~ Merry Christmas! ~

Dear Friends ~  I'm going to "unplug" for awhile but wanted to wish you a very blessed and Merry Christmas!  I hope Santa is good to you and you make some time for "you" in the midst of all the celebrating. 

Very true, right?  :)

And...for "Silent Sunday" ~

~ Silent Sunday ~

~ Silent Sunday ~

~ A Friday to Remember With A Dear Texas Blogger and Friend ~

Just one view of "The Christmas House"

Sweet Linda from Linda's Life Journal invited me over for lunch yesterday. We've been planning to meet forever and we finally made it happen!  :)  If you follow her then you're aware of her incredible artistic talent!  The Santa wall is something I've wanted to see for the longest time and it does not disappoint!  I've always loved Santas and Santa faces. Linda's ability to create such amazing faces, especially the eyes, is true talent!  I was mesmerized and could sit and look at them for days.

I didn't take any photos of all the beautiful decor, the Christmas trees, table settings, stockings or the incredible lunch we had. I'd rather you visit her blog and see all the beauty!  Linda is as sweet as she appears on her blog, very warm and welcoming and a great cook to go along with the rest of her talents. :)  We talked and visited until I'm sure I wore out my welcome! I was fortunate to meet Louis Dean, her hero. He actually sang a song for me ~ "Pretty Paper".  They really are a perfect couple!  He had made chicken pot pies the day before and, can you believe it, I forgot to taste it. I was gifted with some of his famous cinnamon rolls and what a delight this morning with my coffee!  Yum!  I hope Linda will share photos of the beautiful table and the wonderful food she prepared. 

See, she's such a beautiful lady with the sweetest spirit and a bit of mischief too. :) I am so very grateful that we were able to meet and I can call her "Friend". 

~ Just a few things... ~

This gorgeous Santa wreath is the extent of my Christmas decor at the moment!  The girl that cuts my hair, and my daughter's, made this for me 3 years ago as a birthday gift. I couldn't love it more!!  I just love Santas and Santa faces.

I'm sure you are tired of hearing about my feeling depressed due to the holidays as well as my back. I had an MRI last week and I see the surgeon tomorrow for the results and hopefully, a resolution. I met a dear friend for lunch yesterday and then decided to take care of a few errands while I was out. By the time I got home, I could barely make it up the stairs. I fed Forrester, took care of a few things and then crawled into bed, almost in tears. No one told me that getting older was going to be like this!  :)

My birthday was the 1st and my mother's was the 3rd. Even though she's been gone since 2003, it still bothers me. We didn't have the best relationship but she loved celebrating birthdays and always made an Italian Cream Cake for me ~ my favorite!  My lack of interest in Christmas has been due to the loss of her as well as Abby. I can't think of anyone that loved Christmas more than those two and my daughter! I'm trying to get it together for them!

I'd like for you to take a look at an incredibly creative Christmas tree, gift wraps and more over at Rachel's blog ~ Trailer Trash Treasure Trove. She is extremely creative and talented!  While you're there, check out her Christmas decor and wrapping from last year!

I am so, so excited and immensely blessed as I won a beautiful Christmas apron over at my friend, Tina's ~ What We Keep. She's another that has amazing sewing skills!  Please hop on over and check out her blog!  Now, I must make Christmas cookies with my apron on! :)

We're supposed to have true winter temps tomorrow and Friday, like down to the 20's!  I don't think there's any precip indicated, at least I hope not. I have things to do both days and I just don't drive in icy weather.

Thank you so much for stopping by!  I always appreciate it and will be visiting you soon!