A bookclub Christmas party

Before I left for my quick, Florida trip, I hosted our book club's holiday gathering.

This year, I am throwing myself whole heartedly into every opportunity to celebrate the season.

Lots of baking, lots of parties, lots of fun!

I'm hosting 4 gatherings, plus our family get togethers, took the girls to a play, attended a few parties, went to the Festival of Trees, and have Christmas lights burning brightly from morning till night.

When I had to have my decorations up before Thanksgiving, I thought it might be too much, that I'd be tired of all of them by the time the main event rolled around.

But nope, I've revelled in them and hate to see it all come to a close soon.  It will be hard to pack it up and say goodbye to all  of my twinkle lights and sparkly pretties  till next year.

So for now, I'm soaking up as much holiday cheer as I can cram into myself, and into these two.  We've done cocoa parties by the light of the tree and read Christmas stories galore.

  Of course, I've had to pay the price of all this gallivanting and fun.

My shopping isn't done yet!

Oh, I've made a few gifts, like these trees I sent to my sisses.  But for the most part, I've tried to make the holiday more about precious time together instead of presents.

Although, as the big day approaches, I'm starting to worry about my lack of presents under the tree, and really do need to get a few wrapped for the children, of course. I'm doing gift cards for the adults in our family, so they don't feel left out, but for me this year, it's about the joy not the gifts.

Comments

[Sheila Rumney]

Enjoy this magical season. Wishing you a Merry Christmas.

[Tristan Robin Blakeman]

wow - just discovered this blog via a Facebook posting. This is just delightful - so glad I found you - you have a new fan!

Happiest holiday to you!

[Tami Hacker]

A heart full of JOY shared with others is one of the best gifts we can give...may you heart overflow with JOY Karla! Merry Christmas!

[Claudia in Kansas]

Karla,

Your home looks beautiful and all the food looks so delicious! Christmas is a magical season to enjoy with family and friends and you are. That's great! Love the trees for your sissies. PS we are south of Wichita on the KS/OK line so we probably do have the same hard water.

[Leann]

I wish that the photos got larger so that I could peek around more:)

Wishing you all the joy the holidays bring Karla!!

[Karla Nathan]

That is nice of you to say, Leann. Sometimes I feel like Ive shown way too many photos around my house, and should stop. Its nice to know that someone thinks there is still something to see there. Happy holidays to you too!

[Karen Hillman]

Totally saying "DITTO" to the last sentence in this posting!! Yes!!!!!! it's all about the JOY JOY JOY!!! xoxoxo

[Karla Nathan]

And Karen, meeting up at the Guncles house was a huge blast of JOY!!

[Yvonne Welty]

Love, Love, Love the decorating pictures. No such thing as too many decorations. We had our Christmas with the son and his family yesterday. It was the best yet. Lots of food and the grandkids had fun helping me cook in the kitchen. My granddaughter made me a coupon book. Each one said she would do "anything" for me. It was the best gift I received. Merry Christmas to you Karla. I feel like I know you but we've never met in person.

[jeanie]

I'm with you -- even when they go up very early, I still don't tire of them. Like you, I'm trying to max out the season (and apart from the ice storm, it's been great!)

Sending you many warm wishes for the holidays!

[Leslie]

Oh my gosh, everything is just so pretty! I just love seeing your chandelier with all those gold lovelies hanging from it, it is just so sweet! And all those yummy snacks...I will try one of each please...

[Laurie]

I just love the look of your table decked out for book club -- especially the flowers in that little silver bowl!