Carmens Visit and surprises in the mail.

It is hard to believe another year has almost come and gone again.  It will soon be time to put up the decorations.

I love my little white tree, I bought it several years ago at a craft show. I always leave it up a little longer after I take the big tree down.

Well, it is sad, but my visit with Carmen is over for now.  We took her home today and I got to see all her decorations in person.  They are awesome.   Pictures don't even come close to the real thing. We did a little crafting and came up with a set of dolls, she is offering them as a giveaway.  So check out her blog at :  http://oldefarmhouseroad.blogspot.com  On the side of my blog, look for the link for her blog and get a sneak peek of the dolls she is giving away.

I came home and found some goodies in my mail box.  Deb from Crows on the Cupola set me the neatest little snowangel and spoon she had painted.  She did a terrific job.  Thanks so much Deb. I love them. Here is a picture of them.

Next, I got a treat from Karen  of:  http://thebarelythereprimitivebear.blogspot.com/.  She sent me the best chocolate fudge. I swear even before it was a half opened, my daughter and husband had each grabbed a handful each, you would think they had never had fudge before. It was yummy.

Thank you so much, she also enclosed a poem in regards to my parents being gone this Christmas:

My First Christmas in Heaven

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below,
With tiny lights like heaven's star reflecting in the snow.
The sight is so spectacular please wipe away that tear,
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,
But the sound of music cannot compare with the Christmas choir up here
I have no words to tell you the joy their voices bring,
for it is beyond description to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart,
but I am not so far away, we really aren't apart.
Be so happy for me dear ones, you know I hold you dear,
And be glad, I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I send each of you a special gift from my heavenly home above,
I send each of you a memory of my undying love.
After all, love is a gift more precious than pure gold,
It was always most important in the stories Jesus told.

Now please love each other as the Father said to do,
For I cannot count the blessing of the love He has for you.
So have a merry Christmas and wipe away that tear,
Remember I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

thank you so much Karen.

We did went to the dollar store and bought those little battery operated candle lights and here is our version. We lightly sanded, sprayed with brown spray paint, sprinkled cinnamon all over, let dry and repeated the process. Be sure to stick a junk light bulb in the top socket though. I love the way they turned out so simple.

Next we bought some to those oversized mugs and made some dolls to fit the cups. Carmen made a cute little Caroler doll and I did a Santa.  These turned out pretty cute.

We did some baking and shopping of course. Carmen made a delicious apple pie and chocolate meringue pie.  We did a traditional turkey dinner while she was here.  My husband will be working night shift on Christmas Eve, so I think we are just going to have a big variety of nibbles for that day.

Here are so pics of Carmens decorations:

Well, I am going to take it easy for a few days, do a little baking with my daughter for the neighbors and help her paint on her house.  But other than that, I am done with sewing this year.  I am so ready for a break.