Thursday, December 27, 2012

Where Does the Time Go?

Good morning and hurry in where it is warm. The fireplace is on and so is the coffee. You know where the mugs are, so help yourself.  If you would like a piece of stack cake help yourself. You have been coming Through My Back Door long enough, I now consider you family, so make yourself at home.
Where does the time go? Seems like only yesterday I was planning my decorations and activities, and now they are over. I have to admit, I am one who has always put them away the day after. Probably because they are put up so early. This week the house is going to the realtor and it needs to look less cluttered. I did cut back on decorations this year and loved it. It was so easy to put away too. I not only enjoyed the decorations, I enjoyed the whole season. It was so peaceful, Christ filled, and spent with the dearest of friends and family.
Christmas started for us on Friday, at Debs. It was her immediate family, as Curt and Lindsey spent this Christmas in Mo with her family.
Mollie in her Cinderella dress-up clothes.
Deb will get me for this one, but the kids went in together and had all the old VHS movies put on DVD for her. The tag said, "Memories from Home." She was so happy she cried. Later that day, then on Saturday we watched them. Oh they were bittersweet. So many no longer with us and we all laughed and cried. Michael's Mother saying grace, my Mother laughing, Curtis, it was just tear jerking but happy at the same time. Where does the time go?
Doug, Dodd,and Renda. Doug always comes early and helps cook. He likes to add a surprise and this year it was frog legs, he had ordered. They were good, but some of the younger ones were shocked! We were down 8 at my house this year. Quite unusual. 4 were sick and 4 were out of town. They were missed, but we had a good time, as we always do. My kids are all so funny and we do a lot of laughing. Oh yes, there are a few tears shed, as we remember those we don't have anymore. Where does the time go?
I was thrilled to finally get this progressive Christmas gift from Dodd and Renda. Two years ago they found this pump for me. Dodd  volunteered, was coerced into building something to put it on. He did it this Christmas. I was so happy to get it. I have a dipper he gave me about the same time as the pump. Yesterday I told him I was going to hang the dipper on it. He said,"I had one to give you but I can't find it." I explained he did give it to me 2 years ago.Where does the time go?
Amanda & Clay, Beth & Ryan,and Curt & Lindsey went in together and got me a Kindle Fire for Christmas. I was THRILLED! I had planned on getting one after Christmas. My kids were so good to me I just had an awesome Christmas, gift wise,(which is not the most important thing at all) but just spending so much time together. Christmas eve we spent at my sister in laws with her family. We were missing some there this year too. I still can't believe that Christmas is over for 2012. Where does the time go?
I redid my mantle yesterday. The goose was one of Michaels first carvings. It and the shorebirds have been on top of the corner cupboard for years. I think they are probably wondering where on earth they are!
I have such a hard time with my mantle. I always thought I would be good at decorating one, but uh uh! I am not.lol I have packed a lot away for a while. Hopefully the house will sell and I can find one and get out of limbo.
I am looking forward to a visit from a friend next week. She is coming to stay a few days. Maybe she will have some suggestions.
There will be lots of coffee drinking, laughing and decorating issues solved, that is for sure.
I wanted to share my beautiful door box. Sharon and Johnny Stinson, (The Speckled Hen) made it for me. Sharon put the most gorgeous finish on it. It doesn't show in this picture. Deb said it looked 300 years old. I LOVE it. They made this one to go between the door and the storm door. They sell these at the Hen.
I worked very hard yesterday, so went to bed a bit before 10. I was awake at 6 this morning. Finally got up around 6:30 and have  drunk a pot of coffee. I am so glad you came Through My Back Door where life is good.
betty
PS: I am so going to miss this beautiful header my blog fairy created for me. I don't know what I ever did to deserve her,(nothing, I am sure) but I am so thankful for her and her creativity. I tell her, she makes me look good.lol
PSS: I will be back to share the most wonderful gift. Amanda had Andrew and Mollie make me a calendar. The children did all the art work. It is pictures using their foot and hand prints. It is priceless, and Andrew, very seriously told me it took him a long time to do this and he worked very hard on it. I absolutely will treasure it for the rest of my life. I will share it next time.
PSSS: I know a lot of you have lots of snow. We had rain. The only snow I have seen is on my header!




20 comments:

  1. wonderful pictures!! Happy Holidays!
    Jennifer

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  2. Good morning Betty, I always coming in your backdoor for a visit. I also feel that it went too fast, but we did have a wonderful Christmas with our family. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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  3. Your header IS beautiful, and I'm so glad you had a wonderful last Christmas in your house.

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  4. Oh Betty, I totally agree...where does the time go? It looks like you had a wonderful Christmas! What wonderful gifts you have received! :)

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  5. Looks and sounds like such a fun Christmas. Love the idea of putting all of the vhs movies on to dvd's. What an awesome gift I know she will treasure forever. Darbee's preschool class made calendars for us using hand and foot prints last year. It was the best gift! I have so enjoyed using it this year and hate that it is almost time to take it down. Have a good day and stay warm!

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  6. Hi Betty...what a wonderful Christmas you had...your family is so sweet and giving.
    You can tell you all love each other dearly.
    Oh a Kindle Fire...how wonderful - I have the regular Kindle and I love it - never thought I'd like one but the second I turned it on and downloaded a book I was hooked - these old eyes are loving the enlarged font.
    What a wonderful treasured gift Deb got - I can imagine her joy,
    Blessings to you and I pray your home sells quickly for you.
    Hugs,
    Karen

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  7. Dear Betty, I always enjoy coming through your back door. You have the gift of making everyone feel like family, and you are a blessing to so many people. Here's to a wonderful 2013 for you and your family!!!

    Love, Marla

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  8. Hi Betty, I love your new header. It reminds me so much of going to my great grandparents house when I was a little girl.

    I am delighted that you had a fabulous Christmas and I want to see your new calendar!

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  9. It looks like your crew had a great time.... I am praying with you about the sell of your house.. I know it is so hard to be in limbo.. I have been there so many times.. Love the old well pump. I have one hooked on an old claw foot tub on my back deck with a fountain running through it.. Love it! Blessings Ms Betty and Happy New Year!

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  10. It sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas Betty! So full of love and family and memories. How special. Blessings for a wonderful new year full of new memories as well. ~Sara

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  11. Betty, I will let you off the hook! LOL... You put up your decorations a wee bit sooner then me... I will start taking mine down later next week... We are having a lttle party next weekend and want the main tree down at least for a wee bit more space... So glad I popped in for a bit of cake & coffee! We havent' had much snow here either... OLM
    PS..Love the header...

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  12. Hi Betty, it sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas. I think your mantle looks great. I put my decorations away yesterday too. Praying your home sells quiçkly. I love your new header picture.
    Blessings,
    Sue

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  13. Thanks for inviting me in for a cup of that good coffee! Looks like you had a great Christmas, as did we. Are you staying in the Knoxville area when you sell your house? Hope so, looking forward to meeting one of these days.

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  14. Hi Betty! I just love coming through your back door and visiting you! A real highlight of this year in my blogging experience! Christmas does go way too fast but the memories are great to have. I just looked at my pictures again and each one has a memory with it. I love your header! I am new so I am not sure who your fairy is but she sure is talented!
    Be blessed!
    Cindi

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  15. Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas to make even more wonderful Christmas memories Betty! Love your blog background that Lynne made for you, it is so beautiful! She's quite the talented gal, isn't she? Good luck with the house sale, hope it moves quickly so you can get on with things. Change is never easy but hoping the New Year brings you much joy! Deb

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  16. Hi Betty...I think your family is what was in mind when you hear about Christmas joy. I can almost hear the laughing and pleasure of being together again. Molly is adorable in her princess clothes...I'm sure it will be difficult to get her dressed in anything else for a long time. And Andrew...that calendar will be priceless to you. I hope you get every blessing you hope for in the New Year---Jan

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  17. Hi Betty, Love your blog! I was tired of the Christmas also and took it down yesterday. This is a first for me but I put it all up so early as you did. Glad you had such a nice Christmas and hope your New Years is wonderful also. Hope your home sale goes well for you. Maybe one day we will meet. Blessings to you.

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  18. Looks like you had a wonderful Christmas! Love your new header that Lynne made too!!

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  19. Hi Betty. I love this post. What wonderful memories with the family. Good luck with the realtor. I have a really hard time with my mantle too. Mine looks a lot like yours. Someday though, I will get it right. Maybe I need a runner on it or something. I like your pump:) -Steph-

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  20. I enjoyed reading your post. I too only pulled out a small portion of my holiday decor. Many items found their way to the thrift store. My favorite displays were the simple ones with pine branches and candles.

    Your door box is wonderful - I have one on my husband's to do list. Happy New Year. ~Ann

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