Your Spot Is Reserved For Dinner...

Your special spot is reserved today

at the dinner table.

Come enjoy an elegant dinner

at my parents home with us.

My Grandmother's colorful floral

china, Waterford glasses and sterling set the mood

for this festive table and

brings back fond family memories.

Anyone hungry?

My Mom has always been able to create tablescapes that are magical. She certainly has a gift and I love to see what she has created each time we go to dinner at her home. She loves to pull out all the stops and enjoy her collections. And, there is just something special about being at your Mom's house for dinner.

Do you use china and crystal and the such? I do whenever possible since it reminds me of my Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. They all adored their fine things and collected them for us to enjoy as well. But, washing all the precious dishes by hand is my least favorite thing... Yet, setting the table is the most fun and the anticipation of the evening to come is always gratifying.

xo,

Christina

Photos taken by Fab Finds Gal

A Mother's Love

A mother's love for her children

is unlike any other bond.

Her love never ceases, but only grows stronger with time.

Her need to protect her young from the world

changes as they grow,

but she is steadfast in her role until eternity.

A mother can process superhuman strength and courage

that she had no idea she possessed.

A mother's role is to guide, teach, love, cherish, and nurture

our little ones for the rest of their lives.

And, when the grandchildren arrive the cycle begins again

in a slightly different role.

But, we remain, watch and protect.

The job as a mother is the most important job of our lives.

We are creating our legacy through our children

and our mark will be left

for generations to come.

What lasts with me from my Mother is her courage,

strength, wisdom and grace.

She has made me the lady that I am

and I am proud to call her Mom.

May all you lovely mothers have a

Happy Mother's Day!

See the origins of Mother's Day here.

We are fixing a special brunch at our home

to celebrate our Mother's Day with my parents.

What are you up to today?

What special traits does your Mother possess?

xo,

Christina

Photo credits: Mother's Day graphic found at photobucket.

Christian at school taken by me.

Poem written by me.

Family Memories At Their Best

As life marches on, we are truly trying our best to

create good family times and memories.

Let me share with you my son's first snow angel. Priceless.

Our first real sled ride that got all us squealing and flying through the air.

And, yes, if you were on board last week you will get a little chuckle from my hubby wearing my purple smurf snow gloves.

If you check carefully, you will see a snowball pass by my ear

with the greatest of ease.

The boy has a bit of an arm. Well, better said what he misses in aim

he makes up in heart.

Our very first snowman (or more like a our first chicken?) made from scratch.

A precious moment of Daddy helping Christian walk to the sled site.


An amazing snow day with the people most precious to my heart.

~~

My thought for today is that take time to create memories
and enjoy every moment along the way with

whomever is most important in your life.

Because one day you are 25 and the next day you are 40.

My Mom says then you are 65 in a blink.

It can feel like a blink sometimes. And, sometimes it feels like it's been a hundred years in between.

But, what you do with those days with the one's you love is what really what matters.

Boy, I sure sound like a huge cliche'. But, it is true for me today.

What do you think? Are you feeling it?

xo,
Christina

Figuring Out What Is Really Important In Life

Today was the day of our first snow fight and one of the most glorious days as a family . Yes, it has taken us 5 1/2 years to take our little one to the snow. I am not exactly sure why we took so long, as our local snow spot is only an hour and a half away from our beach side community. I wonder if we are so spoiled by all that we have, that we don't even appreciate all that surrounds us. And, my thoughts would normally be... well, we are in a recession and we need to be conservative. But, today's activities show me that it doesn't take a lot of money to have a good time. I got all of my son's snow boots and outfit from our local trade/consignment store. So, no money spent there. My husband and I already had appropriate gear, well most of it. So what if my husband wore jeans, several sweat shirts and my old purple ski gloves. It was a gorgeous sunny day at 40 degrees and we were all warm enough. We didn't even need to pay for the ski tickets, since the nice workers suggested we actually just go to the next turnout and sled for free. Santa brought sleds already, so we didn't need to pay for rubber rafts. Plus, the snow was as deep as 4 feet at the ski lodge runs and would surely not be safe for our little 42" boy. So, bottom line is we spent very little.

I have grown up at the beach since I was 4. I have seen a hundred times the kids that get off the bus from "inland" in their jeans and jump into the ocean with pure abandon. When I was a kid I would think, "why on earth don't they own a pair of swim trunks or shorts"?

But, I see that we were the one's today that a mountain family would look and think "why on earth is that man in jeans, a sweatshirt and smurf purple girl gloves"? (Also, a moment when I thought he is a REAL man to pull this off.)

So, I guess all my rambling surmises that making memories with those you love is the best and most important thing in the world. And, if you are doing it in wet jeans (even if you look like a fool to others or a smurf)... who the heck cares? Making the memory is more important.

I think that one of the benefits of a recession is we are forced to rethink what is really important and what we really need.

What do you think?

Have you ever had a similar moment or time in your life?

(Or, do you just want to send us some appropriate snow gear so we stop making fools of ourselves?! LOL)

xo,

Christina

A Fathers Love Is A Love That Never Ends

A father and daughter bond is a very special thing...

And, a father's love never ends...

A daddy's little girl is just begun...

My Dad taught me to be honest, hardworking and to do it with class. There were many years he left for work at 4 a.m. and returned at 7 p.m. This man showed us what hard work was all about. He started out pulling weeds at a beer distributorship when he got out of the Navy and worked his way up to General Manager in his 20 years of service.


A father's love never changes, even through all
the challenges and chapters of life...

My Dad is one special Dad. On his birthday today, I thought it was a perfect time to share with the world how much I love him. He is quick, sassy and clever. It's never a dull moment with Poppi around.

I'll always be Daddy's little angel.

At least, that's how he makes me feel, no matter my age.

He made me feel so special and able to take anything on in life and succeed. He made me feel like I could soar...

My favorite photo of our two "boys", my Dad and Mr. Fabulous. Yes, cigars and cocktails to properly celebrate during our wedding at my parents home in 2000. The day my Dad gave away this girl.

Now, most of our memories involve the next generation with Chase and Christian. Poppi and Christian horsing around, as usual.

Or, should I say Poppi and Spiderman?
No matter how sick my Dad feels,

he always takes care of the whole family.

Especially our son, Christian. He is the most spectacular, loving, present and expressive Dad and Grandfather any child could ask for. We are so incredibly blessed to have him head our family.

Poppi and a Power Ranger at odds...Even if Poppi has an injured and recovering foot...The battle continues...
Poppi never stops loving and playing with all of us...
He never complains. He is a true man.

Song lyrics from "A Father's Love" by George Strait:

"And they said, Let me tell you a secret, about a fathers love
A secret that my daddy said was just between us
You see daddies don't just love their children every now and then It's a love without end, amen, its a love without end, amen."


Happy 65th Birthday, Dad.

We have created so many magnificent

memories over our lifetime.

I remember when I was a little girl and you saying "We are creating a memory". I really didn't understand then, but I sure do now.

Here's to many more memories to come, Dad.

Love Always,

Daddy's Little Angel

It's A Family Affair... A Little Christmas Tree Inspiration

Ho...Ho...Ho...

From my little family to yours...

From Christian and my Dad, Poppi...

With my collection of glass red ornaments

that I have collected for years...

And, Santa that was my first Christmas decoration from my parents 15 years ago.

Santa almost didn't make it through many a garage cleaning.

So, I am relieved to see Santa again this year. And, Christian loves him...

The Christmas tree is up in all it's red glory...

Crazy and Over-the-top with the huge poinsettias...

My Mom, Granna, and Christian

getting into the spirit of Christmas

while setting up the tree...

Good times with family...
Creating traditions and memories for all...
And, the official start of the holiday season for our family...

It's a family affair.

What is your favorite holiday tradition?

Happy Holidays!

xo,

Christina

All photos taken by yours truly, Christina Gough

Happy Thanksgiving from My Family to Yours

A few special moments with our family this year...

Endless days at the beach making sandcastles, playing in the water and surfing.

It is 78 degrees outside today, but the water is only 62 degrees.

Many a day having play dates with our favorite little friends. Zackary, as Batman, taking down Spiderman, again... And, asking if they can have cookies from the oven. Oh, the life of a stay at home Momma.

My dear brother and his sweet wife, Ken and Denise in Oregon, enjoying an evening out on the town...

My brother and nephew, Ken and Chase enjoying some good quality time. My brother is running a marathon next week where he will be pushing for his personal best.


Legoland with Chase and Christian....
Good times...


Chase enjoying a moment of rest (silence) from Christian...


My parents, Shirley and Jim, watching us carve our pumpkin on our veranda...


Mr. Fabulous, Calvin, and Christian learning how to ride a bike and shoot some hoops...



And, there he goes...
He's getting a "big boy" bike for Christmas, so we need to get those training wheels off!



Christian ready to visit Rogers Gardens in Newport Beach to see all the Christmas trees and take a ferry ride with Granna and Poppi. With his favorite pet "Mr. Duckie". (If you want a little holiday inspiration, check out the Rogers Gardens link.)

I am thankful for:

1. My family

2. Our health

3. Our home, food and all the blessings we have

4. Being able to be a stay at home Mom

5. All my blogging friends that bring me daily inspiration and friendship from all over the world


May your Thanksgiving be filled with love, family, thankfulness and many blessings for the coming year.


What are you thankful for today?



Don't forget to send in your Thanksgiving table photos for the contest and giveaway!


xo,
Christina
Fabulous Finds Gal