On the second day...

The dishwasher is humming, the washer and drier are spinning, and the oven is baking two kinds of brownies. The two younger boys are downstairs on Xbox, Geoff is parked in his spot on the sofa (he's been in the same spot since surgery 8 days ago, but he's much better today), Faith is playing in her room, and Doug is working on his iPad in the dining room (no such thing as a vacation day with all these electronic devices).

I need to tidy up just a little before more company at 5, but I'm taking just a minute to give you two of my favorite new Christmas decorations -- just simple little things -- on Day 2.

 Just two days before Christmas I pulled this statue of the Holy Family from the mantel, wired together some white pine and re-appropriated some silver balls. I love making a special place for the new Holy Family, and this statue of St. Joseph is one of my favorites.

Faith made this wreath from a coat hanger, a ring of plastic ribbon, and a jumbo bag of Brach's peppermints. I added a pretty cloth bow and it's such a cheery indoor wreath. I remembered fondly making a butterscotch version myself waaaaay back in Girl Scouts, and Faith so enjoyed working on it she did it all in one sitting.

Merry second day of Christmas.