My Very Favorite Ever Christmas Book.....

I don't know who bought this book for me.  It is copyrighted 1963. But it has been my most cherished Christmas book. It's called Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry.  It's in pretty bad shape but I would never dream of getting rid of it.

I noticed inside the front cover that my brother had scratched my name off and written his.  Possession is 9/10ths of the law.  In this case, 100% !!

It was finally reprinted several times the latest being 2000.  And it is available on Amazon.  It didn't surprise me when I read some of the reviews (which were almost all 5 stars).  Just about everyone remembered reading it as a child like I did.

The cover has changed but I don't think my kids would mind.  My Dear Daughters don't remember reading this when they were little but I can start some new traditions, can't I?

It's the story of Mr. Willowby who received a Christmas tree one year.  It was too tall for his parlor so he lopped off the top.  The discard made it's way to Miss Adelaide, the upstairs maid.  Then off to Tim,  the gardener, Barnaby Bear, Frisky Fox, Benjamin Rabbit and finally to Mistletoe Mouse who, of course, lived with Mr. Willowby.

A cute, cute Christmas tale of sharing for children of every age.

Blessings, Cathi

24 Days of Christmas.....

Last year I came up with a calendar of events that I made for the family.  It was totally volunteer since my Dear Kiddies are all supposed adults and Dear Hubby has a crazy basketball/wrestling schedule at his job (one of the local high schools).

So I thought I would share.....notice there are a few blanks so if you have any ideas, I'd love to hear them. I might have to check on going to the Biltmore House.  We have been before at Christmas but it is pretty pricey (as in $52.00 a head just to get in the door).  The dates that are in red are the nights that Dear Hubby isn't home so whatever I do, I will be doing alone.

Dec 1st - continue decorating

Dec 2nd -

Dec 3rd - mail Christmas cards

Dec 4th - finish decorating

Dec 5th - Holiday Fair (craft show) in Greenville

Dec 6th - Christmas shopping

Dec 7th - fireside dinner

Dec 8th - tag making night

Dec 9th - gift wrapping night

Dec 10th - Daniel Stow Botanical Gardens

Dec 11th - last minute Christmas crafting

Dec 12th - Quilt group Christmas party (daytime) and Office Christmas party (evening)

Dec 13th -

Dec 14th - Christmas movie night with popcorn and hot chocolate

Dec 15th - mail cards to nieces and nephews (they get money for Christmas from us)

Dec 16th - Dear Hubby's office party at our house

Dec 17th - Christmas movie night with homemade pizzas

Dec 18th - Christmas cookie baking

Dec 19th - finish Christmas cookie baking, Drive around to look at lights

Dec 20th - visit my brother and last minute Christmas shopping

Dec 21st -

Dec 22nd - Hand Applique group

Dec 23rd -

Dec 24th - Church, open Christmas Eve gifts

The cookie baking may change.  I just found out from the doctor that my cholesterol is above borderline and into the high bracket.  Uuggghhh.  So we may have to rethink some menus like the pizza on Movie night :>(

And the trip to the craft show may change if our high school does well in the football playoffs.  We are 10-0 right now.  Dec. 5th is the state championship game.  We've been before and have even been state champions twice in the last 10 years so it is a very good possibility we may be back.

And the pictures, well just because I like them.  I got them from somewhere off the internet but don't remember where.  Feel free to right-click and save them to your hard drive.

Blessings, Cathi