New Holiday Collection! Linens, Wreaths, Bulb Baskets, Tissue Paper...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8k7LSbkIPoXQkh3cgjj3x03DudtyUcqt7DxA_PgULa3nICXVtLLdsv9s3NjKiENdgGujCB8xsXjrY_LWm6XiIujsd3A5JzvMr8TZpSJ93P6QFVnzJdZh9e9o3UxkZvN5riHZcPLeixc1U/s1600/holiday+items+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8k7LSbkIPoXQkh3cgjj3x03DudtyUcqt7DxA_PgULa3nICXVtLLdsv9s3NjKiENdgGujCB8xsXjrY_LWm6XiIujsd3A5JzvMr8TZpSJ93P6QFVnzJdZh9e9o3UxkZvN5riHZcPLeixc1U/s1600/holiday+items+1.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKJ_wU1nkDKhBKAeDWeO98z0phsVxIgWQu_4bxRUpdSrXbcRbvANAGFjcfo2HM_TPGZBhSFx2JsQ7fuCTzeMwKC6pbgUw4cKxj3lgeE3q2pSj5uWTY_FICqfxEDp_tMza3yHk_tjqTBSV/s1600/holiday+items+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKJ_wU1nkDKhBKAeDWeO98z0phsVxIgWQu_4bxRUpdSrXbcRbvANAGFjcfo2HM_TPGZBhSFx2JsQ7fuCTzeMwKC6pbgUw4cKxj3lgeE3q2pSj5uWTY_FICqfxEDp_tMza3yHk_tjqTBSV/s1600/holiday+items+2.png" width="370" /></a></div><i><span style="font-size: large;">Holiday Collection</span></i><br /><br />Last week I came out with a few of my holiday products (handmade Copper Cookie Cutters!) for those of you who were ordering some items for Thanksgiving.  Today, <i>all</i> of my Holiday products are up and available.   I'm not going to go into great detail about each new product today, because I'll be doing that throughout the holiday season. <br /><br />You'll find my favorite Preserved Boxwood Wreath, 4" Red Satin Ribbon, festive Linens, new Kraft Bags and Boxes, Tissue Paper and (one of my favorites) Bulb Baskets for Amaryllis and Paperwhites.  There are essentials for holiday baking (Monkey Bread Pans!), festive things for your home and gifts - for yourself and your favorite people.<br /><br />Explore the entire Holiday Collection, <a href="https://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/holiday">here</a>.<br /><br />I'm taking a little bit of a different approach to the season - instead of jumping ahead and doing all of my baking and decorating for the season a month ahead of time so I can take photos for the store (like I've done for Easter, Summer, Fall and Halloween...), I'm going to take my time and enjoy my favorite season.  So, instead of all of my photos and baking projects coming out in one day, I'm spreading them throughout the holiday season- like a real person : )   I learned my lesson this Halloween when Oct. 31st rolled around and Emma and I didn't even decorate cookies together because I had done it back in September.<br /><br />Because I know you are all creative and inspired readers, I know you'll have great ideas for the products, too.  So, fix yourself a cup of peppermint tea and enjoy exploring my entire <a href="http://everyday-occasions.myshopify.com/collections/holiday">Holiday Collection</a>!<br /><br />Happy Holidays!<br />Jenny

New Holiday Collection! Linens, Wreaths, Bulb Baskets, Tissue Paper...

Holiday Collection Last week I came out with a few of my holiday products (handmade Copper Cookie Cutters!) for those of you who were orderi...

Read more »

Merry Christmas

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaPYa-lKVjcZIwNJ1s-B7R5qt0zq388JJtINanJX9gNVSd4qznLKVAAkRO8SyIGiy08ttOUVvoZjhkEtF8zN8zq3pg8LS0zmueFuWSYBjx1RAdLZzjrYbsOKQBIsRZWgpWJxNtdwQmb0/s1600/IMG_1939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaPYa-lKVjcZIwNJ1s-B7R5qt0zq388JJtINanJX9gNVSd4qznLKVAAkRO8SyIGiy08ttOUVvoZjhkEtF8zN8zq3pg8LS0zmueFuWSYBjx1RAdLZzjrYbsOKQBIsRZWgpWJxNtdwQmb0/s640/IMG_1939.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Many of you noticed I won the Christmas tree contest on <a href="http://tartanscot.blogspot.com/2012/12/and-winners-are.html">Scot Meacham Wood's blog</a>.  There was a panel of judges whose work I really respect so taking home my second award was really quite an honor.  But I'm actually quite surprised I won because it wasn't the tree I planned on entering. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I just didn't have the time to get it done in time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYW6Xa3qwJcP07NYeqECvWbMTc5LVCe7GSF8r8iD9SyyYV2gsS0jgpngjYKg8-gxlGoAhzP4UO4kmTBgZQzE576lyYq6shKS9DUnNy8bZt_DAUKhvXtwCWLVM6Asy_HKZdTzrBpPFreE/s1600/IMG_1824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYW6Xa3qwJcP07NYeqECvWbMTc5LVCe7GSF8r8iD9SyyYV2gsS0jgpngjYKg8-gxlGoAhzP4UO4kmTBgZQzE576lyYq6shKS9DUnNy8bZt_DAUKhvXtwCWLVM6Asy_HKZdTzrBpPFreE/s400/IMG_1824.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My initial thought was to have a tree centered under the Moravian star pendant</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">in the guest bedroom.  Since you weren't able to make it for Christmas this year, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I would clean out the guest bedroom and set the tree up in the center of the room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The stars being a guide for sailors, I thought a tree decorated with marine signal flags</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">would be the perfect theme and I would want them all basically the same so they would look</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">like a sea of stars on the tree.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQ0Yshxm2WWn510Jhw4ICQTHcSga5Vkx6L_8ptQpWcwDGqnkkwfeA8rrqLk-K4zrH0sLaxy7QdtNwfRQBB_jjBuMKbboPb-4eY1iLSMQyQVWiuLuq2AVZh4qiG1MJw5lCxkknw7e6I94/s1600/IMG_1618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQ0Yshxm2WWn510Jhw4ICQTHcSga5Vkx6L_8ptQpWcwDGqnkkwfeA8rrqLk-K4zrH0sLaxy7QdtNwfRQBB_jjBuMKbboPb-4eY1iLSMQyQVWiuLuq2AVZh4qiG1MJw5lCxkknw7e6I94/s400/IMG_1618.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I would use hang tags to make the ornaments and trim them</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">into the basic marine flag shapes...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Xbo6K1eS5I2d4OW1T5P79Ze1nSRWa8nFF_O7zxTxAT0gsXquDs8QkZ7CgycfFysgG6fW2jr0lmilh1xQwJfs82QDVyQCPaMFMRIU-WRBScBG7w1gTY6VXKQId-m9GqvyfRCuGbOXXrw/s1600/IMG_1621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Xbo6K1eS5I2d4OW1T5P79Ze1nSRWa8nFF_O7zxTxAT0gsXquDs8QkZ7CgycfFysgG6fW2jr0lmilh1xQwJfs82QDVyQCPaMFMRIU-WRBScBG7w1gTY6VXKQId-m9GqvyfRCuGbOXXrw/s400/IMG_1621.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...and use silver glitter to give them a little bling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39ohd1RATwfWZzcuJjBgnlDf9h8NVylBZb14KBnnjuCoy8ZUXqgZmYC7A0JDJqW6y3VzGcoKAH53SaXaT-avqoyKmx0hvx77ioQ3OSXFpCoEl1HkiagAqY928DGuHLvjvpP9pbvW6HII/s1600/IMG_1844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39ohd1RATwfWZzcuJjBgnlDf9h8NVylBZb14KBnnjuCoy8ZUXqgZmYC7A0JDJqW6y3VzGcoKAH53SaXaT-avqoyKmx0hvx77ioQ3OSXFpCoEl1HkiagAqY928DGuHLvjvpP9pbvW6HII/s640/IMG_1844.jpg" width="458" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The tags would also be perfect to write a few </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">prayers, dreams, wishes or messages to the universe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXhp1Dq_aZIBZAitLD38ENP10QaBcJotFBfv6Ec1H5t55Jq-k7IUYur3fiETT8Ibnr6JZXaUaeipJkcGnbjJNMG6vTU5fYEy08Xlfe794FAhmwfzV2E7e8UQWg8RUu8vDEUI9YZNaC34/s1600/IMG_1842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyXhp1Dq_aZIBZAitLD38ENP10QaBcJotFBfv6Ec1H5t55Jq-k7IUYur3fiETT8Ibnr6JZXaUaeipJkcGnbjJNMG6vTU5fYEy08Xlfe794FAhmwfzV2E7e8UQWg8RUu8vDEUI9YZNaC34/s640/IMG_1842.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I would add a little Love and Joy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5mD7gHo2SiuUpVbww2sMVKIkKQPKiaN08IONClsk9cf_isQO3twqpDw_BYqyVXaZ3SrK9E1v-i4qBmAzwSuSrsqv7sFDohPz9L-3tNO2VtRBs2t5qd7BhGBf-KTFJuqALH5U-GWkZ9U/s1600/IMG_1933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5mD7gHo2SiuUpVbww2sMVKIkKQPKiaN08IONClsk9cf_isQO3twqpDw_BYqyVXaZ3SrK9E1v-i4qBmAzwSuSrsqv7sFDohPz9L-3tNO2VtRBs2t5qd7BhGBf-KTFJuqALH5U-GWkZ9U/s640/IMG_1933.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've never had a tree centered in the room before; it would be a little unconventional.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But it would be a wonderful place to sit and enjoy the sea of stars.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNIaFBdmS6wSv3M6nUZhohSx7Yi-IUCj4YwiPi8Uiac05twEDVrAfCgPakeUrjAjtLv-wnX-xr_iZArZoSw8sxHoVC1PnLRlVcG6ufz9jGGnow678UZpExIv4ZxvEHMc6VC22djreGRo/s1600/IMG_1941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnNIaFBdmS6wSv3M6nUZhohSx7Yi-IUCj4YwiPi8Uiac05twEDVrAfCgPakeUrjAjtLv-wnX-xr_iZArZoSw8sxHoVC1PnLRlVcG6ufz9jGGnow678UZpExIv4ZxvEHMc6VC22djreGRo/s640/IMG_1941.jpg" width="497" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">May love and joy come to you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Merry Christmas!</div></div>

Merry Christmas

Many of you noticed I won the Christmas tree contest on Scot Meacham Wood's blog .  There was a panel of judges whose work I really resp...

Read more »

Christmas is Packed Away

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6X_l75X7BqNI4vJ-IOYzq1cTy8zs9Eq0SXLLzozJveUUIk9LDR5Sc0iB_wj1pdqT-xsDJb2rSml95yCvvVui1CAFJjHUPyFqcl7-CTuyTAR8HP1TRpuKktDgniTPo1qcxaEyWbW5eurs/s1600/P1020318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6X_l75X7BqNI4vJ-IOYzq1cTy8zs9Eq0SXLLzozJveUUIk9LDR5Sc0iB_wj1pdqT-xsDJb2rSml95yCvvVui1CAFJjHUPyFqcl7-CTuyTAR8HP1TRpuKktDgniTPo1qcxaEyWbW5eurs/s640/P1020318.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had the best weekend filled with rest and relaxation.  How about you?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMbuWs0xWhKmPWIUP7nYCsQFFA-34-MCxhtI5sU7Aj-VeqV3_1uHXWVSsfAAlth1MmmHstdIDr92IVDKWfUKFt_DSKdl95Y5CjZRlUnM3HxoFxV8Y6GBgOQUozxqciCfYuj6r8k4Bbvc/s1600/P1020321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMbuWs0xWhKmPWIUP7nYCsQFFA-34-MCxhtI5sU7Aj-VeqV3_1uHXWVSsfAAlth1MmmHstdIDr92IVDKWfUKFt_DSKdl95Y5CjZRlUnM3HxoFxV8Y6GBgOQUozxqciCfYuj6r8k4Bbvc/s640/P1020321.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The living tree is planted outside although I can't help but feel guilty everytime I see it.  It looks so sad and lonely out in the cold.  Am I transferring?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I undecorated the pruned tree today.  It took me about three days to decorate and about 15 minutes to take apart.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwd4XdYJJo4qCOxza7UxaVjOPh9xVu8gsujUHarprBBtZYgLjVhI7SlLEuRXrLagHtD66DUmlLGxB_LC8xVrdYwwXukVzSUiZreRYVpliZNHFGgnwS-me585BtUVN-9x7nDpub95Z_3ow/s1600/P1020312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwd4XdYJJo4qCOxza7UxaVjOPh9xVu8gsujUHarprBBtZYgLjVhI7SlLEuRXrLagHtD66DUmlLGxB_LC8xVrdYwwXukVzSUiZreRYVpliZNHFGgnwS-me585BtUVN-9x7nDpub95Z_3ow/s400/P1020312.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't know why it took me so many years to figure out I should just take all of the ornaments off and place them in a basket rather than wandering around the living room with ornament boxes laid out on every surface looking for the box each ornament came from.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mHRbnNuKFrwkDsBv0A-qZxLsoFKRQcmQcPkYljZyDCpZFGJW7QYEYbvCvnyaQzs7KbHhel_43sebzqFP4DR4koouXq1q-9hYgiwosIyHQ1aDRJB4938ykzPOLgHFNFoi8pzZk3bGelQ/s1600/P1020335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-mHRbnNuKFrwkDsBv0A-qZxLsoFKRQcmQcPkYljZyDCpZFGJW7QYEYbvCvnyaQzs7KbHhel_43sebzqFP4DR4koouXq1q-9hYgiwosIyHQ1aDRJB4938ykzPOLgHFNFoi8pzZk3bGelQ/s400/P1020335.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then I set up all the boxes on the dining room table to make quicker work of putting everything back in its place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaI_TfepeEBjT2iKDT_boAwIMlcayLmUigsvpCYJ6Ih_rLl4R2GiRGhCDHaMuQar3Pai_dEWp69Ho4dkUc2ViKZEXHDcz-hI8KxRIQ23W4rRzZV3v9DWhKgVHyASzLqDNhDOQVxXDtQg/s1600/P1020342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaI_TfepeEBjT2iKDT_boAwIMlcayLmUigsvpCYJ6Ih_rLl4R2GiRGhCDHaMuQar3Pai_dEWp69Ho4dkUc2ViKZEXHDcz-hI8KxRIQ23W4rRzZV3v9DWhKgVHyASzLqDNhDOQVxXDtQg/s400/P1020342.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All the lights are neatly wound up and packed away ready for next year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But the day wasn't without incident.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCqfk6dP68uTBq-O3qbGqU9sHbFUoMGxtXMP940UmBRZqY4pjV8ry2LgORndCQdRb-XV7Su6uDbEuwaGt9HmxXW9G_zycW_mfaStMwLNxZSh7fqf5P72Gkt1_kIjC5leny-ZoD0a47XA/s1600/P1020311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCqfk6dP68uTBq-O3qbGqU9sHbFUoMGxtXMP940UmBRZqY4pjV8ry2LgORndCQdRb-XV7Su6uDbEuwaGt9HmxXW9G_zycW_mfaStMwLNxZSh7fqf5P72Gkt1_kIjC5leny-ZoD0a47XA/s400/P1020311.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Broken item of the season.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOu5wAkUTLMhvIbWJMW5E1FeV9he2s_hnfybIunQdAFW8FIJBmSG3YQDoX1vzo5uJonewzmCHzMXFw4dpWFSz0asAA1-FiFufu2FDwkqZ8OQfmlkKpHvTyEe4ozUGLKkl3kBJf5zQTno/s1600/P1020322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOu5wAkUTLMhvIbWJMW5E1FeV9he2s_hnfybIunQdAFW8FIJBmSG3YQDoX1vzo5uJonewzmCHzMXFw4dpWFSz0asAA1-FiFufu2FDwkqZ8OQfmlkKpHvTyEe4ozUGLKkl3kBJf5zQTno/s400/P1020322.jpg" width="368" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I was unpleasantly surprised to find a big patch of mold growing under the tree!  I'm not sure what happened.  Perhaps the tree stand leaked?  I've scrubbed it up and there's a little stain but I swear I can smell it.  I think it has to go.  Thank god I'm too poor to have nice Persian carpets.  I'd be more ill.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Everything is packed up and put away in the basement except the outside lights which I usually leave up until somewhere between the Epiphany and the date that a former neighbor left me a note in my mailbox that the lights should come down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNKy3sacaH94sZTrFRDkZlJaC4Zxo6WmRACYeSx1i2vPiQqPDI-dPhgUVoybjGStyKnN45eEYtDYUv9jSxsK2cwj4Us7Fgtgzc2P_nWcAcqIxOTecvXGfgu-V0oIa4mk9wLx1GNZEfoo/s1600/P1020262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNKy3sacaH94sZTrFRDkZlJaC4Zxo6WmRACYeSx1i2vPiQqPDI-dPhgUVoybjGStyKnN45eEYtDYUv9jSxsK2cwj4Us7Fgtgzc2P_nWcAcqIxOTecvXGfgu-V0oIa4mk9wLx1GNZEfoo/s400/P1020262.jpg" width="393" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hey, while I think of it, did you know you can keep paperwhites from getting too leggy by giving them a shot of gin?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yup.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Read about it at <a href="http://www.yankeemagazine.com/issues/2011-01/home/marys-farm-paperwhites">Yankee Magazine</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04yISkjh8SpNWrFC_TLwn_jLF2w-61L3WolnsEuPYfrpy6xuXx58FAs0If6_lnZJchXfaalyKmaAocdr47d4WctLZTPIlQUvKhtPNksVfUG80DNYAjtMmW9DchDVW0BpgL3CSK53T5Qs/s1600/P1020348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04yISkjh8SpNWrFC_TLwn_jLF2w-61L3WolnsEuPYfrpy6xuXx58FAs0If6_lnZJchXfaalyKmaAocdr47d4WctLZTPIlQUvKhtPNksVfUG80DNYAjtMmW9DchDVW0BpgL3CSK53T5Qs/s400/P1020348.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Although we've been really lucky with warmer than average temperatures and no snow since October, there's cold weather coming.  So we're all snuggling up and hunkering down for what we hope is a very short winter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Still working on my damn goals for 2012.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How 'bout you?</div><br /><br /></div>

Christmas is Packed Away

I had the best weekend filled with rest and relaxation.  How about you? The living tree is planted outside although I can't help but fee...

Read more »

Christmas at Our House | Brunch | My Life

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUCypWaK-VjNdNQ5AQFtZwimyVEw500PVxGaby2kQpwZLRQdQFvU5rkfl5XjjWXH6PMZooyIh00nsyBqs8AVUGlJ3aDJUoN8NuGobgbZqo0nm1ZkU68MVMAwcrfRR0FCIZwiEOMbm0Qg/s1600/Christmas-2011-Family-Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUCypWaK-VjNdNQ5AQFtZwimyVEw500PVxGaby2kQpwZLRQdQFvU5rkfl5XjjWXH6PMZooyIh00nsyBqs8AVUGlJ3aDJUoN8NuGobgbZqo0nm1ZkU68MVMAwcrfRR0FCIZwiEOMbm0Qg/s640/Christmas-2011-Family-Pic.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYn3vwmgqA1JZYduye8CFCU-BFQ47pG4ffGmzxnXdPSOcvZtPnXEidFnm0PQSk8R4ffbvVQHjPDFkTOTx_R02N_SZWCu_HaVHM0mbRY8XTgjSg1ODoRlISplVmWQMPAVZ0rDY3ue6soE/s1600/IMG_0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BWMeXpgJuJwtucrF-J3xdXXtTdb7op5nKSO2QfEckV5oZq1IeB8HW5cMqEkTSMhuoLqiQAXr7YDwbPHC3-lLakbaq6jfADMM7DC22zvvP0SNzmXoghXUZKrbxkz15BsEwUng5XNQWZ4/s1600/IMG_0654.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BWMeXpgJuJwtucrF-J3xdXXtTdb7op5nKSO2QfEckV5oZq1IeB8HW5cMqEkTSMhuoLqiQAXr7YDwbPHC3-lLakbaq6jfADMM7DC22zvvP0SNzmXoghXUZKrbxkz15BsEwUng5XNQWZ4/s400/IMG_0654.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby's 1st Christmas PJ's</td></tr></tbody></table>We had a very special Christmas at our house this year - <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/12/emma-elizabeth-santa-came-early.html" target="_blank">Baby Emma</a> made everything so fun.  In case you missed <a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/12/emma-elizabeth-santa-came-early.html" target="_blank">my announcement last week</a>... Emma Elizabeth was born December 15th!  To make her arrival (and our holiday...) even more special, we had lots of family visitors in town to meet her.  So... needless to say, our first New England Christmas was quite memorable.  <br /><br />On Christmas morning our family of four opened presents and Skyped with my family back in KC while they opened their presents.  Mike's family came over for Christmas Brunch at noon, then we spent the day making a big homemade pasta dinner.  It was a great day!  Here are some photos from Emma's First Christmas morning.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXQLBJ7Hy_I_hpnbuz27-2sbV9Z1oYZtGcPBw3BR43cZwQ4dNgguI4Y8uUj7hXEpjzTjkq-3DTrfatl13TRk6mrdjuJwq9cTMDjxCpwLC-7lza-q3G4l4D3ldLeIEkZ0dV2O7UyupM7o/s1600/IMG_0657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXQLBJ7Hy_I_hpnbuz27-2sbV9Z1oYZtGcPBw3BR43cZwQ4dNgguI4Y8uUj7hXEpjzTjkq-3DTrfatl13TRk6mrdjuJwq9cTMDjxCpwLC-7lza-q3G4l4D3ldLeIEkZ0dV2O7UyupM7o/s640/IMG_0657.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Mike sporting his new puffer vest and telling Emma about Santa.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9DReSxj07foIXG3wpHeRTsZJA0EqI45iJBOyISMIXp8dLi_ILtVN7gEFs4JUMdb_CnUXWEAzCB7LC_DOHZDaFDdkomxBfp6WtU183FwPLowxud9a1CYzwy4_hllm7MpRt9yIJtFgpkk/s1600/IMG_0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir9DReSxj07foIXG3wpHeRTsZJA0EqI45iJBOyISMIXp8dLi_ILtVN7gEFs4JUMdb_CnUXWEAzCB7LC_DOHZDaFDdkomxBfp6WtU183FwPLowxud9a1CYzwy4_hllm7MpRt9yIJtFgpkk/s640/IMG_0588.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Mr. Darcy sneaking downstairs to see if there are any treats for him under the tree...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcsXgic8dCtMLALUjKA6o-b7c7czTTQHpA6qxezAqTuiXQyrCT7Zf5KfPHRI6CL1dQS0L9Fv07f5fihMpeFpU6elpk-BZzYpZQiJVrYkxkF6MV9KEoy3tYjewSB2Fdl_L-96svzFqwNk/s1600/IMG_0691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwcsXgic8dCtMLALUjKA6o-b7c7czTTQHpA6qxezAqTuiXQyrCT7Zf5KfPHRI6CL1dQS0L9Fv07f5fihMpeFpU6elpk-BZzYpZQiJVrYkxkF6MV9KEoy3tYjewSB2Fdl_L-96svzFqwNk/s640/IMG_0691.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Mike starting a fire before the Skype party. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMmoubavIYHXkJOqsiiuxvhwktkOdBP1TO2z-pmViBXJ0h-peVmlLaE0z_gQ0ahxIQSAlRrP8bR-m5KKrKOTKVUZ3n3ke0u9OcEZ1Jlh3BZATe1WUCTfWNVSwW3fNjQWRM7dir2tPJBE/s1600/IMG_0687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMREmy-rtnBAOTEYE12PciBZxz43KiTPSFTYFIrnHmlLleHSACqpfMGYRVxWbiY8vXIcS-N1DN9hKgojImfMe8djxljR8W0p3u6q-pTani8R8i2sCCW3FvYn9Rd8R02y3d3WWYvtEmS_Y/s1600/IMG_0692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMREmy-rtnBAOTEYE12PciBZxz43KiTPSFTYFIrnHmlLleHSACqpfMGYRVxWbiY8vXIcS-N1DN9hKgojImfMe8djxljR8W0p3u6q-pTani8R8i2sCCW3FvYn9Rd8R02y3d3WWYvtEmS_Y/s640/IMG_0692.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br />Emma's Christmas present from Santa! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJo8jOW87SnjsuiaHcVAEPXQe6nY_Y_DuJMRvOtTrxvCsFw5z8mFiL7EioaI03le1oil2Ff8MO4Ta2cpcxYSNyMaZBd5Td-8eoHZkQ3l_ND0T0496oXEEmaa_SkGOE4sCBUYCPMWkJ2Y/s1600/IMG_0694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJo8jOW87SnjsuiaHcVAEPXQe6nY_Y_DuJMRvOtTrxvCsFw5z8mFiL7EioaI03le1oil2Ff8MO4Ta2cpcxYSNyMaZBd5Td-8eoHZkQ3l_ND0T0496oXEEmaa_SkGOE4sCBUYCPMWkJ2Y/s640/IMG_0694.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />A surprise gift from her Dad - it will be a great keepsake from our time in Concord!<br /><br />Christmas Morning Brunch <br /><br />If we had been able to travel home for Christmas this year, we would've had brunch at my Mom's house just as we have since I can remember.  To make it still feel like Christmas for me, I recreated her menu for us in Massachusetts this year.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqPpofmHafEEtKD5FF10J9lsGz-PmcwORYNAeAhJqKCD-uLjeiaMTEihyphenhyphen-GOmHYcXLV_syZCSmEzql0JihQye_VSbACMrj4xWM9EPQeFNOTd4RH0KgD5j-olKAo1iTtL3sqEZG_UNT-g/s1600/IMG_0701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqPpofmHafEEtKD5FF10J9lsGz-PmcwORYNAeAhJqKCD-uLjeiaMTEihyphenhyphen-GOmHYcXLV_syZCSmEzql0JihQye_VSbACMrj4xWM9EPQeFNOTd4RH0KgD5j-olKAo1iTtL3sqEZG_UNT-g/s640/IMG_0701.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/11/monkey-bread-homemade-gift-ideas-for.html" target="_blank">Monkey Bread</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCxC8E_Fj-Ly-Zkjq3aWUNXWEJK9V6z7mxC0EBDadJeM3TxMsSQob6ESIxPG9DGA5Cz6UEBquMlfjfZNZs_-Zp2x49ifE4nAyMCZigdCFN1Lqyy9h6Q_fdWK6StNXDWJeDr-nthyphenhyphenO-mI/s1600/IMG_0597.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCxC8E_Fj-Ly-Zkjq3aWUNXWEJK9V6z7mxC0EBDadJeM3TxMsSQob6ESIxPG9DGA5Cz6UEBquMlfjfZNZs_-Zp2x49ifE4nAyMCZigdCFN1Lqyy9h6Q_fdWK6StNXDWJeDr-nthyphenhyphenO-mI/s640/IMG_0597.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2010/01/recipes-brunch-quiche-recipes.html" target="_blank">Quiche - Crab Quiche & Quiche Loraine  </a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysnVqsnPDzUaVDdp-7odNDa40Q4f_jLHoTo3RMUVId48QocV9K5n6rQpupaT1nAZ73JCYzZxFW-8lfwx8hNVjm1yEDi_NgjsgHH0sojd8dmrsQKrBP52efsLf2G4wAhgvS8m9_qMr-0Y/s1600/IMG_0676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysnVqsnPDzUaVDdp-7odNDa40Q4f_jLHoTo3RMUVId48QocV9K5n6rQpupaT1nAZ73JCYzZxFW-8lfwx8hNVjm1yEDi_NgjsgHH0sojd8dmrsQKrBP52efsLf2G4wAhgvS8m9_qMr-0Y/s640/IMG_0676.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Fresh Berries... if we had been at my Mom's she would have served peaches she had frozen during the Summer.  They always taste so good - real summer peaches in the middle of Winter. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUC7PmuOrb2kpNnEUrMm_AN3-_r-_Kw5bL0AMSjAqIWddyHVG5NHQBu11EpFwi_3HA-C8BvJRowR0Lm63r-veL2s0CFqDNA1E-22ByAs0uyZgPEviy2E8YEVLQVq_x1DM5BPI35Z458m8/s1600/IMG_0681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUC7PmuOrb2kpNnEUrMm_AN3-_r-_Kw5bL0AMSjAqIWddyHVG5NHQBu11EpFwi_3HA-C8BvJRowR0Lm63r-veL2s0CFqDNA1E-22ByAs0uyZgPEviy2E8YEVLQVq_x1DM5BPI35Z458m8/s640/IMG_0681.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Shrimp Cocktail on ice.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCxC8E_Fj-Ly-Zkjq3aWUNXWEJK9V6z7mxC0EBDadJeM3TxMsSQob6ESIxPG9DGA5Cz6UEBquMlfjfZNZs_-Zp2x49ifE4nAyMCZigdCFN1Lqyy9h6Q_fdWK6StNXDWJeDr-nthyphenhyphenO-mI/s1600/IMG_0597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCxC8E_Fj-Ly-Zkjq3aWUNXWEJK9V6z7mxC0EBDadJeM3TxMsSQob6ESIxPG9DGA5Cz6UEBquMlfjfZNZs_-Zp2x49ifE4nAyMCZigdCFN1Lqyy9h6Q_fdWK6StNXDWJeDr-nthyphenhyphenO-mI/s1600/IMG_0597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6euOXRXIhJHnC6kIee8wj_z8uVne4ri9nlxs1XEqEEBrbVG7Bu1RVYEZvrXxp_tf9TfDgcveMLIISlRRsMbagYnwxt3uwLiWuFKAuY9xeCM04LDWiW7o0-UtHg8xmF8BVaZCl8Zhzzdk/s1600/IMG_0683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6euOXRXIhJHnC6kIee8wj_z8uVne4ri9nlxs1XEqEEBrbVG7Bu1RVYEZvrXxp_tf9TfDgcveMLIISlRRsMbagYnwxt3uwLiWuFKAuY9xeCM04LDWiW7o0-UtHg8xmF8BVaZCl8Zhzzdk/s640/IMG_0683.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Bloody Mary Bar!

Christmas at Our House | Brunch | My Life

Baby's 1st Christmas PJ's We had a very special Christmas at our house this year - Baby Emma made everything so fun.  In case you m...

Read more »

Christmiscellany

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkN4wr99ynBi5G2kYvyWlqwJSWPID8EPCFWP_Xy_rivBAmPw5i6Gxn1gFPjwUlxOg3jpzx29OT4zBdPA4b207V6UsCQ_qwGOZAHDLCzJ0RvfY0MOJQAlVSa7gHFRwOoPMGSjPG5QSYYUY/s1600/P1020247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkN4wr99ynBi5G2kYvyWlqwJSWPID8EPCFWP_Xy_rivBAmPw5i6Gxn1gFPjwUlxOg3jpzx29OT4zBdPA4b207V6UsCQ_qwGOZAHDLCzJ0RvfY0MOJQAlVSa7gHFRwOoPMGSjPG5QSYYUY/s640/P1020247.jpg" width="408" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2SYJYdHT0M9_UvpYqyjSkrWroF2oyOJt2iMZaWC4EL5zmMNyyg6L7Ahn-LZKVAkArtQvWQRJgIqLcDlFcch23eIPVTaIL3tWIIJ5qxQXFuGpMaGc8oeROKevdDFfdElZRCami4xsJI4/s1600/P1020210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK2SYJYdHT0M9_UvpYqyjSkrWroF2oyOJt2iMZaWC4EL5zmMNyyg6L7Ahn-LZKVAkArtQvWQRJgIqLcDlFcch23eIPVTaIL3tWIIJ5qxQXFuGpMaGc8oeROKevdDFfdElZRCami4xsJI4/s640/P1020210.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The cats were surprised by little gifts left in the tree by Santa.  Three little mice were more exciting when wrapped and tied with twine than they were once they were open.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEaU4mzez6SAcQ7bqOZ7OLr3exMb-rmwMuk1mSjAmNEChbHncQWt6ihgkFd1EgeKHko_Wwc0AkWLI5PRnXcQrh38__V1nOGB1-Vzf7xD11Mb90Ku4xG7MCaAVJ2L0-id2KZIHR_yN0hs/s1600/P1020238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPEaU4mzez6SAcQ7bqOZ7OLr3exMb-rmwMuk1mSjAmNEChbHncQWt6ihgkFd1EgeKHko_Wwc0AkWLI5PRnXcQrh38__V1nOGB1-Vzf7xD11Mb90Ku4xG7MCaAVJ2L0-id2KZIHR_yN0hs/s640/P1020238.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And speaking of surprises, look what I found in my mailbox on Christmas Eve:  a personalized pillow cover made by <a href="http://loyalistcottage.blogspot.com/">Deb (from the Loyalist Cottage)</a> and her husband just because I make them laugh.  Isn't that sweet?  I love it and it's just perfect in my living room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKphgZ8UcR8C41ZzIij8-MtKoh1xakwQhnKQKV1Sz25EbaFJ69L-9iaZFlivFFwTWFZ2LTctVcMB4_AL_Alcji1_SetN42h_YXNtN2YIpbOxMWMQdAgBfO0cHHIgVnxa820qQQihgrQg/s1600/P1020240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRKphgZ8UcR8C41ZzIij8-MtKoh1xakwQhnKQKV1Sz25EbaFJ69L-9iaZFlivFFwTWFZ2LTctVcMB4_AL_Alcji1_SetN42h_YXNtN2YIpbOxMWMQdAgBfO0cHHIgVnxa820qQQihgrQg/s640/P1020240.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Deb sells her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/sophie01?ref=em">handmade and hand printed pillow covers on etsy</a> and was recently discovered by HGTV magazine who will be showing one of her alphabet pillows.  If you want one, you should order now before she goes viral.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNdbuOTEZtUJjvbcilsAU3Ds7Tfqj9-MpOhNsTX4LGI94X6XCMu_XlSmraAq69rYe_E3B_hnRA1qLqueN0tw31gX31MeRB3Yd-KIyYcn-4ZXIEGNkmh2itaTiE_M4U-iCFBUtNV1TeWg/s1600/P1020218_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifNdbuOTEZtUJjvbcilsAU3Ds7Tfqj9-MpOhNsTX4LGI94X6XCMu_XlSmraAq69rYe_E3B_hnRA1qLqueN0tw31gX31MeRB3Yd-KIyYcn-4ZXIEGNkmh2itaTiE_M4U-iCFBUtNV1TeWg/s640/P1020218_2.jpg" width="598" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Christmas table.  I covered the table with a vintage linen laundry sack, totally unironed, so it's more casual.  I wished I had a few green plates to pick up on the natural theme with the skinny tree and paperwhites as a centerpiece.  Mix and match every day plates were used with my hodgepodge of  brown transferware.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I saw my transferware on Pinterest with someone seemingly desperate to know the name of the pattern so I thought I would show the different patterns I have and list the makers and names in case anyone is interested.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaCXqv7O0VVBINSGlBrfy0MZR0YR9E_OdmHcD7l2vzR6FHf0mCH7CxM6g7zAU8C9Kr2azHChteFBeOx49Dpt9b4JnZZlne3M7WOsASdQGxfINCNMVpm1EjGKTFtcRcjpwMthEYzKAMwU/s1600/P1020221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaCXqv7O0VVBINSGlBrfy0MZR0YR9E_OdmHcD7l2vzR6FHf0mCH7CxM6g7zAU8C9Kr2azHChteFBeOx49Dpt9b4JnZZlne3M7WOsASdQGxfINCNMVpm1EjGKTFtcRcjpwMthEYzKAMwU/s400/P1020221.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is one of my favorites.  The most masculine of transferware if masculine could be applied to any transferware.  This is J&G Meakin and I believe the pattern is called Romantic England.  It says it's dishwasher safe so it can't be too old.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbuJgkbY8rDx09DO01hYy6B4JWCywySWw4MTi51HFkPzOCc-X9qGNLDzuSyk9sHV08mEP4_OshsXPlmjQZHFoFK9smgOyJ67NsvUe_eYO4gyn6xXyG_A3QaNzGGGrrXIw5P88BhZNrmk/s1600/P1020222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbuJgkbY8rDx09DO01hYy6B4JWCywySWw4MTi51HFkPzOCc-X9qGNLDzuSyk9sHV08mEP4_OshsXPlmjQZHFoFK9smgOyJ67NsvUe_eYO4gyn6xXyG_A3QaNzGGGrrXIw5P88BhZNrmk/s400/P1020222.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This one is Johnson Brothers, WindsorWare in the Dover pattern.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4m9hejOQD1k_-sIZik-2XuS5pxKQZEHmde2XvzOREj_jDM7PAjTftUK_PUPVY1pJksPA4h4gGzcOEWrxCvxo_0eaQwgTN8uY0A-jeAveInvkLpEqrF9LC0FS3DI6BhW2cbySdeRtWsE/s1600/P1020223_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4m9hejOQD1k_-sIZik-2XuS5pxKQZEHmde2XvzOREj_jDM7PAjTftUK_PUPVY1pJksPA4h4gGzcOEWrxCvxo_0eaQwgTN8uY0A-jeAveInvkLpEqrF9LC0FS3DI6BhW2cbySdeRtWsE/s400/P1020223_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These plates were my grandmother's and it's another one of my favorites.  It's Mason's ironstone in the Bow Bells pattern.  It has an aesthethic movement feel and not too flowery.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQtlNcHNFXcx7uSaSzL-uwwc8hIrvBOaBitW2jYAX3JNERDORxZY6_EEabtlXH6zVhRldYmMTATF0ZKjsnf0p4X1lG_m7H5OsMO5o8ZNi9-oAawkENmfd0ddRyQBACr0jwoc61EyO4D0/s1600/P1020252_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQtlNcHNFXcx7uSaSzL-uwwc8hIrvBOaBitW2jYAX3JNERDORxZY6_EEabtlXH6zVhRldYmMTATF0ZKjsnf0p4X1lG_m7H5OsMO5o8ZNi9-oAawkENmfd0ddRyQBACr0jwoc61EyO4D0/s400/P1020252_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can't remember where I picked this one piece up but I really like the swirling scalloped edge.  This is manufactured by Clarice Cliff of Royal Staffordshire and the pattern is called Charlotte.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUii2qGY8U8Cyb1gjXyJSXo7Ar_YryiNR76vFkonbc8e72w20kHdK31HDHXO2nie8IPXMSLj9t5GsMwbZxBi7RlC9c9fFjyNaCzxtRmwyNzMn5PXe0TBBMBenqmDSY5Q6VzrU6THJKH4M/s1600/P1020246_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUii2qGY8U8Cyb1gjXyJSXo7Ar_YryiNR76vFkonbc8e72w20kHdK31HDHXO2nie8IPXMSLj9t5GsMwbZxBi7RlC9c9fFjyNaCzxtRmwyNzMn5PXe0TBBMBenqmDSY5Q6VzrU6THJKH4M/s640/P1020246_2.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The back is almost as beautiful as the front.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1u2iNmSoF30B3VedrSKBi6XM76DZmf7JUaJYBeOAkJ7R2XfISnzpg50z0VGqemaolK53qn8ZlNecH48NhVRDJ39bJdTNP9aDfA6wm_f9Z7ENZgzCeFhrhph3HJ_vX13q_6z157CDIBE/s1600/P1020227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz1u2iNmSoF30B3VedrSKBi6XM76DZmf7JUaJYBeOAkJ7R2XfISnzpg50z0VGqemaolK53qn8ZlNecH48NhVRDJ39bJdTNP9aDfA6wm_f9Z7ENZgzCeFhrhph3HJ_vX13q_6z157CDIBE/s640/P1020227.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The "Other Tree" in the dining room is now only a memory.  My research on living trees said the tree should only be in the house for 7 to 10 days.  The weather today and tomorrow are supposed to be quite mild so it seemed the perfect time to get it conditioned to the outdoors again, to give a good watering and  to get it planted before cold and snowy weather sets in.  I dug a hole a few weeks ago before the ground froze so it's ready to be planted.  It was feeling very dry so I hope it's okay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nn1E_eArmWR9G8H4e19QgUm7ISwfzmusdK6VeZF1Eu5d4CzXNzJPpBTeTbqyFVMB5NXGXGDfj2uXSiD-yMxPqlTmM-TzTxh6KFjGbfOH_3CVXV8um9MclA3beTB58h7ulWvpOpO_6DU/s1600/P1020231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5nn1E_eArmWR9G8H4e19QgUm7ISwfzmusdK6VeZF1Eu5d4CzXNzJPpBTeTbqyFVMB5NXGXGDfj2uXSiD-yMxPqlTmM-TzTxh6KFjGbfOH_3CVXV8um9MclA3beTB58h7ulWvpOpO_6DU/s640/P1020231.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Boston fern still looks pretty good after being cut about nine days ago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglni2tDPoNLrKOsOC1bEr9FiiWM1-wiOhf22rMp_YvkrawHTRiCBTFo4xHe9SYhCG39tz88xjM6aSMzsQcRTaVx4ZZPY95ZYkghT3cH_gGg5Z8f7yvC_GF1Vh_lza17A_ld07xmiB90UU/s1600/P1020232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglni2tDPoNLrKOsOC1bEr9FiiWM1-wiOhf22rMp_YvkrawHTRiCBTFo4xHe9SYhCG39tz88xjM6aSMzsQcRTaVx4ZZPY95ZYkghT3cH_gGg5Z8f7yvC_GF1Vh_lza17A_ld07xmiB90UU/s640/P1020232.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I got a lot of comments about the garland so I thought I would so a few closeup images.  I bought this at a garden center but I think it would be a fairly easy DIY project.  This one is two different kinds of pinecones, walnuts and sweet gum pods.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTWymf4jMnltAslB_VfoFiq1zPu4v6VLAMA-FE4Fb9dXwW9f2TtlQLAJ4kxQxSs19BtMJZO7mkcHzoYgnRy4SlsXTOT6b8XhLl_b6gTj37XASnCpMe5oXB7NCa_kT7a4YYO_rEzK7RH8/s1600/P1020233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTWymf4jMnltAslB_VfoFiq1zPu4v6VLAMA-FE4Fb9dXwW9f2TtlQLAJ4kxQxSs19BtMJZO7mkcHzoYgnRy4SlsXTOT6b8XhLl_b6gTj37XASnCpMe5oXB7NCa_kT7a4YYO_rEzK7RH8/s640/P1020233.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the other one is slightly different using wood chips and little bundles of grapevine in lieu of walnuts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I've had these for four years so it seems they would last at least several years.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't know about you but I'm beat.  I'm happy this is a short week and New Year's is much easier holiday in terms of preparation; in fact, I hope to spend a lot of time in PJs, watching movies, and planning for new year's projects.</div><br /></div>

Christmiscellany

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.   The cats were surprised by little gifts left in the tree by Santa.  Three little mice were more e...

Read more »

My Christmas Card to You

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_VekEN3Cd_g_8xN2j6UClfiSACO7rSFWaNI09dwEb9z8hcefvw5ZgR5NEtQdsYWNUus22yxZfx-2f_eFYqb_jntQyYuToAcMaDOn-n8QFNL4_Ob4rjMMEjR9xpeGc1yfWihGLnl4DzY/s1600/P1020193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_VekEN3Cd_g_8xN2j6UClfiSACO7rSFWaNI09dwEb9z8hcefvw5ZgR5NEtQdsYWNUus22yxZfx-2f_eFYqb_jntQyYuToAcMaDOn-n8QFNL4_Ob4rjMMEjR9xpeGc1yfWihGLnl4DzY/s640/P1020193.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm normally a very humble and self-effacing person so I hope you'll forgive me if I gloat for a moment about winning "Best Tree" in the <a href="http://tartanscot.blogspot.com/2011/12/envelope-please.html">Holiday Decorating Contest</a> on Scot Meacham Wood's "<a href="http://tartanscot.blogspot.com/">The Adventures of Tartanscot</a>" blog.  The contest was judged by a panel of <a href="http://tartanscot.blogspot.com/2011/12/holiday-decorating-contest-judges.html">esteemed judges</a> and prizes were awarded in three different categories.  I'm excited to have won what I think is the best prize:  Christmas ornaments from Gump's San Francisco that will be hand selected by Scot.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In all seriousness, I'm absolutely thrilled to have won.  There were some really amazing submissions and being chosen is a real honor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thank you all again for following along during the Christmas season.  It's been a lot of fun sharing the season with you and I'm blessed by all of your wonderful feedback.  Here is my Christmas card to you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfn9YS70rGTZUrp9Q6NpaWQHklByI8Nb_p559SMu1gBCSn4Wkat51tntVVvyjuz7d8HTpQTY1SK2Ux9oTp4noJ_X6k8ZBmK-v9WlnlB-d-XXDBzigtPof2u5Oat7bBpQQDW44-DS53Ug/s1600/collage1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfn9YS70rGTZUrp9Q6NpaWQHklByI8Nb_p559SMu1gBCSn4Wkat51tntVVvyjuz7d8HTpQTY1SK2Ux9oTp4noJ_X6k8ZBmK-v9WlnlB-d-XXDBzigtPof2u5Oat7bBpQQDW44-DS53Ug/s640/collage1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInh-gPkRO8vN6P-Wfo4i0RDD01SoU2hU_7clxNPm_Wh6aG7hi2lVDGxAfjd1-4S1HBIJsZNZLHahgSIZ7FiEV91vnu-HVdACVgavGN8U6s53yoIZDO-a3q2nLO1Do063yOEs82rJVcuA/s1600/collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgInh-gPkRO8vN6P-Wfo4i0RDD01SoU2hU_7clxNPm_Wh6aG7hi2lVDGxAfjd1-4S1HBIJsZNZLHahgSIZ7FiEV91vnu-HVdACVgavGN8U6s53yoIZDO-a3q2nLO1Do063yOEs82rJVcuA/s640/collage2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNceA68g1oddioBmN6Vx7DDLIUBFOeOIuBv29wEw7gDqr9xou772Wb_J0rnvTplUZuo_r58pzMiIBdfTSJFYndILTWr7T5yx8Ow03rl_efX5a-fT-dOGWTu8fSv40v-nP3hDFKjk7Qzc/s1600/collage3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNceA68g1oddioBmN6Vx7DDLIUBFOeOIuBv29wEw7gDqr9xou772Wb_J0rnvTplUZuo_r58pzMiIBdfTSJFYndILTWr7T5yx8Ow03rl_efX5a-fT-dOGWTu8fSv40v-nP3hDFKjk7Qzc/s640/collage3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3peY_ULDujik1rkGvWL1D2CNcJCQIGpdvuK3cyaZ6HzB5a4FshyFQR_o_0ugvfAtNQpAbpgOpoqJlzJn-QJXRVP8h9Q1zGZwbn03hb12o0TuCoACFe4pbBCnMK_EQB8KFiJP5P4WVh4/s1600/collage4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO3peY_ULDujik1rkGvWL1D2CNcJCQIGpdvuK3cyaZ6HzB5a4FshyFQR_o_0ugvfAtNQpAbpgOpoqJlzJn-QJXRVP8h9Q1zGZwbn03hb12o0TuCoACFe4pbBCnMK_EQB8KFiJP5P4WVh4/s640/collage4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Merry Christmas to all!  May all the joys of the season be yours.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Steve</div></div>

My Christmas Card to You

I'm normally a very humble and self-effacing person so I hope you'll forgive me if I gloat for a moment about winning "Best Tre...

Read more »