 |
| Santa Placemats |
I know I have posted a picture of my Santa placemats, in a previous year, but, I decided to post another picture of them, again! The placemats came in pre-printed panels, with the mitten pockets printed along the side, to be cut out and sewn on. I bought several panels and made three sets of four placemats; I kept one set for myself and gifted the other two sets, as well as an apron that had Santa's face printed on it.
This afternoon, my daughter came home! Her friend P drove her and they made the journey in just under 5 1/2 hours. Daughter texted me when they left, in the morning, to let me know they were on their way.
I spent the rest of the morning and early part of the afternoon completing that mile-long to do list I mentioned in my previous post. I had been dusting as I decorated, but, I have now tidied the place, vacuumed, done several loads of laundry, changed the bedsheets to flannel sheets, cleaned the bathrooms, and cleaned the kitchen.
My daughter arrived shortly after 3:30 p.m. and we've spent the rest of the afternoon and evening chatting and hugging! She loved the Christmas tree and the rest of the decorations and the feeling of space! Her studio apartment is less than 400 square feet and while my house is not huge, it is much bigger than her apartment!
I cooked a chicken curry, lentils (dhal), sauteed green beans, and rice for dinner and we opened a jar of my peach chutney, as well. Daughter enjoyed the dinner as it was the first meal since the middle of March that she didn't cook, herself! Afterwards, we sampled a jar of my home canned peaches - it was pretty good. But, the peach chutney was declared a winner! Later, I practiced the piano and she played, too, and we sang some Christmas carols.
Today, I am grateful for:
- My daughter was able to come home for the holidays
- P was well enough to drive home and offer her a ride
- They had a safe drive home
- Being able to hold and hug my daughter
- Answered prayers
 |
| Christmas Tree 2020 |
Today's joyful activity was hugging my daughter! I know that I am blessed to be able to have my child home for the holidays and not everyone is able to be together with their children, families, and loved ones. My prayer this season is that we will all be able to gather with our loved ones at this time, next year.
Plans for tomorrow (Monday) include putting in a grocery order, putting together holiday gifts, and, maybe, doing some baking. What are your plans for Monday?
I am SO happy that your daughter made it home to spend Christmas with you - being around the tree, which is absolutely gorgeous, is the best gift for you both. I am sure Dancer will share in that extra cuddling.
ReplyDeleteYour place mats are so cute & I like the idea of the pockets to keep cutlery & napkins in place.
Thank you, Mary-Lou. Dancer is definitely getting his share of cuddles! In fact, he seems rather bemused by it all! LOL.
DeleteSo very happy for you both that your daughter was able to make the trip home. Wishing you both the merriest of Christmases!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carolyn. It's lovely to have her home! Wish you and yours a very happy Christmas and may the New Year be a good one!
DeleteYay! Your daughter is home safe and sound and I know that you are both enjoying every minute. Your decorations look great.
ReplyDeleteThank you, June. It feels good to have her home, again. :) This has been the longest we've been apart!
DeleteNo family
ReplyDeleteNo travel
Even isolating here locally
Not safe
Enjoy
Love your blog
Hi Brenda. I'm so sorry you have to spend the holidays alone. This is a difficult year for many, isn't it? I feel blessed to be able to have my daughter come home for the holidays. She has stayed in her apartment for the last nine months, leaving the building only once when she had to go to her office to clear out her desk and another couple of times when she had to evacuate when the fire alarm went off; she's had her groceries and other items delivered. I have left the house only to attend medical appointments and to pick up groceries, curbside, and drop off some food to friends and neighbors. So, when my daughter's friend offered to drive her home for Christmas, we figured it would be safe enough to be together. Now that she is home, we will be sheltering in place, together (although I might drive to drop off some Christmas gifts, later this week).
DeleteThank you so much for commenting, Brenda.
That's the best news ever! I know you are both going to enjoy every single minute of your time together. How long is she home for?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eileen. We are hoping she will be home at least until her birthday in March! She is on holiday until the New Year and then, she will work from home. She doesn't have to go into the office in person until at least July, so, she could stay even longer, if she likes (I don't mind!).
DeleteWow, that's brilliant. I'm so happy for both of you.
DeleteThank you, Eileen. We are looking forward to having the time to really relax and be together, without rushing to get things done before she goes back the way we do when it's a shorter visit. :)
DeleteI'm so glad to hear your daughter arrived safely. Have a wonderful time together!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha. We will! :)
DeleteWhat a blessing to have your daughter home for Christmas. Those Santa place mats are so cute, they bring me a smile.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terra; yes, it is a blessing to have my daughter home for the holidays. :)
DeleteThe best kind of cleaning house is the kind we do before having people come, isn't it. It sounds like having your daughter home was indeed joyful. Enjoy your time and Merry Christmas! 2021 has to be better.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter was laughing and telling me that she's family, not company, but, it's been so long since she last came home that I felt the need to clean! LOL.
DeleteWish you and yours a Merry Christmas, too, and a very happy New Year!
Oh Bless, how wonderful to be able to hug your lovely daughter. I am badly missing hugs and cuddles from my family. Enjoy, and treasure, your time together (as if you need telling)! Love the placemats. Have a wonderful Christmas. X
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eloise. Yes, it is wonderful! I hope that you, too, will be able to hug your children and grandchildren, soon! In the meantime, enjoy those virtual hugs! Hope you and your loved ones have a very happy Christmas and may the new year be a better one!
DeleteIt will be a wonderful Christmas for you and your daughter together! You tree is lovely. Best, Celie
ReplyDeleteThank you, Celie. I wish you and yours a wonderful Christmas, too, and a very happy new year!
DeleteThrilled to hear that your daughter is with you! Have a wonderful visit.
ReplyDeleteWe had our outdoor Christmas with our family yesterday, so much fun, eating stew, and trifle for dessert round a bonfire, and toasting marshmallows. I have a feeling that future Christmases, when they come to stay over, will have to include a bonfire!
Thank you, Bushlady; we will! :)
DeleteYour outdoor Christmas sounds lovely! I like the idea of making the bonfire part of your annual celebrations from now on! It'll be a new tradition! :)
Me too, very happy for you both. Savour every second together, OK? (Like you need telling!)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lady Ella. Will you and your sister still be able to visit your parents with your new restrictions?
DeleteI am so glad you got to hug your daughter and have her home! Your Christmas sounds lovely (and peach chutney- yummm!!)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kezzie. It's lovely to have her home and the peach chutney (made with peaches from my tree) turned out really well. :)
DeleteOh that's just wonderful. What a nice blog post to read.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for you and your daughter that you have managed to be together for the holiday.
I know it means a lot to both of you.
It's been too long!!
I love those placemats and am glad you showed them again and your tree is really pretty.
Thank you, Debra. I'm happy that she's home, again. Just this morning, she was saying that it wasn't so much as being home for the holidays as just being home, period! We are both so happy to be together, again. :)
DeleteIt makes me so happy to know that your daughter has arrived safely to spend the festive season with you, and your tree is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time together. Xx
Thank you, Jules. I hope that you, too, are able to be with your loved ones this Christmas.
DeleteI am SO glad you can see your daughter! What a lovely Christmas/holiday gift. I can't imagine how happy you must be. It's quite a while since you last saw her. I hope you get to enjoy your lovely time together!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sharon. Yes, it's been 9 months since I saw her in person and that's the longest it has been between visits. :)
Delete