It's All because of the Greens (and Other Christmas Tidbits)

One of the (MANY!) aspects I enjoy about blogging is changing my blog look each month.  A new header and a new background thrills me.  It doesn't take much, does it?  ;-)  

When I was thinking ahead to December's look, I definitely was not considering a black/white/gray/red color palette.  No, instead I had plans for the traditional red and green, with a single photo for the header...but...I ran into a problem.  I could not get the greens to match.  The green in the grass (the header photo I was planning to use was taken outside), the green in the pine tree, the green in the blog background, the green in the fonts--all of that green was just too much, and I could not make it coordinate to my satisfaction.  So, I threw that plan out the window and changed tactics altogether.  A collage for the header, a completely different background, the classic color combination of black and white and red, and I was set.  I liked it much, much better.  If you happen to be a blogger who makes seasonal or monthly layout changes, maybe you'll have green in your new look.  If so, I'll be sure to enjoy it on your blog.  ;-)

In other Christmas news, my dearly beloved took all four boys out this morning, running errands and finishing with lunch at Country Cookin'.  (Here's a shout-out to Jeff for his excellent parenting skills: toward the end of their meal, an elderly gentleman came up to Jeff and remarked on how very well-behaved the boys were.  For Jeff to single-handedly care for the boys at a buffet restaurant, and then receive a compliment on our sons' behavior, is definitely something to be applauded!  He's my hero, but you already knew that, didn't you?)  :)  But back to Christmas...  Jeff took the boys so that I could have peace and quiet and privacy to wrap Christmas gifts.  But you know, it's actually too simple to just say "wrap Christmas gifts."  First, I had to go searching in my closet for the gifts I had been stashing there, and then I had to try to remember which gift was for which boy (sometimes it was obvious, but not always), and then I had to write down a list of what gifts we're giving them (mainly so I don't forget between now and Christmas and buy a duplicate gift!)  ;-), and then I had to make sure we were giving roughly equal amounts of gifts to Josiah and David (and to a lesser extent, Tobin, although he doesn't keep track of his present count quite as ardently as the older boys!), and then I had to write in the front of the books we are giving the boys (they love opening a book and reading their name in it and the occasion when they received it), and then I had to wrap them!  And while I was at it, I also did a tiny bit more Christmas shopping on Ebay.  Despite all the steps of the process, it was all a joy to do, especially because of the aforementioned peace and quiet and privacy.  :)  I LOVE giving gifts to my boys.  I used to love receiving gifts.  Maybe I'm growing up, because now, rather than get, I would much rather give presents.  Christmas shopping for these precious little men is a delight to me, and the wrapping part is pretty fun, too.  :)  Here is the evidence of my project this morning:

It was a morning well-spent.  :)

One more quick Christmas item for tonight...

Some folks put a star at the top of their nativity set, while others top it with an angel.  But we?

Well, we put a cowboy hat on top of ours!  :)

I'm not sure which of the little wise guys running around here was the one to put the cowboy hat in this place...

...but when I saw it, I smiled and decided to leave it there.  If Jesus had come to earth a couple thousand years later than He did, I bet He would have loved to be a cowboy.  ;-)