~ of a White Christmas. It is not often we have a white Christmas here on Ohio's north coast, and it has been many years since we have had a snowstorm of this magnitude.
Seven of us were gathered at my house to celebrate the day. I know some of you may not agree with my decision to host others on Christmas Day. In life there are no guarantees and we may not all be here to celebrate in 2021, so I was not going to miss the opportunity to spend time with the people most important to me.
The girls were all decked out for Christmas, too. My brother brought their light up necklaces and they were content wearing them all day.
After everyone had gone home and the dishes finally done (about 10:30 ~ I have no dishwasher and choose not to have help) ~ I just walked around the living and dining area and took a few pictures.
And the saga with my Christmas packages continues. The package traveling the farthest, 2000+ miles, arrived first. The second farthest destination, Alabama, the package arrived today. The package with a destination 125 miles from my house is still "In transit, arriving late". The one to Virginia is now in Virginia. I know there are staffing issues due to Covid, but I still find this totally unacceptable.
I hope everyone had a Merry little Christmas no matter how you chose to celebrate it. We are so fortunate to live in this great land called the USA where we have the freedoms we enjoy. We must never take them for granted.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Pug hugs 😊
Lauren
Absolutely beautiful photos Lauren, your house is so warm and cozy!
ReplyDeleteI agree totally with enjoying life and living every single day to the fullest :-)
Happy new year to you and your pugs!
Lori from not forgotten Farm
My visit with my son, grandson and DIL was nice but brief. Even tho Cathy is over her Covid virus (after 3 weeks) I didn't want to take a chance so wore a mask until photo time. It was nice to see my them even tho briefly. Your home is very warm and welcoming and love that cozy fire, is that wood fireplace or propane fire logs?
ReplyDeleteHow did the girls get along this time? Or maybe those light necklaces helped distract them from anger issues?
Is that an OTT light near your sofa? It reminds me of one I used to have and right after adopting Ben was playing with him he went for a ball behind a chair and bullied his head right through and knocked the lamp over breaking the glass shade.
Oh, I agree. Take it from a person with almost no living relatives left...be with them all you can! Pugs look so cute and proud of their necklaces. They know when they are wearing "finery."
ReplyDeleteYour home is so cute. I too wanted a white Christmas, and boy did we get it. Too much. But it is pretty. I'm glad you had a good Christmas. I came back to be with family, especially to see the grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved white houses in the snow as it makes them shine! Yours is no exception. How pretty your home looks with all of those twinkling lights. So magical. We finally had a white Christmas here in Michigan too. Its been a long time for us too. About 5 inches and Tundra loves It! Your gal looks so festive too with her light bulb necklace. Too cute! Janice
ReplyDeleteI'm so enjoying those wide-angle shots of your beautifully decorated home and it is picture-perfect and like Julie's, it belongs in a prim magazine. It sure has a Christmassy atmosphere. My Christmas decor pales next to yours but I'm satisfied with it just the same. Thanks so much for the house tour.
ReplyDeleteStay safe and well.
Hugs.
I have a pkg I ordered on Dec 11 and it has been in transit since Dec 16. Glad to hear that you bucked authorities and had people over. We have no guarantee that they will be here next year. Happy New Year 🎉🎉🎉
ReplyDeleteI was not going to stay apart from the kids at Christmas and I don't blame. you, we never know when it could be our last.
ReplyDeleteLove all your decorations and it feels so warm and inviting. I cannot believe how bad the PO is with deliveries, not even sure if ones I sent, got there. I figure I will wait a few days and if no word, I will have to ask.
Debbie
Ahhh...you and I...we be rebels at heart. I stormed my mom's assisted living place the day before Christmas, armed with a mask and Fig Newtons (her favorite) and was bound and determined to make them let me see her. She is 91. Every day could be her last...let alone her last Christmas. And she has already had...and survived COVID. But no go. They would not let me beyond the first entry. I was allowed to "view" her from outside through a window and speak to her on the phone. But, she has dementia and could not understand that not only was I outside her window, but I was talking to her on the phone (she isn't familiar with cell phones, so what I held to my ear was probably strange). She kept motioning for me to come to her, which I couldn't...and then I started crying...and then she kept saying "Robin's outside crying...please help her." I shouldn't have gone. And that was the start of a very heartbreaking holiday. So, yes...you're absolutely right, in my opinion, to "break the rules" and enjoy the company of your family while you can. I would too...if I had any. Your home is positively gorgeous. I don't believe you've ever shown us views like this and I am so glad you have. It gives me perspective...and what an incredible one it is. But I had to laugh about the "clean up"...that is soooo me... Refuse help...for reasons of our own (which I am sure are the very same) even if it means working into late hours. I am glad you were able to embrace your loved ones. Me, I am glad the "days" are behind me. ~ET~
ReplyDeleteI think you should do what makes you happy and comfortable. You are right there are no guarantees in anything. Your home is lovely and inviting. So glad you had a wonderful holiday
ReplyDeletecathy
ps the package thing is beyond me I still have something that finally made it to our state about an hour and half away and it has been in transit since Dec 14 of course it was mailed Nov 30th.
Cathy
Merry Christmas a few days late! Your home & all your decorations are amazing & everything looks very festive! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteNo snow in SW Ohio, well we had a few flurries off & on, but boy did you guys get it & it looks wonderful! I agree with enjoy what time we have with our loved ones! We never know what tomorrow will bring. I’m ready for some slow, quiet days in front of the warm cozy fire with my dogs & Hooking frame! Take care & Happy New Year!
Jo
You home is beautiful Lauren! All of your Christmas decorations & trees are amazing! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas & wishing you a Happy New Year. Be safe!
ReplyDeleteWe did the same thing, Lauren...we went to our son's home for dinner on Christmas Eve, and then on Christmas Day, we had two more of our kid's & families on Christmas day and then yesterday, we had my mom and brother over for dinner...I know we broke the recommended rules, but praying we'd all be safe! I'd rather gather with loved ones than go out to a shopping mall where you are standing toe to toe with strangers! I'm glad you had a nice Christmas...your home is lovely! Have a wonderful week...hopefully, we're in the homestretch of this terrible era!
ReplyDeleteAfter company leaves, dishes are done, house is in order, sitting and relaxing in peace and quiet feels so good. Your home is so lovely and warm. Hope the pups managed to be good girls in their finery.
ReplyDeleteI agree! No one knows what tomorrow will bring... so you must enjoy each day... especially Christmas! I think that most folks have figured a way to "be safe" and still be together. I do like that doodles about USPS... lol! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteYour charming home looked warm and welcoming....well, at least inside it did!! My girls and their families gathered here, as well. Honestly, this family unit has continued to gather on important occasions despite covid. We have been blessed thus far to not be touched by covid. The girls looked adorable. My dogs would not have been so agreeable. Praying that the new year will be a good one for you....well, for all of us. Very weary of 2020.
ReplyDeleteI felt a lot like you Lauren - such a horrible year, no one knows who or how many might be here for another Christmas. I also walked around and took a few photos at my folks wonderful Christmas cottage in the woods. Your things are lovely - so many awesome collections. I can't believe you had a lovely white Christmas, your house looks so pretty in the snow. cute Christmas pups too! Happy New Year to you! I'm always trying to catch up on blog reading :) God bless America - Mel
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