Saturday with the Boys

The boys came over on Saturday morning about 11am. We had lunch and then we put up a little artificial tree that's been in the basement for years. It isn't anything fancy. Just a basic tree that I bought many years ago. We decided to just do a small tree this year instead of the usual large live tree.

Both boys helped decorate the tree for a while and then Brandon wanted to bake chocolate chip cookies by himself. He did a great job. I had one while it was still warm and the boys had a couple each. Very tasty.

While Brandon baked cookies, Jordan wanted to know if he could finish decorating the tree by himself. I let him. After all, these boys are getting older and want to be independent. That allows me to keep an eye on them, yet let them spread their wings. Jordan really enjoyed decorating and the tree doesn't look half bad considering. I will post a photo in a day or two.

Around 4pm, it was time to take the boys home. I packed up some of Brandon's cookies and some candy that my friend JoAnn had sent over for them. They will have treats for the entire week.

It was cold here today with a biting wind, but we still don't have any snow. Many areas all around us do and snow is predicted in this area for tomorrow.

Wishing everyone a great week. If you have winter storms in your area, remember to be careful on the roads and be safe.

Thrift Shop Santa

I had one winter and one fall coat here that had been gifted to me and neither of them fit, so I thought I would donate them to Missions* for Bib*les. They were glad to have them and while I was there, I decided to browse a bit. On a shelf near the door I found a beautiful Santa. I haven't seen one like it for many years.

Santa has his list of children, as he talks to a little girl about what she'd like for Christmas.

Here is a different view and the price was right at just $5.00, so I decided to give him a good home while donating to a worthy cause. He looks fantastic sitting on a shelf in the entertainment unit where I can see him each time I enter the living room.

The Holiday* Trai*n

On Wednesday afternoon about 4:30, hubby and I picked up Brandon and Jordan, then drove across the city to pick up Mom. We drove about 40 minutes to the northwest to see the Holiday* Train, better know by this gal as the Christmas Train. LOL It has been running since 1999, but I'd never heard of it until last year when Pea from Pea's Corner posted photos.

The Christmas train pulled in right on schedule at 6pm. I had just bought the boys a hotdog and everyone hot chocolate. It was delicious.

The doors opened and Santa entertained the crowd by singing. Everyone loved it. I didn't get good photos because it was raining and there were hundreds of people there.

The kids were loving this and the boys enjoyed seeing the train all decorated for Christmas.

I got a photo of Santa himself and just after I took this, he gave me a handful of candy canes and a CD of last year's show. It all lasted about a half hour. When the rain began to pour down, we headed to the van where we could still hear the entire program. Many other people went to their cars as well.

If you would like to see better photos of the Christmas Train and enjoy a video of the show, drop by Pea's Corner. She went to meet the Christmas Train when it arrived in her community.

Winner of Pea's Giveaway

Pea over at Pea's Corner had a giveaway a week or so ago. She announced the winner and I couldn't believe that I had won. I haven't won many things in my life and this giveaway included one of my favourite things...lots and lots of snowmen.

Today the package arrived in the mail. Hubby brought it in and said it's from Sudbury. I was off to the kitchen in a flash.

I opened the box and was in snowman heaven. Snowman tissue paper and a nice handwritten note on snowman stationary.

These are all the beautiful things that were included in the box. A beautiful large roly poly snowman, a snowman soap dispenser, a snowman Christmas countdown, a snowman toothpick holder, square snowman paper plates and a snowman candle. They are all beautiful and so nice to put out display during the Christmas season.

This beautiful snowman looks right at home, perched atop hubby's replica radio and CD player. The soap dispenser is in the bathroom, waiting to be filled with soap. The candle and the Christmas countdown are in the living room where I can enjoy them while watching a bit of tv.

Thank you, dear Pea. You definitely made my day. Everything is gorgeous. If you haven't met Pea, be sure to stop by for a visit. Her blog is absolutely delightful and she is such a sweet lady.