Would it shock you to know that I took our Christmas tree down last night? I’ve always been one to take it down on December 26, but BEFORE Christmas? Unheard of! But this is an unusual year for us. The tree went up November 6 because we were going to Michigan for a book signing, but having guests for Thanksgiving just days after we got back and I wanted the house decorated for Thanksgiving.
And since we have a new baby in Missouri and a new baby in Texas this year, the 10-hour drive is too far for either family, so we’re meeting halfway at a lake cabin in Arkansas for an early Christmas later this week. While we’re gone, we’ll have some workers in the house replacing our kitchen floor, and they promised it would be a messy, dusty job. 🙁
So Ken helped me take the tree down, and I packed all the other decorations away except for a few we’ll take with us to make the cabin look festive. We actually had fun “undecorating” together and it will be nice to come back from our trip with that job done (even though there will be lots of dusting and cleaning to do.
Christmas will be over by the next time I post, so I’ll leave you with this favorite photo from Christmases past. My parents’ 12 grandchildren recreated the nativity on the farm where I grew up. My sister’s son Alex was born just in time to play Baby Jesus. Our four kids are Joseph, Mary, the King, and the littlest angel on the top step. ♥️ This picture of the cousins always makes me smile.
I pray that you and your loved ones have a wonderfully blessed Christmas full of laughter, joy, good food, and a deep appreciation for the Reason for the season—our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Happy birthday, Jesus.
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Love that pic! So cute! And I’m sorry, but that’s blasphemy to have already taken down your tree. That will surely go on the Naughty List. LOL Seriously though, praying for safe travels and wonderful family time. Soak it up!
It DID feel a little naughty, I admit! But speaking of lists, it also checked off a big item on my LONG to-do list and that feels very NICE! 😉
Wishing you blessings this Christmas season, Deb and Ken! And there is no doubt that little angel is Tavia, if you would have said it’s Nora I would have believed you!
There certainly IS a resemblance, isn’t there? 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Your house is so cozy and inviting! I love the photo of the grandkids depicting the nativity scene. What a great idea!
Thanks, Teresa. It’s sure a special photo for our family, especially now that the cousins are scattered far and wide.
Oh, what a precious picture of the 12 cousins!! Merry early Christmas for you and yours.
Thanks, Robin. And a very merry Christmas to your family too!
Merry Christmas and safe travels!
Thanks, Angie. A blessed Christmas to you and yours too.
Your home was decorated so lovely. I certainly understand you wanting to get all of the decor put away for such a messy job they will be doing. I would love to see the new floor once it is in. I have to say I love that big picture on your wall with the lyrics, And I think to myself, “What a wonderful world.” That is just beautiful. Enjoy your Christmas and those new babies. That is the best kind of Christmas, being with family.
Thanks so much, Rebecca. Our oldest daughter created the wall hanging with one of those roll-down schoolhouse maps and I just love it. It sums up my philosophy about this crazy, unpredictable world we live in. (Though I’m MUCH more excited about the world to come that is eternal and with no more crying or tears.) Merry Christmas!
I’m wishing you a wonderful early Christmas celebration with your family, Deb!
Thanks, Becky. Hope your family has a wonderful Christmas and that your college kiddos will get to be home for a good long time.
Hahaha–I missed Mary holding the baby (he’s just so small). I thought that “head” at the bottom of the picture was the baby Jesus…I went back to read…yes, you’d said he’d just been born. “Lot’s of HAIR,” I thought. And, “they must have photoshopped him in??”
That put the MERRY in Merry Christmas!!
Blessing to you, my friend!
Haha! Well, the sheep at the bottom of the picture (my nephew Wes) cracks me up every time too! He really got into his role. The “real” baby Jesus slept through the whole thing. 🙂
“House Beautiful” always describes each of your homes especially at Christmas. New floors are a good excuse to remove the tree. When I hear Arkansas I wonder how our life would have been different had we moved there in 1980. Mountain Home was a considered city. Safe travels and have a Merry Christmas with Ken and your family. Hope your dad can join you!🎄
Merry Christmas to you too, Daphne!
Have you ever considered recreating the Nativity photo with each person in the same position (for fun)? 😁
Have a blessed Christmas to you, Ken and the family! ❤️🎄
That would be SUCH fun. But considering the 12 kids are now scattered from Thailand to Scotland to California to Texas to Missouri to Kansas it would take a small miracle to get them all home at the same time!
Always enjoy seeing pictures of your beautiful home.
Merry Christmas and safe travels!
Thank you, Betty! A very blessed Christmas to you too!
Every time you give us a view of the “Raney Interiors” I think: “Wow! Deborah has a second career as a decorator!” The house looks lovely, even if you did have to take it down early. Thanks for sharing with us and have a wonderful and safe trip to see the new babies!
Awww, that’s so sweet of you to say, Lynne. Thank you. Have a blessed Christmas.
Dear Deborah,
Christmas blessings! I love to spell out your name, because I have a Christmas Day grown-up baby we named Deborah. You’ve always decorated your home artistically and in a way that says, “Welcome.” I like your page almost as much as your book writing.
It took so short a time reading your new Christmas novella, The Wondrous Gift, that I wished you’d written a couple more!
In my home I leave the Christmas tree up year round. I love red and green in my decor, and this tree is covered with family’s homemade Christmas stockings. I leave the nativity scene up, also. It’s the simple art of our Savior’s birth. (Because my artificial tree fell apart when I stored it in the basement, I found it easier to leave it up, like a friend, in my den. It reminds me of Christmases past. And future.)
Awww, I loved your note, Grace. Thank you so much. And I bet your Christmasy-year-round home is cozy and welcoming.