Winter Puzzle

There is something about Winter that makes me want to dig out a puzzle to be put together on the coffee table in the living room.  We might sit and work on it for a couple of hours while the TV is on at night or just sit down for a couple of minutes, here and there.  We always say....." I think we are missing pieces" but in the end, most of the time we aren't.  I get the puzzles at the Thrift Store for only 99 cents so you never know if the pieces are all there or not.  This one was hard but fun.  We have all these birds come to our yard during the year.

Before and After

Before.....icky stained, scratched $4.99
chair from the thrift store

After...pretty antique dining
room chair.

At one of our recent visits to the " best thrift store around", we came across a dining room chair that matched very closely to our dining room chairs.  It needed a bit of help since it had scratches and a very stained seat on it.  A little glue was needed also but I could see it's potential.  As Chuck covered up the scratches with a marker and glued and clamped the back piece, I recovered the seat with our " dining room toile" fabric.  TA DA!!!!  A pretty dining room chair that matches our others.  It's so much fun finding such treasures for so cheap.

Let is Snow!

Dining Room Snowmen

Kitchen Snowman 

Hand Stitched Snowmen by my
dear friend Debbie Williams

Kitchen snowmen

Studio 22 ...waiting for snow!

Since we weren't lucky and didn't have a " White Christmas" it would be nice if we would get some snow in January.  I'm ready to build a snowman!!  My January snowmen are decorating the house for luck.  I'm just hoping the snow doesn't come the first of February when our little Miss Vivienne comes to meet us all.   Other than that.....Let it snow!!!!!

Next Holiday

The weather may be freezing cold but the front porch looked like the decorations were lining up in order  waiting for the next holiday....the Easter Bunny?  I'm happy to report as of yesterday....the pumpkin made it's way down to the garden and the Christmas tree to the woods.  We're just waiting for some snow to build a snowman in the front yard.  Come on " SNOW"!!!!

Time to Say Good Bye

Ryan packed up the truck......

Crying Good Byes
Genavive and Ian had tears. 

Michelle/Vivi/Craig's good bye

All of the Family Christmas fun was over before we could blink.  Like I said.  It was the best Christmas we have had in years.  It was great having some of our traditions back again.  A big Christmas dinner on pretty Christmas dishes and heirloom silver with everyone here to enjoy it.  Lots of presents, smiles and fun with our kids and grand daughters.  Couldn't ask for a better Christmas than that!!!!!

Alabama Tea Party

Girls only...tea party

Aunt Shell and Genavive enjoying their tea 

Lily Ryann's first real tea party

Eating an Alabama cookie

Ali from Alabama and her George kitty
came to the tea party also

Sunday afternoon all the girls in the house were invited to an Alabama tea party in the sun room, which consisted of Alabama shaped cookies and two pots of Red Rose Tea.  This was Lily Ryann's first real tea party and she said she had lots of fun.  I think Ali ( from Alabama) and her George kitty enjoyed it too. It was a fun way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon.   After the tea party, we did share the rest of the cookies with the boys.  :-)

Some Grandma Loving

Some " Grandma Loving"

Drawing  some Lily art.

Lily was the first one up on Sunday morning.  She made her way into the kitchen where we were having our quiet morning coffee, waiting for everyone to get up to start the day.  Since I don't get to steal some " Grandma loving" from Lily Ryann, being that she lives so far away, I enjoyed the time she was willing to give me.  As you know, little girls can't sit still for long.  The chalk board was calling her name.  She drew me some wonderful " Lily Art" since I had erased the "Christmas board" the day before.  The art of a four year old makes me smile.

Mexican Train Tournament

First Round...( Genavive was just watching for a few minutes) 

The first night the kids were here, we started a "Mexican Train Game Tournament".  Since there were too many of us to play at one table, the first round at the dining room table consisted of Michelle, Craig, Ryan and Heather.  Chuck, Genavive and I played at the kitchen table.  The two little ones, watched a movie on the TV.  The next night, the highest four scores, played each other.  That was Michelle, Craig, Chuck and I.  Ryan, Heather and Genavive taught Ian how to play at the kitchen table.  Lily Ryann was happy to watch another movie to keep her busy.  The winner of the tournament was Craig!  There was a lot of laughing and " ahhhh man's" going on both nights.  I think it just might become a tradition when the kids come to Brambly Pines.  ....a " Mexican Train Tournament!".