Thursday, December 24th, A different Christmas Eve

We decided to go to the Chapel for Christmas Eve Service today because the timing of one of the services worked out with my schedule. Our church is under construction right now with painting the sanctuary and laying new carpeting. The Chapel is a non-denominational mega church and we know many people that attend there. Well, I think once a year is plenty for us to visit. The bass was so loud, I thought my heart was going to bounce right out of my chest! However, there were several elements of the service that I liked.

After my nap, we had our traditional Christmas Eve meal of Canadian cheese soup, courtesy of Candice's culinary skills.

Also, wanted to share these gorgeous cookies that the girls made:Last year was the first time I tried this recipe and they were a huge hit.

Wednesday, December 23rd, Finally decorating the tree

We had such fun tonight decorating the Christmas tree....at last. We wanted to wait until the kids were home. We had our homemade oatmeal cinnamon waffles for dinner and while Chuck and Candice were doing the dishes, Catie and I made and decorated a gingerbread house.Catie really loved piping the icing on the roof. The lovely finished product.
We set the timer and actually got the ornaments and the ribbon on in an hour!!
I really look for cute or unusual ornaments every year and I found this turtle for Catie when we were in Saugatuk in October. She informed me that it wasn't a "Loggerhead turtle", as are common in South Carolina, but she still loves turtles, no matter what kind they are.
We laughed and reminisced while accomplishing the task. Then we watched "The Muppets Christmas Carol", Candice's favorite.

Tuesday, December 22nd, I'm dreaming of a....

We had a lovely snowfall today.....is it too early to hope?

Monday, December 21st, So who gets their wish?

I saved the wishbone from the Thanksgiving turkey for when the girls came home for Christmas break. Catie and I made our wishes today and this is how it broke. What is the rule for when it breaks evenly? Each gets their wish or each gets half a wish?

Sunday, December 20th, A Christmas Wedding

Today, our friend Allison was married to Steve Erl. Candice was a bridesmaid as she and Allison have been friends since they were 2. Everyone told me that she was the most stunning bridesmaid, which I knew.....Andy, giving away his baby girl...The happy couple..Candice was paired with a groomsman who is the brother of one of Catie's good friends from middle school and high school...It was freaky because these brothers could have been twins, they look so much alike.
Daddy, daughter dance
Chuck left early and I was so honored to be asked to stay and party with my girls!!!
Catie and Candice had a ball with their friends.
We had such a blast watching Kevin, the youngest Searle dance and Bust a move on the floor!!These are the brothers dancing together. We closed the place at 11:30. It was a great party.

Saturday, December 19th, A whole lotta Holiday activities

Candice is in a wedding tomorrow and had the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner tonight. So, Catie and I planned a full day of local activities. Chuck still had some shopping to do, so while we were busy, so was he.
After doing some gift wrapping here at home, Celia picked us up at 2 and we went to the Genesee theater to see "Holiday Inn". It was very corny, but it was such fun for Catie to see this fabulous restored theater. We were a bit shocked by one of the very un-PC numbers.Catie had this lovely cookie and Celia and I munched on popcorn.
Chuck then picked us up and we went out for dinner.
At 7, Catie and I participated in the "Do it Yourself" Messiah at the United Methodist Church in Waukegan. We purchased the score and sang like we actually knew what we were doing. I have wanted to do this for at least 20 years and my dream would be to do it at the Lyric in Chicago. Someday, before I die.....

Friday, December 18th, The Tindells are all together now....

Catie came home tonight. She is getting used to this 18 hour drive from Charleston, but it makes for a very long day. She brought me my birthday gift and I opened it when she got home. I adore Pixar movies and she gave me "Up". Love it.......

The picture above is from Catie's flickr site. Click here for this shot and others.

Thursday, December 17th, One down, one to go

Chuck took today off and drove to Holland to move Candice home. She is actually done with her schooling on campus and on January 23rd, starts her Social Work internship in Chicago. Because she didn't come home last summer, she had accumulated quite a bit of "stuff" and it wouldn't fit in her car. I worked last night and tonight, so didn't get to join in on any of the fun.

Wednesday, December 16th, My holiday haven

Just wanted to show you how our house looks at night this season. Chuck did a fabulous job with the outside lights and yesterday, he finished assembling the Christmas tree. Celia tells me that icicle lights are going "out" in fashion, but I don't care.....I think it's gorgeous!!

Tuesday, December 15th, Guild Holiday party

Our annual quilt guild party was tonight. Very relaxed and fun chatting with my friends. We had Chinese food which was excellent, mainly because all I had to eat today was a protein shake as my sewing machine and I bonded for the majority of the day. Just like finding out Santa Claus isn't real, last night I discovered that you also can't base your life on the fortunes found in those delectable cookies. Two ladies at the same table had the exact same fortune!! And then we heard another lady on the other side of the room also had the same one.
Deb won the poinsettia centerpiece as she had this sticker under her chair. I would totally agree with the above statement.....except when you have a deadline hanging over your head....like I do!
I received this beautiful hand felted pin cushion from my secret pal along with a note that she is going to arrange a lunch date with Amy Walsh from Blue Underground after our reveal. That will be a treat!

Monday, December 14th, Celebrating a little late

Because of the craziness of Friday, Chuck wasn't able to shop or give me any gifts for my birthday on that day. Instead he went shopping while we were playing Bunco. So, upon getting up Saturday morning, he had gifts for me: (yep, that's my jammies and my "why are you taking my picture when I look like this?" face...)We always get each other an ornament every year. He does such a good job and painstakingly chooses for me. I usually get the ones for him and the girls.
He gave me a new scrapping--quilting tote. My original one has been abused so badly and I was in need of something a bit larger. A good birthday....as always.

Sunday, December 13th, Deconstruction

In addition to the spire being repaired and cut down at church, we are making some changes to the interior. I wasn't able to go to church today as it is my weekend to work. However, after the service there was a crew of people, Chuck included, that demolished the stage to prepare for a new one. I hope it is cleaned up by the wedding on the 20th!

Saturday, December 12th, Laughed til I was hoarse!

Last night was Bunco, hosted by me. Chuck and I worked very hard on getting all of the decorations up, but we didn't do the big tree in the front room, because there just wasn't time. And you know what? We still had a party and we still had a good time? Who would have thought?
We finished with our annual "White Elephant" exchange which always provides plenty to laugh about.
I received this hideous um...whatever... last year from Robin and I carefully maintained it so I could re-gift it this year. Poor Virginia got it and didn't quite know what to say.
There is usually one person who forgets to bring something so I bought this t-shirt at the thrift store. Tracy got it and loved it! She is the present, now that could be a gift or have a deeper meaning, such as she is not the past or the future...right?
Now, I didn't think this reindeer was horrible.....Peggy always brings the coolest things and Kim stole this bike riding Santa from Marie that Peg brought. Last year she brought a really neat old game that I wanted to get for my sister, but someone beat me to it.
Kate wasn't entirely thrilled with the candlestick that she got.Janet got a three-fer....Marie cleaned out many of the tacky Christmas homemade decorations that her mother-in-law has given her throughout the years.Now I got this brand new electric deep fryer from Angie that my next door neighbor stole from me. Yep, Robin, the Leanness Lifestyle coach got a deep fryer!!
I ended up with a hat with fuzzy yarn and a shawl. There was so much commotion that I didn't get a picture.
After the party I cleaned up and sat down to check e-mail. I woke up with my neck in a most unusual angle at 1:30!!

Friday, December 11th, 29th again!!

That sweet baby girl is....hack....cough....wheeze.....51 today!!! How is that possible? I only feel 29.
Yesterday, I nearly killed myself decorating the house to prepare to host Bunco tonight. So, I just finished up a few things and sewed before Celia picked me up for a lunch date.

First, she gifted me for both my birthday and Christmas because I gave her her Christmas gift today. A Edyta Sitar quilt calendar with two free patterns!! A lovely pair of earrings and my own special Diva wine glass.
Then we went for lunch to Park Street in Mundelein. Absolutely delicious!! We both had a greasy decadent Patty Melt, managing to eat the whole thing, and topped it off with Cappuccinos. A fun time with a great friend!!!