Tradition

Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."


Since we had Hoot we have been all about traditions and being intentional about instilling them in our kiddos. Almost every year we host a Christmas Eve Dinner. The guest lists have varied from family and friends but Gumbo is always the main course... We drive to Galveston the day before to pick up the best ever gumbo from our favorite haunt. This year we invited three couples that were not going to be with family this Christmas Eve and we had a blast. And BONUS I got to use my grandmothers sterling again this month... I'm in love with it! I feel so blessed to be using a part of my family history. (and it's absolutely beautiful.)

The conversation was great and we laughed hysterically. My good friend Kim introduced me to a fun table game a few years back and I decided last minute to add it to our dinner party agenda. Its so much fun. Each guest is given a sentence on a piece of paper just before dinner. The goal is to work that sentence into the conversation without anyone catching on that it was your game sentence. Here are a few I came up with...

"I'm so on the naughty list."
"Twerking is so much fun."
"Do you smell something weird?"
"I'm going to keep my pants on."
"Gumbo gives me gas."


IT was a SCREAM! A few of our guests actually completed the mission without anyone catching on. The kids played and I'm sure are dreaming of visions of sugar plumbs now.

Lambert read the kiddos the Christmas Story from Luke. We put out the cookies and milk for Santa.
It's quiet, the dishes are done and put away. Santa is surely on his way and we plan on enjoying Daddy's waffles and maple syrup in the morning!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Oh Holy Night

From our family to yours! May you experience the true peace that only comes from knowing Jesus as your savior.

Joyeux Noel

“The light of the Christmas star to you. The warmth of home and hearth to you. The cheer and goodwill of friends to you. The hope of a child-like heart to you. The joy of a thousand angels to you. The love of the Son and God's peace to you.”
― Sherryl Woods, An O'Brien Family Christmas

Scripture I want my children to live by at Christmas and always.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.



1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

I love the quiet cold nights in December. I love the nights when were not crazy busy and we have time to read, drink hot tea and play with the train set. This was one of those nights. Lambert was on his way home from Illinois and the kids had no activities planned for the evening. The only thing that could have made it better would have been a toasty fire... I'm too chicken to light a fire when Lambert isn't home. I am so thankful that these two kiddos love each other. They truly do. She drives him bonkers but he loves her and she adores him.













I have a big Libbie Birthday Post coming but I'm still swamped with Christmas sessions for those last minute Christmas cards that need to be sent out.

Decking and Slip Covering The Halls!

So much to post! So little time! I've kept my sewing elf busy busy this season. She is absolutely an amazing upholstery genius! She has taken very inexpensive drop cloth and transformed my home! You all know I am a Craigslist junkie and much of what I score needs to be recovered. My family has learned to embrace it and go with it. I am loving the look!

AND.... if you read my previous post about the sterling Repousse by Kirk & Son.... well would you believe...? (I could not!!!) that my grandmother owns a very similar pattern by Reed Barton. I already had 8 of the demitasse spoons in my china cabinet (and didn't know it!!!). My Grandmother was given this set from her mother for her wedding gift... She read my post and guess what arrived in the mail this week? I am still in shock and buys polishing. First I can't believe that she owned this and I never knew it and that I actually had pieces of it she had given me years back and didn't know it! (They were tucked away in a beautiful bag with other mother of pearl flatware she had given me. Libbie's birthday is this Saturday. We are throwing her a dainty tea (she wanted a ninja party) and will definitely bring out the new flatware!

Here are a few pics to inspire you to start decking your halls and look for creative money saving ways to enhance your home.


Love love the pleats

Excuse the clutter. I have not picked up this morning. We crafted last night in the living room and I have a destroyer... her name starts with L



Next I will rip out the fabric on the tops of the chairs and cover with drop cloth. I just scored these chairs last weekend and she completed the covers yesterday!





I loved the way the kids silhouettes turned out too. Spencer our Elf likes the new dining room look!


Aren't they FABULOUS!!













My tree is a little different this year.. I used mostly nativity scenes. This one is one of my favorites. It was also given to me by my Grandmother. I have 6 of them and they are a treasure. I love using items in my house that belong to family. It makes me reflect on just how blessed I am. Even though we are miles apart I feel a connection and they are close in my heart.




I love using white roses and pink poinsettias. Roses are usually on sale this time of year at your local grocery store.



AND THIS... is the very best fragrance out there for making your home smell like Christmas!!!


Back door Almost everyone comes to my back door so we had to adorn it too.


These beautiful Santas are from an artist in North Webster Indiana. She and her partner create beautiful one of a kind santas every year. My dad has sent me one each year for the past few years. They are hard to get as they only produce a limited number. They sell them at a local craft fair and the sell out quickly.


This one looks great on my bed!


I bought this ticking duvet cover last year in Dallas. I think it looks great with the Tartan Christmas plaid!

Holiday Festivities

We attended a lovely Gingerbread Making Soiree this weekend. It was a smashing hit. Owen and Libbie each got to invite a friend. The house smelled wonderful and it certainly put us in the Christmas spirit. I'm not sure they did much decorating. Lambert made the keen observation that the houses were sparsely adorned.... Which means they ate most of the architectural details that make a house a home.... That's okay... I have a recipe and the plan is to make home made gingerbread houses when the kids are out of school for Christmas break. The kids had a ball and that's all that matters.
















Do you think she liked the hot chocolate!!!



And Hoot indulged in the mortar a little too much!!

The kid has no shame and soon after all the littles were enjoying the mortar!

A Beautiful Day

Totally not a cat fan but.... Finley was beckoning the camera... so I took the shot.