Lunch with dear friends!

Two dear, dear friends and I met for lunch yesterday.

We've known each other for over thirty years, but with

busy schedules, moves, major changes in our lives

it has taken us all these years to just sit down... the three of us... and talk. And talk we did yesterday. We didn't just talk

about small children as we would have had we been

young mothers, or the trials and tribulations of

rearing teens. That is very much in the past for us.

No, we talked about the challenges facing us as we

experience.. how do they say it, "Life on life's terms".

Smoothly our conversation would drift into our

blog world, exchanging photography tips and

sharing where and when we blog.

We realized that we had a thirst for needing to be heard.

It was a beautiful time for sharing and laying out on

the table some very tender feelings and frustrations.

Who can you ever do this with but friends

God has placed in your path?

You may know these two dear ladies.

There is Laura on the left from White Spray Paint

and Nancy from Nancy's Notes.

What a blessing they are to my life.

Yesterday truly was an early Christmas gift!

Christmas 1957

This was just one of those Christmases that as a child you just do not forget. We were at my maternal grandparents' home in Texas. I'm sure it was Christmas Eve. What I am holding up there is a REAL bottle of finger nail polish! You would have thought I was holding a beautiful piece of jewelry, but that would be in later years.

My uncle dressed up like Santa in a vintage costume. That's my mother in the beautiful skirt and black sweater. My dear little Aunt Mary Anne, seated in the chair, my little brother, Clay, who was about three at the time were all enjoying some wonderful surprises. My sister, Anne, in the red pajamas was patiently waiting her turn to receive a gift. This is just one of those very special moments in childhood that has stayed with me.

Green Jays at the Ranch

These Green Jays at the ranch in deep south
Texas were enjoying fresh seeds and some sunshine.
It was a wonderful break from all of the scurrying
around  baking and shopping and decorating...
Even though the break only lasted about fifteen minutes
it was exactly what I needed!

It's Mosaic Monday time...
http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

at
Little Red House

Christmas Dinner Party Last Night

We entertained our deer lease hunting group

last night with an Italian dinner of lasagna and

also eggplant - chicken parmigiana. A salad, garlic

bread and rum cake were also served.

This is where half of our group was seated.

The other half were in our breakfast nook... and why I

don't have a picture of that.. baffles me.

I really enjoy our Nativity set that I purchased from..

get this... Sam's in Colima, Mexico.

In keeping with the tradition in Mexico (and probably elsewhere too) I am leaving the manger empty until

midnight Christmas Eve.

I have another function at my home tonight...

a church meeting. I'll serve dinner again.

Someone told me once that back to back entertaining is

the way to go. I'm going to find out.

I'm linking for the first time to

No Minimalist Here

http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/

AND

Tablescape Thursday

Designs by Gollum

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

Visit both of these blogs to see some of the most

fabulous Christmas decorating ideas.

Christmas 2010

Department 56 - Snow Village

It's finally completed... or rather, it's gone as far as it's going. It's amazing how much time one can spend tinkering with these little buildings!  Now I can hardly wait to show it off to the children in our lives.

I am linking to 

Little Red House 

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/search/label/Mosaic%20Monday

for

Mosaic Monday 

My First Snow Village Piece - 1982

This is one of my favorite Department 56 Snow Village pieces. I believe on the bottom it says "1982". This is just one of the pieces that I want to highlight here at Ladybug Creek.

So much fun! I know now why men children love to play with toy trains and setting up displays.

This was a gift from a brother and his wife one Christmas.

Hope you'll check back to see more Snow Village.

Most of the accessories I have for my snow village

were bought at the end of the season when no-one for sure is setting up their village. I even use toy train set accessories

in some of my displays.

I'm sharing this with

Laurie's Bargain Hunting and Chatting

http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/