Friday, December 07, 2012

All is calm; all is bright

After stress and worry, hurry and scurry, I am enjoying this silent, Sabbath night.

Last night we got the tree decorated, thanks to a 12' ladder and a 6'5" man.

One of the new things on the tree this year at Brian's insistence is a silvery blue ribbon that I've had for at least 11 years but never before used.
Rick says it looks like we TP'd the tree
Another is the newest Danbury Mint bulldog ornament, a gift from a dear friend:
As you can see in the first photo, the top of our tree this year is a little, um, different. Rick and I were planning to prune it to look more spire-like, but I got used to its odd configuration while Rick was gone, so we left it – and added a second tree topper!

Today my friend Amy, bless her heart, came over and helped me clean this place like it has never been cleaned. (She used a toothbrush, for heaven's sake!) I'm still in awe that she did this; I don't know how I could have been ready for the party tomorrow night without her help. Come on in and see how good it looks!
At the front door
Living room to the left
Kitchen to the right
Dining room table
Enjoying the fruits of our labors at . . .

12 comments:

Tina T-P said...

What a beautiful home - and you couldn't ask for any better friend to come and spend a day helping you clean house. What a lucky one you are. T.

Tombstone Livestock said...

Now relax and enjoy the party, house looks perfect.

Theresa said...

I love the tree! It all looks ready for the hostess with the mostess! I know it will be a great party and won't it be nice to sleep in a wee bit on Sunday after it's all over. :)
Oh, and I serious floor envy. When we redo ours, no more stain. I want light floors, so beautiful.

Laura said...

I'm so sorry that I didn't make it over, but, well, you know how it is!! Amy is a cleaning goddess - does she ever travel??? I like the "non-traditional" tree top, and I love the ornament...

I'm hoping to get mine up tomorrow...

Anonymous said...

Beautiful home, tree and friend. Now relax and enjoy it. The best part... the clean stays after the party.

Deb W said...

Wow!! What a friend!! (and blessing) I loved this opportunity to tour your house! Now I feel like I've been there.

I knew you celebrated Saturday Sabbath, but did not realize you begin Sabbath the evening before. Last night was also the first night of Hanukkah.

I hope the party is/was fun and relaxed. It certainly will be pretty!!

Thirteen Sheep (Or More) said...

It's Beautiful!
I'm suffering window and kitchen envy!
You'll have a wonderful party1

Michelle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Michelle said...

Yes, Tina, I am very blessed!

Tombstone, you don't see what is behind closed doors.... ;-)

Thanks, Theresa. The floor is not that red IRL. It is #2 oak; I love it, too.

I understand, Laura, and I appreciated the thought. (And I don't think Amy hires out....)

That IS a bonus, Ruth! Especially since I have two rounds of house guests coming this month!

Yes, Deb, we celebrate the Sabbath "from evening to evening" like the Bible says. Friday evening after sundown is my favorite time of the week!

13, we built this house after living in a small, old double-wide, so I wanted LIGHT - hence the windows. We get a lot of solar gain from them in the summer, though; that's the downside. The kitchen was a collaboration between us and my dad, a kitchen designer, who did it at cost.

A :-) said...

Everything looks so beautiful :-) I love your open-plan home!

Kelly said...

You have a lovely home Michelle, I love the open floor plan, I have one too and it's one of my favorite things about my house. Besides the fact that it's a berm home and is very easy to heat or cool. Oh, and that fact that my favorite guy lives there with me. :)

Michelle said...

The floor plan suits us well, Adrienne and Kelly; we chose our house plan well. :-)