Karen Foley
Lynn Raye Harris
Ellen Hartman
Diana Holquist
Samantha Hunter
Shirley Jump
Dee Tenorio
Jeannie Watt
Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
I realize that not everyone celebrates Christmas, but since it's Christmas Day . . . if you are celebrating it, then I hope you're having a merry one.
When we're not with family (for various reasons we're not this year) my husband and I usually do Christmas on the evening of the 24th, following my mother's tradition. So last night we popped open a bottle of champagne and had some munchies in front of the tree. We played Christmas songs and opened our gifts. My favorite? A set of tiny little spatulas with gingerbread men on them. (I have a thing for gingerbread men and the house is filled with all things gingerbread during the holiday season.)
They're my favorite not only because they're cute, but because MY husband, who is allergic to malls, actually entered one to find stocking stuffers for me. All by himself! I was so impressed.
The oddest thing I got was also from him: a turkey baster with a special injection thingie. This had us on the floor in convulsions of laughter, since we've been trying (and failing miserably) to procreate. What can I say--we're a bit odd! And no, I will NOT be using the turkey baster in that way. Let's just clear that up right now . . .
What did I give Mr. Kendall? A gift certificate to Bass Pro Shops, a huge bag of pistachio nuts, strange beer and assorted other things. But his favorite (not!) was the Build-A-Bear in his "image." It has cool shades, fishing gear complete with waders and pole with fish attached, an electric guitar and a cell phone. All these items pretty much sum up Mr. Kendall's hobbies--well, except for watching t.v. and avoiding doing dishes. LOL.
We also took some time to reflect on what Christmas means and to be thankful. What did you and your family do?
Holiday Hugs, Karen
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Hugs to you, Karen!
Thanks for sharing about your own celebration! What thoughtful gifts you got each other--that really means the most, that you care enough to put the time/thought/effort into deciding and acquiring a special something! Love the gingerbread people and your special Build-a-Bear!
We read the Christmas story this morning, and then the kids opened their gifts and are now happily watching one of them (Hi-5's Wonderful Wishes). My husband and I have mostly gotten comfortable with not exchanging gifts with each other (I don't know enough about all those electronic gadgets not to waste our money, and he knows all I'll want is more books ;))
We'll head up my parents' place this afternoon for dinner out--yippee!
Have a terrific Christmas, Karen & Mr. Kendall, and everyone else!
The usual
It's the day after for me here in Australia, and I'm feeling suitably wasted. Our family Christmas is always quite convoluted because my parents are divorced. There's lunch at my sisters with my mum, then there's the afternoon with my partner's family, then there's dinner at my Dad's. This rotates every year, so next year we will have lunch with my partner's family, etc, etc. It's a busy day, to say the least. Lots of food, lots of presents and tumbleweeds of crushed wrapping paper breeding around the house, lots of screaming children. Although my nieces and nephews are a little older this year, and were therefore a little more composed about it all. My favourite moment was when my niece, Alana, who is four, unwrapped a purple plush My Little Pony horse that was almost as big as her. She fell in love on the spot and would not let up her death-grip on its neck for the rest of the day. Very cute. My favourite gift was the set of gorgeous new kitchen knives from my sister and her husband. They are SUPERB, and I know it makes me a 1950s cliche, but I am gagging to get into a kitchen and try them out. My man bought me a fabulous outfit from Italy - a pair of intricately pleated, full legged black pants and a waistcoat made of dark choclate brown leather and grey pin stripe suit fabric. Very stylish - and I think we can rest assured that I won't bump into anyone on the main street of Auckland wearing the same ensemble! Well, off to lie on the couch and eat more! Hope you all had a lovely day.
How lovely!
That Italian outfit sounds incredible! And kudos to your guy for being able to choose something so fab! What a fun, whirlwind day it sounds like--glad you'll be able to lie on the couch and relax a bit!
How's the life-whirlwind going? You've had quite a bit on your plate!
crazy life
Hey Fedora - Merry Christmas! See my new blog post above for the big news from me, but basically life is still up in the air and crazy. We are currently house-sitting for my sister who has gone away. The fourth spare room we've mooched in since we got back from OS. At 37, I'm feeling a little too old to be mooching and I'm craving my own stuff. Also, I have had the horrible, horrible experience of losing my whole book somewhere in the bowels of my computer last week. And no, I didn't have a back up copy. The last time I had saved a back up was when I finished the first three chapters, and as I had nearly finished the book, I have lost over 30,000 words - most of the book, in fact. I have a data recovery guru at work on my hard drive, but I'm not holding my breath. So, 2008 will get off to a rather average start as I try to remember all the stuff I had already written... As you can see, life is a little sucky, but my man is being gorgeous and funny and caring as always, and it's been really great spending time with various members of our family, especially since we'll be heading off for two years. And Christmas Day was great. And we hit the sales yesterday and I got some of my favorite underwear at 25% off. So it's not all bad!!! I hope things are great with you and that 2008 rocks.
Yikes!
So, so sorry to hear about your computer mishap--I'll pray that the gurus are successful at their recovery mission! I'm glad your guy is the best, and that you've been enjoying family time and great sales as you head towards the new year!
Thanks for sharing, Karen!
Thanks for sharing, Karen!
Hope you all had a happy holiday
I had a wonderful christmas with my family, plus my uncle was able to get me some books via a friend from the States.
Now I am the proud owner of copies of Lisa's Beast within as well as Hard and Fast and Karen Foley's Fly Boy. I absolutely loved the books.
We had a quiet christmas here my grandparents were here for Christmas Eve and Christmas day. Unfortunately my other grandfather is in hospital. So it was quieter than normal.
Just can never think the same way about turkey again, now...
Aiy. :)
We had a good one, though everyone's been tired -- really tired -- the entire family. Weird. I slept like a dead person last night, and the night before, and it's not even 9am and I'm thinking I could take a nap. This holiday stuff just wrings you out, I think. It was a great holiday, but I can't say I'm not happy to have it over. Bring on the new year.
We had a very lovely Christmas eve at my sister's and then alone here, opened a few things, and then crawled up to bed. Nice Christmas day at my parent's house, where we haven't had a Christmas since before my Mom passed and while there was a small family drama (comes with Christmas I guess) it cleared up quickly and the day was fun... but again, exhausting.
Favorite gifts? Right now I have this amazing pillow Mike bought me at Brookstone at the small of my back and it's a miracle -- a pillow that actually gives me some back support as I sit and write. Also got some very nice gift cards including a nice one for going out to dinner and Crate and Barrel, William Sonoma, Smartwool socks, memory and Bluetooth accessories for my Axim, the first three Seasons of the Pretender on DVD. Lots of other stuff, but those are my faves. Oh, a hand blender and funnel cake mix -- have to use that before the holiday eating fest is over. ;)
What I need now is to wake up and get some energy...trying to decide if I want to hit the mall today for sales with the gift cards and a few returns...
Sam
Happy Holidays Karen
It sounds like your Christmas was a wonderful one. Ours was a very quiet one this year. Thank you for sharing with us. I loved the build a bear that you gave Mr. Kendall. It sounds really cute. I'd try that with my hubby but, he'd probably throw it at me. He's a macho kind of guy, and only wants macho kind of gifts. I gave him hunting clothes and some of his favorite movies.
I hope you have a great New Year, filled with everything you wish for. All the best, Mads