Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thankfully on to Christmas

Well, Thanksgiving came up on us in a huge hurry.  I love my family and having things to be thankful for…so my title is actually kind of a play on words.  The turkey was wonderful this yearDSC02142.  I still remember when my wife and I first met she couldn’t even cook at all…now she not only knows various international dishes but she prepares our holiday meals.  Being home for the holidays is a blessing that in the early years of my life didn’t happen all that often.  I’ve spent several Christmases abroad…the Philippines and India in particular come to mind.  Truth be told I relish each and every time like that whether at home or abroad.  Lovely set a wonderful table for us tooDSC02143.  My Dad always says:  “It looks good enough to eat!”  Well, this was all that and more…good times!  We traditionally get our Christmas stuff up now so let me share some of our decorations with you.  This is our fireplace and mantleDSC02144and our tree this year is near the stairs DSC02145.  Note the long line of nutcrackers on the wall…it’s quite the endeavor to get them all lined up there let me tell you!  Here’s a nice basket we filled with decorations this yearDSC02146…isn’t that nice?  I really like it!  We have enough nut crackers now that they end up all over the living roomDSC02147.  They all are different and really so much fun to look atDSC02148.  This one may have helped with the cooking but I can’t say for sureDSC02149.  My grandfather on my Mom’s side loved ribbon candy and we still have ornaments to honor his memoryDSC02150.  Note the reflection of the tree in the ornament here…I love how much the kids enjoy the tree and decorate it nowDSC02151.  We have many ornaments that I like but this wreath always catches my eyeDSC02152.  This ornament is to honor both my grandfathers and my Dad all of whom have been great fishermenDSC02153.  A last look at the tree where another ribbon candy ornament hangsDSC02154.  I’m thankful my friends, thankful for you, our troops…too many things to mention here…even the hardships that we’ve weathered by the grace of God.  The holidays may someday be far different for us then they are but the spirit of gratitude I pray will ever remain.  God bless you all.

22 comments:

  1. Beautiful post. Happy Thanksgiving! Your Christmas decorations and tree is so pretty.

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    1. Greetings and thank you Toodie! Happy Thanksgiving to you! Christmas will be upon us before we know it...it really came up fast this year!

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  2. A beautiful post Joe. The message is so nice and the photos are beautiful!! Your decorations are all lovely!

    Blessings,
    Beth

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    1. Aw, thank you Beth, I'm glad you liked it. It's not actually been easy for me to get into the season but today...I just loved so much about it...I needed that!

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  3. Wow, enjoyed looking at all your lovely decorations. Once the place is tidied and in order we will see what we can display.

    Have a Happy Weekend. God Bless

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    1. I bet you're excited to see what you can do for your new location Nita. I pray that this is a very memorable and wonderful Christmas for you!

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  4. Love the fire place Joe !! Nut Crackers have always been a favorite of mine ! I may just take your lead here and make a post about decorations , as i love the decorations and also have a few i would love to share with you all !!! Many Blessing to you and your family this Holiday season Joe !

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    1. I'm glad you approve! I am somehow not surprised in your taste...I like what you do very much as well! I do hope you share some pictures of your stuff, that would be a lot of fun! Blessings to you as well my friend!

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  5. To a great holiday and may there be many more.

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  6. Hi Joe!
    A beautiful decorations post. Is that already your grandfathers!
    The tree in the ornament in your home your kids are very enjoy very much!
    I has very bad time with me with last three month but I feeling just
    all right....
    Have a good weekend.
    Michiko

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    1. There's only one ornament that is actually from my grand father and it's actually an American flag bell. The ribbon candy ornaments we bought in my grand father's memory. I'm so sorry to hear you're not doing well Michiko. I pray you come around soon.

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  7. I am grateful for my family and friends too, Joe and I am very grateful for you. I think you know that is not something I am "just saying".

    Blessings to your family and you.

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  8. I hear you loud and clear Carole and feel the same way of course! Thank you so much!

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  9. Yep! Before you know it will be time to put another turkey in the oven. Time goes by so quickly, and there is only 28 more days after this one and Christmas Day will be here. I love the story of Christmas, and am so thankful we know the rest of the story of Jesus as well. We do have so much to be thankful for. :)

    Love your photo display of all your lovely Christmas decorations. Love the one for the fishermen. For me it is birds. Love to put birds on my tree. I guess that is no big surprise knowing how much I enjoy birds, big and small. :)

    I am really thankful that we met over at Windows Live yea many yrs. ago. You have been a real Blessing.

    Blessing to you, and your family Joe.
    Dianne :)

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    1. I'm with you Dianne, it's everything to know the whole story of Christmas! I'm so blessed to know you and Steve both!

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  10. as i was suprised to see ur Xmas tree so early and we used to do that one week before Xmas and ater u telling the story abt thanksgiving i feel kida jealous.
    Not jealous as we know Joe But the fact that we dont do that anymore.And abt Lovely She is one happy lady That shows in the things she does.
    The way u as a family live is an example for everyone. Enjoy and btw i like the ornaments that honour ur Gfathers Its Super!1
    MJ

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    1. It was a little early for us but it worked for us this way and in some ways I'm very glad. It can be a struggle to keep the season alive. This year I heard many are tempted to drop the holiday all together. I understand the resistance of commercialism etc. but I sure don't think ignoring the season is the answer. Anyway, thanks for dropping by, merry Christmas and God bless you.

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  11. I love the ribbon candy ornament. I use to eat tons of it when I was a kid. I think Lovely must be an amazing cook from some of the stuff I have seen photos of. Your home looks like it really is beautiful with the Christmas decorations.

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    1. Christmas wouldn't be the same at all without Lovely. She does so much that makes it special. This season is pure magic!

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