Christmas Movies Galore

Monday began with the installation of the mantel. Here Rod Newman puts screws through the braces and into the shelf, itself.

Making certain its level.

We had a nice visit with them and they left us with their vcr/tv so we could share one of their favorite Christmas movies that night.

Dad got the bubble lights clipped on that the Sister's Trip girls bought me from Texas. 

He also got all the Bethlehem Dinner dishes done.

And we realized we need more large wood bowls and goblets. We so appreciated all you did to make it our most memorable Bethlehem Dinner to date. 

That night we met up with Bruce and Di, and her brother John and his Finnish wife Reeta.  John and Reeta visited us on our first mission, and Dad looked up to see that they had paid for our dinner that time, so he picked up their bill this time ... only an accountant. (That was in 2016)

Tuesday Dad completed the second set of doors on the outside, now we just await spring and stucco and roofing ... (and a heating system of course).

Some people were looking at the house while he was working outside and he invited them in for a tour.  They are in our stake and live behind the hospital, their names are Paul and Clair Mensinger.  She is Australian and they met when she was a nanny in Chicago, and he was a new member in the same ward.  

That night we watched Little Lord Fauntleroy, that the Newman's had loaned us.  I loved it, it was sort of like a boy version of Pollyanna.  I've always known the name, but thought it was something much older.  See how good it is to have friends?

On Wednesday  I went to work, while Dad finished up some projects around the house, and took hams to our ministering families.  In the evening we went over to Nadine Evans home.  She'd seen a new Hallmark movie she had enjoyed about Norway, and thinking that is where we served our mission she thought we might enjoy it.  I told her I am half Norwegian, and that is why I loved it.  It was surprising how much the lifestyle portrayed is like Finland, though, which made it even more fun.

I thought this little carving of a troll, that played a prominent role in the movie, was adorable.  I love that the little girl sitting on his head looks like a party hat at a glance.  The movie was just charming. Thanks Nadine, who is from Zimbabwe. 

She told us about this 1,000 cranes banner a Japanese work associate had made, along with his wife, for Mark when he was so sick.

In this closeup you can see the individual cranes.  I thought it was just amazing, and reminded me of the 1,000 cranes that Spencer and Brittney did for their wedding. 

Thursday was Kim's 25th birthday.  That is so hard to believe.  We just adore this girl. 

On Wednesday Kathy gave me the tiny stick leg Santa, which I added to my Santa display before heading to work on Thursday.

At work that Day, Marci and her friend Linda stopped by with goodies and hugs. 

Then this lady, shown carrying the top of the desk, stopped by to get it after buying it from me on Wednesday.  I bought this desk with part of my inheritance from my Mom, and ever since getting the desk I really wanted (The East Lake barrel top desk I found at a thrift store 8 years ago for $60) I've tried on and off to sell it.  In the end I sold it for half what I paid, but then on the other hand the barrel desk was worth about 3,000, so it all even outs.  The lady was lovely, and I felt good about it going home with her. 

Dad picked me up after work and we headed to Heuers for more Hallmark movies.  First, we saw A Biltmore Christmas , a sort of time travel movie similar to Somewhere in Time, and another called Christmas with Holly. 

Moes, Heuers and Perkins.

And Robin gave me this Pioneer Woman Polkadot batter bowl she had found for me at DI.  Yep, my friends are cool like that. 

On Friday, while I was working at the Grove, Dad brought me Cafe Rio for lunch on his way to visit his sister Cheryl. 

And here he is at her place. 

I laughed at these two crafty gifts this gal bought for a white elephant party she is going to.  The tree is crocheted, and the cowboy silhouette is made of yarn.  At Treasures on Wednesday, I had a guy buy a white glass elephant shaped dish for the same purpose.  

This gal from Virginia came in and spent a boat load, her name is Arial, and she is lovely.  I love meeting like-minded people, and wished that she could live next door, maybe in Heaven, right? She drove here to spend Christmas with kids, in a huge oversized van, bigger than mine, on her own.  What a rock star. 

Saturday was Bri's birthday, what a darling, kind spirited girl she is. 

That day we took the TV and movie back to the Newman's with a little gift for them. Rod showed us around his amazing wood shop, and I just loved these guys sitting on a pipe high up on the wall. 

Later at home, I worked on this bust that reminded me of Ichabod Crane.  I saw it after my friend Aubrey told me she loves him, and I bought it to alter as a gift for her.  You can see the shorter panel at the top of the base that I scraped the composer's name off, then the sculpy I added to the base so I could carve Ichabod's name there.

Dad ran into Macey's to get the rest of the stuff for our Christmas brunch, and ran into Jared Young with whom he worked at Associated before he retired.  Jared was recently called to be a Stake President there in Spanish.  Of course, Dad always loves any kind of reunion. 

After Aubrey got home from work, we took Ichabod over to her, along with a ham from Dad and me.   She is so cute, she wore a beautiful red dress and came and sat by us at church.  We just love her. 

Doesn't he look Ichabodish? 

Darby, meanwhile, was hanging out in Montana with Dallas, but I noticed he doesn't appear to be at the cattle round up with Darby and some of his friends.  

It seems so weird to see her in Western garb, but I guess riding a horse, is after all, riding horse. 

Then, this afternoon it was fun to stop by and see Spencer's family on our way to Bountiful.  At Bethlehem dinner, last week, Van asked if I would come to his house for Christmas and bring some Pokemon cards.  I almost forgot, and didn't get any, so I asked around at church and found a 9 year old who agreed to sell me some. Here is Van with his collection.  When we got there, he asked me if I remembered what I was supposed to bring.  It was just priceless.

Here he is with his expanded collection, making for another Christmas Journal worthy story. 

Spencer working on dinner with an adorable audience.  Her sweet suspender kilt skirt is a three generation hand me down.  Brittney's Mom wore it as a child, then Brittney and her two sisters, and now Cam, and its still, and always has been, in style.

And their beautiful Christmas Eve dinner table, with the dishes we used since the 1970's.  What a fun family tradition.

And here is Emily's Christmas Eve dinner table, with the rest of the old family Christmas china.  It just warms my old heart.

We met Joyce in Bountiful for Bruce's family Christmas Eve dinner.  Here is shown Phil's youngest daughter who won the candy jar estimate contest.  She was so lit up.  We all watched the Time Square Church of Jesus Christ Nativity program.  Of course, we'd seen it on our phones, but it was even better on the bigger screen.

They also rang colored bell on cue and sang along with this Christmas song video program.  That was fun.

I laughed at Reeta's gift from Dianne.  It's the corner of a fleecy blanky, and since the two of them watched Hallmark Movies all week, like we did, I thought it was perfect for inclusion here.

It was fun to spend the evening with Joyce and get to see Bruce and Di's kids and grands and get reacquainted.  Its been at least 6 years since I have seen the majority of them. 

Ryan wanted a picture with Joyce, you may recall they became close first while both were working for the church's parking services downtown, and later when they took care of Mom together for 6 months together. 

Here is Ian, Tykena's husband and Jared.  Jared told me that Ian grandfather had invented tator tots.  How cool is that?  Of course, I had to mention that it was Napolean Dynomite, who had gone on to make them famous. And Jared is going to be a Dad again, his wife Jordan is expecting a little girl next spring, who they are naming Marigold. 

And this is Matt with his girlfriend, Amanda Gentry, she's a a professor at Weber State.  He met her doing western dancing last spring.  Don't they both look amazing??

Meanwhile Alex give's his sister a noogie at their home in Idaho, during a family photo session.

Much Better ...

So then Merry Christmas to all and to Charley a good night,

 

The Carriage House is Done and 10,000 Pictures of Bethlehem Dinner.

 It was a full and interesting week.  I met lots of interesting people, so I have gathered pictures of those I met at work, to start off a week of friends and family.

I'll start with a Treasures customer who came in dressed in detailed 1940's clothing.  Then she shared this picture of herself on a trip to Ireland to celebrate her love of the movie, The Quiet Man with Maureen O'Hara and John Wayne.  Here she is in clothing of the period of the movie, and this is a picture of her peeking around an iconic fence from the movie.

This is Maureen O'Hara in a similar pose.

Here I am with the customer.

The cutest thing is when her daughter wanted to show me a picture of her dressing up too.  How cute is this?

Meet Cindy Lou Who and Cindy Lou too. Cindy Gabbitas is a long-time customer, but I did not know her nickname was Cindy Lou Who as a child, until she bought this Cindy Lou Who from me, along with a Grinch. 

A fun visit from Santa as he shops the mall for his most discriminating customers.

Alicia, a high school friend of Emily's came in too, on Thursday.  She and Emily went to Russia after High School.

her family.

Dad went to Rickey Lamb's funeral while I painted the second carriage door.  We were a little short of time to prepare for our party the next day.

 When he got home from the funeral, we went to SLC to see Van's school program.

On Tuesday as we prepared for our Mosida Missionary Twelve Days of Christmas party, Dad replaced the flimsy and too open grate that came with the fireplace, with this antique one, which I've been meaning to get to the mall for, I am embarrassed to say, literally years.  Well, they do say there is always a reason for everything that happens ... and the grate is perfect for our needs.

And here Dad gets a sushi lunch break as he works on the carriage house. (Yes that is the last piece of petrified pumpkin pie from thanksgiving, with icecream.)

Then there is the table setting.

With my 12 days books as centerpieces. 

I had picked up these chairs off market place on Monday, and thought they were perfect, though I may reupholster them in a plaid for our Scottish Lodge theme Carriage House, someday.

Dad decided we wanted to use a 6 foot banquet table in the serving alcove, as the bigger dining table we used for Thanksgiving stuck out too far and got in the way of the traffic flow. 

And here they are ... I used an Indian Saree for the table cloth.  It was perfect for the narrower table, and was 23 feet long. There were 19 of us in all.  It was still a bit chilly, but Elder Newman shown far right, brought over his shop propane heater, and that helped a lot. So, we see me, the Hardmans, Sisters Smith's daughter Heather, and Sister Smith, the Marvins, the Crumps and Sister Pittman, then the Lathrops, the Brimhalls, Gurrs and Newmans. 

Mean while, 3 of my girls are relaxing in Texas on a girls' trip.  Shown here getting pedicures.

and going to the gym

and a replay of a picture from their last girls' trip 5 years ago.

Lovin on Johnny.

On Wednesday while I was at work, Dad was at Brother Peterson's funeral.

A little face timing with Emily, telling me about having her sisters visit. 

After work on Thursday, I met Dad at Eli and Adi's school program.  I told you about the funny skit last week, in the preprogram we saw about the carolers' who won't leave without a bribe.  This week Adi plays the part of the Mom. 

Both sets of grandparents were there to support them.  I didn't get pics of Eli's skit, because the program started at 6, and I didn't get done at work until 6:30 ... dang. 

But I loved this grandparent's personal Christmas decor, with the tiny ornaments in his beard. 

I spent a fair bit of time working of finishing up my mushroom to take into the Grove later.

On Friday I went to the grand opening of the new location of The Farmhouse Peddler.  This cute elf's last name is Socking.  I remembered her name from meeting her while she selling books from her garage last spring. She is now a dealer at this new mall in Orem. 

I also met this old friend there.

On our way to Salt Lake I dropped off the mushroom ornaments at the Grove.

Then we meet up with Clark and Kimberly Sevy in Draper for some catching up and Mexican food. 

That night Charley had a violin recital, which we are sure was fun.

Saturday morning I was off to Salt Lake to help with Darby's niece and nephew cookie decorating party. Here Reagan shows off a loaf of bread she made for her aunt Darby.

Serious concentration needed when measuring the vanilla. 

Van wanted to make Pokémon cookies, but without cutters, we were at a loss, until I decided to use the ornament cutter, to make poke balls ... see, my training as a Pokémon hunter back in 2016 paid off. 

Spencer working on his Spanish with Davin, who served his mission in Bolivia.

Adi and Daddy.

Daddy-daughter smooching. 

working with the black frosting for the pokeball, was messy.

But a great out come for everyone.

right Cam?

After the cookie decorating party I took off to meet friends at Robin's Roost, the store where we bought the carriage doors.  Here I am with Denise, Christy, Keith and Robin.  Fun as always.  I was supposed to go to another shop and then  lunch with Kieth, and Mary (taking the picture), but I got a call from Dad saying that a neighbor had given us tickets to the Tabernacle Choir Concert.  That meant I no longer had time to go with them.  But Dad and I were both thrilled to have gotten tickets, and I had things that had to be done that day before we left.

At the concert that night, we met this couple who is serving a senior mission at church head quarters, answering letters from prison inmates seeking all kinds of help.  It was interesting to note that this is their third mission.  Their first two were to Japan.  Her husband joined the church in his 30's, but as a young man had decided to learn Japanese.  So fun.  She said they had considered going to India, but her husband is 80, and they were concerned about health care in the event if a health incident. We expect to have them come down to dinner after the first of the year. 

On Sunday I finally got my polkadot ball added to the mistle toe.  

Things Dad finished up this week.  Getting the rock on the fireplace grouted, putting in the last of the windows in the carriage doors, adding baseboards and trim around the windows (Not shown) and perfecting the carriage door roller system. 

Dad lights candles in preparation for Bethlehem Dinner. 

The table is set for 23

Then we have carolerss ...

and meal prep.

cute helpers

cheese and bread ...

Time to dress up, Adi and Trevor.

Darby works on more meal prep.

Eva is on the work crew too.

more cheese and olives and condiments, as well as the 'new wine'.

Another shot of the main food table.  Trevor smoked some 'fatted calf', as well as some veggies, yum.

and here we are at table ... Nell is demonstrating the temperature.

another pic of the right side of the table with everyone looking. 

Davin went outside and rubbed dirt on his face to perfect his Bedowin image.

Time to rely on those candles.

We had to move a candle to the food table.

Time to serve yourself.

Mary (Madi) gets ready to dig in.

Sorry, I know its blurry, but I love it anyway.

Cam and Mac seemed to form a special bond.

Look how protective he is, as Dad reads the Christmas Story from Luke.

The she grabbed his hand and said, "Let's dance!" I took about 40 pictures trying to capture the fun and emotion of their dancing. 

I am sure Abish, on the right, was a bit overwhelmed by the crush once we came into the house for the Christmas story and gift exchange.  Oh and Spencer got in some good practicing by talking to her, as she is from Bolivia. (You may recall that his language for his diplomatic service in India is Spanish, to prepare him for future assignments, since they pretty much speak English in India.) 

cute interlocking of fingers.

dancing

Cam loved her stuffed animal that she was gifted in the exchange.  I thought it was super cool that Becca had her kids wrap their gifts to their cousins, what a great mom. Of course, all the moms are also amazing.

You can't tell what the purple thing is, but its a cow, and Cam was enchanted with it. She said it was her favorite. 

Spencer got a record by a favorite band.

Then Emily was facetimed to watch me open a combined gift from her and Becca and Britt. They had gone antiqueing together to gather goodies they thought I would like.  It was so fun, a sort of antiques road show meets family fun as I told them the age and value of each item.  Davin loved the uranium glass, and bought it from me on the spot.

Who knew my boys also carries a black light on his person.  

The rest of the pictures were taken by Trevor, and I thought they were so lovely, I am adding them here. (He also did the uranium glass picture)  Thanks Trevor.

Because of our kids and their spouses we had the most extensive menu ever.  In fact I will be out their gathers more wooden serving pieces this year. 

Needless to say this was not a boring week, and we loved every moment of it.