Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Wednesday, Dec. 5



Hello and Welcome
to my special day (Dec. 5) to blog with all of you!

Christmas is my VERY, VERY, VERY favorite holiday of all.  When Stacy invited me to do another blog hop this year I was a little reluctant because I pretty much do the same thing every year....lots of trees (13-15 at least in the house), lots of family (this year if everyone here in Florida comes, there will be 29 of us) and lots of FUN! (We certainly can be a loud bunch when we are all together!)  It just doesn't get any better than that.  We've been hosting Christmas day dinner here at our house for 37 years.   It's always been our gift to our family.  As I get older I sometimes think perhaps someone younger should do this, but I just can't seem to pass along the torch yet!

Since this isn't my first Christmas hop you've already heard stories of family traditions in the past and if you've just purchased my new book "Deck the Halls" you have an even more detailed description of past traditions.  I wish I had pictures of old to share with you, but dad usually took movies on his old "Brownie" movie camera....remember them?  I actually still have that camera along with those movies and we've gotten them out over the years and looked at them often.  Times have really changed.

I've been told I'm the biggest kid when it comes to Christmas and YES indeed I still believe in Santa Claus.  It's been a family tradition since my husband and I got married 43 years ago to go get our "real" tree the day after Thanksgiving.  Living in Florida, a tree is much better off being in a stand that has water in it in our house than sitting on a lot with none.  The smell of the tree always inspires me to get started with all the decorations. 

And, we did just that this year....Our real tree has been sitting patiently waiting for me to feel better.  I'm afraid there will only be 8 trees this year.  But, the house will be festive when everyone arrives again this Christmas day.

My gift to each of you this year is Homemade Homespun garland instead of a
homemade ornament. Here at our house we've made a ton of ornaments over the years. They usually are on the 6 foot fat primitive tree in the loft. You can download this homemade garland by clicking on the FREE downloads on the right hand side
of my blog. (I wasn't even able to do that last year! grin) Here's a picture of the garland and also how it looks on a tree.



The instructions on the download will explain all the 
details of making one for your tree.

Making Cookies is something we've always done since I was a little girl.
Mom, Sharron and I would have a special day to make our favorites. We always
had enough for all our friends and neighbors.  I remember there was always some
for the milkman delivery guy and the post man.  We always had some to take to
school for our teachers as well.  Christmas carols would be playing on the old 33 record turntable....(oh my, am I ever getting old!) and we'd be singing for all the neighbors to hear I'm sure.  Dad would arrive home from work and he'd join in.  Believe me, none of us would have ever signed a record deal.   

When Curt and I got married and had our family, two sons, I've done most of the baking.  The boys always seemed to find the correct time to show up when they came out of the oven and had to taste them all. 

Our granddaughters, Rebecca and Sarah, have moved to Tennessee, but I have such fond memories of them helping me make Christmas cookies.  I'm not sure who could make the biggest mess in the kitchen, them or me.  But, it was such fun!


So, raise your hand if you like Cream Cheese?!!!!!  A friend of mine gave me this recipe many years ago.  I apologize for not having a picture to share, but never did have one and haven't gotten around to the baking part yet this year.  They are so very good though....I bet you can't eat just one!  (Oh, by the way, did you know that Christmas cookies don't have any calories in them?!  Ofcourse, Santa told me that!)





They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I've posted a smilebox I made. Each year there are things the same, but then new items are usually purchased and added to the mix. I've gathered a few new friends and will be happy to share those with you at the end of this season when the house is completely decorated.



Click to play this Smilebox scrapbook
Create your own scrapbook - Powered by Smilebox
Customize a scrapbook design







I hope you have the best time reading everyone's blog.
Can't wait to read Cherie Payne's
Friday, December 7th blog post

quiltsbycheri.blogspot.com/


TO ADD TO THE FUN OF THIS CHRISTMAS BLOG,
LEAVE A COMMENT BEFORE YOU LEAVE.
THERE WILL BE A DRAWING FOR
A HOMEMADE HOMESPUN GARLAND
I'VE MADE AT THE END OF THIS BLOG HOP!


Here's a little preview of some decorating going on this year.  
Click to play this Smilebox greeting
Create your own greeting - Powered by Smilebox
Free greeting made with Smilebox



HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO EACH AND EVERYONE!

PS - A great big Hug to my friend
Stacy West
for hosting this Christmas Blog Hop
You are the best
my friend!





49 comments:

Shakerwood said...

Thanks, Lynda! I have the big tree up but no garland on it this year. Maybe I can add one still and this would be perfect!!

Nell said...

I love your house, your trees, & all your decorations. It doesn't even "look" like Florida but it is, so I love it more! Have a wonderful blessed Christmas season!

Anonymous said...

How wonderful! I would LOVE to add the homemade garland to our tree. It currently has a homemade pinecone-&-jute garland we made with pinecones from our yard. Primitive is best!

JoAnne
mjkonkel@tds.net

Cindy said...

Thanks Lynda! Enjoyed your blog...esp the pic off baking with granddaughters! I can't wait til our little Rylee is big enough to help me make cookies!
Merry Christmas!

kathyinozarks said...

good morning, I really enjoyed reading your post. this is a fun blog hop to read. I really love your garland-thanks for the chance. Kathy

Prim Gal said...

Deck the halls with all sorts of prim things. Great pictures and inspiring to get moving on my decorating.

Robyn said...

Hi Lynda! I love handmade ornaments on my tree so this fit right in. Thank you for the pattern.

Colleen said...

Thank you so much for sharing. I loved your post and your pictures! I am still sorting through the decorating for this year but I do have my tree up...not decorated but up and it is just calling out for a homespun garland...great idea!

Anonymous said...

Well you certainly do love Christmas, and all that decorating! A lovely home, enjoyed reading your post.

sue bennett said...

What great garland. Perfect for the Primitive tree. Thanks so much for sharing with us. I am enjoying the blog hop

Rachel said...

This blog hop is so fun...thanks for sharing your prim style.

Lori from Notforgotten Farm said...

Hi Lynda! love your little garland :) it is perfect for a homespun Christmas! and your recipe sounds sooooo good, that will be on my list of things to make for Christmas Eve :)
Merry Christmas Blessings to you!
LOri from Notforgotten Farm

Sally Hurst said...

I'm not finished with my Christmas decorating either, so would love to win the garland. We still get a "real" tree, too. Most of my friends have artificial trees, but I'm glad we have kept our tradition. Love your blog and have a Merry Christmas!

Michelle said...

Love it . I do one big tree and then have several table top skinny trees...hope to do some decorating this weekend.

Michelle

Sheila said...

Loved reading your blog this morning. The smilebox was great. Love the garland and would love to win!
Hope you have a blessed, prim Christmas!

Laura said...

Lynda,so loved your post. I have missed seeing you so much. Merry Christmas!

WoolenSails said...

I love using homespun as garland and since i have to use mini trees, I can make it as small as I want. I saw some in a store that they had attached bells to, that looked like fun.

Debbie

Karen said...

You have certainly decorated a lot of trees in your life time! Sorry to hear you are under the weather. I have one prim artificial tree sitting out that has three vintage cookie cutters on it and a string of lights. I haven't gotten any further than that.

Anonymous said...


Your home is filled with prim Christmas spirit. It looks wonderful.

I have a yoyo Christmas garland but not a homespun one. Would love to win for one of my many trees.

Charlotte S.

Karen in Breezy Point said...

Thanks for the project and recipe. You certainly know how to celebrate the holidays!!

Kathy said...

Thank you Lynda for the wonderful garland pattern and cookie recipe! Homespun and wool are my very two favorite mediums to use when I choose to make something. Your pictures of your home are so warm and inviting. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Kathy said...

Thank you Lynda for the great garland pattern and cookie recipe! I'd love to make a garland like that. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Kathy @
rkanderson@comcast.net

Vivian said...

Why have I not thought of a homemade garland like that before???? What a concept!

When I was a kid we did them out of construction paper, and I am almost ashamed to say this, but I saw one last year made of shiny ribbon and I bought it. Cheap and tacky looking but I couldn't resist it reminded so much of being a kid.

Your fabric one looks wonderful!!!! What an idea.

Darlene D said...

Love all of your pictures, decorating, etc. Wishing you and yours a wonderful season!

Unknown said...

Lynda what a beautiful blog, I truly enjoyed viewing your smileboxs. Not much of a cookie maker but your recipe sounds yummy. I do love your garland as I love primitive objects. Thank You and here's hoping I win your garland.
Merry Christmas

Mary said...

I took all our old home movies and had them put on a DVD. Costco does it and there are video places that specialize in this kind of thing. That way, you'd be able to see all the old silent home movies.

I love your garland!

Julee said...

Love your style of decorating & patterns, primitive....Have a Merry CHRISTmas.

Teri said...

Homespun garland...hadn't thought of that on our small tree but I bet it would look great. And I just received pics of my two and a half year old grandson making cookies with his daddy and the BIG smile on his face. Warms a Mimi's heart since I live 2400 miles away. Thanks for your blog. Makes me get in the Christmas spirit even more.

Rosemary said...

love the garland and your decorations :)

Bridgidk said...

OMG Lynda, I knew you'd have something amazing as your ornament.
The garland is such a cute, easy idea. Thank You!!!!! I cant wait to get started on mine.
I Hope You and You Family Have a Very Merry Christmas!!!!!

Liza S. said...

Lynda, I was so looking forward to your blog day! Thank you for sharing the pictures, recipe and garland. Sending you wishes for a very Merry Christmas and a happy healthy 2013!

bairdmtn said...

Lynda, your book "Deck the Halls" is the ultimate book for me! I love ALL the projects in it, and intend to make them all! Love your garland because it is oh so cute and oh so do-able! Thank you so much for sharing! Would love to have one of yours for my very own!!

Gayle said...

Hi Lynda - I always enjoy seeing pictures of your home decorated so lovingly with quilts and other goodies - thanks for sharing - and the garland is awesome!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing your cookie recipe and homemade garland idea. I really enjoyed your pictures. Angela

Lis said...

I'm a keen reader from Denmark and I simply love to read alle the Xmas blop hops because it tells me a lot of how you're celebrating Xmas in the USA. I'm admiring your abundant Xmas decorations and I lov your garland which is really a news to me and I think I would be fantastic to have in my holiday cabin in the Northern of Sweden where I-m going to in a week from now. Thanks again - also for your wonderful ideas which I admire.

Anonymous said...

Love your blogspot and I really enjoy following you onPinterest. Enjoyed the smilebox. Blessings to you and yours. Bobbie

Judy Zarlenga said...

Oh how I'm enjoying this Christmas Blog. It's wonderful that you are sharing your Christmas thoughts, memories, patterns and a yummy recipe. Thank you for this Christmas treat and the opportunity to win this beautiful garland!

Joan and Kevin said...

Thanks for the giveaway!
I love your garland!

my place and times said...

love the garland. thanks for participating and sharing your recipe and decorating.

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for the garland and the cookie recipe! Merry Christmas!

Nancy said...

Sugar cookies are the best. Love the Garland. Have a Merry Christmas. Nancy P.

Kathy MacKie said...

Anything homemade works for me!

Donna S. said...

Enjoyed reading your blog today!! Happy Holidays!

saltandpepper said...

Enjoyed the SmileBox of your home decorations (got some ideas!). Thanks for the cookie recipe and the Garland instructions.Need to try both.
Merry Christmas! Chris

Debra B. said...

This post made me think of my Grandmother's tree, with a paper chain, made by all of the grandkids. Thanks for the memories!

SueJean said...

Thank-you Lynda for sharing your brilliant idea. I love the homespun garland and would never have thought to make it. Sure hope I win, you have the best fabric.

Twyla's Thimble said...

Just love the garland!! I thought I had too many trees with 8,so I feel great that you do more! Merry Christmas

Stitches said...

I need this garland for my old fashioned homespun tree...thanks for the chance.

NancyG said...

I am definitely trying out that cookie recipe!