The halls are decked!

Boomama and Tracey are both hosting a "Christmas Tour of Homes" for 2007 ~ on their blogs and I'm ready!
The teapot is whistling and the cookies are made...so pull up a chair and enjoy.

Here's my snowman collection...

This nativity was purchased several years ago at Michael's. I like that it's attached to the base so that all the figures stay in place.

The tree is up...

And these guys are waiting patiently under the tree...

Here are some of my favorite ornaments. Click for a better view:

I do like this whimsical Santa with a fuzzy beard!

I won the large metal snowman below in a raffle at work one year!

Just hangin' around...

I hope you enjoyed our visit. Please check out these sites to join in or just enjoy the other entries.

Get ready...It's comin'...

Donate a meal...

Shedd's Country crock will donate a meal for every story shared at their site ~ about how you shared with someone or how you were helped by another. Nothing more than a couple sentences are needed to be accepted. So please take a few minutes of you hectic day and provide a meal for someone this Christmas. I did!

There's a great site that I want to tell you about if your interested in free printables! It's Alenka's Printables.

I was looking for gift card holders and found that the money envelope works great! You can even edit the wording on the outside to make it personal.

They have everything from recipe cards to gift boxes! Check it out, the quality is great!
And have a great day!!

This Christmas...

Mend a quarrel,
Seek out a forgotten friend,
Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust,
Write a letter,
Give a soft answer,
Encourage youth,
Manifest your loyalty in word and deed.

Keep a promise, forgo a grudge,
Forgive an enemy,
Apologize,
Try to understand.

Examine your demands on others,
Think first of someone else.
be kind… be gentle,
Laugh a little more.

Express your gratitude,
Welcome a stranger,
Gladden the heart of a child,
Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth,
Speak your love then speak it again.

Christmas is a celebration, and there is no celebration that compares with the realization of the true meaning of Christmas...with the sudden stirring of the heart that has extended itself unselfishly in the things that matter most.
Howard W. Hunter

" God bless us ... everyone"

I better quit posting and get baking...

Southwestern Pennsylvania has a great mix of ethnic heritage and culture. During this time of year, Friends are asking “Have you made your Christmas cookies?”
This is a tradition shared in this area by folks of every background. Making Christmas cookies is a must….and plenty of ‘em !
There’s the Italians with the Pizzelles,

the Czechoslovakians and polish with filled nut rolls and Kolachky (a light pastry filled with apricot,cheese or nuts...

Russian tea cakes and European Lady locks!

So you ask, “what's a lady lock?”
As anyone who ever bellied up to the “cookie table” at a wedding reception in Western Pennsylvania knows, a lady lock is a small, puff pastry cream horn filled with sweet butter-cream icing, usually vanilla in flavor.

One bite conjures memories of grandmothers and great-grandmothers who came from Europe, bringing the recipe with them from the old country. Sometimes the confections are called clothespin cookies because the puff pastry at one time was wrapped around a clothespin to shape it.

You will find these cookies at every wedding, church bazaar or any family event worth mentioning...in fact, Pittsburgh had their first Annual International cookie Festival in November!

Fall Sunset through the trees~

"Wordless Wednesday"

To view more W.W. photos....click here!

~ Christmas Reminders ~

May the Christmas presents remind you~

of God's greatest gift - His only begotten Son.

May the Christmas candles remind you~

of him who is the light of the world.

May the Christmas tree remind you~

of another tree on which He died for you.

May the Christmas cheer remind you~

of him who said, "Be of good cheer "

May the Christmas feast remind you~

of Him who is the bread of life.

May the Christmas snow remind you~

of the cleansing power of Christ.

May the Christmas bells remind you~

of the glorious proclamation of His birth.

May the Christmas carols remind you~

of his glad tidings which we are to proclaim to all mankind.

May the Christmas season remind you~

in every way of Jesus Christ your king!

How would you like to find this in your stocking Christmas morning?

Marble Mansion
6200 Crown Place,
Collier Township,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This majestic mansion sits high atop a hill in Nevillewood, overlooking the pristine golf course.
Seven years in the making, it is what homeowners search for — built with marble throughout and an open and expansive floor plan.

Price: $4,400,000
Type: Single Family Home
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 5 Full, 2 Half
# Fireplaces: 8
Year Built: 1997
Garage Size: 6
Style of Architecture: 2 ST
Taxes : $64,373
The approximate monthly Principal & Interest payment
for this property would be $20,588.75.

The all-white marble master bathroom has ornate hand-carved marble and is larger than many people’s bedrooms, with a step-up Jacuzzi tub and more magnificent views.

Another World

The home features a wine cellar and an Italian-inspired “outdoor” café that transports residents to the streets of Tuscany — literally. Thanks to an elaborate sprinkler system, it can actually rain, and the rain drains into pipes in the “street.” The lighting goes from day to night with a push of a button, making the sun go down and the stars twinkle

New Heights

The three-story property features beautiful staircases, and even a small elevator to navigate its levels.

Exotic Atrium

In keeping with the Italian charm, a hand-tiled mosaic atrium, waterfall, and fountain add to the ambiance in the foyer, under the marble staircase.

** Not my style, but the article stated that there are several interested parties.