Christmas Celebration

We have had a wonderful Christmas celebration.  The festivities started last night during our Annual Christmas Eve Candle-light service.  There is something so moving about this observance.  Sometimes it feels like we are so busy in the weeks leading up to Christmas, it is easy to forget why we even celebrate in the first place, but sitting in church, I remember deep into my soul.  The music was beautiful, the message timeless and seeing the faces of my friends and family in the glow of hundreds of candles made me eternally thankful for the babe born in a manger long ago. 

Afterwards, we came home to a casual dinner with friends.  We also enjoyed my DH's first attempt at smoking Boston Butt, and boy did he succeed!!!  It was super yummy!  I think it will become our standard Christmas Eve meal from here on out.  We spent several hours eating and laughing until it was time for everyone to scatter to their own homes and snuggle in their beds to await the arrival of Santa! 

Of course, this morning, my boys woke us and their sister up at the crack of dawn to see what surprises Santa had brought.  This year was the year of technology in our house (which I sit on the fence about, even though I love it!)  I was also the recipient of a huge surprise in the form of a new camera!!!  My sweet DH funded the recent renovations on Southern Somedays and he decided I needed a better camera as well and bought me my first DSLR.  I have a lot to learn now.  I have a great point & shoot but it is showing it's age (and my cell phone has more mega pixels) and mostly, I figure he got tired of my hinting.  I am so excited and a wee bit intimidated!

Florence Symphony Guild's Holiday Homes Tour 2012

A couple of weeks ago the Florence Symphony Guild held its annual Holiday Homes Tour 2012.  This year's tour had 7 unique homes of varying size and design which made for a interesting tour full of Christmas decoration inspiration!

Please visit the full tour album on the

Florence Symphony Guild's Facebook Page!

Christmas Shopping, Tips and Deals!



You can get your own Black Friday T at Black Friday Ads

Can you believe we are only 68 days, 14 hours, 29 minutes and 20 seconds until Christmas (at the time of this writing...at the time of your reading the time is even less!!!)

This morning after I dropped my boys off at school it hit... the Christmas Shopping Bug!  All of the sudden I was ready to get myself in gear to GET IT DONE!  Actually, this year I may do some Black Friday shopping.  I haven't done that in years but I guess I am feeling dangerous and want to live life on the cutting edge this year.  I haven't committed to this plan yet, so don't hold me to it (I am a sucker for sleeping in so that very may well trump any aspiration I have to run with the big dogs of shopping.)

One of the best preps for Black Friday Shopping is the website: Black Friday Ads!  They have already been sharing ads from retailers (some of them leaked) showing the deals that are to be had. You can also learn about some pretty nifty need to know tips such as Best Buy planning to do some limited*  price-matching of online retailers this holiday season while also offering free shipping on items not available in stores. The new policy is said to go into effect starting Sunday, November 4.  Black Friday Ads is a free service and you can sign up for emails and then receive all those early ads delivered right to your inbox or you can just browse the site.   If you plan to be tackle shopping on the most dangerous day of the year...make sure you go prepared!

Do you have your shopping face ON?

Christmas 2012!

Yes, I just titled a post in June, "Christmas 2012!"  Don't let anyone tell you that I am slow on the draw, no siree! 

When I picked up my mail this afternoon I was so excited to see that brown cardboard box from Southern Living!   Y'all this a high light of my summer (YES, SUMMER) every year!

Whoot! 
Guess what I am reading by the pool this afternoon???