'Twas the Month Before Christmas

And Through My Back Door the coffee is on and ready for company. We can drink from the Christmas mugs and have a piece of red velvet cake. So come in, get your coffee and cake, and tell me about your Thanksgiving. Ours was wonderful and every moment was enjoyed. It is so much fun being with our extended family. My only sister in law, my two nieces and my nephew and their spouses as well as all of us. We have a total of 5 babies now,Andrew is really not a baby, he is five, but I am counting him. We went for years, 16 in fact without a little one, so we all have so much fun with these. Anyway on Saturday Debbie, Amanda, Andrew, Mollie, and I went to Fantasy of Trees and out to lunch. We had a wonderful time. We have been doing this since Amanda and Beth were babies. Now we are taking Amanda's babies.
My Christmas decorating is finished. I redid my mantle, but haven't had time to take pictures. I will. I have enjoyed looking at all the blogs, FB, and forums showing their homes decorated. My some of these people can decorate.lol I just drool when I look at their pictures.
One of my favorite decorating tools is Christmas books. I love displaying them. This started when my children were little and has carried over with my grandchildren.My granddaughter Lindsay always loved the book, The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree, by Gloria Houston and illustrated by Barbara Cooney.It is beautiful.  She loved the horse, Old Piedy., as well as Ruthie. I recommend it. Another of my favorites of course is the Polar Express,by Chris Van Allsburg.

He is an essential part of Christmas in all of my grandchildrens' homes now.
You can't have too many Night Before Christmas books, because the illustrations are beautiful. Every illustrator does them differently.

I think I told you last year, one of my favorite writer/illustrators is Will Moses.

This is another adult Christmas book. NEVER do I tire of reading this one. The Christmas teapot was given to me by a friends mother. I treasure it.
Next post I have a couple more of our favorites to share. I just love Christmas and everything that goes along with it. Today the candle of Hope was lit at church and it is just a beautiful beginning.
Last post I showed you outside looking in my window. I took this looking in my storm door.

I thought this was so much fun.
Another picture or two. This is my favorite Nativity.

My Daddy's bible and my Mothers glasses, with my Byers Carolers.

You can see my beautiful Olivia's picture behind them. I wasn't aware of that.lol She looks like an angel looking over their shoulders. Well I think so anyway.lol
This is a busy week for me. I host two of my groups I belong to. One tomorrow night and one on Thursday. I am looking forward to both of these events. But Wednesday is a very important day. Andrew is coming to make Christmas cookies. I don't know who is more excited, he or I.lol I do know I'll be sweeping sprinkles for days to come! I will have to show you pictures, as he will be cutting them out and icing them.
Well we have started the month before Christmas. What fun!
I am so happy you came Through My Back Door today, where life is good.
betty
PS: If you will, please continue to pray for Amanda as she goes to the oncologist Tuesday to set up her treatments. Could you say a prayer for my friend Carol too? That her bone scan will be good tomorrow.