I hope as you add all the layers of Christmas to your home and heart you feel JOY! ♥












32 comments:

  1. Martha Ellen, your Christmas tree is so pretty, and the outside Christmas tree is lovely as well. I thought that it had lights on it at first, what a cool picture. And you have snow! Your back yard looks like a wintery wonderland. Ornaments from our past are the best, and I will forever keep the handmade ornaments that my children made with love. You have made your home so cozy and charming at Christmas. Merry Christmas to one of my very favorite blog friends.

    ~Sheri

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  2. ps....those chocolate chip cookies look Yummy, and how sweet of your grandsons to want to bake cookies at Christmas time. : )

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    1. Sheri, the grands like eating cookies more than baking them! Knowing in the end there will be cookies to eat is a great incentive for these guys. I was so surprised when I looked at this photo of the Leyland Cypress. Merry Christmas to you, my sweet friend! Thank you for always making such kind comments. ♥

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  3. Oh those handsome grandsons of yours making cookies! Wonderful. Mine lost the sparkle of Chocolate Chip Cookie baking some time ago. i might have to show theem your grands so that they know it is perfectly cool to bake cookies. Loved Gladys Tabor’s quote. It rings true.

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    1. Vee, my grandsons are always up to baking cookies. I thought they would want a more traditional Christmas cookie, but they wanted their favorite chocolate chip cookie instead. ♥

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  4. Your tree is spectacular! Hope you have the best Christmas ever!

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  5. Falling snow is so calming and creates such a peaceful feeling. I love both your trees, the Christmas tree inside and the beautiful cypress outside. I really thought you had decorated it with outdoor lights. I love the times when the granddaughters and I make cookies. Those young men are certainly turning out some good-looking cookies.

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    1. I agree with you Chip, the falling snow sends a quiet that is so peaceful. I hope you get a chance to bake with your granddaughters. It's really a joy as a grandmother to do so. ♥

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  6. I love your tree, ours is similar, covered with a lifelong collection of ornaments. No theme trees for me! LOL! Your photo of the outside tree with the lights reflected in the window is magical!!

    ****************************************
    *M*E*R*R*Y* * *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
    ****************************************

    ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Teresa, though some themed trees are sweet, to me the family history trees are the most meaningful to an old softy like me and you. Merry Christmas to you and your family! ♥

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  7. Wait.

    What in the world? Who are those young men making cookies in your kitchen? Surely that can't be your two youngest grandsons! It cannot be!

    Okay, now that I have picked up my jaw . . .

    Martha Ellen, your house looks perfectly lovely decked in its Christmas finery! The slow-but-sure method has worked its magic. It is always a treat to see your tree, filled with love passed down from generation to generation. I wouldn't change a thing.

    Merry Christmas, my friend!

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    1. Cheryl, I can hardly believe our youngest grands are now about the height of our son and still growing! We really enjoyed baking in their kitchen, but I understand all of those cookies are gone now!! Thank you as always for all the kind comments you send. Merry Christmas, sweet friend! ♥

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  8. This is such a delightful post Martha Ellen. I loved the one of your grandsons making their chocolate chip cookies, and you have decorated your home beautifully. The tree inside and out is gorgeous and those are sweet ornaments. I will be sharing mine in a couple of days.

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    1. Denise, I am looking forward to seeing your tree. It's a wonderful time of the year as we count our many blessings and reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. Merry Christmas to you and yours! ♥

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  9. A lovely, heart warming entry today. I have to say, though, in case you hadn't noticed, you do have a theme for your tree; it's family treasures and love! What else could such a lovely tree be?

    Both your tree photos are quite amazing, one where you've created a triptych, the other where it's like a double exposure, quite clever of you!

    Nadolig Llawen from Across the Pond ~~~ Deb xoxo

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    1. Deb, I can assure you my photos were both lucky accidental exposures! I'm not that good of a photographer, but when I get a good one I must credit the light and the circumstances that I had nothing to do with. Sometimes magic happens.
      I agree with you about our tree---thank you, dear friend.
      Nadolig Llawen to you! xoxo ♥

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  10. Hello!
    Your home is beautiful!
    And your tree?
    Simply gorgeous!
    I am like you in our love of tradition!
    Thank you for sharing that beautiful quote.
    I read it several times.
    Have a cozy evening. : )

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    1. It's nice to have you visit, Billie Jo. I love Gladys Taber's books. If you have not read her, I believe you would enjoy her homey style. Merry Christmas to you and your family! ♥

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  11. We celebrated Christmas last weekend with our family and I would have loved to have had your snow! It didn't make it up this way at all. Holiday celebrations are all about traditions as far as I am concerned. That's what makes them so special.

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    1. Traditions keep me, and hopefully the ones I love, grounded. I'm sorry the snow didn't make it your way for your Christmas celebration. It was definitely a southern snow storm. ♥

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  12. Oh your home looks lovely and your tree is perfect.
    We started seeing family members the other week, it's often easier to spread things out a little. It also means the wonderful Christmas Season is enjoyed for many weeks … lovely.

    Wishing you and yours a Happy Christmas.

    All the best Jan

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    1. It is a wonderful season, Jan. It's good to hear you are spreading things over the weeks. Joy to you and your family this Chistmas! ♥

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  13. A magnificent tree! So beautiful with all of the family ornaments. The bank of windows and the lovely window treatment, just perfect. A Christmas card it should be for next year. I put up a very skinny tree this year and not a lot of room for too many ornaments.

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  14. I hit enter before I said "Happy Christmas to you and your family".
    Betsy

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    1. Thank you, Betsy, you are so kind. Merry Christmas to you and you family! ♥

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  15. I love the old traditions too and our tree also looks the same every year. your tree is gorgeous. But as you say it is good to allow new traditions to creep in as well.

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    1. Thank you for visiting. I'll try to stop in for a visit soon. ♥

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  16. How lovely you have snow Martha Ellen :)
    Your pictures capture the very essence of Christmas🎄
    Thank You for thinking of me and your visit x
    All good wishes to you and your Family for Christmas xo💙

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    1. Fiona, our snow is gone now but it was nice while it was here. I hope you enjoyed your Christmas! ♥

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