Happiness and Cheer.

Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer

Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of the year

Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Of love and dreams to share

\

Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there

Christmas time is here
We'll be drawing near
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year...



"For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11
Thankful for his spirit and his gift- and praying it lasts us the whole year through and beyond. 
A very Merry Christmas indeed.

Christmas Time is Here lyrics from a Charlie Brown Christmas. 

{Mis}adventures in Gingerbread House Building...

The idea of gingerbread houses is so adorable and sweet. Take some gingerbread, some icing {that is supposed to act as glue} and some candy and build your little heart out. The box comes with simple instructions and you have high hopes that it will be just as picturesque as the example on the box. {Even with little helping hands}

Now, I consider myself to be a fairly crafty person. I like to make cutesy stuff and decorate. I like details and I am an overall pretty patient person. So, what should be so hard about a small cookie house?

Let's just say that for the past two years it has proven to be a pretty hard task. I never really made these delicious things growing up. We had so many other traditions and things that we did at home that these little houses just never made the list and I am not entirely sure why. So, when Ouma offered to get us one when she got her class one, I thought, sure...why not? This should be fun! A new tradition for the Bassets.

Well, after much determination {and a little one eating most of the decorations}...here is our 2nd annual attempt at making the ever coveted perfect Gingerbread house.

{Disclaimer: Imperfection having to pass off as perfection in this case.Especially when you start off with a cracked roof.}

At least it was standing this year! And, the ability to laugh at ourselves is still intact. Success.

Chock Full o' Thanks.

 I love the simplicity of Thanksgiving. Food. Family. Friends. Blessings. That's it. No expectations of gifts or a large fuss- just relishing in all that you have around you. 

I love welcoming people into our home to honor and bless them with a meal. To let them be served for all of the ways that they serve and honor us.  To show them just how chock full o' thanks we really are for their presence in our lives.

The "kids" table- New friends joined us this year. DeMorney, my
brother's girlfriend, and Will, Adam's friend and student teacher.

Adam was so excited about carving the turkey, but it had other plans. It was so tender it just pulled a part. Yum.

The good ole' boys. 

Brothers. Enough said.

I love this picture. The Basset boys and the Mama who loves them behind the camera. Glad to catch this moment.

MC loves her uncles. They just might be her favorites.

It wouldn't be a Basset-Porter-Tigert function without the wine. 

These salt and pepper shakers and scoops were brought from South Africa
as wedding gifts for us almost 5 years ago.

Reading Papa a night-night story.

A very Happy Thanksgiving 2013- chock full o' love and a few nuts. Just how I like it.