2011 Christmas Tour of My Home

I know I am being terrible about posting these last few weeks, but there's been something terribly appealing about simply living life as it comes and not feeling pressured to document it every moment.

But I will say that one of my favorite things about blogging is The Nester's annual Christmas tour of homes. I love seeing all the lovely, house-y things - especially the lights. So here is a peek at my own home and how we've settled in this Christmas (snow picture borrowed from last year). Then click that Nester link to see even more homes!

Foyers are the first thing seen when someone come in from the cold. And as my momma says, folks need to know Jesus is first in this house. So you'll find the account of His birth along with my beloved Willow Tree nativity set on the front table. 

Next to the family room, I think the dining room is my favorite this year. The shiny silver and bright red might just have to remain into January. It looks a little winter-ish right?

There's nothing fancy or coordinated about our tree, but it's full of ornaments that hold special places in our hearts - from the ones my great-grandmother made to ones given to us as children to our first Christmas ornament together. It's simple and pretty and just right for us.

Candle light and an Advent countdown grace our mantle. This year the countdown holds not only people treats but mini dog bones as well. Dogs love Christmas, too!

So there you have it. A look at our cozy little place. And in the words of Michael W. Smith: 

Oh the happiest Christmas is a home coming Christmas

with the snow fluttering down til the world seems new. 

Bright candles burning. Old friends returning. 

The wishes of children coming true. 

And the happiest wishes are just old fashioned wishes. 

May your days be merry. May your sorrows be small.
May the ones you love be near you. 

That's the happiest Christmas of all. 

Merry Christmas to you and yours. May you know the love, joy and peace given only by the One who took on the skin of a babe to redeem and restore your heart and mine.

Our Adventure Begins

Well, it's been a month since we've gone and come back from Italy, and I haven't really written a word about it yet. I think some of it is because it's been such a busy month. And some of it is because I didn't really walk around during those nine days thinking of things in terms of my blog.

It might make me a bad blogger or a bad writer, but we really and truly lived every moment being fully present exactly where we were. It was wonderful. 

That being said, I do know there are some folks who read this thing who might like to know a little more about how the trip went. So here we go: let's start at the beginning.

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We woke up Saturday, October 29 anxious and excited. After making sure the last of our things were safely tucked away some friends whisked us to the airport where we checked in, made it to the gate and waited. And waited. And waited. 

Turns out the first of our adventures was going to be simply getting to Italy. A major storm was dumping the earliest snow in years in New York City and a ground stop was ordered at all airports in the area. It was beginning to look like we'd have to go home and come back the next day - losing precious time in Rome. 

And here's where I give you some traveling advice: if you have to fly anywhere in the world, pack lightly. 

This is everything we took for nine days - a small, carry-on suitcase, a backpacking-style bag and an actual, school-style backpack. Taking only what we could easily carry was the best thing we did. We could switch flights in a heartbeat without worrying about whether our checked luggage would make the transfer, and once in Rome it was easy to keep track of what we had with us as we traveled by taxi, metro, bus, train, ferry and more.

And here's my second piece of advice: fly Delta if you can. We had a great experience with them. The second our flight to New York was canceled, the Delta staff was figuring out how to get us to Italy as soon as possible. It turned out the best way to get us there was to fly from our city to Atlanta.

Then in Atlanta we boarded a flight for Madrid, Spain. Nothing like adding an unexpected country to your passport. Yes, we were in Spain for all of two hours. And yes, the most we saw of the city/country was the highway on the bus from one terminal to the next, but we were there nevertheless. And it was beautiful and it was fun.

 From Madrid we made it to Rome, getting to our hotel just six hours after our initial arrival time. I'd say we did pretty well.  We checked into our hotel, then ventured out to find some dinner (fresh tomato and mozzarella sandwiches...yuuum) and wander the streets a bit, finding the famous Trevi Fountain. 

After oohh-ing and aahhh-ing over the prettiness and tossing a coin over our shoulder into the water, we made our way back to our room and collapsing into bed at 7:00 p.m. - exhausted after over 24 hours of travel. We slept for 12 hours before waking refreshed and ready to get on with the adventure.

And that's where we end today. To be continued.

Out of His Goodness and Grace

Hubby and I finally made a decision on the debate we've had since our first Christmas. Every year we've tossed around the pros and cons of a real tree vs. a fake tree. And every year we've agreed that a fake tree would be so much easier in so many ways. But every year we haven't had the time to shop around for one or wanted to spend that much at once.

This year we decided early on in the holidays (like before Thanksgiving) that it was the year for a fake tree. So we found one we loved, did some comparison shopping and then pulled the trigger. It came home with us Sunday afternoon and after just a few minutes, it was sitting pretty in the corner of our den.

We spent the evening with football on mute and Christmas music wafting from the speakers while we carefully unwrapped each ornament, remembering fondly stories from childhood and thinking of friends and family.

Izzie didn't seem to care too much about the nostalgia. After curiously sniffing and nipping at an ornament only to be reprimanded, this is about as excited as she got for the rest of the night. She was perfectly content to snooze and occasionally open an eye to peer at what was going on. 

I don't think I've ever enjoyed putting up our tree as much as I did this year - finding just the right place for each ball and hanging toy. For whatever reason the simple act of decorating and remembering made me more aware of God's goodness and grace. For by His grace alone our family has much - so, so much - to be thankful for this year. He has given us a lasting peace and joy. And abiding in Him has made me more content for these last six months than I can ever remember being.

I think it's going to be a good Christmas this year. 

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Joining with all those unwrapping this Tuesday over at Emily's place, Chatting at the Sky.