This & That: Around Here This Week

So around here this week....

I've been on my own trying to get the Christmas decoration bins unloaded. My husband and all the boys except Bryce, who had school, went on an outdoor adventure for the week. It also included my father-in-law, my brother-in-law, his son, and a couple of family friends. A regular Allan Man-Fest. Back to real life.... My daughter put together this display for the dining room table before she left last weekend. I really love it, and thing I'll try to keep it going seasonally through the year. I really love that there's a nativity incorporated into the design. Donna, you might recognize it. :)

You'll all be glad to know the reindeer stalk is in place courtesy of Bryce this year. There may have been other boys involved. It was a busy night when we decorated the tree.

In addition to the nativity in my daughter's display, the other nativities are going up around the house.

It's always hard to get a good picture of this shelf since it sits where there are no windows.

Speaking of nativities, this is the new one for the year. It's a very small one from Ecuador as display space is becoming an issue....imagine that.

Despite being on my own, this week has been packed with things to get done. The community chorale I sing with has its Christmas concerts this weekend, so there have been a lot of rehearsals leading up to those. I am also on the board, which gives me a few extra things to take care of. I'm also the second set of hands playing a 4-hand accompaniment for one of the songs, so there has been piano practicing happening as well. Shades of the good old days....slow practice, repetitive practice for the trouble spots, and there are always trouble spots.

In other news as per usual, my bedroom is the dumping ground for Christmas, things that need to go back to the cabin, and anything else we haven't found a place for yet. I told one of my kids they couldn't come in here because Christmas has barfed all over the bedroom. There is wrapping in my future.