(Art) Journal Your Christmas (and a winner)

In 2006, I completed Shimelle's Journal Your Christmas class as an art journal.  I did each prompt on a 5x7 card with art work on one side and journaling on the other.  I have my entire journal set up to run as a slideshow on Christmas Day, but I wanted to share a few of my favorite entries throughout December.  So as not to spoil the prompts for people who are taking the class for the first time, I'm waiting to share my entries until after the prompts post.  I hope you enjoy these!

Day 4:  A Perfect Christmas (click to enlarge)

Journaling reads: "What is a perfect vision of Christmas, 2006?  Enjoying some favorite traditions . . . cutting down the tree at Rancho Siempre Verde; going to church and putting up the Nativity made by Paul's mom; visiting with my brothers and sisters in La Habra, where Henry and Clara play in the same places I grew up.  Simple, meaningful, true."

Day 6:  Two Memories (click to enlarge)

Journaling reads:
"Dec. 87 - Paul and I closed on our San Carlos condo in late December, 1987.  We simply were not able to make it to Southern California for Christmas.  Even though we managed to put up a tree (twice, in fact, since we had already set it up in our apartment), it just wasn't the same.  It was my first Christmas spent away from 'home,' and I was sad and miserable.  Paul held me when I cried.
Dec. 95 - Last year was the first time since 1987 that I did not go to La Habra for Christmas day, but it did not matter because I was happy to be 'home' in El Granada, celebrating with Paul, Henry and Clara - enjoying new traditions with my little family. Now that Mom and Dad are gone, I enjoy visiting with my brother & sisters near the holidays, but I'm happy and content to spend Christmas in my home."

The winner of the weekend give-away and an assortment of ATC's is Mel!
Email me at rinda1961 at yahoo dot com with your address, and I"ll drop them in the post.  I know you live over seas.  No worries.