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Sunday, December 23, 2012

...and the stockings were hung by the chimney with care....

...in hopes that SAINT NICHOLAS soon would be there."

Most of us grew up with those words from the infamous poem...
....somehow, they are so comforting, even to this almost 75 year old.

Hi, everyone,
I have been working my fanny right off my body, trying to make things
look festive and Christmasey, amid all these boxes and disarray.
Our family tradition is to have a
CHRISTMAS EVE dinner, open packages and 
STOCKINGS.

EVERYONE in the family has a stocking hanging 
for everyone to put something special inside...
When all the grands were little, they would hurry thru their dinner,
tear open the packages and then say....
"Now, for the bestest part....STOCKINGS."

Yep, the stockings on Christmas Eve are a huge tradition and
I just love it.

 







Because we are 
SO BLESSED...

we have 19 stockings hanging...
and because I can't possibly hang that many stocking on my mantel,
I have these neat stocking holders I bought several years ago at
KIRKLANDS.

They are metal and will  last a lifetime.
I have one on either side of the fireplace.





The "grownups" stockings hang from stocking holders...
hahhhaa.....I laugh when I say that because just about ALL the grands are now considered GROWNUPS...:)



...there's DEEDS with her big sis, BRYNNA and the BEARDED ONE.
...awww....there's the TWINS, 
ANDREA and BAILEY
with their big sis, LACEY JEAN and Ole St. Nick.





...and BROOKS and DREW and Santa Clause.


I didn't get pictures of ALL the grands with Santa......too bad.

Maybe, if I am lucky, I can get photos of THEIR children with Santa. :)
HOPE and PEACE is what I wish for YOU for Christmas.

My mantel is a little
BARE as I did not UNPACK all my Christmas tubs.....
I will NEXT YEAR, tho

I should have got out some Christmas garland for the mantel.
For every tub I unpack, I just have to turn around and pack it again....
I am trying to have movers take everything we aren't using.

It will make the house easier to STAGE for selling, I hope.




I cut a few branches of cedar to use here...

I hope I remember to cut FRESH for Christmas Eve
night....





A vintage stocking for DAVID....my mom made it for him
when he was born and he is about to be 49.
WOW....
 All the stained glass stocking holders came from HOBBY LOBBY
about 6 years ago.

The vintage, STACY stocking was made by my mother when Stacy was born.
She will be 44 in April.

I've asked David and Stacy if they want to take their stockings home but they say they should stay HERE until.....
well.....until they feel like it's TIME to take them home with them.♥ 
 
This little BLUE stocking is one I put together 
for our first grandson, DREW, when he was born.
It's a kit.....I fell in love with the beautiful and sweet scene.
I added the inter lining of red,
embellished, added his name  and added the bells.
Drew will be 23 next summer.
and....he, too, will take his stocking when the time is right for him. 


I hope you have a day filled with JOY and DAZZLE.
 ................HAVE A PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE  
joining with:
BLUE MONDAY
MIX IT UP MONDAY
MOTIVATED MONDAY
MARTHA'S MONDAY 
MOSAIC MONDAY

35 comments:

Terra said...

You are blessed to have so many loved ones and stockings for each of them, and I know you are a blessing for them too. Drew's stocking is especially beautiful, I like how you did the lettering for his name.

Maureen Wyatt said...

This is such a lovely post to think about while I finish my last minute tasks! It's chock full of all the real wonders of Christmas - family, love, continuity and the sharing and caring that is the thing we most love about the day!

Mindy said...

Wowee! I love the Kirkland holders you found. Those are great for a ton of stockings!
My mom still hangs all our stockings at her house and Santa fills them all for us to find when we show up in our jammies Christmas morning.
She knit stockings for my sister and I when we were babies. Now OUR combined five kids have their own knit versions - one she JUST finished for Baby Laney and got it hung yesterday, ready for Santa. Her two son-in-laws even have their own hung. So in all, there are 11 hung on the banister going up the stairs and it's definitely one of my FAVORITE Christmas traditions as well!
Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family BJ!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Stopping in to wish you a Merry Christmas BJ.
Hugs,
Penny

Blondie's Journal said...

You have a lot of memories in those stockings, BJ! What a very nice tradition!

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas!

XO,
Jane

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Sweet stocking tradition. How precious to have the ones made long ago to go with the newer ones that come along.

Sending very Merry Christmas wishes to you and your dear family!

Debbie@Mountain Breaths said...

Wishing you much Christmas joy on this very Special day! I have that same rack to hang stockings on and it really helps :-)

20 North Ora said...

BJ - What a great post! It is such a blessing to have a large host of loved ones and to be all together for Christmas Eve is really special.

May you and your family have a very blessed Christmas.

Judy

Beth said...

I miss not having a big family gathering at Christmas. I grew up with 3 brothers and 4 sisters and sadly they are all gone now except for a younger sis and brother who live to far away to visit.

I am so happy that you have such a big extended family. Have a wonderful Christmas!

Amber Star said...

Oh Man! I just lost my really cool post. Let's see if I can remember.

1. Your mantle and stockings look so pretty. I just told my husband you have 19 stockings on your mantle and he was amazed! Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

2. Are y'all going to get some snow on Christmas day? The weather service is saying we might! The last time that happened was in 1841 the weatherman said on tv last night. Girl, we were still a Republic back then! It was before we became part of the United States in 1846. That's a long time to wait, doncha think? :)

eileeninmd said...

Wonderful Christmas post, lots of great memories. Merry Christmas to you and yours!

On Crooked Creek said...

BJ,
Oh, how I love family Christmas Traditions!!!I'm sure these Christmas stockings will look stunning in the new house!I'll be there next year to see how you make the transition!
Your continuing friendship blesses my life in wondeful ways! Thank you, dear friend, for making me laugh at myself!
Merry, Merry Christmas, dear friend!!!
Fondly,
Pat

Sonya@Beyond the Screen Door said...

Hi, bj! I loved seeing and reading about all your stockings! 19! That's wonderful! I have a vintage stocking too but don't display it. Now, I think I should! Merry Christmas!

Debbiedoos said...

Soooo blessed and so busy as a bee. I love that picture of you cutting and crafting") Merry Christmas Bj, and a very happy Healthy new year to you.

Madeline's Album said...

I really like the stocking holders you have the stained glass ones are very pretty and a great idea having the iron ones on both sides of your fireplace. Very pretty photos. Have a blessed evening and a very Merry Christmas. Madeline

Smalltowngiggles said...

I don't do stocking for the family anymore. There are 24 of us. Thought it was time to turn that over to their folks. Love your decorations. Very pretty. Wouldn't know you were moving by them.
Merry Christmas.

Debby said...

merry Christmas my friend. So many blessing you have.
I will be making snowflakes after Christmas. I think it is a wonderful idea.
XO

Susy said...

What a great tradition! We stuff stockings for each other too ~ I was out getting my hubby's stocking stuffers today. Stood in line for 30 minutes at the candy store for his favorite chocolate. I'm officially done ~ and so are my feet! Merry merry Christmas BJ. xo

Vee said...

A true mosaic...they look so good that I could reach right in and take one. Oh, I had no idea that snowflakes were going for some special cause...very cool.

Your house looks lovely just because you and Mr. Sweet are there and I'm certain that's what all the family will say, too.

Linda said...

I LOVE your stocking tradition! And I love every single one of the stockings! I gave my grown children - and they are ALL grown - their stockings from childhood and SO wish I had kept them!! Good for you and yours in thinking 'Home' was the best place for them.

God speed on selling your beautiful home. Prayers for an new and even BETTER one for you and Mr. Sweet!

joyh82 said...

Love your stockings and holders! Tomorrow we are doing our cookie baking and peanut butter does sound good!! Merry Christmas ;)

Adrienne said...

Have a wonderful Christmas, my friend. I hope it will be merry and bright!
~Adrienne~

Kathleen said...

Merry Christmas, BJ! May the peace of Christ be with you!

NanaDiana said...

What fun to have so many stockings to hang and fill...and to have them there to actually enjoy them. I love them-they are beautiful. I hope you had a wonderful day, bj. xo Diana

Pondside said...

Nineteen - now that is a BLESSING! The stocking holders are a great idea - clever you!
This year our daughter took her stocking to her own tree - and last year it was our son and his family who took all their's with them. This year there are just two stockings hanging but the number will go up and down as, over the years, military postings bring them closer and then take them away again. It's just so good to know that they are safe and happy together in their home, loving all our old traditions.

Lynn said...

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas BJ-have fun:@)

Marleen said...

What a lovely tradition, thanks for sharing your photo's. Wishing you a merry Christmas!

Audrey said...

Happy Christmas bj and Mr. Sweet.

Love the stockings and your traditions. I quit hanging stockings and don't know why. I should start over next year. I love the way you hang yours and the beautiful vintage and not-so-old ones too. 19 ... that is wonderful.
Blessings, my friend.
Hugs,
Audrey Z.

Theresa said...

I love traditions and the stocking one is perfect! I pray that all of your family will enjoy these days together! Love those cookies, I am making them this morning:) Have a blessed day dear BJ, HUGS!

SmilingSally said...

Morning, BJ,

Your Drew is almost 23, and my first grandchild is already 23 and married!

Will you get a diamond for this "diamond birthday"?

Thanks for sharing your blue.

Happy Blue Monday, and Merry Christmas!

GranthamLynn said...

Beauiful memories and traditions.
Thank you for sharing.
Have a wonderful time tonight.
Merry christmas
Sherry
p.s. don't forget your greenery!

Our Neck of the Woods said...

19 stockings?! Wow! You have been blessed :)

Merry Christmas to you and yours, BJ!!!

Rhondi said...

Merry Christmas BJ. I hope you have a wonderful time with all of your family. You are so blessed to have them live close by,
((Hugs)) Rhondi

Darleen~ Places In The Home said...

Christmas memories old and new are the gift that keeps on giving! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you dear BJ and your entire family! I look forward to many more posts, recipes, and fun pics from you in 2013.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Beautiful stockings!

Very late Visit from Blue Monday.
Hope you can still drop me a line at my BLUE post.
Happy Holidays!