Monday, December 5, 2011

I'll Be Home for Christmas

I'll be home for Christmas.

You can plan on me.

Please have snow and mistletoe

and presents on the tree.

Christmas Eve will find me

where the lovelight gleams.

I'll be home for Christmas,

if only in my dreams.

I'll be home

for Christmas,

if only

in my dreams.

This beautiful song by Kim Gannon, Walter Kent, and Buck Ram burst into popularity in 1943, and it has always captured my imagination. It's easy to imagine how soldiers and their families, then and now, would warm to the lyrics that remind lonely listeners of home and hearth. Surely nearly everyone can relate to the joy of being home for Christmas...or wanting to be.

This year my entire family will be with us for Christmas, and I am grateful. I hope you enjoyed catching a little glimpse of the Christmas memories in the making that will greet them. We just finished our decorating last night, and I simply cannot wait to welcome them all home.

(pictures by me)

30 comments:

Susan said...

What a beautiful setting to greet everyone. It's always so nice when everyone can get together.

Unknown said...

I love all your decorations. I especially love how I think I see snow outside

jen said...

This will be my first Christmas without my whole family around me. And it's going to be hard. Heidi and Sam are taking Ellie to Placerville, and for some reason, T's mission president won't let him out for even Christmas Eve. Lucky for me my parents are coming, or I might be a complete basket case.

Jocelyn Christensen said...

OH it looks absolutely beautiful!!! Great work! I'm so happy for you...and I was going to say, if you'll be home for Christmas, you won't be in California if you're wanting Snow! Ha ha!

Grandma Honey said...

I'm feeling the same here. Ready and waiting for my kids to come home....just 14 more days!

Brian Miller said...

yay on all your family being home...i imagine ti to be a very warm occassion...i miss christmases at my grandparents with all the family....

BECKY said...

Thanks for sharing, Sue! And I'm so happy for you that your family will all be together!

Unknown said...

Oh, that will be a wonderful Christmas. I try to imagine what it would have been like to come home from the war listening to that song. It is all about family!!

Sue said...

You are ready.

What a lovely home. It looks like it is just waiting for all those smilles and hugs.

Best wishes.

anitamombanita said...

I'm singing! :)

CB said...

Sue your house looks so festive and inviting! Just beautiful :-D

I love that song - it is a classic that will never grow old. I am so glad you get your family home with your this year!

Darlene said...

I, too, absolutely love that song and I can remember the first time I ever heard it, during the 2nd World War. It always makes me want to cry for those soldiers that won't be able to make it home for Christmas, except in their dreams.

I also remember all your beautiful Christmas Decorations from years past and it is fun to see them,and a few added ones, I think, depicting the great lyrics to this song.

We are so looking forward to seeing all the family, plus the Blakes for Christmas. You are truly going to have the largest bunch of people there EVER.

Love you,

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

The photos are lovely. Your home is so cozy looking. Thanks for sharing.

It sounds like you will be full to the seams. That sounds wonderful.

yaya said...

You did a ton of work and it looks beautiful. I know the family will enjoy it and it should be a fun time with everyone there. We head to Chicago the week before Christmas and celebrate with my family there on that weekend. I know how much my Mom enjoys having all of us there. I wish I could have all my kids here but it's hard when some live away and have their own young family that wants to wake up Christmas morning in their home. So enjoy yourself and enjoy your pretty home!

Stef said...

Oh how fun! This year my parents are on their mission, and so I will be missing them. Not that I spend Christmas with them, but knowing that they will be away for Christmas tugs at my heart. Although my Christmas away when I was on my mission was one of the best!
Enjoy!

Em said...

i love all of the decorations, so fun to see what everyone puts up!!!! so warm and cozy.

Connie said...

You have a beautiful home. The way you have the pictures outlined looks like a dream. Perfect pictures to go along with the song. Enjoy your family this Christmas.

lesa said...

I can feel your excitement! Enjoy your family!

Pondside said...

This is the first year that we won't be all together for Christmas, but I'm adjusting. I'll miss the little ones, but love to know that they will be under their own tree, with parents happy to make some new traditions.

Erika said...

What a beautiful way to welcome the family home. Have a wonderful Christmas.

Erika
It’s a Wrap Link Party at Artful Rising

Unknown said...

How exciting to have them all at home!Your home looks ready to greet them with Christmas cheer!

Jenny said...

Sue! I'm so glad! We should have all of our kids home this year barring a relapse with the younger one. I get excited and scared at the same time. I want it to be all of us...

We are moving after the first of the year and this will be the last time in this house and I am turning out to be way more emotional with the process than I thought!

this was lovely...and it made me cry.

Cathy Feaster said...

great pics! the decorating is beautiful and sounds like it's going to be a wonderful Christmas season for you

larainydays said...

This song always tugs at my heart. I'm excited for you, and for me. We're so lucky to have family coming home.

Serene is my name, not my life! said...

Oh my gracious! I LOOOOOOVE your decorations!!! Seriously. Can I come over too?

Heather said...

It s always a little crazy how many xmas things you have but I think it brings a magical feel for the kids

Unknown said...

I LOVE your fireplace! Thanks for letting me peep!

Caroline said...

Your home looks BEAUTIFUL!! I love how you celebrate Christmas with all the bells and whistles! It's clear that in your home the birth of a King is rejoiced!

I love it. And the lyrics to the song which is also one of my favorites!

Terra said...

oh Sue that is so so wonderful that everyone will be home for Christmas. the feeling of peace will be overwhelming!

Tonya said...

Yay!! Thanks for the fun tour!! Your home is every bit as cozy as I imagined it would be!! :) I love that song, too. It took on new meaning for me the year my husband was overseas. Happy he served, but happier he's home for good now. :) Happy you'll be with all your kin on such a special day. :)