Happy December!

Happy December Everyone!  

Snapped this pic a few days ago when we had our
first taste of winter!

It has been a month since my last post.  Shame on me!

But I do have a good excuse. I've been running a marathon, 

getting a bunch of "to dos" checked off my list.

During the month of November, my hubby always takes off for parts
unknown in search of the "Big One."

His hunting trip always gives me the opportunity to catch up on craft projects, and painting and cleaning jobs. 

And I confess, I get a jump start on Christmas too!

Yes, before Thanksgiving, I begin the decorating (while I have the house to myself).

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Speaking of Thanksgiving...

Little "turkey nuggets" crafted from Hershey Nuggets.

I had a lovely Thanksgiving....spent it with my daughter and her in-laws. 

I hope you too took time to thank God for His abundance.
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Okay, back to Christmas.....

 Around here I always say, 

"holidays don't just happen."  

Okay, so they happen, whether we're ready or not.

But they require a ton of work, even when you're trying to keep it simple.

I don't know about you, but I have to do Christmas in a specific order.  

The Christmas Advent always begins with a plan.

I  have Christmas "to do printouts" saved on my computer.  Each year, I print them out and plan my Christmas. 

I have a page for ideas, thoughts and crafts.

A card list.

A gift shopping list.

A party planning list complete with menus and shopping lists.

The cookie list.

AND

A calendar for planning Christmas events.

YES.  
I'm a list person!

To some of you, all of this must sound, well,  ridiculous.  But for me, it's how I maintain my sanity.  I have to have a plan (and order) for everything.  

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Where there is no vision, the people perish Proverbs 29:18

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Once my planning is complete,
I begin the countdown to Christmas by decorating with some Christmas music playing (loudly) in the background.
 It gets me 

"in the mood."

First.
The tree.

The tree was first on the list. The focal
point of any Christmas decor. 

I added some touches of chartreuse to the tree.
I love this color!!

I'm not a scrooge.

So I like to

I try not to go overboard.

It's hard for me, though.

But I just keep in mind that whatever I get out, I must put back.
Works every time!

Every year, I do things differently.
Mix things up a little.

 This year, I incorporated some deer antlers.
It's just a little something to keep the men interested in the holiday decorating. 

Hubs has a whole box of antlers.  

So again, I could have gone
ANTLER CRAZY!

But I kept it to just a few subtle touches.

Outside...

and Inside

I even found some cute deer wrapping paper for the "sportsmen and sportswomen"  in my life.

I found these cute little cardboard cut outs at Michael's and painted them white and added some glitter.

Flocked one of my little deer for someone special....

Making these deer was super easy.  I just sprayed them with some spray adhesive and sprinkled either glitter or flocking on them.
Easy peasy.  
No messy glue!

Michael's had a variety of shapes to choose from

I have to say though....
the best part of all these Advent preparations has got to be the

it brings to others....

Especially....

You guessed it....

The Grandbabies!

Beneath the tree this year, I placed a 
Little People Nativity.

They love it.
Especially little Rhea Amelia.  

It's a wonderful way to teach them the 
Christmas Story
and......

Keep them away from the ornaments.

Well, sometimes!  


Stay tuned for more Christmas posts!
In the meantime.....
Remember to live simply and deliberately!

A few more touches for your viewing pleasure....

Linked to

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