Christmas Decorations, Gifts and Retreat Announcement

So how was Christmas for those of you that celebrate it??  Ours was good.  Not without it's share of drama though.  Amy fell down the stairs and has further damaged her already damaged knee.  We're giving it until tomorrow to feel better before we call the Dr.  She said she heard a snap when she fell so I am praying she didn't tear any more ligaments or cartilage in it.  Then Abby called to say we should go ahead and open gifts without her and the boyfriend.  She wouldn't explain any further than that except to say they hadn't left his parents house yet and it is a 2 hour drive from our house.  I told her we wouldn't open without them and if necessary we'd open after we got home from my parents house.  What she didn't want to explain was that Jordan was not feeling good and had thrown up.  Further, several in his family had had the stomach flu in the last couple of days.  BUT, she didn't know if it was the flu or if he was sick due to having a bit  too much to drink the night before.  When they hit town she called to explain what was going on and if it was okay for him to come over and when I said no, she got herself all bent out of shape.  And lets just say the day went downhill from there and I was really happy to get home last night and call the holiday over.  Apparently the boyfriend is feeling better today and they plan to come over tonight but to be really honest with you...I don't want them here.  I'm sure he's still shedding virus and since Abby has been exposed she most likely is percolating it right now and I don't want it!!  Horrible of me I know.

I have some holiday decor to share with you if you are interested.  And if you didn't see the previous post with the link to our Christmas Village, I have put it in my side bar and will keep it there for a while.  I didn't decorate as much as I usually do and I didn't take many pictures but here's what I've got.

Entryway

The Libray

Library Tree

Close Up of Library tree

DiningRoom

Kitchen Hutch

Fireplace in family room

Candles lit up

Family room tree

wall above couch

Nutcracker

Santa Smoker

I hope you enjoyed the decorations.  I meant to post them before the holiday but time just got away from me. The last two pictures are pieces I bought at craft shows.  Both were made by the same lady and the detail is just amazing.  I haven't been to a craft show in several years now so I don't know if she is still making things or not.

I must have been a really good girl this year cuz Santa was very good to me.  I am the proud and thrilled owner of a Kindle Fire and finally I can say I have an app for that!!  It's a pretty cool little toy and if that had been all I received I would have been completely content.  But Santa Dan also built me this:

It has 3 drawers that open which is awesome since I only have 7 drawers in my kitchen and one of those doesn't really count as it's so small.

And in this picture you can see the new curtains too.  That pretty much finishes off the kitchen remodel except for a few little details which knowing my husband the way I do....will never get done.

I received many other nice things too, a new building for the village, some craft stuff, gift cards, a popcorn popper and still more I can't think of right now.  I am a very lucky lady.  Thank you family and friends for all the lovely gifts this year!!

Still not much stitching to show you so I will hold off on that till next time.  Maybe by then I'll actually have something to show you!

I put a link to the shops latest newsletter in my sidebar.  We announced our Spring Retreat and all the pertinent information is in there for those that wanted it.  I do  hope some of you might be able to come!

Gonna end this here.  I'm working on Laundry and my washer just buzzed at me.

Take care till next time!!

Julie