Photos...

...and a reminder that midnight tonight is the last chance to leave me a comment for my GIVEAWAY! Just click the image in my sidebar to go to the original post, and comment away!!!

A Knock at the Door....

Click on the image and turn up your speakers!

Christmas Day Festivities

Hope you all had a great Ho Ho day! We sure did!

We started with a light breakfast and lot's of hot coffee
while the critters waited not-so-patiently to open gifts.

Then it was time! I love watching the animals get new toys
as much as I love it when little humans open new treasures!



Happy happy happy!

Even Basil was enraptured with his new catnip playthings.


Couldn't get Puck to stand still long enough for a photo.
He was happily throwing and chasing his new mouse
all over the house!! But, I did get a photo of him
'helping' to wrap packages!

Then it was time to put dinner in the oven.




At 4:30, we sat down to this:

The sauce I made for the roast was yummo, to
coin a phrase from Rachael Ray.
The red wine was the over-the-top element.
Mental note: do more cooking with wine.

Dessert was something different for a change. I received a
gift card to World Market, so we decided to try this:

MDH thinks it's hilarious and he plans to name his blog after it
when he gets around to setting it up. Ah, me. Men.

It was actually quite good, especially the warmed
custard over the top. We decided
that it will be our Christmas Day
dinner dessert from now on. The rest of the
day we just watched movies in our pj's and relaxed.

"Thank you mommy, for all my presents!"

So, how do you all plan to spend to spend New Year's? We are staying HOME!

Merry Christmas and a 200th Post Giveaway!!

Well, it's my 200th post and I'd like to begin with a merry Christmas to you all!! It's 7 am and hubby is still in bed, and the animals are patiently waiting to open their prezzies!

Violet's not getting far from the stash!! She LOVES to open gifts!

and little Bailey has to periodically 'snout' every one, I guess to make sure they are still there!

We have a ton of snow and the birds are out in force gobbling up every bit of food they can to sustain them through the bitter cold days and nights.

(taken just after dawn this am)

Isn't this flicker beautiful??? He's on the feeder every morning and evening. There is also a pretty little woodpecker who comes everyday, but I haven't been able to snap his picture yet.

NOW, on to the GIVEAWAY!! I've been trying to come up with something special, so here goes.

Item #1: The best book I have read this year...

My personal copy, read and loved. You won't be disappointed with this lovely memoir.

Item #2: A hand stitched (by me) plastic bag dispenser made from a very pretty vintage tea towel! Keep those bags contained!


Item #3: a vintage cake decorating set! Very cute!!


Just leave me a comment, and on January 1st, I will choose a random number and send these goodies to the lucky winner! Tell all your bloggy friends as well to come visit and comment!

Have a beautiful Christmas day!!!

Ebay

Won a real pretty vintage lamp on Ebay. It came today and this is what greeted me.






GOOD GRIEF!!

Knock knock....

"Door's open! Come in and have some cocoa!"


"Thanks for coming to my open house! First let me introduce you to Mr. & Mrs. Claus. They will be your host and hostess."


"First we'd like to show you the pride and joy of the house. This brass and teak wood reindeer and sleigh. It's been in the Marshall family for around 30 years now. Isn't it lovely?"

"If you'll look up on top of the TV cabinet. you'll see Mrs. Marshall's collection of Old World Santas. It's a small collection, but she's working on it!"


"Moving through the room we find a cute little birdhouse lamp and some pretty wooden candles.."


And here is their lovely tree...


complete with kitty...


Take the tour...

over 700 "homes" to visit! And be sure to leave a comment!!

A Christmas Meme...

BJ at Sweet Nothings invited everyone who reads her blog to participate in this meme. I invite YOU ALL to do the same!!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper.

2. Real tree or artificial? Artificial.

3. When do you put up the tree? Day after Thanksgiving. Usually. Haven't done it yet :-(

4. When do you take the tree down? New Year's Day

5. Do you like eggnog? It's okay. Just a couple of sips are enough for me.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My 'big girl' bike.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Son-in-law.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Granddaughters.

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? MAIL!

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A boyfriend broke up with me right before Christmas once.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story.

13. Better to give or receive? Give!

14. Favorite Christmas Food? Ham, if it's a good honey ham and not too salty!

15. Favorite Christmas tradition? Going to my sister's on Christmas Eve.

16. Colored lights on the tree or all clear? Clear. They look like twinkling stars.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Silver Bells.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Home. We had planned to visit my mom in Arizona this year, but finances won't allow it. They cut Christmas bonuses at work due to the economy. Bummer :-(

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Absolutely!!! Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen. Comet and Cupid, Donner and Blitzen!! And I didn't even have to look it up!!!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? STAR.

21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? Morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Rude, pushy people. That's why I try to shop on-line, but you knows there's always a quick trip to ~shudder~ Wal-mart for something last minute.

23. Favorite Ornament theme or color? Lot's of gold! Gold beaded garland on the tree and all colors of ornaments with touches of gold!

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Didn't we already do this one??

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I would love to see my grandbabies open their presents, but, alas, that won't happen :-(

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