Christmas Season

I've been an absolute horrible blogger these past few weeks. I haven't had much down time to even catch my breath, let alone blog about it. I've been busy hosting parties, attending parties, cooking/baking, decorating, cleaning, shopping, and standing in lines. This time around has been busier than ever before. I'm going to need a vacation just to recuperate after the holidays this year.

My husband just completed his first semester of law school. We couldn't be more thrilled about him having the next couple of weeks off. He needs it. Unfortunately, we still run a business so we'll be doing some travel over winter break. However, he feels very confident that he did well on his final exams. He took the last one yesterday. I truly feel for him. Each exam is about 4 hours long. He had 4 exams total. He told me some of the students broke down and began crying and walked out. That means they dropped out of law school. Ok, perhaps I won't be complaining about how stressful the holiday season has been on me to him, HA! I'm really proud of him for doing such a great job this semester.

For the past week I've had neighbors dropping off goodies on our front porch. I awoke to find five packages this morning by the front door. I love this neighborhood. It's like living in a small town inside another. Everyone is so thoughtful and sweet. However, considering this was my first year to this neighborhood I wasn't fully prepared to give all 30 households baked gifts this year. I ran into the kitchen and began baking cookies. I thought to myself, a few hours and I'll be finished. HA! 10.5 HOURS LATER!!! I was still in my pajamas, my hair looked like the 1980s band Flock of Seagulls, my kitchen looked like a flour bomb exploded, and I had frosting up to my elbows. I managed to bake and frost 144 cookies total that afternoon and then cheerfully deliver them to my neighbors. Martha Stewart has nothing on me, HA! I hate to be caught off guard like that but I managed to get through it. Next year I'll be more prepared.

Speaking of cookies, I hosted a Cookie Decorating Party for my husband's study group. They were really anxious about the final exams so I had them over last week to help them unwind. It was so much. I put out a few snacks and we all sat around our dining room table visiting while decorating cookies. Afterwards they took their cookies home with them. I found a new recipe for sugar cookies and they are fabulous. They aren't too sweet so with the frosting they are perfect. I'll share if you're interested. Just leave me a comment.

This past week I attended the Geneva Gardens Luncheon. We all met at the Farview Inn in Jackson. It was so much fun. The inn was decorated for Christmas and looked beautiful. I managed to get a few snapshots but there was a lot of guests so I didn't want to take too many pictures. I didn't want to disturb their lunches and relaxation time. However, the pictures I did manage to take turned out great. Hope you liked them. I also added some pictures of my own holiday decorations. I didn't go all out this year but just enough to make it festive. Again, hope you enjoy them.

My front door wreath

Our Christmas tree and fireplace mantel

My Southern Santa located on the buffet. Southern Santa is surrounded by Magnolias.

Southern Christmas is a fantastic book sharing all the Southern traditions

My little party table for the Cookie Decorating Party

This is the dining room that overlooks the gardens at Fairview Inn.

My first attempt of creating a gingerbread house

Second dining room overlooking the courtyard at Fairview Inn

Christmas tree at Fairview Inn

Fireplace at Fairview Inn located in the lobby

Porch rockers decorated for Christmas

Wishing y'all a very Merry Christmas!!!