NEW YEARS EVE - COUNTDOWN to 2010

Blue Moon

Every 19 years, a blue moon appears on New Year's Eve. Now the moon will not actually be blue, but it will be the 2nd new moon in December, which is rare enough. Check out the whole story here : http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091230/ap_on_sc/us_sci_blue_moon

30 Days

Well, its over. The decorations are calling to be taken down, the lights aren't shining as bright, and if you were in our house in the past 2 weeks, you'd know our tree is going to be one helluva mess when taking it down. House has been so dry that the needles literally fall off when you touch it. Every so often, you'll hear an ornament fail to hold on and then 1000 needles fall to the floor with it. Oh well, he served his purpose after 30 days. But its actually made us contemplate if 2010 means getting a pre-lit FAKE tree.... I know, I can't believe I said it. More to come..... here are the pictures of Christmas morning after Santa stopped by.

Opening of Gifts

Makita takes things into her own...errrr, paws and jaw when it comes to opening gifts Christmas morning. It's so funny to watch her tackle her stocking, rip open her gifts and help her brothers get to the goodies. 

Merry Christmas

Good morning. We hope that Santa was good to everyone. Enjoy the day and all the joy it brings.

Tree at Sheilas

Twas the Night Before Christmas

'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 our brains 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 head, 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."

The Pups Holiday Fun

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

4 MORE DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!!!!

Barely a Dusting

The all anticipated Saturday snowstorm decided to wait until at least 8pm to start here in Danbury/Brookfield.
Last night we enjoyed spending the George family Christmas at Sheila and Bruce's. It was a great time together sharing a fantastic meal, tons of laughs, and opening gifts. Hopefully I will be able to share pictures soon. (fyi - Jay received an early Christmas gift - new HP digital camcorder that fits in the palm of your hand. He used this to record moments from last night) But anyway, here are some pictures of the snowfall. I would say we only got 4-5 inches of snow last night. Hopefully it sticks around.

WHITE CHRISTMAS 2009????

Its the 6th day of Christmas and Mother Nature is giving to the Northeast.... A WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 11 AM EST SUNDAY.

INTENSE LOW PRESSURE TRACKING UP THE COAST TODAY INTO TONIGHT WILL RESULT IN A PERIOD OF HEAVY SNOW AND GUSTY WINDS ACROSS THE AREA. SNOWFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 8 TO 14 INCHES WITH LOCALLY HIGHER AMOUNTS ARE EXPECTED. THESE GUSTY WINDS ALONG WITH THE HEAVY SNOW MAY REDUCE VISIBILITIES TO UNDER A QUARTER MILE AT TIMES... WITH SOME BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW POSSIBLE.

Now did you all keep singing the weather report to the 12 days of Christmas? I did. 

7th Day of Christmas

8th Day of Christmas

9th Day of Christmas

10th Day of Christmas

11th Day of Christmas

12th Day of Christmas

Happy Holidays!

Shower Curtain

We were looking to update the bathroom for the holidays and Jay found this nice patchwork fabric curtain.

Once it was up and in use, and I really took the time to look at it, I realized that Mom actually makes baby blankets and quilts using the same pattern. So.... Mom, do you think you want to take a stab at making us a nice spring shower curtain?

Colors?

• Red/Cranberry
• Tan
• Moss Green
• White

Objects?

What ever you think would fit with the theme of our house.

Good luck if you choose to take on this challenge.

And anyone else if you would like to try it, let me know.

Lucky Dog in Iraq

Liza is one lucky dog. And so, it turns out, is her family. The ginger-colored mutt stranded alone atop the bombed-out ruins of her Baghdad home was reunited with her owners Wednesday after a night spent chained to a railing. One of probably many good stories coming out of Iraq we just never hear.

WTF - This is not rain!

So the weather man said it was supposed to be a late mix of rain and snow, some sleet possible.
NOT THIS! There is at least... AT LEAST 4 inches of snow out there. CRAZY! BUT LOVE IT.
Quality of pictures are limited due to me being in shorts and tshirt standing inside the doors shooting arm's length from front and back porches. 

More Holiday Pictures

Just some more shots around the house.

NY / CT Holiday Dinner

An annual tradition at our home combines both friends from NY and CT. Our friends, John & Phyllis, Dick & Donna, Patty all from NY ( I make it sound so far away) join Bunny, Jason and I for our holiday dinner at our house. We love to host during this holiday season as its our favorite time of year, all the decorations, especially now that we have more room to actually sit and not feel cramped. This year however, the snowfall added a nice touch as we watched the large flakes fall outside the dining room window as we enjoyed Jason's great cooking. Menu started with a number of appetizers and a great cocktail hour. Or hours. Finally, an Iceberg wedge for salad, then a filet, mashed potatoes ( made by Bunny - perfect each time!!!), a stuffed shrimp. So good. Dessert wrapped up the night with Butter Sugar cookies and NY Style Cheesecake with delicious irish coffee, or decaf. Was a great way to spend a Saturday night!!!

Looks Like Christmas

Trip to Angevine Tree Farm

Our Sunday started out with decorating the inside of the house and those pics will come later. But just as planned, we were off to get our Christmas Tree at Angevine Tree Farm in New Preston, CT. And Mother Nature approved. Beautiful sunshine and clear skies and warm temperatures.

Searching high and low for the perfect tree.... slim pickings in the fields this year. Seems like they may need to close for a few years to let the little ones grow.

What a View!!!!

And again... I hate the new blogger editor!

Thanksgiving Recap

When I arrived at my mom's, one of the first things I noticed is the newest fad in gathering corn out of the fields!!!! If you didn't already know, my mom is now neighbors with the Amish. In the field next door, the Children of the Corn come out at night. Scary? Yes. More at night, than during the day.

Thanksgiving Day started like every one before that.... mom feverishly cooking, getting plates, silverware, platters, etc ready. We setup the tables, set 27 place settings (at one point, we had 32 people at the house ), and people started to show up by Noon.

Dinner isready!

And can't forget about the desserts!

And who can have Thanksgiving without snow? We can't!!!!

Not much fell but still arrived on schedule!!!!

Made it back to CT safely. Sunday, we will be decorating the inside of the house and going to our favorite tree farm to search for our perfect Christmas Tree.