"It's never too late in the day to start over"

A dear lady named Georgia once told me, whenever I would moan about messing up in some way, "OK, you messed up; but it's never too late in the day to start over and do better." So here goes - after an initial start at getting this blog going and not sticking with it, the time has come to start over and do better!

It's a Friday night and after a long and crazy work week I'm enjoying kicking back by the fire to recharge and get ready for (hopefully) a productive weekend. Christmas is in the air - back to storage go the pumpkins and autumn decorations and up goes the tree and ornaments. The tree will be a small one again this year - set on our raised hearth at a height above the dog's wagging tail, and compact enough so the cat can't climb among the branches. Non-breakable ornaments only! It'll be great when the animals are older and not so frisky or inquisitive. Maybe then we can have a tall tree again - and a live one! For now, though, will go with what works.

I do have a beautiful Victorian tree set up in the guest bedroom (a/k/a my "tearoom") - it is a vision in accents of white, gold, and shades of pink. As soon as I figure out how to post pictures to this blog I'll include some! The door to that room stays closed to keep nosy pets out because all the teatime items and "heirlooms" from Mom, grandmothers, etc., are fragile - like many of the ornaments hung on the Victorian tree - tiny porcelain or ceramic tea cups, teapots, saucers; lovely roses of gossimer organza... A glass dove with real white tail feathers hides among the branches, and glass bells and Victorian cardboard angels glisten in the soft white lights. The guestroom/tearoom is a great place to sit and enjoy a cup of tea and read, or listen to soft holiday music. It is my getaway from the "real" world - especially during the holidays that can become so hectic!

This holiday I've been doing alot of shopping for our first grandchild, who is due in early February - what fun to go to stores specializing in things for babies and small children, to browse among the little clothes and shoes, nursery decor and accents, toys and furniture! So much has changed in the way of colors and motifs since I had a baby almost 22 years ago - everything seems so much brighter, and the patterns are light-hearted and whimsical. Even the "classics" have been updated with panache - my stepson and his wife have been preparing a truly special and unique room to greet Liam's arrival. They will be such fine, loving parents!

A few weeks ago I made a trip to Little Rock for one of the baby showers, and was also thrilled to be able to meet my first great-nephew, Deacon - he and his parents were down from Ohio to visit all the Arkansas family, so of course this Louisiana relative had to make the trip to see that sweet baby while he was within driving distance! "D" is such a happy, happy baby - and those big blue eyes! He snuggled and laughed, and charmed us all. And I just know he'll be walking very soon!

Well, enough musing for one evening - the fire has died down, the dog and cat are both snoozing, my 20-something son has come in from the cold night air, and it is time to settle down for a good night's rest. My sweet husband called from Iraq this morning, so I know he is fine and safe. So, it's off to say bedtime prayers for him and many others. God is good, all the time; all the time, God is good. Drop by again soon - do Come for Tea!