Swimming is one of Wendell’s favorite activities.

I spent most of the day grocery shopping and baking for the season. I am now finished with the gifts that I bake for people. I had planned to make divinity, but the humidity is too high and thunderstorms are predicted tomorrow. So no divinity this year!

Then I decided to do a simple kitchen table. Because we eat a lot of soup in the fall and winter, I have set the kitchen table with the soup bowls from the Lenox Joys of Christmas pattern. See this post if you have not read how I accumulated these dishes.

I used my simple red quilted placemats that I purchased at an antique mall for $1. The beautiful table runner and napkins do not show up well; once again, my dark kitchen and dark table prevent a good photo. I purchased these at our church festival several years ago. They were made by a lady in our church, and she does beautiful work.

I used the same red glasses that I used in the dining room tablescape. Wanting to keep things simple, I decided to choose a pair of my salt and pepper shakers from the living room.

I tried several pair and ended up with the Santas on a tray. I think they add a little whimsy to the casual atmosphere.

The four of us in front of their home. They live in a house over 50 years old that is provided as part of his program director salary. Callie made this old house into a cozy home.

I also am showing one more decorating detail. My daughter-in-law is one of the most talented people I know. She cooks, paints, plays music, and crafts. After she married my son, she moved in to an old run down house that looked like a man and his dog lived there. She has transformed it into a lovely, warm home full of enough feminine touches to soften it, but had left enough masculine and canine presence there for it to be their home as well. The difference is that now it is a cozy home for all three of them, and they are all very happy.

Among the many crafty things that I have seen her do is to make these Christmas swags. Two years ago, I watched her make this one for me while sitting on my living room floor. She took wired ribbon and ornaments that she purchased from Dirt Cheap, tied some knots, and produced this lovely decoration. Then she quickly made one for my mother, my niece, and my sister as well. She is amazing!

She hopes to eventually set up an Etsy shop for these, and I will let you know when she does. She did not have time to get it done this season, but plans to next year. She has already purchased Dirt Cheap ornaments and ribbon, and I have promised her any ornaments out of my flea market booth that don’t sell.

Russell, Callie, and Wendell taken shortly after their engagement 3 years ago.

We have big plans the next few days, and I don’t know when I will post again. I hope that everyone in “Blogland” and beyond has a wonderful Christmas and celebration of the birth of our Savior.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:10-11

I am joining: A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday (vignettes, tabletops, tablescapes), Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life (decorating, gardening, recipes, collecting),  Sunny Simple Life (decorating, projects), Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday (tablescapes) and Metamorphosis Monday, Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage (crafts, home decor, thrifty finds),  Cozy Little House for Tweak it Tuesday (deocrating, garden, projects),  Under the Table and Dreaming for Sunday Showcase (any project or idea made by you this week), The Charm of Home for Home Swee Home (home & garden), Cuisine Kathleen for Let’s Dish (tablescapes), Make the Scene Monday at Alderberry Hill (home decor, projects, recipes), Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense (recipes, projects, decorating),  The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday (tablescapes),The Thrifty Groove for Thrifty Things Friday (thrifty decorating, tablescapes),Weekend Bloggy Reading at Serenity Now (recipes, crafts, home décor), Meet Me Monday at You Are Talking Too Much (projects, decorating, recipes),  Spotlight Saturday at Classy Clutter (recipes, crafts, home décor), Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage (decorating, crafts), Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound (anything pink),You’re Gonna Love It Tuesdays at Kathe with an E (recipes, crafts, home décor), Mop it Up Monday at I Should Be Mopping the Floor (projects, decor, recipes), Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style (recipes, crafts, home décor), Potpourri Friday at 2805 (decorating, recipes, crafts),  Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House (decor, projects), Flaunt your Fall at Chic on a Shoestring (decor, projects, recipes),  Tuesday’s Treasures at Uncommon Suburbia (projects, decorating, recipes),  Return to Loveliness at A Delightsome Life (home decor, projects), Centerpiece Wednesday at The Style Sisters (centerpieces),Open House Party at No Minimalist Here (crafts, home décor), Time Travel Thursday at The Brambleberry Cottage (memories, projects), Tips and Tidbits at The Stone Gable(projects, home décor, recipes),Thursday Favorite Things at Katherine’s Corner (projects, home décor, recipes), Sizzle into Summer at DIY by Design (home décor, projects)