Thanksgiving and the day after…

Now it is crunch time for the Christmas decor. Thanksgiving has passed and it was exceptional this year. We started what I hope will become a family favorite, the Pie Fest. I have pics below, and it was quite remarkable. Enjoyed every bite of it! Kaitlin, Jordyn, Taya and I worked on getting the tables all set for a scrumptious meal. Taya remembered to take pictures, so I have her to thank for the pics of the tables. I love looking back over the years and enjoy the table settings and remembering how fun it was to set the table just right. We hadn't gotten the spoons on before Taya took the pics, but if I hadn't said that it wouldn't have been noticed. Everyone did a superb job with the tables, all those who came talked and lingered and that makes me so happy. We don't see our nieces and nephews very much these days, so that was an added pleasure.

I'm not one to go out and get the great deals the day after Thanksgiving. I'm not bagging on people who love that, it just isn't me. I like to get out the big plastic bins that hold the magic of Christmas in them and start the process of putting it all up. The day after Thanksgiving is for getting serious about the trappings of the Christmas Holiday. I love it. Right now the house looks like Christmas threw up all over it, but in a couple of days I hope the beautiful things we've collected over many years will be up in all their splendor working their charm for a season I wait for all year. I found some extra gorgeous things Nana bought the last Christmas she was here and am trying to put them up just the way I think she must have pictured them. Jade has been a big help since I am very fearful of ladders on a slant. I am barely okay with ladders flat on the ground much less on an angle. The reason for the slant is that the only really good option for the tree is in the corner of the ramp in the living room. The ramp is flat right in the corner and the tree fits pretty well there. The problem is that the ramp on each side of it is, well, a slanted ramp. I hope I can get a good picture of the tree when it is done. It is something I wish I had done when she was still here to enjoy it. One of the shoulda, coulda's I very much regret.

We went to the Lighting Ceremony at the Arizona Temple tonight, mostly because we have never been there on opening night. I am cured for life. I will be most happy to just go on any other night to walk around the grounds. Way too many people. There were a few protestors, but they were for the most part quiet with their signs up. The Temple grounds are so amazing with their wonderland of lights. Such a feeling of peace surrounded by such beauty. I will have to go back and walk around more slowly and hopefully without so many people there. We literally could barely move down the sidewalks.

Tomorrow I finish the tree, get the garlands under control and go see my sweet Summer marry her Jamie. She will be a most beautiful bride and I have heard so many people say they have never seen her look so happy. It's true. She literally radiates happiness. We love Jamie and are so happy he and his two boys will be part of our family. This is shaping up to be a really special Christmas season. I find myself saying again how grateful I am for our many, many blessings.