Hello! I’m so sorry I disappeared on you like that. Turns out when you have family visiting it is near impossible to run away for a couple of hours to write a blog post! Sorry I really tried but short of hiding in the bathroom with my laptop, which somehow seems a wee bit wrong, I just couldn’t figure out how to do it without it being rude.
I did manage to finally finish the last of my Christmas shopping this week and I’d love to tell you that all my presents are wrapped and under the tree but they aren’t. It’s one of my least favorite holiday jobs (can you say aching back!) so usually hubbie and I sit down together while watching some corny Christmas show on TV and get it all done in one marathon session. I usually wrap 12 presents to each one that my hubbie does so I’m not really sure how much help he is but it’s fun to have him there for moral support.
With my parents here I also haven’t had much time for organizing so yesterday when I was out shopping I scored myself a “fix” by purchasing two lined dark wicker baskets for my living room that were on sale for $7.00 each! These will hold my youngest son’s books.
Tonight we went caroling with some friends and delivered cookies to those who were lucky enough (hah!) to hear us sing. It was such a beautiful winter wonderland night and such a great time was had by all. This was my first year going door to door like that and I can easily see it becoming an annual tradition now. Is Christmas caroling a part of your family traditions?
I’ll be back on Monday for Menu Plan Monday. I did think about canceling it due to the holidays but I still need to eat and feed my family so I’ll be posting mine and if you’d like to join me that would be great. I’m hoping some of you will share some good turkey leftover recipes with me.
In the meantime enjoy your festivities this weekend and stay safe.
God bless!
joyful says
After Christmas, buy nice pretty holiday fabric on discount. Then in July (or whenever) make varying sizes of fabric bags (very fast if you don’t put in drawstrings, a bit more work if you do.) Then when it’s wrapping time next December, just pop those presents in, stick on a tag sticker, and zip, you’re done! If these presents are for your family, you can use the same bags the next year!
Tanna says
We’re doing our own marathon wrapping session this weekend. If we leave the presents under the tree any earlier they will get mysteriously unwrapped.
jen says
I’m finished with my shopping too. Thank God. My gifts however are wrapped finally. We have never done Christmas Caroling…wish we could….maybe one year. It sounds like alot of fun though.
Jana (sidetrack'd) says
I still have to wrap all of my presents, too. Continue to enjoy the holidays with your family. Merry Christmas!
momrn2 says
I’m glad you had some time to enjoy your family!!
In the past gift wrapping was done on Christmas Eve. This year I decided to try and avoid that insanity. I have most of my things wrapped! 🙂 Just a few more things to go.
A group of us mom’s took our children caroling to an assisted living home yesterday. It was great fun to do something like that all together!
Good to hear from you again! And I agree…some good turkey recipes would be great! 🙂
Susanne says
You are totally off the hook. Your family deserves your full attention. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do.
I have a few more things to wrap. One is my hubby’s which I haven’t figured out how to wrap yet. But I’ll come up with something.
Angela says
Well, I am one of those Christmas Eve wrappers myself! Actually, the presents from Santa are not even wrapped. We set each kiddos presents up on a side of the tree (we only have 2 so this is easy for us to do) Then when they wake up in the morning the presents from Santa are there and they can start playing! The ones from Momma and Daddy and other family are wrapped though. So they still get the thrill of unwrapping! But there is usually only one or two gifts from us and the rest are from Santa!
I like the bag idea from Joyful! I might have to do that this year, get the fabric that is!
Thanks
~Amy says
Merry Christmas!
~Amy
Barb says
Visiting with your family is more important than anything else right now, Laura. Enjoy! And Merry Christmas!
Ornery's Wife says
When we lived in the Marshall Islands, we were awakened one December Saturday morn at about 6:00 by some friends who came to sing carols and invite us to breakfast. They were of Swedish descent, and this was their take on Santa Lucia Day. We adapted it a bit and began doing something similar when we returned to the states, sometimes coercing our small group from church to aid us with singing, but usually just doing it our family.
those Christmas breakfasts are memories we will always treasure. The invitations are always unexpected, and sometimes we went to homes where the family was away, but we always had people come, whereas the evening parties rarely had good attendance. It is fun to see people so early in the morning, too.
Merry Christmas!
TM
Sandy says
Hi Laura! Merry Christmas to you and your family. We have caroled in the past – when the kids were small. I love harmonizing w/my family!
I’ll be posting a family pix soon – it’s hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner. Blessings!
kelly says
happy holidays! i’m enjoying your blog-thanks!!
Judy says
I just started doing the Monday Meal Menu, it’s fun. I’m not sure if I’ll make it for this Monday, too busy.
We go caroling on Christmas Eve and it’s fun. We don’t deliver cookies, they just get to hear us sing.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family.
Forgetfulone says
See you on Monday for menu plan! Merry Christmas.
Sandra says
Merry Christmas to you and your Family!!!!
I’ll be here for MPM 🙂
Love,
Sandra
Marcia Francois says
Send your gifts over – I’ll wrap them with pleasure.
Um, no, we don’t do carolling – they will have us committed to a hospital here in Jhb (I mean, people look at me funny when I actually talk and am friendly to them 🙂
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Laura (still no card received)
Marcia Francois says
hey, what did you do? my comments now appear immediately 🙂
vigilant20 says
Merry Christmas!
Natalie says
Merry Christmas! I’ll be back for MPM, I’m looking forward to getting people’s holiday recipes. 🙂
Valerie says
Merry Christmas Laura!
Tiff @ Three Peas in says
Blogging in the bathroom just seems like. . .well it’s probably what I would have done too!
Megan @ Disorder2Ord says
Thank you so much for your card! You are SO VERY THOUGHTFUL! I have been just admiring all that you do. Give yourself a break eh… I am impressed that you can do all that you do! You go girl!
I wish you the very best in 2008…