Reflections of the Season!

Well, Christmas is almost here and what a Holiday Season it has been!

As many of you know, I decorated my home like the Mad Woman that I am ,
in addition to working full time night shift and participating in 2 Craft fairs and stocking my "Booth".

Since I decorate as much as I do , I usually open our home to our many friends.
Two weekends ago, we hosted 2 Open Houses, one on Sunday and one on Monday.
Yep, back to back. It was easier for me that way because it was my weekend off.

Here I am waiting for guests on that Sunday. I guess I was a bit tired........


This Open House was for members of the Victorian Society that I belong to.
I put Joe in charge of pictures. I told him:

No Talking, Take Pictures!

Here are the pics he took of our first Open House.....






What??? You don't see any?? That is because there are none to see!!!

He talked, took no pictures. He got a bit confused on those instructions!!!! UGH!!!!

So he promised that for our Second Open House the following day that he would do better....


Okay, he didn't have to take that one! I told you I was tired!! Like my silver Christmas socks????? LOL!!

This was the buffet table set up before the food was brought out.....


My punch bowl on a mirror. Idea borrowed from my friend, Joe Matteo , who owns the Stegmaier Mansion. I don't have the Baby Grand Piano though!

This Open House was for every one at our Church that helps us with the Flea Market that we run , the Craft Fair that we also assist with and all the other things that we do for our parish.

Carol, Mary and Regina


Mary, Maryann and Pat


Gen, Cathy and Peggy


Mike, who is Peggy's husband. Mike is always there unloading trucks as we bring the Flea Market items from the garage where they are stored year round to our hall for each Flea Market.

Peggy brought him because she wanted him to see our house to prove to him that her decorations really are not excessive!! LOL!!


Peggy and Janet
Me and Nancy


John and Lisa, who is giving Joe the look!! LOL!!


Lisa and John, both soon to be published authors!
Both are now in charge to managing events at the Stegmaier Mansion, the mansion's web site and the mansion's FaceBook site.


These are the links to some of their many sites:
http://www.victorianalady.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Victorian-Mourning/273627150562

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Passion-Projects/133921303297945

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Frederick-Stegmaier-Mansion/136448019725226

Lisa will also be giving several presentations during Scranton, Pa. 's First Night Celebration!

John's Book "Final Thoughts" will be out in stores in the Fall of 2011. He was recently featured on one of our local TV stations.

Lisa was responsible for making my dream come true.... to help decorate the Stegmaier Mansion for Christmas!
If you missed the Stegmaier Mansion Post, please click HERE

Thanks Lisa, my dear friend!!

Gen and Cathy


Sorry that the pics are a bit blurry. Joe took them!! He didn't talk for this Open House! LOL!!

I want to show you some of the lovely gifts I recieved from my friends...

This cute little angel ornament found a home on my Living Room Lamp Shade! Thanks so much, Ann Marie!!


Mary gifted me this beautiful Lenox Candle Light.....
Love ya, Mary!


Maryann gave me this fantastic book on The Traditions Of Christmas! Now does she know me well or not!!
I used illustrations from this book as part of a previous post.
Please Click HERE if you missed it..



Christmas Spreaders, candy and soaps!


So far, we have had close to 40 people come through our home for the Holiday season. These are the people who are most important in our lives and were glad to share it with them! ! We are truly Blessed!

I just want to tell you that I stayed very tired as I laid down for 2 hours after this second Open House and then went to work all night!! I usually get about 5 hours of sleep a day....Crazy, I know!

Now I want to share with you some Christmas goodies that I have bought recently.....

Love these ornaments from Sears and Kmart...



And these sweet cup cake candles from Kohl's.....


These cute pastry ornaments from J.C.Penney's!

Some things I already had...
A green Depression Glass bowl....


A Victorian stocking with red roses on it!!!


And I just bought this adorable snowman!!
Isn't he an elegant chap!


Who could resist a snowman with a lace collar?????

Well, this is my last post before Christmas!! Soon I will be going back over and posting regularly on my regular blog, Debbie-Dabble.

I will continue to post All Things Christmas here through out the year.

Thanks for a wonderful Holiday season in Blogland. I have learned so much from all of you but your friendship is my most cherished gift this Christmas!

On a sad note, this Holiday season is not without tragedy. My next door neighbor was found dead the other day by her husband. She was 67 years old and worked everyday of her life, frequently at jobs that involved all hours of work. This has made me stop , again, and think about my own life.

And , Joe's Dad was just diagnosed with prostate cancer. So that will be another journey we will be taking in the coming year....

I did not want to mention it before but before Thanksgiving I , myself, have just received a tentative diagnosis of Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. No surprise as I have been plagued with arthritis since my 30's and my sister has lupus. But I realize that my days of decorating like I do for Christmas are numbered so I think that is why I went all out this Christmas.
To put things in perspective, there are worst things in life than Lupus and as a nurse, I am well aware of that. And look at my poor neighbor, We all could be gone tomorrow!

So .....

Dance like no one is watching you!!

Or in my case, Sleep like no one is taking photos of you!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Linking to all these great parties:

All Things Merry and Brite

Rednesday

Show and Tell Friday

Deck the Halls Friday

Seasonal Sunday

Hugs,
Debbie