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Archive of ‘Christmas’ category

My friend Alex who taught me to slow down

/ Christmas, Dress Design / 0 comment

I have a very, very special customer, who has become very dear to us here at Pegeen.

She has such a warm and creative personality and holds a special place in my heart. Alexandra Caitlin Hubbard, who likes to be called Alex, asked me to make her a special dress that was wide enough to cover her chair and wanted to wear it to see The Nutcracker.

This is the post I wrote about my friend: Since then, Alex has been attending college, has dreams of becoming a pediatric nurse or doctor, or to help others like so many have helped her. She also loves it when you read her blog posts and I try to answer her writings (she is quite good describing what it is like to be in her shoes.)

Alex changed my life. She once sent me a video where the male lead from The Nutcracker picked her up and danced with her so she could feel what it was like to dance. I cherish that video to this day.

When she got her dress, she describes the blue as the most beautiful color of the sky. Last night I was excited as she to have the package arrive at her door and have someone help her get into her dress so she could send me this photograph.

Then, I started to read her blog. It is the most remarkable insight into what it is like to live in her world and describes the friends she meets along the way. I am sure that you would love to read her Facebook posts the way I did. Keep up your writing Raina/Alex! All of us loved seeing you in your dress! I wish I could write such wonderful stories as you!! Have fun seeing The Nutcracker on Saturday!

#clara #nutcrackerdress #nutcrackerballet

Always exciting to bring your kid back from college

/ Christmas, Kids / 0 comment

As I wait to pick him up from his plane, thoughts run through my head….I wonder how fast I can get him to the barber!  I wonder, will I recognize the strength he now has that he finished another semester?  More importantly, can I get him out of bed the first two days he is home?

I baked his favorite cookies, his dad made him his favorite meal (spaghetti) and put clean sheets on his bed so there was no dust in the bed.  What a mom.  Let Christmas vacation begin.

Its Beginning to look alot like Christmas

/ Christmas, Home, Life / 0 comment

So, Halloween decorations away, and yep, the trees are up. This is the first year we are once again totally artificial with three trees! I thought I would NEVER do that however, in Florida the trees dry out very quickly.  We are a sucker for Christmas, (not to out-do Jessica Milliken) but we love the season as do most (just see my Facebook cover pix).  Of course, at Christmas this year, we are crazy for it, even here in Florida because, after all, we can get our “snow” bubbles at Disney just a mile away.  This time of the year too we get to meet many, many of our customers who come down to get their daughter’s Christmas Portraits for their trips.

Our customer chose this Tiffany Blue and Peony Pink silk flower girl dress for her photo shoot at Disney World.

Our customer chose this Tiffany Blue and Peony Pink silk flower girl dress for her photo shoot at Disney World

So, back to my trees!! My husband and I stole a tradition from my sister-in-law in that we try to pick up and ornament wherever we go for the kids, hoping they pick out their own.  This way, the kids have their own collection and when they get married, like Bill did this year, they get their treasure trove of ornaments.

I was really lucky too in purchasing my artificial trees during the Day After Christmas Sale.  We eyed them for weeks over at Hobby Lobby, drooled over them in Frontgate. (Seriously? A $2300 artificial tree? Seriously?), and ran around at local “Christmas Set Up Shops” – you know the ones that move into those Halloween stores. The funny thing is, I am not a Black Friday shopper (who needs the crowds?) nor had I ever gone to a store the day after Christmas for bargains, but this time, my husband and I were on the curb at their opening!!

We got 70% off the already-discounted tree AND to make it better, the clerk told me that we could haul off the floor sample for 15% more. WOW – I think the tree (which was tall) was around $750 and let me tell you, after spending a ridiculous $150 on a fresh tree that was dead before Christmas, we were thrilled to get 85% off.  In fact, we picked up another tree we both coveted last season that reminded us of our home, and had lovely snow and berries on it. I think we did great!  Finally, we were so happy with them we got a third “outside” tree in white so we can “think” snow.

Still working on the Thomas the Tank Engine Trains but this will all be up this year before my son comes home for Christmas break. Yes, and our tradition of playing Amy Grant the day after Halloween has once again been fulfilled.

Let the baking begin!!

I haven’t taken pictures yet but here, sadly, is our dog that passed away, under her favorite spot…. under the warmth of the Christmas Tree lights.  Maybe we can find a new one into our hearts this year.DSC_1959