SOMETHING MAGICAL HAPPENS

After Christmas while others are getting ready to take down their trees I get filled with the beauty of mine. Before Christmas it's all about getting the decorations up, shopping, wrapping, getting our cards in the mail and baking. Then the day finally comes, the day after Christmas and suddenly I can breathe. That is when the magic happens for me. My tree glows bigger and brighter, takes my heart away to a place of awe and amazement. I live in that beauty for a few weeks and it's a nice place to be.

After almost 40 years of decorating my own tree, starting with only plain colored glass balls and growing into what it is today with over 800+ ornaments on it, I am not afraid to say it is gorgeous. It has earned these words flowing from my mouth. I put so much love into my tree, it is my masterpiece each Christmas.

The last few days when I walk into our family room at night I am just taken in by its beauty. I wish all of you could see it in person. Pictures cannot capture what the eyes see. It is meticulously knitted together like a beautiful afghan. It will capture my heart for a few weeks and then eventually start to fade. Then it's time to take it down but not a moment sooner! I know when its purpose for this year has been served and I will pack away the magic until next year.

*sigh*

Praying that 2012 brings you excellent health,

hearts full of happiness,

magical moments

and the joy that comes from big belly laughs.

See you next year!

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

1. Share something you loved about your Christmas Day.
The love and laughter my children shared.

2. You get to put five items in a time capsule to be opened in 100 years, what items would you choose and why?
My DVD of It's a Wonderful Life because it must always be noticed and appreciated.
My favorite Tova cologne so people can share in the beauty of its bouquet.
A Christmas card so people can feel the joy that came from exchanging them with friends and loved ones.
A hand written check to show how money use to be exchanged.
A book of family photos so our sweet faces can be shared with the world.

3. What do you like on a cracker?
Brie, it has been my newest favorite!

4. Do you make resolutions at the start of a new year? How'd that work out for you this past year?
Well I would be lying if I didn't say yes to this questions. It is usually about eating healthier and getting more exercise. Hasn't worked very well to date!

5. What's a song or song lyric you'll associate with 2011?
The only thing that comes to mind for me is "Firework" by Katy Perry. It is really a great song and has helped at lot of young people feel better about themselves.
Firework lyrics:
Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind, wanting to start again?
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?

Do you ever feel already buried deep?
Six feet under screams but no one seems to hear a thing
Do you know that there's still a chance for you
'Cause there's a spark in you?

You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July

'Cause baby, you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go, oh
As you shoot across the sky

Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make 'em go, oh
You're gonna leave 'em falling down

You don't have to feel like a waste of space
You're original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow

Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road
Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow
And when it's time, you'll know

You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July

'Cause baby you're a firework ....

6. How will you ring in the new year?
First I will put our dimes out on the window sill. A family tradition that my grandparents (dads side)did every year for good luck. I will put out six dimes for each of us and I put nickels out for our pets. We will stay home, always do, and try to stay awake until midnight so we can toast in the New Year with champagne. I do not follow the tradition of eating herring but we will have chips and onion dip! For some reason onion dip has been a tradition here for us on New Year's Eve.

7. What is something you look forward to in 2012?
Playing my new Wii! Working on that healthy body! (see #4) My children's birthdays. Hopefully visiting my dad soon. Taking more time for myself and setting aside time to read each day. Our annual trip to Mammoth Lakes. Finding the time to actually get rid of the clutter that smothers me and hold me prisoner. (no I am not a hoarder, it's not like that!)Praying that the year is happy and moves at a nice slow pace instead of flying by.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Well some of you may remember when I mentioned that Primatene Mist was going off the market on December 31, 2011. Well that is just a few days away and for the past few months I have made a point of buying a few each week after bowling. I would try different Targets each week. They have the lowest price ($17.99) next to Walmart who had pulled theirs off the the shelves about a month ago. The last two weeks they are gone from Target also. So here is my supply. They are off the shelves because of CFC's and a new formulation is coming but they are late in having it available. This is the one thing that really helps me for a rescue inhaler. I think I have close to a years supply and I'm trying not to panic at this point and time. (wasn't willing to give one up for the time capsule!)

THIS IS A FIRST FOR ME

I cannot remember~e.v.e.r ~missing a day after Christmas sale. I am normally out of the house early in the morning. But today I sat in my pajamas and robe typing away at the computer. I was exhausted and don't want to get off of my butt. I feel good today which is great! I keep thinking I should go but then I remind myself that I still have many years worth of Christmas supplies. (cards, paper, tissue, ribbon, bows, bags & tags)

Christmas Day was perfect. We started around two and ended around midnight. I worked my little (not really) butt off. Everyone was happy and thrilled with their gifts. Another Christmas to be recorded in the books. Well not really but it's here for you to read! I had this idea on Christmas Eve while I baked goodies for 8 hours so here is what came to mind:

"'Twas The Night Before Christmas"

By Clement Clarke Moore
(changed by Debby)

'Twas the day before Christmas, when all through my house
One creature was stirring and there better not be a mouse!
The stockings were not hung by the chimney with care,
I didn't even have time to run a comb through my hair;

Somewhere my children were still nestled snug in their beds,
While visions of spritz cookies danced in their heads;
I was still in pajamas, no time for a nap,
I was certainly ready for a winter's nightcap!

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the kitchen to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash, (not)

The sun was still shinning on the mountains of snow,
Gave the lustre of mid-day to cars down below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
Skye with her tennis ball, and my husband so dear,

There were balls to be chased, and pruning to do,
Me drinking some coffee, needed help to get me through,
Rocky Road candy and Alton's White Trash,
But oh how the dishes piled up so fast,

Back in the kitchen, had more batches to bake,
I wondered if I would ever shower or get to that cake,
Started my day with burning the butter,
There were some very choice words that I did muttered,

I dragged myself to the shower, got clean as a whistle,
And away to my office, I shot like a mistle,(toe)
But I had to exclaim, I'm all done for the night,
It's now time for me to watch "It's a Wonderful Life!"

So Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night,
I can't wait for Christmas with our faces so bright,
We will open our presents and share in the joy,
I know Skye can not wait to see a new toy!

Debby Pucci

Okay, here are some pictures from our Christmas Day and all the treats that I baked. First and foremost Mark watched It's a Wonderful Life with me :) Skye laid between us on the sofa on Christmas Eve. Mark also helped with some dishes when I baked and with the Hoska.

Started with treats to eat, opened gifts for 3 hours, ate our pizza dinner, worked on gingerbread houses (ran out of time), and danced the evening away with Michael Jackson. (not me!!) Clean, clean and clean some more! (of course my day started at 8am getting things ready for the 2pm party!)

Christmas for us is "go all out", each year is better then the last! All the goodies I baked were fabulous but you know what, 3 batches would have been plenty. Never even got around to the Eli's peppermint cheesecake and Phil brought over a red velvet cheesecake that still sits unopened in the refrigerator!

Everyone had the best of time. Skye never stopped getting squeakers out of every toy and was exhausted by midnight! I finally got a Wii and now we can also stream Netflix! I got a Pandora Charm Bracelet and will be getting a Droid phone! It's about time I join in and actually have interenet on my phone. Not to mention that I am tired of texting with the abc,def way! Also got so many other fun gifts and a very generous check from my father.

Sorry, I was a little long winded today. Click on the pictures to enlarge them. Finally finished my mini tree on Christmas morning. I also put out a few pieces from my Christmas bag collection. Would you believe me when I tell you that I have 7 bins that I did not put out this year!

If you missed the pictures of the house and tree that I posted on Christmas Day here they are!

Now it's time to enjoy the decorated house, eat the leftovers and relax with a glass of wine!

I think Phil had a nice time. (he works with Mark and his family is in the UK)

Also thanks to Headless Mom's Mom for mentioning the Alton Brown White Trash.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

FROM OUR HOME TO YOU

We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Good tidings we bring to you and your kin; Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year. Oh, bring us a figgy pudding; (not really) Oh, bring us a figgy pudding; (maybe pizza) Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer (wine) We won't go until we get some; We won't go until we get some; We won't go until we get some, so bring some out here We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas; We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Nothing better than my family together celebrating Christmas and music playing throughout the house. Of course all the goodies and smells from the kitchen are awesome too!

Enjoy your day and may God Bless You Abundantly.

HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS EVE

I thought this was fun and wanted to share it!

(Borrowed from Donna)

So on Friday morning I woke up feeling pretty good and ready to bake but first I wanted to check on my emails and do some clearing in my reader. So I am on the computer for about 1 hour when the power went out. I knew that I couldn't bake so I thought this might be a good time to finish wrapping the gifts so that's what I did. As time went on I hoped the power would come on soon because I didn't want 12 thawed pizzas!

Luckily it was only out for about 2 hours. (high winds) So I was finishing up the wrapping and I started feeling extremely nauseous. No way, I didn't have time for that so I turned to my trusted friend Emetrol for nausea. If you have never had this it's worth keeping in the house. A doctor told us about it many, many years ago and it's still on the shelves in the store. I think I found it at Target.

So I have always been a pretty good gift wrapper. Loved wrapping presents. I always wanted to work like at a Nordstrom's in the gift wrap center. Anyway I think as I have aged I just don't care as much anymore. I still wrap a nice gift but I think the OCD parts have left my brain! Well I know that it left because you would never see so many crooked to/from labels years ago. Why I can't get them straight is beyond me!

So all the gifts are wrapped and under the tree. Got a few batches of cookies mixed and will bake them tomorrow. Have several others I hope to make but we shall see! Mark came home early and did a few loads of laundry to help me out. Thanks honey.

The church I normally go to does not have a Christmas Eve service this year. I decided that I am going to play some Christmas carols and read the story of the birth of Jesus. Then it will be Miracle on 34th Street and It's a Wonderful Life!

Wishing Everyone a

Very Merry Christmas Eve!

P.S. Hope to post some pictures on Christmas Day!

THE REST OF MY WEEK....

Baking....

Wrapping....

Making things merry & bright....

Tree is finished *check*

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

1. Are you cooking Christmas dinner? How many will be round your table this year? What are we having?
Well those who visit me often know that I put my foot down last year and invited myself to the Christmas party at my house! That means I am not cooking, we are having the Lou Malnati's Chicago deep dish pizza. I will be making plenty of hor d'oeuvres and there will we plenty of cookies and candies to eat! We are the only family in California so there will be the six of us. Phil who works with Mark might be coming over to join us since he can't go back to the UK, he was just there a few weeks ago. Our pizza's arrived last Wednesday and you would not believe what happened today. We got another box of six pizzas from Mark's brother in Illinois. I really had to work some magic getting them in the freezer!

2. What is one must-have Christmas cookie in your house?
Spritz cookies! I always have to make them. The other must have on Christmas day is the Bohemian Hoska sweet bread that I make.

3. Santa likes a glass of milk with his cookies. Do you? What kind of milk is on tap at your house-skim? almond? soy? full fat (Gasp!)
I don't often do milk and cookies. We usually have 1% in the house. I will buy 2% if the expiration date is later than the 1%.

4. Time magazine recently named their 'Person of the Year' for 2011. This is the person the editors believe had the greatest impact, for better or worse, in the past year. This year they chose 'The Protester'. Your thoughts? Who would you name Person of the Year for 2011?
I don't have any thoughts on this one.

5. December 21st is National Flashlight Day... when was the last time you needed a flashlight and did you know right where to find one?
I think it was to look down the hill, beyond the fence. There was a noise and I wanted to see what it was but never saw anything! Yes I know exactly where to find one.

6. Candy canes...yum or yuck?
I'm not into candy canes that much but I am going to say yum. I don't dislike them.

7. What Christmas carol lyric means the most to you?
Silent Night. I can remember my mother singing it in church when I was a child. She had a beautiful voice. "Sleep in Heavenly Peace"

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I'm speechless! Well not really but I am going to be quiet in the blog world for the next few days. So much to do, so little time.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

Thank you Joyce for the questions. If you want to join in just click on the button at the top of the page.

LIONS & TIGERS & BEARS, OH MY!

Not really, it was more like Wicked & Mission & Tree is not done!

Not much time to spare but I want to share...

It was a "WICKED" Sunday on the 11th and I loved every minute of it. What a great day we had. I thoroughly enjoyed the show! (don't forget to click to enlarge)

My mission was the Mission Inn. We had Mark's Christmas dinner at Mario's which is across from the Mission Inn. We went a little early so I could get a few pictures just before the sun set. It didn't disappoint! Our dinner was perfection. If you are ever in Riverside, CA you must give them a try. If you look through the Season's Greetings that is Mario's across the street!


So my tree is not done but its getting there. I thought I would share a few ornaments from my tree and a couple of other little trees that are done. I also put my plush out this year. I don't think I am going to have time for my snow globes, nativities or snow village this year. They will mean even more when I unpack them next year!






I learned a few things this year:

I'm not enjoying getting up and down the ladder!

Ornaments that go over a bulb so they light up are not easy to place on the tree!

Trees get old and the branches get weaker, it's been frustrating this year. Put the ornament on and the branch will bend over to one side or the other, ARGH!

I don't need more ornaments but two new smaller trees would be nice!

When you replace a burned out bulb don't take it out and go get the new one, bring the new one with you beforehand otherwise it's like looking for a needle in a haystack!

Now for a really special treat you need to go over and visit with Laurie. It will blow you mind!

POST IT NOTE POTLUCK

Mission Inn - Festival of Lights