Hospitality, Friendship, Encouragement

Monday, December 5, 2022

Weekend

 
Friday night I hosted our co-op mom's Christmas Party. We had a smallish group this year, due to busyness of the season and there are nasty colds going around.

I moved my couch from its normal spot, and it opened the rooms up to each other!



I had a lot of fun imagining this space if we move the kitchen to a new location with the addition.

Here are the dehydrated oranges. I put the cranberries in for looks. We had beads and bells to use to make our ornaments. There were so many oranges that several ladies made garlands. They looked so great!

Here is my simple ornament.

The cookie decorating station was fun, too.


Tim took a photo of us all with the tree! I love these women.


Saturday afternoon we went to see I Heard The Bells. It is a beautiful movie. Heartbreaking and triumphant. This is one I want to own. I'm hoping it'll be available for streaming, soon. It opened in 1600 theaters and the one we went to has extended its run by two weeks!
Go see it if you can!

After the movie, we went to dinner then we dropped by my brother in law's home. They are home through the holidays and we hadn't seen them for months! They had their living room and kitchen opened up, as both spaces were small, and it is wonderful!

I spent part of the evening wrapping gifts.





I'm still doing my plaid and craft paper wrapping. This year I found a craft paper roll at Hobby Lobby that had a white plaid pattern on it. The gift tags are from Hobby Lobby, too!

I hope your weekend was a good one. I love celebrating the season with special outtings or gatherings.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
    And wild and sweet
    The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
    Had rolled along
    The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
    A voice, a chime,
    A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
    And with the sound
    The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
    And made forlorn
    The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
    "For hate is strong,
    And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
    The Wrong shall fail,
    The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."

 - 1807-1882

5 comments:

Vee said...

What a full weekend! Eleven is a lot or would be in my home. You provided a lovely evening for them. The dried orange slices are the prettiest I have ever seen. So often, I see them with dark spots. I like the pure, clear orange color. Thanks again for mentioning the movie. It sounds like an excellent one for your home library.

Lisa said...

Although we have political beliefs that are 180% apart, I enjoy reading your blog due to the sense of hospitality, warmth and beauty that it conveys. I want you to know that I tried your turkey roasting method for Thanksgiving, and it was received with rave reviews! I will definitely make this a tradition. Thank you!

Buttercup said...

You had a fun and so busy weekend. Love the plaid and craft paper. You're inspiring me.

Mrs.T said...

What a lovely weekend, Deanna! Ours was festive too but the only photos I got were of my hubby's cookie tray -- and he took those! Wish I had thought to take my tablet along to the Christmas concert and record some snippets, but I forgot.

Yes, thanks for mentioning that movie. And as Vee mentioned, those dried orange slices are so pretty. Did you use a special method to keep them so translucent?

And speaking of methods, my daughter also used your turkey roasting method (for the second year in a row) and we all love the way it turns out!

Beside a babbling brook... said...

Thank you for commenting on my hacked post... new blog coming... I will let you know when it is up.

Lovely, lovely weekend.

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