Merry Christmas Eve!!

This has been a crazy December for me!

Busy with church activities and babysitting the Grands.  Helping my friend Carter move and trying to clean and rearrange my home.

All came to a halt when the dreaded Christmas Cold hit me.  Runny nose, sore throat and aches.  I'm a bit better but since Christmas waits for no man (or woman) I've been trying to power through.  I've not been able to get as much done as I had hoped but Christmas will arrive tomorrow and it will be perfectly imperfect!

My tree this year.  Set up on the dining room table and so far Miss Annie has not touched it.  I may try moving it back in front of a window next year but we will see.  I've enjoyed the bubble lights this year. 

A shopping mouse with an Eiffel Tower bottle of yummy cocoa sits under the tree also.

My newest Nativity is itty bitty but so cute!  

(I see the sheep fell over) 

Only filled one cubby this year with vintage Christmas but my Angels and Elfs are happy to be out and celebrating!

The Christmas birds joined by an Angel and a new Elf planter.  What a mish mash this year!

On the same shelf is a canvas the church choir director gave us with 'Then Sings My Soul' on it from the Christmas Music Program we presented.  NO I didn't sing, I narrated! 

(Believe me that's a good thing)

A little vignette to remember my brother this year.  I've kept the candle lit since Dec 23rd his flying away day.

This is the ornament I bought last year to add to my tree this year in remembrance of my brother Richard.

More little vignettes and I found my first hairpin flower frog at a thrift shop!

More things added to the new shelf!

Santa is holding my new Maileg Brother and Sister Mice...guess who they are?

Tiger & Scout of course!

Annie Belle got a new stocking for her first Christmas here.  It has toys in it already and her first 'nip'!

I found this cute little cat ornament at a thrift shop and it's perfect for Annie!

She is such a pretty girl.  I'm so glad she is here and living in her fur-ever home!

The Tabb Family 

Santa came by our Christmas lunch and visited the children!  We had such a great time with our church family.

Wishing you all a

 Very Merry Christmas!

I'll be going over in the morning to watch the Grands open presents.  Then return with my Mom later for a large family dinner.  Tonight is Christmas Eve candlelight service.  I am so blessed.

Thank you for being my readers and my friends.

Wishing you JOY

Linda

More Thrifty Christmas!

I didn't think I would find much more in the way of Christmas items at the thrift shop, but I was wrong!

My best find was this awesome red shelf for $4.50!  It goes with a chippy red bookcase in my kitchen.  I know the shelf should be hung, but upside down it works on the bookcase!

A great place for some of my vintage small items along with my Kitchen Santa!

Not all of these items are Christmas, but all found the last couple of days thrifting!

Two 'baby Jesus' and two Angels!

My friend Donna collects these baby Jesus's and so these are for her.  I went to Augusta, GA to meet her for lunch and shopping and lots of these items were found with her. Nothing over .25 was paid for each of these sweet things!

The little miniature creamer had a cat on it so I had to have it.  The Santa boot, well like I said .25 and home it came!

I found both of these Nativities yesterday at the Habitat for Humanity. 

Adding to my small but growing collection.  Paid $1.25 for both.

My blog friend Claudia calls me the 'mini whisperer' since I have the best luck in finding miniature pottery at the thrifts.

Each of these was only .25

I think the two white pieces are Shawnee, but the Blue is not.

I want to share this photo of my Maileg pixies.  I ordered them last year when they went on a great sale that my friend Carol (Art & Sand) told me about.  Then I was gone for Christmas but they did arrive and so this year they are celebrating with me.  I put them in the old high chair that was my Mother's.  All her siblings sat in it, I sat in it and most of my cousins did also.  Both of my girls used it and now both of my Grands have used it.  A family treasure!

I'm helping my friend Carter get moved into his new home.  He has been staying here for 4 months while looking for a house to purchase.  We have been a bit crowded in this small 2 bedroom place (along with 2 cats), but I'm glad I could help him out while he searched.

Christmas will be here before you know it, so take some time to enjoy the season, family, friends and celebrate the love of God.

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Thrifty Christmas Finds!

I love Christmas thrift shopping! 

Always hoping to find some vintage items as I dig in boxes of random ornaments.  This year I found a few fun things!

This advent calendar was $1 and I added candy and took it to Tiger & Scout

they love it!

Of course Christmas books are always great and these board books for Scout were a total of $1

This Hallmark Angel stocking holder was .50 and is just like the one Sara had as a young girl.  So now Sara & Scout have matching stocking holders. 

My two angel girls!

(cute story when Scout saw the angel and was pointing out eyes, toes, etc she pointed to the hands and said 'clap'...Love it!)

Now for some goodies for me!

I got all of this for around $2?

Some was priced low and some was in a bag of 'stuff' for .25 so all in all a good deal!

This is my 3rd JOY plate and I hope to find at least one more.  WalMart had these several years ago with different words on them but I love JOY and so finding another plate for $1.50...score! 

The little Santa & Angel for .25 each

I almost did buy this Santa bank but he was marked HOMECO and only $1 so of course he came home with me!

Also marked Homco were these two Christmas Angels...one has broken wings but is still cute.  $1 each

Last, this little wooden head ornament

He is just so cute and came in the junk bag so a real bargain! 

Do you like to Thrift Christmas decor?

Let me know your favorite find! 

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

It's A GRAND Life!!

How lucky I am to have these two amazing Grands in my life! 

Tiger loves his little sister Scout and she adores him!  I love them both so very much!  They add such JOY to my life!

Before Thanksgiving they went to the mountains to enjoy some family time.

Tiger with his bow & arrow

Scout following behind him!

Our mountain boy!

Then a trip to South Georgia and the family farm for Thanksgiving!

Back home it was time to decorate the church.  It was a really fun time!

The wreath was almost as big as her!

Working on the Poinsettia tree!

So pretty when it's done!

Getting so grown up! 

The Tabb family lighted the first candle of Advent.

I really enjoy sharing worship time with my family.

A trip to the mall for some new clothes for Tiger who is growing so fast! 
Pants, shirts, jacket and new PJ's.
Then a fun ride on the Mall Train!

Scout's first time on the little mall train but I bet not her last!  Tiger loves it!

Always fun! 

We are busy as December will bring us parties, church activities and lots of family time! 

Wishing you all JOY,

Linda