Not so very merry . . .

Isn't it a little sad when all the holiday decorations come down?

Everything seems so bare -

after all the lights and ornaments.

At work we dismantled all the trees and merriment.

Everything seems empty without it.

I still haven't taken down my holiday decorations.

I know I know.  It's totally time.

And although I wasn't feeling very inspired -

I did dig out our holiday boxes and scatter our ornaments and lights everywhere.

(no tree - sniff sniff)

And let me tell you -

I'm so glad that I did because I found a little gem that I had completely forgotten about.

Are you ready?

It's good -

I promise -

Please say hello to

the christmas shovel!!

Pretty spectacular, right?

I have a VERY generous mother-in-law who also LOVES holiday-themed gifts.

This little star made it our way maybe 2 or 3 years ago.

It's always a surprise when I open the box and see it.

Somehow we lost the handle - which seems apropos.

Puts a smile on my face every time I walk out the door.

My Husband is always wondering about the artist.

I'm just grateful that it's ours.

Speaking of other fantastic holiday items.

We received a box of Christmas gifts yesterday.

Included were the following from some of our nieces and nephews:

Homemade ornaments of Husband, Tizzy and Chloe!!

Surely seems like a Christmas miracle.

How fantastic!!!

I snipped off the ribbons and am going to put mangets on the back.

This is the gift that keeps on giving.