Hi all! We were up at the crack and I got the stuffing started, house smells of sage and apple, yum. The orange things are simmering away getting ready for peeling and slicing, Mike is up, Ted's ensconced in his office downstairs, so all is right with the world so far today.
We're heading over to Tony's around 3:30 this afternoon for an early dinner, then home to crack open some rummy egg nog. Moore, can you post some pics of your gingerbread house contest? I think that's such a fun idea. Would you mind if we steal it for next year? I know the kids would LOVE it!
Happy holidays everyone!! I hope all are feeling better and the next few days are merry and bright. Hugs to all.
Mmmm. Sage and Apple. I bet your place DOES smell declicious Kae!!!
And I'm stealing the Gingerbread house idea too for next year, LOL! I think our kiddos would really get into, and have fun since they're so young.
Aw, Bran. I hope you get to feeling much, much better today. Maybe Santa will bring you wellness. Were you a good boy this year?
I'm working. I've gotten a lot done today too. I even had to run into the office to print some paperwork out, and I'm steadily knocking things off my list. Go me! I'm hoping I can make Friday as easy a day as possible.
Today, I have to make a quick run to the grocery store for a few sticks of butter for Santa's sugar cookies. Hehe. I forgot to pick up the darned butter last night.
Absolutely you guys need to do a gingerbread house competition! It's completely silly, and fun.
I just bought our kits the other day, and they're only about six dollars at our local craft store.
I may be able to dig out the older pictures, and we'll definitely take some new ones. In our household, there is a lot of sibling rivalry, and a lot of "suspense" in the judging through the parental units who rub their chins, and comment about things such as, "Well, that one has a lot of nice color. Hmmm." And, "Well, that one is really imaginative. Hmmm." And... "We need to go off and consult."
The first year, our son won the contest, and his two sisters were majorly pissed off! Last year, having recovered from the structure issue that first year, AD won. Our oldest daughter was a VERY close second.
It should be an interesting event this year!
__________________
"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities"
(Dumbledore to Harry Potter)
I hope everyone is getting ready for the arrival of Santa...According to the official NORAD Santa tracker, he's in Trinidad and Tobago. He's getting close!!!
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS by Clement Clarke Moore or Henry Livingston
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."
