A Very Cottage Christmas Experience

Oh the things you get to experience when the whole family comes together for a one night sleepover at Christmas.
Like a chance to slide down a half-snow-half-dirt-half-weedy hillside.

plus partly sandy, and wet at the bottom, as one kid discovered after sliding 10 feet into the lake. 

You might even get to hold your cousin for the very first time!

This year we had a living Christmas tree, the little cutie had it's roots all dormant and packed in a pot.
We chose a 4 foot Fraser fir which was purchased a month before Christmas, we kept it outside and watered once a week. After transporting it in the pickup the guys brought it inside for one just night. 

When the tree trimming team got busy!

The carefully selected spot for our growing Christmas tree is on a rather flat portion of the hillside, with full southern exposure giving it lots of light.

We dug the hole around the first of December measuring it to the size of the pot. A tarp had been placed over the hole and held down with rocks to keep snow and leaves out. Our plant expert at the nursery said to keep the tree in the pot for now and just place it in the hole. Put straw or leaves around it then leave it until spring as the tree is dormant now. When the growing season begins next spring remove the pot and plant the tree into the sandy loam soil.
 

Then it will grow into the 30 foot tree it's destined to be and we will watch it. Perhaps we need a bench nearby. 

And you, Mister 2 year old, experienced finding an iPad laying around.
How quickly a child learns to move the screen with his fingers. There you go honey! 

Here's a great experience, having your uncle teach you to play euchre. Finishing up the lesson with some of the "how to win" tips he learned in college. Such lessons are extremely valuable to a middle school-er,  as you can tell by the look on his face. And his mother's.

Another great experience; 
realizing a remote control helicopter might have a mind of it's own.

And now to let you know this happened.. this..

yeah. please don't tell me you are all neat about the gift opening.. 
please.. don't... 
even if you are..
we,
are not. 

But they do clean up.. whewww...
Love and hugs..
Sideline..

Cottage style Christmas

We had Christmas at the cottage for the first time, the cottage is 10 years old. Because life is what it is this was the first time we could manage two days away. 
Oh the thought of making it a get-away, a get-away for two days, away from hometown and a chance to be at the lake, maybe go sliding and just be there over-looking the lake. Maybe stay in your pj's and sit around. Or dance and jump with joy to the music. 

We watched the lake freeze this year, there was movement one day and stillness the next. 

But let's back up to the week before Christmas when I got to spend two days at the cottage prepping, wrapping gifts and decorating with a lifelong friend who was entirely more generous than she needed to be .. but she just is all that, she's that sort of gal.

My friend offered to help me wrap all the gifts, plus she asked if she could bring something for each person. Seriously generous, don't you think? 
Arriving exactly one week before Christmas we unloaded the packed full to the very roof of the Pontiac Torrent (with a peep hole left for rear view mirror sight) with food and gifts and we didn't stop moving that Tuesday until every last package was finished, 

there was coffee involved, oh and snacks.

Then for a few quick decorating changes taking us from a summer look to Christmas. 

On a walk a few years ago I discovered these long pine cones covering the ground on the east side of the lake, so going back with a couple of paper bags I collected plenty for this little addition to the great room.

By simply wiring them together then attaching a wide ribbon they could be looped over the curtain rods. 

They hung in six windows. 

On to the hutch; removing the summery dishes and replacing them with red and wintry designs was fun and took little time. 
The two fabric ball ornaments sitting on the plates were made by mom's cousin Rhea, she was famous for them! 

At least she was in our family. They need a showcase. 

Here are a couple of cottage-ie bathroom additions; these goofy birds tickle my funny bone; 

and for the downstairs bath.. 

We went to a couple of second hand stores during our stay and I found this lamp, 
it's serving as a night light in the bathroom; 

Do you remember these lights? 

Speaking of my sweet friend, as I mentioned, she wanted to bring something for each member of our family to place on each pillow. I had no idea what she was going to do. 
Along came a bag with 17 net satchels decorated with jingle bells and containing a piece of candy and a piece of paper printed with a Bible verse. Each with a different verse. 
Before we left the cottage on Thursday morning I asked her to go through the cottage and place the gifts on each pillow. She asked the Lord to put the verses in the right spot, for the right person. 

In this room our daughter in law received the same scripture she has above her bed at home.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path".  It's from Proverbs 3. 
So we do that Lord, acknowledge you in all our ways today. 

It was a wonderful idea!  The family loved this. 

Even the kids.

up in the loft.. 

One last thought before I close this post. 
Perhaps you'll notice the linens are turned back in the loft. This is why.

As a child my cousins, sisters and I would spend a summer week at our grandparent's lakeside home. 
We were always so excited to arrive and be together and do all the same things each year. We knew we would have supper on the boat, go swimming, check grandpa's beautiful gardens, especially the roses. We would have big breakfasts and listen to grandpa read the devotional for the day afterward. 
But the one thing that always welcomed us upon arrival at grandma's house was a turned back bed in the guest room. 
When I walked into that bedroom each year and saw the corner of the linens folded back and awaiting us I knew grandma was expecting us, wanted us. It was so welcoming. 
I don't know if the children noticed but this year at Christmas every bed was turned back. 

Blessings abounding .. 

Sideline Grandma..

The Elf on the Shelf, Mr. Kickles

Ever since Elf on the Shelf showed up at the house of these 3 guys I am beginning to think Santa runs a pretty strict ship up there in the North Pole.

The Elf on the Shelf was all new to me this year but as I understand he's Santa's watch dog in the house, he's supposed to be keeping an eye on the children, reporting back to Santa.
In reality perhaps the children should be keeping an eye on him! 

Here's the scoop, now let's see if I have this right,
The Elf is; 
not to be touched, only if you wear oven mitts or mittens or move him with a stick.
He can show up anywhere in your home, seems he moves around at night, while you are sleeping and not peeking.  
Every family adopts their elf and gives him or her a name. 

Meet Mr. Kickles.

Our children's family tossed around names and landed on "Mr. Kickles", pretty cute huh? 
But as I said, I do believe Santa runs a tight ship because Mr. Kickles has been living it up, having the time of his life. 
Hello Santa? What's up with this Kickles fellow? 

Right away he helped himself to a bubble bath.

 Then it was swing from the chandelier time.

 Thankfully he did manage to locate the missing 

Polar Express remote.

 

Then he took a ride! 

It was thoughtfully of Kickles to celebrate the little

two year old's birthday. 

You'll notice Mr. K hanging there, 

in the undies. 

One day the boys made a gingerbread train.

Evidently Mr. Kickles was impressed as he climbed right in.

Then things started to get really crazy. 

Um, Kickles, you're not the good elf are you? 

He's definitely enjoying this month long vacation. 

Oh boy.

Just one question, do you and that roll of TP

have anything to do with this? 

 I see you in that tree buddy. 

One more question;

are you on the naughty list? 

Mr. Kickles, enjoying his freedom. 

Sideline Grandma 

It's been stuffed dogland around here for months!

They grabbed my innerds and wouldn't let go, those little stinkers.

It was therapy, that's what, physical, mental, anti-stress therapy with a bonus of delight in the tummy just making these fleece Scotty Dogs.

Hi you guys, you make me smile.
Smile and want to play!

Last summer when I realized there was a cabinet in my basement with a stock pile of fleece fabric, plus a pattern  and I had just about enough energy to hand sew;  the dog factory in the house began to take shape.

All these plus a whole lot more fabrics turned into this;. 

a dog menagerie on my bed.

 Oh my..

 They took over.

 And now that all nine grandchildren have one (or two) it was time to find homes for the rest of these tummy ticklers.

And that means you mister, 

 And you too,, after you get noses..

The dogs were made from a simple McCall's pattern, the fleece fabric was a good option for my dogs rather than cotton blend since, well, I had stacks of fleece.
The up side of fleece is that it stretches, it's easy to fit, the dogs can be washed and they are so soft and cuddly.

 Sorry about those nasty pins in your eyes..

 And nose.

What do you think fella? You would like to snuggle with a child, wouldn't you? 

My favorite dogs turned out to be those made from mixed fabrics like this one with floral plus four solids. 

He's so happy.

 I've become attached to these guys.

But my closet,, my closet is over-run! 

Just like people, even though they all have the same facial features the slightest change in size of eyes, or placement changes their faces to make each unique.

Today I found a place for these honeys, they are going to a homeless shelter.
I can just picture children carrying these guys around under their arms. And snuggling with them. 

You guys be good now, no funny business! 

Sideline Grandma.