Welcome to my Christmas Blog, A Debbie-Dabble Christmas!!
I am so happy you decided to stop by my Christmas Blog!!
Every room in our townhouse has a different Christmas Theme and Color Scheme!!
I prove that you do not have to live in a large home to have several Trees, over 20, in all shapes and sizes!!
The
majority of my Christmas decorations are placed in the same room every
year and I know that this is not what most Decorator's care for but to
me, it like seeing old friends again when I decorate each year for
Christmas as many of my decorations were gifts from family and
friends...........
I do try to add a few new things and change up
things a bit but for the most part, these decorations are part of my
Christmas Traditions and bring back a lot of treasured memories.....
I post 3 TIMES A WEEK on MONDAY, THURSDAY AND SATURDAYS.....
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In my last post, I shared my 17 Trees that I decorated for this year....
Click
HERE if you missed that post!!
Thanks so much, Charlene!!
And Thanks
so Angie, over at God's Growing Garden, for choosing my Blog Post,
Christmas Victorian Doll House and Hall way, as one of her features from
last week's Tuesdays with a Twist, Link Party!!
Please stop by and link up to these amazing parties!!!!
Well, it has been a very busy and even grueling Christmas Season this year...
I did not post my usual Monday Blog post this week because I honestly just need a break...
I needed to give myself some Grace....
This is the second Christmas without my husband Joe but it is the first Christmas after the loss this year of my dear friend Anne Marie and my neighbor Ed.....
I did not think that I would have such a hard time this Christmas but I was really very wrong in thinking that...
A FB friend, who is a widow for 5 years now, told me that the first year, you are functioning on adrenalin but that wears off and reality sets in during the second year...
Boy, did I find out that is true....
But let's move on as I do not want to keep focusing on my Grief Journey....
First of all, I wish you all a very Happy and Healthy New Year....
I certainly hope this will be a better year than the last 2 years have been for me and so many other people....
I will be posting about My One Little Word for 2026 and how I feel about the New Year when I return to posting over on my regular Blog, Debbe-Dabble Blog!!
That should be some time next week.....
It is a WRAP on the 2025 Christmas Season!!
In this post, I want to look back at this year's Christmas celebrations and share a few new ones....
It was a very busy Holiday season for me....
But first, I want to share my twin granddaughter's 2 year old pictures which were taken at Disney World in Florida...
As to who is who, your guess is as good as mine!!
I hope someday, I wll be able to tell them apart...
I am sure you know how much I just LOVE these pictures!!
Now let's take a look at how busy my Holiday Season was....
On December 4th, a group from the Young at Heart Senior Social Club at my church went to lunch at TGI Friday's...
We had a great time!!
From the left...Joanne, Rita... Vice President, me...President, Rosemary...Treasurer and Lucille....Secretary...
Left to right...Maryann, MaryJo and Alyson...
We were there for over 2 hours!!
From December 5th to the 13th, I had a stacation with my grand pups while Jim, Danielle and the twins were on vacation in Disney World....
Faye
Azumi
My grand pups definitely did some serious catching up on their sleep as they live in a very busy house!!
And I baked a total of 12 batches of cookies and 3 batches of fudge that week!!
On December 14th, I helped out with the Children's Christmas Party held at my church for children of the Parish and those living in the area where my church is located, sponsored by the Community Group in my parish along with the Laflin Recreation Board......
We even got to tell Santa what we wanted for Christmas....
My
fellow Community Group members and friends, Susy, on the left, and
Michelle, who is director of religious education and part time secretary
for our parish, on the right...
Then I got a big surprise!!!
I
had mentioned the party to my son Jim who had just come home from
Disney World on Saturday and he said they would be too tired to come
which was understandable....
And then they showed up to surprise Mimi!!!!
Even
though they had missed Santa, who I think needed to warm up as he rode
through the streets on top of a fire truck in 18 degrees, he left gifts
for Lily and Gigi.....
They had fallen asleep in the car so were just waking up....
They then enjoyed running around in the hall....
So needless to say, they really did not want to sit for pictures!!
We did manage to get one really good one!!
And we tried for more pictures.....
Well, you see how that went!!
LOL!!
I was happy to get a few pictures with my baby boy and his baby girls.....
It was a wonderful day, with a wonderful surprise!!!
On December 14th, we celebrated my son Jim's 42nd Birthday as he was in Florida on the 7th , which is actually his birthday!!
I set a very simple table....
I still had dinosaur plates and napkins that my late husband Joe had bought as a joke for a previous Birthday celebration....
A small cake from Price Chopper....
The twins enjoyed pizza and fries!
After eating, the twins were able to run around in the circle in Mimi's house....
Through the Dining Room, Living Room, Hallway and Kitchen and vice versa!!
Earlier that day, my grand pups had their spa day....
We all rolled with laughter when we saw this picture of the 2 of them that the groomer posted!!!
OMG!!
The looks on their faces wearing those costumes!!
And here they are after their day at the Spa....
On December 17th, The Young at Heart Senior Social Club , which I am President of, held it's first annual Christmas Party....
The
Laflin Rec Board was kind enough to leave up the beautiful back drop
and chair that they used for the Children's Santa Party that was held
this past Sunday....
Many were thrilled to use this beautiful scene for a photo opportunity...
The Young at heart Senior Social Club Officers....
Rita, Lucy, Rosemary and me, the President....
The party was catered by a local eatery, The Anthracite Cafe, which is owned by a fellow parishioner...
On the left....Baked Penne Pasta with mini meatballs., Green Beans Almondine and Chicken Franciase..
From the left...
The chicken, Tenderloin Beef Tips in Gravy, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy...
A Caesar Salad and warm Buns....
The food was delicious and everyone agreed!!
We also had a desert table.....
We ordered a cake from Walmart......
And many members baked....
I also made up a cookie tray and brought cheese cakes from Sam's Club......
We had a great turn out of 33 people!!
The part was a huge success which is something that I am very proud of!!
The Monday before Christmas, my sister came to visit and we enjoyed our time together....
Sorry, I did not get pictures of that...
Unfortunately, my son Jim, DIL Danielle and the twins were all sick for Christmas...
So I was disappointed that they were not able to come for our traditional Christmas Eve Holy Supper like we had planned but I delivered that dinner along with Christmas Day dinner to them at home...
My son Joey and I enjoyed a lovely Christmas Eve Holy Supper..
Even though this was not the Christmas tablescape that I planned. I set the table for Joey and I.....
I burn my late husband Joe's candle at every Holiday meal...
I served our traditional Christmas Eve Holy Supper.....
Pierogies as we are of Polish esecent....
Breaded scallops and shrimp and chicken fingers...
I tried something new this year....Lobster cakes and they were a hit with Jim and Danielle....
I also served mushrooms and whole potatoes in butter.....
They were still sick on Christmas Day and they did not want to get Joey and I sick so they stayed home again......
I went to 9 am Mass on Christmas Day.....
In the vestibule.....
The Church looked beautiful all in white poinsettias.....
I spoke with some of my friends after Mass before going home....
I again set a very simple table for 2 for Christmas Day dinner.....
And again, I burned Joe's candle like I do for every Holiday dinner.....
Christmas Day dinner was the same as always.....
A turkey breast
Polish keilbasi
A boneless ham....
Mashed potatoes with turkey gravy, corn and stuffing.....
And again, I delivered dinner to Jim and Danielle.....
On December 28th, my niece Renae and great nieces Caitlin, Carly and Carly's boyfriend Luigi came to visit....
Cait, Renae, Luigi and Carly....
I
ordered pizza from a local Pizza Place and served kielbasi, nut bread, zucchini
bread, banana bread, cookies, candy and fudge....
Joey hates to have his picture taken...Can you tell??? UGH!
Joey and I really enjoyed their visit and catching up with them....
On the 29th, which is Joey's and the Twins actual birthday, Joey and I celebrated his Birthday with Fettucini Chicken Alfredo that i ordered and had delivered from Sam's Club along with a box of mini cheese cakes.....
And then finally, on the 30th, Jim, Danielle, Lily, Gigi, Faye and Azumi came to celebrate Christmas, 3 Birthdays and New Year's since Jim and Danielle had to work both New Year's Eve and Day....
I served our traditional New Year's Eve Dinner....
Chicken fingers, breaded scallops and shrimp, those tasty Lobster cakes, cole slaw, french fries that Joey ran to McDonald's for and Mac N Cheese for the twins...
I set a really simple tablescape with a Birthday theme!!
Again, burning Joe's candle...
I got a cake and the woman in the bakery of Price Chopper was so kind and was able to fit all 3 names on it!!
Jim blew out the candles for the girls....
Gigi on the left and Lily on the right...
Lily is waving her napkin....
Why you ask???
Because Uncle Joey is entertaining them by doing so too!!
This went back and forth!!
With both girls giggling and laughing!!
Yes, Uncle Joey is totally smitten with his 2 beautiful nieces!!
The pups, Faye and Azumi, were also dressed in pretty red dresses, just like the Twins.....
Then it was time to open both their Christmas and Birthday presents!!!
A wonderful chaos ensued!!
Out of all the dog toys that she could have picked up out of the tub full of the pup's toys...
She picked out this Hockey Stick dog toy that Joe bought for the pups on a trip to Pittsburgh with Joey....
She preceded to hold it above her head and run in the circle through my Living Room, Dining Room, Hall and Kitchen, giggling the whole time...
We were all laughing...
Joey looked at me, smiling and I had tears in my eyes because I know how thrilled Joe would have been to see this even though I am sure he was looking down on us from Heaven.....
The disappointment of them being ill for Christmas disappeared and my heart was ready to burst with joy and happiness!!
Since Jim and Danielle were working on both New Year's Eve and Day, it was just going to be Joey and
I for New Year's Eve....
I set a table for 2.....
Joe's candle was burning.....
The Prayer Committee at my church put together Home Blessing Kits for the New Year....
I have the Holy Water and chalk by Joe's Candle.....
With the instructions on what to do....
Many years ago, the Catholic priests used to go around blessing the homes of their parishioners with each New Year....
Since Joey received a gift card from his boss from Longhorn Steakhouse, he treated me to New Year's Eve Dinner!!
This was his dinner......
The crusted Parm Chicken with 2 sides...Fries and Mac N Cheese...
He also got an order of Bites and they gave us a mini loaf of warm bread...
I also got the crusted Parm Chicken...
My sides were a loaded baked potato and loaded baked potato soup....
It was delicious!!
And last but not least, it again was just me and Joey for New Year's Day....
I did a new tablescape for New Year's Day......
I used a red cardinal tablecloth....
Red sparkly place mats....
And my vintage Old Curiosity Shop dishes....
I used this as a bread plate because I thought the clock would signify Time passing and a brand New Year coming in....
I love what I call the Charles Dicken's look to the dinner plates....
A Winter themed napkin.....
My red handled flatware and crystal lasses....
In the center of the table.....
2 gifts that I received from family.....
My family has a thing with red cardinals....
I am sure you have heard the saying.....
When my nephew John passed away over 6 years ago, his wife Renae went out to sit on the deck and a red cardinal appeared....
I began seeing a red cardinal in my yard shortly after that too....
When my sister Barb visited me for Christmas, she gifted me this beautiful Hallmark snowman with red cardinals on it....
And when my niece Renae and great nieces Cait and Carly came to visit, they gifted me this beautiful red cardinal Tea for One pot!!!
I thought they would make the perfect centerpiece for the table.....
As per my tradition of close to 40 years, I made my 4 cheese, sausage and beef lasagna for New Year's Day dinner....
Joey took some home and I will be delivering some to Jim and Danielle tomorrow....
And with that being said, the Christmas Season of 2025 is a WRAP!!
All in all, it was a great Holiday Season for me despite the disappointment that Jim and his family were sick for Christmas...
I hope your Holiday Season was a good one and that you got to spend it with those that you love!!
And I hope you will stop by to visit again on SATURDAY for my next post.....
Stay safe, healthy and most of all, HAPPY!!
Thanks to those who took the time out of their busy day to spend a little bit of time with me!!
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give me some way to reply to your comment, maybe by including your email in your comment. If I can not find a way to
reach you, I will reply on the post where you commented so please check
back......
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THURSDAY
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c
