NumberNineteen

Our Christmas 2014

We are back in Virginia after spending Christmas with my parents, sister, brother in law & nephew in Delaware.  It passed in a blur of family, food, presents and lots and lots of love.  We arrived Tuesday and spent Wednesday browsing downtown Rehoboth for last minute inspiration.  Christmas Eve we went to an early children's service and returned home for our traditional dinner of steamed shrimp, wild rice and lots and lots of cookies.  After dinner, we exchanged just a few gifts.  Right before jammies, we went out to the backyard and spread handfuls of reindeer food (raw oatmeal mixed with red and green sugar) to ensure that Santa's helpers have strength for the night. Christmas morning came very early with two excited kids, which is part of the magic.  Here are a few snapshots of our Christmas this year.

There was lots and lots of cousin love.

Sister love too. Super blurry but I love it.

Just the right gift for the right person.

Hope opening her big gift -- a Nintendo DS. 

The MAGIC.

My Christmas House 2014

It's back!!!  My favorite time of year!  It explains my recent absence because I spend every spare moment doing nothing but Christmas, Christmas, Christmas everything.  I wrote to my friend in an email that work this month is  just the thing that is keeping me from doing Christmas things. I am now officially on Christmas vacation and can devote myself full time to the holidays.

I always think of my house at this time of year as "my Christmas house".  Little touches of Christmas are everywhere, from the front porch to the kitchen.  I turn the corner into the family room and am delighted to see the tree, all sparkling with lights. The tins are full of cookies and dishes of red and green candies are on every table. I thought that I'd share a few corners of my Christmas house and the sights that fill my day here on Christmas vacation.

This little house was given to me on my first Christmas & my parents have been keeping it for me since.  This is the first year that it is in my home.

This guy is from Cindy at Yapping Cat Studio.  I've been following her on her blog & facebook forever and when she posted this ornament, I wrote, "please, purty please, could you ship that to Virginia???".  It is even more adorable in person and the details are amazing.  I might need to ask if she would do other Santa items for me in the future.


The annual "Guests are about to arrive at our Christmas party, we'd better get a family picture quick" photo.

My Christmas house is about tradition, memories, homey-ness and the magic of Christmas.  It isn't magazine worthy but it fills our hearts with warmth all season long.

 

 

 

Caught My Fancy -- December Edition

There is so much wonderfulness floating around at this time of year, it seems like my eye is caught by everything.  However, these fun things really made me go WOW. 

Vintage Loving Computer/Tablet Addicts, Our Time Has Come:

Check.This.Out.  You can convert almost any vintage typewriter into a keyboard or iPad dock with USBTypewriter's kit.  They say that anyone can install it and that no special tools are required. If you don't happen to have a vintage typewriter sitting around, they sell a selection of vintage typewriters with the kit already installed. I think that I want this.  I think that I might need this (eventually, when I get a tablet).  The kit price is not currently available, as the company is moving locations, but they say that they will become available as of January 7th.  The complete typewriter/kit sets range from $599-$999.

If You Can't Make It to NYC This Christmas, This Video Brings the Magic to You:

 

I wrote about the magic of NYC at this time of the year just a few weeks ago.  One of the most magical parts of the city is the phenomenal window displays that line the streets.  While it is hard to convey just how amazing they are, I found that showcases some of the best of them.

In Case You Ever Wondered "Who Are These Flying Reindeer?  And Where Did Santa Find Them?":

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game clears it all up for those who have always wondered. They tell it all, including, under "Growth and Reproduction":

"Little is known about reproduction but it does appear that the life expectancy of Santa's reindeer is infinite. No deaths or fatalities have been reported, and none are expected in the foreseeable future, though stories are told of numerous "close calls" due to slippery rooftops and heavy jet traffic around major airports."