Tis the Day After Christmas. . .

And I love the fact that Rod got today as a holiday.  I will really miss him when he goes back to work tomorrow.  He had Friday as his Christmas Eve holiday and today as Christmas Day.  Our Christmas was wonderful.  Rod and I opened our gifts Christmas morning before we started preparing the food for Christmas dinner.  I knew I was getting my Santas of the world, but had no idea I would be getting the other things.  I had wanted a new, small purse - one that was big enough for my phone and my cards.  I had picked one out and emailed him the link, but he told me he hadn't been able to get it.  But when I opened my first gift, there was my little purse.

Isn't it cute?  And it has a ton of pockets both inside and out.  I will probably take the shoulder strap off and use the wrist strap only.  It's so funny.  When we got married, I used a really small purse.  And as the kids came along and I needed the carry more "stuff", the size of my purse grew considerably.  Now, I hate the oversized bag and am returning to the little purse. This little gem is only 7.5" x 4.5".

I love Jim Shore's work since he combines my love of folk are with my love of quilting.  Rod also got me this figurine since Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite movies.

And how about this Goofy Marionette, also Jim Shore, that Kristin and her family gave me.  Isn't he just the cutest?!!  There's a little hook on the top that you can hang him with.



Enough about the presents, now about the rest of the day.  Rod and I decided we didn't want to spend the entire day in the kitchen, so we decided to make use of the 5 crock pots that we own.  The ham went into the big one, the cheesy hash brown potatoes went in the medium one, and then in the set of three we put the baked pineapple, the picnic beans and the turkey left over from Thanksgiving that we took out of the freezer and added some turkey broth to so we could warm it up. The cake was already baked, so we capped, sliced, and mashed the strawberries, and cut the veggies for the salad.  We were set to go whenever the kids arrived.  It worked out really well, and dinner was ready when the presents were all opened.

The greatest part of the day, however, was that my Mom was well for Christmas this year.  The past few years she has either been in the hospital or has just gotten out.  But this year she looked and felt great.  And not bad for her 83rd birthday.  Her favorite part of the day was when she got to pose for pictures with the four great grandchildren.  They all love her so much, and all give her hugs and kisses whenever they see her.  The four of them went to Build-a-Bear and made her a pink angel bear for Christmas.  Grandma loves angels, and the kids each recorded an "I Love You" message to put inside the angel's paw.  (Jake made some noises that were close to I Love You).  It was a truly great Christmas and I thank God for my wonderful family and all the other blessings he has bestowed on me.