Lil’ bits of Joy

 

Have you ever found that perfect coffee mug…the one that has good weight and height  along with  the perfect hand/thumb ratio in the handle?

These are my perfect coffee mugs. I love them. I almost, almost refuse to use another one if these are dirty.

What overjoyed me recently? Finding them in Christmas colors!!!  Joy. Joy.

Years ago, I found these sweet poinsettia dessert/salad plates after Christmas, they were super duper cheap. I heart getting them out this time of year.

 

Today…realizing I made a dinner last night that was worthy on an encore this morning on my sweet poinsettia plate?  Joy. Joy. Joy.

Who says lightly breaded pork chops, scalloped potatoes and broccoli are not for breakfast? who? No one. That’s who.

I hope I am not the only one finding lil’ bits of joy today.  You have to find it where you can!

My Christmas Impatience

As a kid, Christmas was the ultimate day for me. The entire Christmas season was what I lived for.

I wanted Christmas to start much earlier than it did. (the opposite of me today)

One year, when I was about 9, I decided it was time to put up the Christmas tree. Mom was at work. I pulled the tree box out of the storage in the back of the house and drug it to the living room where I proceeded to put the entire tree up.

I was standing on a tall stool and untangling lights, and this is where my fun ended. No, I did not fall. But my brother finally had enough of this. He called MOM. I know, the ultimate betrayal.

He ruined the Christmas surprise for Mom. I still recall seeing him on the phone in the kitchen, and saying: Mom, Suzanne is putting up the Christmas tree!!!

What the heck is his problem I wondered?

I don’t know what was said by her, but I can only imagine there was much sighing and a few frustrated words.

You see, it was not even Halloween yet. Yes, I was ready though.

Who says a calendar should dictate my holidays? Me and baby Cindy. I still have her today. Mark and his pogo stick, that was the ultimate arm breaker toy of the 70’s.

Bored is a four letter word.

yes, I can spell and kinda count.

Don’t you hate being around those annoying kids that are always whining about nothing to do…no one to do it with…yada yada yada.  me too.

My girls learned early on to never say “I am bored..” if these words pass their lips, they will immediately have a broom in one hand, a rag in the other and a chore list as long as our national debt in front of them.

So, they are not annoying in that sense…but they should really keep their little teenager hands off of my laptop.

I opened it up the other morning and was shocked to find these photos as my screensaver.  

Yeah, she is pretty silly. I am happy she can entertain herself. But still, this is MY laptop.

We were rained out from Softball all weekend. Dance shows were cancelled for last night and today.

I was ok with all of this. The girls got creative today… Jewelry making. Watercolor painting. Plans of gifts to make.  Throw in a little bit of laundry folding and dogs getting baths and I call this a red letter day.

I love Saturdays. But, Saturdays with no plans are a wonderful gift. Thank you mother nature for all the sweet droplets of rain. 

TGIF; getting on with things…

A few days last week we had to actually get out a blanket for sleeping. YIPPEE. But sadly, last night, we had to put the a/c back on. ***shaking fists at Mother Nature!!**  Gosh, darn…why is it so hot?

Yesterday morning: 6:35am.

We have held a Christmas cocktail party at our house for the last 10 years. I love it. It is always a fun, fun night. I usually go all out…. 

I made my own invitations this year. Well, I made them myself each year, but I usually start with a pre-designed card…with some sort of whimsy…cocktails or an intoxicated Santa. Nothing says Christmas like  Santa falling down!

It was comical for me to make these invitations with the one element in this world that I loathe: Glitter. I have a thing for glitter. A distaste for it. A loathing for it. Ok, I do hate it. Glitter is usually banned from our property. And I am talking about all 2.5 acres. But for Christmas…I gave it a chance. and really, it failed me again.

I had glitter everywhere. The cats thought it was a glitter field day, as they rolled in it. I woke up this morning…and it looked like I was the head mascot in the Gay Pride Parade marching down Main Street in San Fran.

But…in keeping with our theme of doing less, I mean spending  less, I found some good stuff in my craft cabinet to make some decent invitations.

I sure do hope our guests don’t mind that I cook a bag of beans and a pot of rice this year?!?

Ok, so I will crack open a few bottles of Vino and vodka…actually, I think apple martinis will be our main cocktail this year. Who wants to come?   Do you have an apple tree…how about a vodka tree???

If you have time on your hands…this is a Recap from last year’s party!!! It involved Vodka, wine and ‘turtle’ necks. For anyone who wants to photograph with a ‘thin neck’. :)

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

We have a weekend full of softball and dancing. If only we could incorporate the two at the same time.  Enjoy yourself. Do something nice for someone you know…or someone you don’t know.

See the Salvation Army Bell Ringers???….give them some cents.. a few dollars. It really can make a difference.

Happy Weekend!!!!