While so many are hustling and bustling, visiting with family or awaiting the arrival of family, we’re having a very quiet Christmas this year.
Chad is only off Christmas Day and even if he had more time off, this is a good Christmas for them to spend with Nicole’s parents. Nicole is the first one in their immediate family to move away from “home” and it’s good that she’s close enough that they can leave when Chad gets off work today and go to her mom and dad’s. Vince asked if I wanted to go to MO for Christmas but I told him no . . we would be in a hotel and it seems more appropriate for Chad and Nicole to spend this year with her parents. My parents were here for Thanksgiving so we’re not going there and they’re not coming here for Christmas.
As far as cooking, there’s not going to be much of that going on. The neighbor is smoking a turkey and ham and had plenty of room on his smoker so they asked if we wanted to put something on there so we’re putting a turkey on his smoker. I’ll fix something to go with it but not much. I didn’t even make a pie or a cake! We’ll have cookies and maybe sticky buns for dessert.
As far as gifts, Vince and I don’t buy for each other. We get what we need/want throughout the year and in the past couple of months, it’s been a loveseat, recliner, stove, freezer, washer, dryer, grill, chipper, wood splitter .. and those are just the big items. Because of a crazy deal we had to make in order to get this house and land, we gave the seller an option to buy it all back within two years of the sale, if he needed it in order to make a sale on the big house on the big piece of land go through. He did not need our house, the big house has sold and the buy back offer is no longer effective so, as soon as we knew this places was ours as long as we want it, we had a lot of catching up to do so . . we’re not spending anything else for a while . . I hope!
I guess all this means one thing . . I’ll spend the day sewing! Safe travels to all who are on the road or in the air. Merry Christmas to you all!
Merry Christmas, Judy & Vince.. Thank you for sharing your life with us. It is so much fun and at times, wildly hilarious. Ahhhh….life!
Enjoy your very quiet day. Sometimes that is just the thing!
Merry Christmas to you Judy…from a fellow Texan!!! We do have children/grands close by but extended families are in Missouri and Illinois! So we will talk on the phone…and compare weather (I think they will win for SNOW!) and remember times gone by…it really doesn’t matter where you are or what you are doing…just be happy, right!!
oh wow! i’ll bet you two were holding your breath and crossing everything you had that the big house would sell ok during that time period. I’m glad right along with you that the ranch is really and truly all yours for all the years to come.
our Christmas will be a quiet one also; just us two and the cat, who has graciously agreed to provide the entertainment. He’s really been checking out the Christmas tree and is eagerly awaiting Santa Paws’ visit tomorrow. he’s been a good cat this year, so his stocking will be full.
Merry Christmas to both of you from our family here in Virginia.
Merry Christmas to both of you and to Speck! May your beautiful Texas skies be bright with stars and angels on this Christmas Eve!
Merry Christmas Judy….Vince and Speck…
Merry Christmas to you both from the land of cold and snow!
Having a home of your own when you are not sure how long you can stay is always the best gift!
We will be a family of 3 as well, quiet here, but I’m cooking today!
All the best, take care, Leslie
Merry Christmas Judy. I read your blog every day and truly enjoy it. Thank you.
Merry Christmas to you and Vince. I hope you have a relaxing quiet day filled with the things you want to do. I so enjoy reading your blog – gives me a lift most every day. Take care and hope to see you next month.
See. you ought to come see me! I’ve got enough food for an army and no army!
No Marine either, 
Merry Christmas to both of you – you’re getting to sew and spending it with your sweetie…doesn’t get much better than that!
Merry Christmas to both you and Vince.
[I'd certainly call all those purchases Christmas presents; I'm sure knowing you can keep your house and land as long as you wish!]
Merry Christmas to you and your family. I also appreciate your blog and the sharing of your life. You have me laughing often, esp. about the chickens! My oldest daughter is raising chickens also and I love sharing your blog with her. Have a blessed quiet day- sure has changed since our kids were little!
Micki
Merry Christmas! My family gathered 12/14-15…. Great fun in Virginia mountains… 25 of us in all. This past weekend with my son’s inlaws (who adopted me @ 15 years ago.). Am happy to be at home on a lazy day… Will fix soup & sew today. Was going for a hike with a friend tomorrow, but rain here in NC means I’ll be home again tomorrow, sewing & knitting with my family lit (Ilight it over the holidays in remembrance of those no longer with us.). Piece to you & yours! B
Oops, meant ” family candle lit”!
Merry Christmas Judy-and Vince, since he is in your blog too. Thank you for hopping on the net everyday and sharing your adventures with us. Sometimes a quiet Christmas is the best kind. We’ve had a couple and it seems odd, but when it’s over, you are stress free. God bless. Pat
Merry Christmas Judy. Here’s hoping you have a wonderful holiday. Thanks for all of your post on your blog. I lave lerned so much from you this year. Reading abouing your chickens made me remember my childhood at my grandparents homes. I am usually a lurker, but for the holidays I have come out of hinding.
Merry Christmas
Bonnie T. From Virginia
Merry Christmas to you too Judy and Vince. I hope we have many more posts from you to keep us all amused throughout next year. I will have a quiet day too – lunch with my sister – my children both live in the next state – 12 hours away. All good though.
Merry Christmas Judy & Vince…Lon and I will also have a small dinner here at home. We go tonight (Christmas Eve) to his brother’s and there will be about 30-35 people there, mostly family…we aren’t used to big family gatherings any more…so won’t stay too long..LOL we always say that…then stay the whole evening…but not with that many folks coming.
I’m finishing up some dish towels for my SILaw, as a thank you for all she and her hubby do for the family get togethers, and through the year… Monday’s Child is fair of face… etc. Now to get the stabilizers off and press them. They came out really cute! I love the way the designs from ttp://www.designsyjuju.com work up. The appliqued monkey blocks look great…know the bears will also.
So, for now, I’m off to finish these 7 towels.
Merry Christmas to you too, Judy (and Vince!). Relaxation is so pleasant; after so much hustle and bustle with your garden throughout the year and your big chaotic move, being able to enjoy a simple Christmas with your hubby sounds just right.
Judy – I’ll be sewing all day tomorrow to, or knitting or both but please send turkey. I didn’t even contemplate what I might like for “christmas dinner” – just wasn’t thinking that far ahead. Hmmm but I think there’s shrimp in the freezer. And did you mention sticky buns??? Those were always our traditional christmas morning breakfast growing up – send those too.
I am totally envious of your sewing time tomorrow. I will be slaving away in the kitchen tomorrow! LOL! Merry Christmas Judy!
Merry Christmas! We will be having a quiet Christmas as well. It”s our friends turn to head to MN for the holidays and our Dallas friends with a new baby are staying there. (They loved the quilt by the way) so it’s just the 3 of us and the girls. they send Christmas greetings to Speck. I will make a pumpkin pie when we get back from Christmas Eve service tonight. Other than that it’s a cob smoked ham, some sweet potatoes, asparagus,(really good recipe if I can find it) fruit salad and rolls.
I haven’t commented much over the past 6-7 months with my daughter and grankids here with us – but I do keep up and read daily.
Merry Christmas to You and Vince!
Merry Christmas! We enjoy quiet / peaceful holidays also.
Merry Christmas, Judy! Thanks for inspiring and amusing us each day. Blessing on your Christmas.
Enjoy your day sewing, Judy. It will be very quiet here too. I’ll go to my brother’s for dinner in the early afternoon and will probably be home before dark. We like quiet at Christmas. Have a Merry!
Merry Christmas, Judy & Vince and the rest of the Patchwork Times Family….
I hope you get a bit of the snow we are supposed to get on Christmas Day here in OKC. There is nothing like a White Christmas. And, it’s a good reason to go into the quilt room and sew!
Merry Christmas to you both!
Hurray for a sewing day! Have a very Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Judy and Vince! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for your blog which I enjoy all year long! By the way, may I please borrow your good neighbors? LOL!
Merry Christmas to you and Vince and also Happy New Year. thank you for all you do for your fans. Looking forward to the NYD mystery. Fabric all pickd out ,washed and ironed and just sitting there. Anxious to get started. Dana in Louisiana
Merry Christmas to you and Vince. Have a wonderful relaxing day!
Merry Christmas to you both! Enjoy!!!
I know how we give up holidays being the mother of an only child(a boy). I almost cried when I read about your two year buy back option knowing how much you love your place. I am so happy you no longer have that hanging over your head. Merry Christmas and thank you for sharing your life with us!