Chanukwansmas

It's CHRISTMAS time...yay. And yes, I said Christmas. And yes, I am a freak for the season. As multiple requests have been made (all from my mother) to show my decorating skills (or lack thereof - but hey, it's the spirit of thing that counts), I have included some samples for your enjoyment. Click on any image to see a (slightly) larger view.

We begin this holiday tour with the DeShazer homestead. This is part of the living room decor. Unfortunately we didn't have fire going when I took this shot, so you don't get the full winter hideaway ambiance. Notice little Xena surveying her colorful domain from her kitty perch. She and Beamish have determined that the tree and all related acutrements are for their benefit alone, and use the main tree (I have more than one) as both a place to catnap AND play. It makes it very exciting to walk through the house at night - you never know what you're going to trip on.

Also at the homefront, a Christmas miracle occured. Yes, Dave put up lights. Unbelievable, I know. Years of arguing and eventually just doing it myself paid off. However, being the super sensitive guy that he is, he wanted to make sure our neighbors were not shamed by his superior decorating talent. Searching for the perfect "out of the way" place, he had a stroke of genius and put them up in the newly fixed greenhouse. I graciously applauded - you have to reward good behavior or it may never happen again.

Now I really wanted to do some EXTREME decorating and hang stuff from the ceiling, but Dave was not in agreement (something about blocking the view to the TV - whatever), so I had to settle for my office. Anyone who knows me of course recognizes the organized chaos that is my desk. But just remember it's chaos sprinkled with colorful cheer. Former office roomies Susan and May will appreciate my efforts to at least keep the mess contained. Next year I plan to add a full scale snowman, but I've been a bit busy.

Having left my previous office tree behind at Woodbourne (you guys better have put that thing up!!!), I bit the bullet and brought in one of the trees I had at home. The bedroom isn't very festive anymore (please, keep your minds out of the gutter). Anyway, now I have my very own office tree. No gifts yet. I'm sure it's not that the web team are cheap bastards (and by bastards I mean truly lovely people that I enjoy working with), but that they just don't know me very well - yet...

Finally, I leave you with the delightful view of the season's first cookie making expedition. I call it an "expedition" because I had to traverse the violent Maryland elements to get to the cookie expert's house (aka Sharon's place) where the magic was made. NOTE TO CANADIANS: it would take too long to explain the MD reaction to snow, so that will have to be a different blog. Hmmm...don't you wish you had some cookies right now?

Well, that's all folks. Thanks for visiting and remember to come back soon.