Deck The Halls Blog #5: Almost Gypsy Soul

Hello Figuring Out the Plot readers! I am Jen over at Almost Gypsy Soul. I was so excited when I got asked to write my very first guest blog post. ever. I think that means I'm moving up the ranks in blogland right?  {Get your booties over to her page and follow her right now if you don't already!}

Either way, I'm pumped about it! I'm supposed to show you my decorations, but because I'm selling my house....I'm not putting up decorations this year, but I'll share with you some of my favorite things about the Christmas season. **If you know anyone who needs/wants a house in Rock Springs, WY...send 'em my way**

I love Christmas. I love that there is still some innocence to be found. There is still joy to be found in giving, in the small things and making a difference. So what are some of my favorite things about Christmas?

Cinnamon Pinecones - Nothing makes me smile like walking into my house (and my office got decked out into them too) and smelling these yummy delights. Now if you will excuse me, I'll be smelling my pinecones.

Christmas Lights -Nothing beats those old school big, primary colored lights. They are just too cool and I finally bought some one sale last year after Christmas so this is my first year of stringing some up outside. I love Christmas trees too and we did get our work Christmas tree up this year....and because we are the Department of Agriculture, it has farm animal and tractor ornaments!
The Christmas Elk -There is an elk bronze statue when you come into Rock Springs on 191N and during Christmas they put lights on his antlers and I love it! and they aren't putting lights on it this year, so I'm calling them Scrooge! {Pretty sure Red River does lights on the town elk so when we're on the Ski Trip, we'll go get some pictures!}

My Nativity Scene - I have always wanted a nativity scene but those babies are expensive! Anyway after doing Pottery from the Heart, I decided I wanted to paint my own nativity set and I would pay an arm and a leg to do so. I envision family heirloom.....hee hee. I didn't get my whole set done for this year.....those things are tiny and very detailed!

 

The Angel Tree - I love, love, love the Angel Tree. I love shopping for gifts that kids wouldn't otherwise get for Christmas. I love being a part of kids believing in the magic of the season. I love imagining their faces, their reactions when they open their gift on Christmas morning. And for the record, I NEVER choose a kid who asks for gaming systems, video games, ipods or iphones. Cowboy boots, footballs, basketball hoops, scooters.....those are the kids I pick each year.   {I, too, am an Angel Tree fan, but I really love her approach to choosing a kid!!  Never thought of that!}


Tylie's Present Opening Skills - I'm sure everyone thinks their dog is the best dog ever, but let's be honest, mine really is the best dog ever. She opens presents like a champ and she always gets lots of presents because everyone in my family loves to watch her open presents.   {There was an awesome video of this, but I'm too dumb to get it uploaded to the blog.  Dang it!  But trust....her dog is awesome!}