AND THE STOCKINGS WERE HUNG....

Well, kinda/sorta. The stocking are hung, but there's only three hung on the mantle, mine, George's and Miss Daisy's. (The other 19 are filled and ready for Christmas.)

Yes, Miss Daisy has a stocking. See. This is how she looked as a puppy. Wasn't she a cutie pie?

But look at her now! She's still a cutie pie! She actually loves her hat. I think she knows she's something special. When we ride her around in the golf cart and/or take her to the village to walk around, she struts her stuff and she puts a smile on everyone's face.

Like I said, there's only three stocking hung on the mantle, but I fill 21...all by myself (I'm mentally patting myself on the shoulder!). George has only one to do...mine! Tis Tis!

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I start out by pulling out all the plastic containers that I've stored things in all year. This picture shows just a few of the containers. Hey, it takes A LOT of "stuff " to stuff 21 stockings!
When I go to a store throughout the year, I try to pick up a few items. When I bring them home, I just put the bags in a plastic container. When I'm ready to start on the stockings, I pull all the bags out and start unpacking. What a mess! It can be overwhelming for sure. Guess where Mr. George was when I worked on them yesterday and today? Yep, you probably guessed right. He and Miss Daisy were curled up on the couch snuggling and watching sports. Men!

I work on these ALL YEAR LONG! Beginning literally the first time I go shopping after Christmas. Why 21? Well, we have 4 children, 2 daughter-in-loves,1 one son-in-love, 1 future son-in-love (hopefully), 9 grandchildren, Miss Daisy, my Mom, my Aunt Sherry, and George. Yep, 21. Whew!

(Note to self: Stuff stockings in November. Remember it takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r! And...there's always too much in some and not enough in others.)

Once I get them filled, I stand them up in plastic containers. It makes it easier to add a few more items that might be needed such as candy and gum right before Christmas. One of the last things I do is add a rolled up plastic grocery type bag so that as they empty the stocking they will have something to put their "goodies" in.

Awwww...it sure does feel good to have this project behind me!!

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Tonight George and I had a very special dinner with our friends, Carolyn and Robert, at Segar's. This is one of those "fancy spancy" places where you have to dress up. The food and service is impeccable. Wonderful! Delish!

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Now that my decorating is done and the stockings are stuffed, I'm determined to finish my shopping and wrapping this week. Hopefully, tomorrow after church I'll get a bit more of it completed.

Hugs and kisses,
Kat

(ps...Thanks for your sweet comments on my post yesterday about my kitchen Christmas tree. Many of you asked about the apple garland. I bought it many years ago and haven't seen once since. As for the appliance ornaments...some are actually small refrigerator magnets.)