Friday Thoughts

We have a table full of different kinds of cookies and candies. I am sampling a few of these each day. After Christmas, I am going to make an effort to cut down on my sugar consumption. So, I'll just have to enjoy these treats a few more days.

It's been so cold outside today, but I've been busy inside...busy tidying the house. I woke up with extra energy and started in the kitchen. Cleaned the counter tops and rearranged things...then tackled the stove. It's so nice and clean...I hate to use it :) Joe and I usually go out every Friday to eat. He reminded me that I should stop what I was doing and get ready to go. Can you believe that I turned down a meal at a restaurant? It was so cold...I just wanted to stay home and have salmon patties, mashed potatoes, peas, tossed salad and a couple of those Christmas cookies.

After dinner (we eat our big meal early) I sat down to watch the Ellen Show and then Dr. Oz. I came in here and started to write a post for today.Next I will do some things in the guest room. It's kind of a catchall because we can just shut the door and pretend it's not messy.

I love the late afternoon, when it is starting to get dark out and we turn on the Christmas lights. We leave our tree up until Epiphany so we have many days to enjoy it. I always hate to drive through the neighborhood and see the Christmas trees on the tree bank the day after Christmas. It takes so much time to do the decorating and then to just put it all away so soon...is hard to understand.  We decorated very simply this year only doing one thing that wasn't done in the past...and that is to decorate the railing going from the living room to the front door. I really like how it turned out and wonder why I didn't do this before. The picture on top shows that railing. The others are taken in our dining room. This is the room where the two Mangers are and the pitcher and bowl are waiting for fresh greens. I have really enjoyed the Christmas season this year. We started early, pared our decorating down by using only what is important to each of us, took our time, our Christmas plans were made early, and we took time to just relax. We will be with all of our kids...except one. We are celebrating on two different days. It's going to be fun.
Balisha