So when all is said and done…

I finally have free time…minus some last minute Christmas shopping – but then it wouldn’t be Christmas if that didn’t happen.
I thought this day would never come. It has been MONTHS since I’ve had free/me time and that’s not an exaggeration. From getting orders done, wholesale orders finished, craft show over with and getting the house decorated for Christmas I’m wiped! It has been a push to get it all done.
I feel great because of that but the body isn’t all that good, but that’s for another day – I’m not going to let it stand in my way of my ‘finally’ free time.

Today was my annual Christmas luncheon here at the house for my former co-workers. We have not missed a year celebrating Christmas together for the last 30 years – I find that amazing.  We are a very tight group of friends.
Normally I have a sit down luncheon or evening dinner – but we all are getting ‘older’ and lunch and a light fare seems to be the way for most of them.  And a light lunch at that and most of them take part of theirs home with them lol.

Our light lunch was Chicken salad wraps, Turkey wraps and Ham wraps along with baked beans, Asian salad and a Strawberry Jell-o whip and Éclair cake….very simple but tasted great.

A basket of Cranberry nut bread and Banana nut bread that got overlooked and they didn’t make it home with the ladies…so sad.

On Monday night we have our friend Dan DiPaolo and my brother and sister in-law coming over for evening cocktails and dinner.
For the last 3 years we have been going to have Dan over and it just never worked out but FINALLY it is going to happen.
Hopefully we can get some pictures taken!!

Christmas decorating is done as far as I’m going to do it so here’s a few pictures.
I did get around to visiting some of your blogs and see your beautiful decorating – I wish I could do some of the things you all do and especially with your fireplaces.  We have the little ones yet and so I keep with the Snowmen and Santa's – one day maybe I will be totally like our tree is decorated so our family room especially is kind of half and half – fancy and fun.  But I guess it’s a good mix.

Didn’t get a picture of the front door decorating and by now it’s too late so here’s what greets you at the back door – but basically our main entrance.  I like how the reindeer fits in with the rest of the decorating.

I don’t ever seem to change out the back porch bench – my head just can’t wrap around something different and then what would I do with all that’s there?

A little over a week ago we had a dusting of snow and I loved how it sat on the bow and wreath

Kitchen
 
 

Paper Mache houses/churches on top of Armoire in bedroom

Simple little tree in guest bedroom

In hallway outside the guest bedrooms

Family Room

Our  crazy Charlie Brown tree!
 

Dining Room

 

This close up is  from last years pictures – I couldn’t get a good shot this year for some reason but it’s very similar to this years.

 

 

 

 

 

Den

 

Bathroom
 

 

Screen Room

Thanks to everyone for staying with me this past year with all the times I’ve been MIA – it was a crazy year.
I am making some very much needed changed to my business this year so hopefully I will be able to have more free time to do what I want.  You all heard that from me before but this time it’s going to stick…it has to!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AL ALL

KAREN