O Christmas Tree: Critters

I’ve been looking for vaguely retro-ish ornaments this year, to go along with my fantasy of having a period-inspired decor for my 1954 bungalow (just because “bungalow” sounds cooler than “house”; ours is actually a “ranch home” but that just sounds dippy). And a lot of the ornaments that have caught my eye, either for retro-ness or cute-ness or sheer shameless nostalgia, are critters.

I’ve put my favorite find right up front. This little red deer is new, and courtesy of J.C. Penney, but isn’t he just perfect? (And he’s got two little herd-mates now, too… :))

The lamb is authentically vintage… not sure how old.

    

That last picture cracks me up because of d’Artagnan lurking in the background. Christmas brings out the silly kitten in every cat, I think. As I type this, he’s playing soccer with an invisible piece of plastic on the floor next to the tree. This is an improvement from his preferred activity of earlier: attempting to unwrap presents by playing tug-of-war with their curly ribbons. And of course, he’s been ALL KINDS of help with the actual wrapping process…

O Christmas Tree: Birds

I know they’re probably ABSOLUTELY RIVETING, but I really wanted to share some of the pictures of my Christmas tree. I’m loving it so much that I think I’ll just keep it year-round – what do you think? 🙂

There are a lot of them, so today I think I’ll focus on birds. I love putting bird ornaments in Christmas trees.

 

These aren’t maybe my favorite pictures that I’ve taken, but there are more where these came from. 🙂 Stay tuned!

Hey, Jessica!

I’m sorry you don’t have your present yet, and that I haven’t written you a chapter either, but you’ll get both soon. 🙂 I hope your day is a very good one!

Holidailies – Day 15

What scent makes the holidays for you?

This is a great time of year for the nose. Cinnamon and nutmeg and peppermint and pine… Of course, I usually have a stuffed up nose this time of year, so I don’t get the full benefit of it. I think that the real holiday odors for me are the ones related to cooking, even if they come from a candle or air freshener instead of a stovetop. Spiced cider… butter… fresh bread… coffee… cookies…

That, and candle smoke.

Holidailies – Day 14

What puts you in an especially jolly holiday spirit?

This year, it’s definitely my tree. I need to post some pictures.

I like the Christmas lights on the houses, and particularly well-done outdoor trees – you know, when someone covers every branch of a deciduous tree with white lights?

The Muppets “Twelve Days of Christmas.” BUH-DUH-DUH-DUH!

Shopping for family members and wrapping their gifts beautifully. Finding that perfect gift that will make them happy. Putting it under the tree.

And for your jollification:

Holidailies – Day 13

How much Christmas music do you listen to? When do you start? When do you stop?

I listen to some Christmas music on the local “all Christmas music from Thanksgiving through the 26th” station, and of course it’s unavoidable out in public. I generally like Christmas music but I get annoyed at the really drippy covers by Pop Star of the Week. I don’t listen to Christmas music exclusively, though; I have to supplement with raunchy hiphop music to pump up my energy level, and NPR to get my brain moving.

Holidailies – Day 12

Have you ever been too sick to enjoy the holidays?

I remember one Christmas when I was little, and Mom and Meredith and I all had the flu. Since then, I’ve never been too sick on Christmas (knock on wood) but I’ve been amazingly ill on New Years almost every year lately. I think my adrenaline from teaching runs out at about the same time as my students’ germs catch up with me. Fortunately, I’m not a big “go out to the clubs and party on NYE” sort of gal…

Holidailies – Day 11

What is your favorite holiday candy?

The only holiday candy that immediately comes to mind is the humble candy cane, which I like but cannot call a favorite.

Wait – I’ve got it! I’ve rarely had the pleasure, but I love the holiday tins of pralines from Lammes Candies in Texas. At least, I think that’s the right company – they don’t seem to have tins anymore. But I remember the logo… Anyone want to blow $80 on a five-pound box of pure sugar for me this Christmas? 🙂

Holidailies – Day 10

Who is your favorite elf?

One of my favorite words this time of year is “elfly” (pronounced elf-ly, not el-fly… duh). I’ve been hearing a lot lately about “languages of love” and how some people show love through physical touch, or through talking, or through gift-giving – and how people need love in certain ways, too. Dunno anything about that, really, but I know that one of the things that truly brings me joy is to be elfly – to find or make gifts for others and wrap them and give them… which makes lean years all the harder for me. It’s irrational; I’m not materialistic. But it’s one of my main ways that I express love, I think. Christmas presents.

But I digress.

My favorite elf is not Legolas, as I’m sure some of my friends would answer; I much prefer Mr. Bloom with dark hair, thank you very much. No; if I had to pick a favorite elf, it would definitely be this guy:

I mean, how can you resist a guy who works in Santa’s workshop and STILL would prefer to be a dentist? Misfits of the world, unite. 🙂

Holidailies – Day 9

What’s your favorite holiday snack?

Uhm… cookies that someone else baked from scratch? 🙂