First, I want to say that I hope every one's Christmas was beautiful and that all your wishes came true for all of you. My Christmas was very nice, with lots of love and great joy. My immediate family were all together and that made me very happy. I love them all very much and it would not feel right if we were not together. As promised, (and I knew it would come), I finally have time to post some of my decorations. This is the TREE with presents: (Don't tell, but the presents have NO ribbons, shame on me!, {I don't think anyone noticed.}):
The above ornaments are hand made, mouth blown ornaments that have Sterling Silver tops and hanger rings. I found them at my favorite thrift store for 50 cents each! They are very heavy glass, it looks like two layers. The inside layer is colored and crackled and then the outside layer is clear glass. They are so beautiful and I guess they were meant to come home with me. There are seven all together and they sure are beautiful.
Above is my dining room window. I love the apothecary jar with the pine cones and silver balls.
Above picture is a closeup of the snowballs I managed to make. The picture doesn't do them justice. I used the Diamond Dust on them and they sure do sparkle.
Above are some of the goodies, we also had a Cherry pie and a Pumpkin Pie.
Above is the corner china cabinet in the dining room. These bears are candles that my neighbor friend gave to me many years ago. She has passed on, so they have a special meaning to me and I put them out every year in remembrance of her.
Above: The shelf in my dining room.
One table in the living room.
These little girls are patiently waiting for Santa, they all have on their best smiles and are being VERY good.
Now because there is a huge space here and I can't get it to go away
I
will
show
you
some
of
my
ornaments:
This is a baby bootie made into an ornament. I found it at an "antique and more" store in November.
The long ornament above is actually a red plastic ornie from Wal-Mart. I put the Diamond Dust on it last year and it held up very well and really looks very pretty.
This little birdie came from the German ornament store at Disney. It is said that it is Good Luck to have a bird in your tree. Since I am of German origin, I believe that to be true.
This is a "new" ornament from the thrift store this year. I actually found three of them that were good, two in the package were broken. They cost me 49 cents for three good ones.
This one is "new", too, 49 cents, also.
I made a bunch of these snowmen last year, 28 in all, and sent one to each of my Mom, sisters and their families, nieces, brothers and families, boyfriends families and friends. They sure were fun to make and everyone liked them.
I cut these Santa faces out one year and painted a bunch of them, so I have lots of them on my tree. I love making Christmas ornaments and every year I think I am going to make them early, and I always end up doing them at the last minute.
This one is big! It's also another thrift store find, in fact there's two. The other is gold with sparkles on it and is shown in the first picture of the ornaments section.
This is one of the speakers that I use for a little table. I put some of my "old" stuff on it. I like the look.
I tried to put more pictures on this post but it wouldn't let me add any more, so I will have to do another post with the rest of them..... I hope I have not bored you with all the stuff, but I said I would let you see my "Old Fashioned Christmas" and I wanted to keep my word.
Christmas is such a hectic time for all, and especially when you own a retail store, but it is to be expected and we have to do the best we can every year. I didn't think I would have time to do anything, but it all worked out, I got the shopping done, some baking and our dinner was wonderful, thanks to my sweet boyfriend, who did all the cooking. We had roasted leg of lamb with mint sauce, roasted vegetables, I made some Pampered Chef beer bread, that was delicious, delicious wine and good company. What more could I ask for? I want to do it all again next year 'Til next time, Love ya, Jean
The TV and cabinet was our Christmas gift for this year. My sweetie also got me 10 romantic DVD movies to watch on it. Oh, and he came home with 2 more today. 
I covered these letters with scrap booking paper. They came out OK, but I think I was supposed to darken the edges so that they stand out better. I think I'll get L, V, and E and use the O for Valentine's Day. (Looking forward, instead of back).........
Notice the little dog toy in front of the baby carriage--My girls had one just like it when they were small--at least 38 yrs ago. I saw it at the Salvation Army and grabbed it immediately. I couldn't believe it was there. Then I wondered if I gave it to the SA many years ago, and if it could be the same one. I'll never know, one of life's little mysteries.
And that's all folks! 
And that's all folks! 
