A Cozy Christmas Week

Its been a busy week, but pleasantly so.  We got our tree up and decorated on Sunday afternoon which made for a nice cozy afternoon and evening.  I love it once the tree is up and the decorations are out and the twinkle lights are twinkling; then Christmas feels magical. The picture above is Shorty in the middle of the Christmas ornaments... never a dull moment with her.

On Wednesdays I have a painting class.  We are a group of ladies who paint together, with a teacher who has taught us all.  I have been painting with these ladies for about 7 or 8 years, I think.  Our teacher Bettie, is a treasure.  She is a very talented and successful artist who has been painting for many years, and not only do I love the privilege of learning from her, but I love her as if she were family to me.

Every year at Christmas our painting group likes to do something special.  Some years we do a lunch at someone's house where we all bring something, and some years we go somewhere fun.  This year we went to lunch at a cute little restaurant called "The Hen House", and guess what they specialize in there?  Yes, you guessed it.. chicken; it tasted great and we had a great time.

 Here are my friends:

Our teacher Bettie on the right, and my other good friend who happens to be Bettie's daughter Sherrie is on the left.  Bettie's Daughters have inherited her creative talents.

Here we all are at Bettie's house Wednesday after class. Kitty on top left, Mary top right, Geri middle, Bettie bottom left, Sherrie right and myself behind Sherrie.

You can see one of Bettie's paintings in the background behind Mary's head,

and this is one of hers below.  She did this one for Rotary club.  It is beautiful.  

 Sherrie and her sister  T, who  is a successful artist as well.

Sweet friends, sweet smiles.

Geri and Kitty are a crack up by the way... always keeping me laughing and they also inspire me very much.

Here we are at he Hen House Restaurant having a great time.

Thursday was another fun day.  Steve and I went to our friends Roxy and Danny's house for a wonderful Christmas get together.  These are the kind of friends that help you move, or go pick up your kids at the airport when you can't do it, or  help clean your house when your back is acting up in horrible way and a graduation party is arriving the next day; always there when you need them.  We have known each other for a lot of years.  They know all of our joys and all of our sorrows; Roxy and I are prayer partners, as well, and I am very thankful for them.  

I made a Cherry Cheese Coffee Cake Ring... it is an easy yummy recipe... I think I will post it in a day or two.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus.... always making me laugh... I have to bring my Asthma spray when ever I am with them.

Cozy and lovely.

Roxy made a wonderful dinner: Ham, Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, Muffins... Mmmm it was so good.

This was a gift to us from Roxy's precious daughter in law,  Amy (who seems just as if she were my own precious daughter in law). I am so happy to have something yummy to give Russell when he arrives home from California tonight.  I haven't done very much Holiday baking yet, but now we have this wonderful goodie tray... thanks Amy it was amazing. Can you please post some of these recipes? The cracker-toffee was so, so good oh my word!).

Have a great weekend everyone.