It's beginning to look alot like panic....

Panic is setting in. It is the beginning of December and everyone I know has too much to do. There's decorating, shopping, cooking, cleaning, wrapping, etc., etc. The list of chores seems endless.

Amidst all the hustle and bustle of the holidays remember to breathe in and breathe out. This is the most wonderful time of the year. Spend time with your family, volunteer to help others, sing carols, celebrate advent. Do whatever makes you happy with feeling.

Year after year I watch as people get so wrapped up in getting everything done that they forget to enjoy the Reason for the Season. Just think what a wonderful month it will be if we spend more time celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and less time worrying about details.

Beach, beach, beach

This is the beautiful face of a child flying a kite for the first time. If only we could maintain this child like wonder throughout our lives! This photo makes a Nana want to bust with pride. Pictured is my oldest son Charlie and my granddaughter Ada on the beach in Destin, Florida this past weekend.

We will miss Charlie, Carrie and Ada this Thanksgiving but thankfully we can Skype them. The technology that we have available to us is wonderful and makes it easy for family members that are separated to keep in touch.

Ada will be two in a week or so and she is changing daily not only physically but verbally so keeping in touch is of prime importance to a Nana in Texas.

God bless y'all, happy Thanksgiving and thanks for visiting~love on your family and friends and give them a hug from Fredericksburg ;-)

American soldiers

As Americans we have so much to be thankful for. We are approaching the Thanksgiving holiday where we take the time to gather with family and friends to share memories, fun, food and fellowship. This year someone special will be missing from our table. My son Willie (on the far right) at age 21, is serving his second tour of duty in Afghanistan. I ask you to remember our soldiers this year and pray for their safe return home. Many families around the country will be thinking about their special someone who is missing from the Thanksgiving table. I urge you to take a minute and have a heartfelt moment with those you love while you are together.

A real catch

2009 is the 10th Anniversary of Kissing Fish by Katherine's Collection and this is the commemorative ornament for the occasion. As always, she is a real beauty. If you have seen kissy fish before you know they are all humorous with personality plus. For kissy fish collectors/lovers the world over this ornament is must.

Lost Maples

On Sunday I took a trip out to Lost Maples State Natural Area which is west of Fredericksurg near Vanderpool on F.M. 187. Rumor had it that the color change would not be very vibrant this year. Wrong! There were pockets of deep reds, oranges, yellows and browns. Autumn colors were there in all their splendor. The sun came out from behind the clouds in the late afternoon and rippled off the water and magnified natures colors. This made for a truly majestic setting for hiking, taking photographs, chatting and taking in the beauty of the Texas Hill Country. I don't know how long the color change and leaves will last but I can assure while it is here it is picture perfect.

God, psychics and tourists

On November 10th Ernestine went missing. As a side point her name used to be Ernest until we found out itsa girl! Anyway...a miracle has occured.

We were distraught when she went missing. We made posters, knocked on doors, chased down joggers and such looking for our precious kitten. No luck!

On Sunday as I was getting ready for church the Lord spoke to me and told me Ernestine was coming home. I bounded into the kitchen and shared the good news with John. In the meantime, Don had contacted a pet psychic, Suzi Dalling. Suzi informed Don that Ernestine was coming home on Sunday. Don didn't know about my message from the Lord when he contacted the psychic. He said if I had told him he could have saved $125.00!

This gets weirder...at noon on Sunday a tourist saw Ernestine's picture on a missing poster. He calls the number on the poster and says he has the cat at his B&B. John asked him where he was calling from and he was standing in front of The Christmas Store calling from his cell phone.

The Christmas Store is truly the center of all weirdness! We are so happy to have Ernestine home. By the way the psychic said Ernestine wants to be call Freesta. We're sticking with Ernestine.

Texas Pride

Everyone knows Texans are a proud bunch. From the crown of our hats to the wing tip of our boots we just bust with pride when we talk to you about our beloved state. Did I mention how big it is? How beautiful? How friendly? I could go on and on.

Texans the world over will be tickled pink to hang this ornament on their Christmas Tree and express their Texas Pride! Call Peggy today at 800-944-1882 to order your slice of Texas or visit our website at www.ChristmasStoreFred.com to shop in the comfort of your ten gallon hat and boots! Y'all give us a holler and let us help you with your Chritmas decorating and gift giving.

It's Vegas baby....

I am just back from the Pro Bull Riding Finals in Las Vegas. Wow! What a trip. I went out with my parents and my best friend and we had a blast.

Congratulations to Kody Lohstroh, the new World Champion Bull rider and to JB Mauney who rode all eight of his bulls at the finals and won the finals. These cowboys are tough athletes. All the finalist were amazing and super nice to their fans and supporters.

There was even a bull rider from Fredericksburg in the finals. We were proud to hoot and holler for Elliot Jacoby, our hometown cowboy. The performances were ultra professional and and we are already making plans to go back next year. If you ever have a chance, go to a PBR event. You will not be disappointed.

It's all good...

When I saw this photograph that a friend took I knew immediately that I needed to share it with you. One thing that Fredericksburg is famous for is our amazing architecture. When was the last time you just wandered around town and admired the sights? It is easy to take beauty for granted when you drive by it every day. Enough already. Let's take time to admire the beauty around us and appreciate the sights of the Texas Hill Country. We have been blessed with some picture perfect weather. The foliage is turning colors, the creeks are running and the pastures are lush. The Fall is the absolute best time to visit.

Enchanted Rock

I took a trip out to Enchanted Rock on Sunday. It was amazing. The weather was beautiful, the scenery was gorgeous, the leaves were starting to change colors and the creeks were running. All the elements came together for a picture perfect day.

The Texas Hill Country has been experiencing a string of beautiful days. I urge you to get on over here and enjoy Texas at it's best.

Saturday

The Christmas Store Gang let down their hair and celebrated Halloween with some great costumes, comraderie and comic relief. We took the prize for the best dressed store staff on Main Street. Of course, we made up the contest and we voted on the winner, but I'm just saying...we rocked. In this picture from left to right is John, Peg, Don, Susie, Tamara and Sarah.