It's Christmas Eve.....

And all thru our house the elves are busy. Mom/grandma/greatgrandma is bustling about putting bows on packages and making last minute package arranging details. Grandpa is out shopping with Uncle Eric - making sure Santa takes good care of the lady elves at our house.

I'm busy cooking, two deepdish pumpkin pies cooling on the dining room table, pecan pie in the oven now. Cousin Carol shared her baked bean recipe with us and its simmering on the stove, the ingredients for cornbread sit on the counter awaiting mixing tomorrow. The cheesy potatoes will be made tomorrow as well. Sugar syrup is done and ready for making into iced tea for the feast at 1 tomorrow when all the family will be here for Christmas dinner. The ham is sitting out coming to room temp for tomorrow's glazing and a nice warming.

The lights on the tree are twinkling, but the thing I want to see most is the twinkle in my grandkids eyes tomorrow morning. Two of our grandsons will be staying with us tonight to await the arrival of Santa. The youngest will be joining us with his parents sometime in the morning. Watching the boys - the smiles and laughter - seeing my children & grandchildren happy - for me there is no better gift. I am blessed, my children & grandchildren are happy & healthy, mom's sight is much improved thru her cornea transplant, Mark still has a job at Ford, the lights are on, we have heat. Life is indeed good.

Our family will celebrate the birth of Christ and the blessings he has bestowed upon us this past year. We'll pray for his continuing blessings & guidance thru the next year, and health & safety for those whom we love.

I wish for you my friends & blog followers - a joyous holiday season filled with much happiness, health & saftey for both you & your families.

Thank you for reading this year, I will be returning to a more regular posting in the new year!

Karen

*Top photo - Author on back of sofa, Eric, great grandma, Mandi, Carter, Nick & Jonathon four generations!
** lower photo - grandpa Mark in the back yard with Eric's boys - Nick & Carter - both photo's taken Christmas day 2008!
[Note: We barely have any snow on the ground right now & rain is in forecast for tonight & Christmas day.]