a very merry Christmas to you!

It's Christmas Eve. Our tree is lit and the presents are wrapped. The girls did a great job trimming the tree, I think.

 The matryoshkas are on parade.

 The normally useless foyer pole is now bedecked with cards from people we love. (Another Christmas card fail logged for me this year. Lettin' it go.)

 The mantel is forested and the mirrored advent is now empty. Christmas books have been read and enjoyed.

  The paper crafts have been made and laughed over and dangled and mounted.

The snowflakes are hung from the chandelier. Yes, those are paper clips. No, after five years of hanging them I still can't be bothered to cut thread for them instead. Plus, paper clips add sparkle.

 The doors merrily ring when opened or closed. My husband will not miss this, but I will.

 My sixteen year old Christmas village on fuzzy mountain is still glowing warmly. See Santa on top of the Library?

All the tiny wooden ornaments from the mirrored advent have been hung on the girls' tree. 

 Playmobil Advent Santa has finally made his appearance, bringing a sleigh full of food for all his woodland friends.

And I'm hosting our family dinner this evening. I should really be cleaning. Or getting a shower. Before I go panic over the beef tenderloin I want to wish all of you a blessed, peaceful Christmas filled with joy, family and most of all, the love of Christ.