Merriment ~ Final Day

 On this final day of Merriment chain it's time for a content heart.The house is all clean and cozy..The baking will start over the next few days...

The true meaning of Christmas instilled in our hearts....

Our Christmas will be spent at Grandma's old farmhouse filled with memories in making and....

The ones that we love....

Remember it's not all about the gifts and the food but about the Joy..Love..and Thankfulness filling our hearts..Hug the ones you love and spread the true holiday spirit all through the year! Thank You to Misi and Robyn for bringing us all together to visit and share.Warmest Blessings to you and yours!~Amy

Merriment Day 24

Merriment~ All you very special friends who took the time to think of me this Holiday Season! Those little cards are such a special gift to recieve like little hugs in the mailbox...smile...

Gifts from Robin

 I've thought so many times of hitting the post button in the last few days but then didn't.I just have a cloud hanging over me this holiday and have been trying to get out of the funk and get some Holiday spirit.Alot of personal things and struggles going on but usually I'm a person who bounces back fast but for some reason this seems to be hanging with me.Hate to be in a Bah Humbug mood so trying to find the Joy.So many of you sweet girls have inspired me and shown the true meaning of the holidays and have really enjoyed seeing everyones postings.Today will be spent cleaning,baking and watching some christmas movies.Just trying to get my mind off of things especially things I can not change....Now a long over due Thank You to my sweet friend Robin The Primitive Hutch We recently did a swap you can click her blog to see what I sent her..Robin sent me some wonderful gifts and spoiled me....Black Prairie doll..Bird on old oiler..Stitched picture...

 Sweet Ginger Love...

 Had to giggle in the snowman tin I thought Robin had sent something Yummy like cookies..Nope inside was a bag of my favorite Dove caramels..She knows how to make me smile...

Such wonderful gifts from a dear friend! Well hoping all are enjoying your holiday activities and remembering the true meaning of the season.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Merriment Chain Day 18

 Just a few pics to show of decorating around the house.Hubby and I are going to Gettysburg for a little while this afternoon.Just out for a drive..Wasn't a great morning I bought hubby a coffee maker from amazon for christmas.He usually goes to Sheetz every morning and usually they get the flavors mixed up,scorch it,make it so it explodes all over you something every day and if you say something it's your fault.Well all he has been saying is he wants a coffee maker so he can make his own coffee and stay home and enjoy it.So I think perfect gift went out and bought a bag of Dunken Donuts coffee and have the coffee maker delivered.Well the packages were delivered and he goes out to get them and says umm honey maybe you better get the packages.Then so I don't feel bad he says I think maybe there is a swap box out there from one of your blog friends.Hmmmm go out and they mailed it in just the regular box that it comes in,no bubble wrap or extra packaging at all,So he knew what I got him.I told him he might as well just have it early since he knew what it is.Grrr I wanted to surprise him.Oh and they mailed the filter separate so he can't even use it till that arrives...Oh Well at least he knows he got what he wanted...

 Been so busy around here but things are starting to slow down.I'm going to sit down today and figure out some baked treats I can give as gifts..I usually do a special Black Russian Cake but the alcohol is expensive and it takes alot to make them so I'm looking for something new to try this year...This is one of my favorite's because everything in the pic is a gift from my blog friends....

Well hope everyone is enjoying the season.Joining in the Merriment chain.All are welcome to join in just click on the links on my sidebar to visit the hostesses Misi and Robyn.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Merriment Chain Day 15

Tomorrow I might not post,might not visit and won't be answering the phone or door.Why? Well it's gonna be a PJ day.Going to light some candles,close the blinds and start a christmas movie marathon.Starting with this.....

Surely will get me in the Christmas Spirit...This is hubbies favorite (shhhh mine too)..Yes this is what Christmas should be..I got a few of these type of gifts in my lifetime.You know the ones from the Auntie who just doesn't have a clue..(I tried very hard this year not to be "that" Auntie)...

Oh and really I can see why kids don't want to sit on Santa's lap.It can be scary....

Oh the nostalgia.....Of course I'll need this to snuggle in with.....

And a big bowl of .....

I like mine mixed with these...smile...

Yes it'll be the best day especially if I can talk hubby into making me dinner..smile..Tree lights twinkling,Yummy candle scents,warm blanket,and Sappy Christmas movies all day long sure Merriment! Join in the fun hosted by Misi and Robyn.Links are on my sidebar.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Merriment Days 9 ~ 13

 Well Playing catch up today on the Merriment Chain.To be honest it doesn't feel much like Christmas is here already.I've been so busy and the weather feels more like fall.But the temps are supposed to drop again tomorrow and we'll be piling the girls into the car for a night of hot cocoa and christmas lights.I'm also hoping to get a all day marathon of watching all those Lifetime and Children Classic movies,can't forget Christmas Story that should get me in the spirit..smile...Ok so 5 days to catch up on.Above is a wonderful birthday gift I recieved from my sweet friend Theresa Dulaney Woods Blog.She is also having a giveaway right now posted on my sidebar....Next up..Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE Dove caramel chocolates,Well I found these....

Oh my goodness pure heavenly yuminess! And yes I do read the inside of every wrapper..smile..

Would not be Christmas unless we give of the heart.This year I'm trying to do more handmade by me.So busily making some gifts for friends and family....

 So a few weeks ago I found a huge box of vintage mecury and shiny brite bulbs.Growing up these are what we had on our tree and tons of silver tinsel (always a real tree too)..So even though I'm selling them it has been fun going through and seeing the ones we hung on my childhood tree.Yes I'll keep a few of the special ones...

 Sweet snowfolk dreaming of a white Christmas..

 And so many of you have ask and emailed about were I got the Santa picture....

I used to work for boyds but what most people don't know before they were famous for the bears, they started off in our rural town making antique reproductions and wood decoys by hand.When the company grew into the bear company they had another line that did country,primitive,victorian reproductions.Artist would submit samples and they would decide if they would mass produce the item.If you worked for the company they had employee sales and alot of the one of a kinds were sold.So since I've never seen another one of these and it was bought at a employee sale it is either a sample that never went into production or because of the size it may have been a store display. It's been so fun visiting everyone.Hope to get back to commenting more this week and just slowing down and getting into the Holiday spirit...So much inspiration and all are welcome to join in the fun hosted by Misi and Robyn just click on the links on my sidebar.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Sweet gifts from Lecia

 Oh my it's been a hectic week.Had to drive to the city twice for appointments.Got the usual lecture about not staring but it's hard.For one I'm a people watcher and two everything is so differnt from our small town.I do gotta say I would never want to live in the city and I feel sorry for so many of those people mainly the children.I did decide to lock the door when going down through the rougher area's.Don't have to go back till after christmas..Also had a million and one other things,plus all the normal holiday rush....My sweet friend Lecia farmhouse prims and I recently did a swap.She told me when she mailed it ,but it deceided to take a slight detour.So I was stalking the poor mailman like a kid waiting for santa.LoL.Well worth the wait...Beautiful prairie bonnet,I have many of these that I have purchased from her but this one is a differnt style...I adore black dolls this one has a special stitchery and flicker candle...

 I am addicted to yummy smelling liquid hand soap she sent Gingerbread and a yummy tart in gingerbread as well..I love gooseberry patch books and have been looking for this title for awhile.Did you know Lecia is published in several of the gooseberry patch books? Yep she's famous..smile...She also sent one of her wonderful snowman hats.Lecia was so thoughtful of what I would love and made our swap very special..

She was one of my first blogging friends and has become such a special caring person in my life.I'm so glad to know her.I'm jealous of my SIL because she lives around the corner and can visit with Lecia.LoL.I'm hopeful we can talk hubby into traveling down for the crawl this summer and then I can visit in person.Stop over Lecia's blog to see the goodies I sent her.Plan to catch up on the Merriment Chain today or tomorrow.I've been visiting everyone just not much time to comment.Hopefully this week will be slow and lots of time enjoying the fun things of the season.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Merriment Chain Day 8

Oh my that sweet little elf on the shelf.We've had the tradition since I can remember.Ours was always in red and still today that's the one that touches my heart.As soon as I set him on the shelf my smile appeared and still when I walk by and see him the smile comes back.Growing up he would usually appear on the corner of the living room door to watch us and report each eve back to Santa.You were warned you better behave or he was gonna tell santa and no presents for you.My baby brother would always cry as soon as he saw him appear.(usually everyday when he remembered or saw him) I guess he figured he was definately gonna be on the naughty list..smile...I'm joining in the fun of the merriment chain hosted by Misi and Robyn.Click on the links on my sidebar if you want to join in the fun.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Gingerbread Swap Mailing Reminder

Just stopping in to remind the girls in the Gingerbread swap that your goodies should have went out by today.If you are going to be late please email me or your partner.Can't wait to see your goodies.Warm Blessings!~Amy

Merriment Chain Days 5 6 and 7

 Well it's been a busy few days and this week is busy too.Loving the Merriment post so today I'm doing some extra pics to catch up.If you want to join in the fun just click the links on the sidebar to visit the hostesses Robyn and Misi.....My favorite little cupboard all decked out for the holidays..I just love the huge santa picture.He looks like he's keeping a eye on you..Some close ups...

Enjoy your week girls.Warm Blessings!~Amy