"Cold Weather" Florida Style

Okay, so we aren't known for our fortitude when it comes to cold weather.  We whine when it doesn't climb above 65 degrees in a day.  But as a transplanted Northerner to Florida, I enjoy the cooler temperatures, but also sympathize with the natives because as much as I hate to admit it, my blood has thinned and I'm not used to "prolonged" (read, 2 days or more) of temps below 60.

Yes, we are wimps, but we still know how to make a fire!

We don't have an "in-house" fireplace, so we have improvised with an outdoor firepit that we use for the short cooler months here.

It's such a treat and even the Bostons get into the mood and enjoy the fact that we are sitting outside in cold (to us) weather.

It thrills my inner-Canadian to be able to have a fire as it was something I grew up with and missed for many years.

You can see Panda and Sadie are enjoying their fireside cow bone (courtesy of Uncle Kurt at Christmas).  And below the Maven and Darcy are basking in the glow of a Florida Fireplace.



Best Wishes to all our good friends throughout blogland and RL (real life) for a wonderful New Year!

It's All Still a Bit of a Blur...

You know how Christmas can be especially with "kids".  It goes by in a blink of an eye and everything is a bit fuzzy...

They always like the box better than the actual toy!  How frustrating!

\

Yet, endearing...

and cute...

But. "They" always get tired and leave the fun zone...

And crash. With whatever relative is handy, in this case, Aunt Val.

Darcy-kitten out after first Christmas.

.
And Boston Lady out after a long weekend.....

Linking to Angela's Show and Tails over at West Virginia Treasures.  Thanks Angela!

Wishing Everyone a Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours.

All The Reluctant Reindeer

Well, I was half-way through the day when I realized it is Tuesday and time to link up to Angela's West Virginia Treasures for Tuesday's Show and Tail!

So immersed was I in Christmas torture baking that the time slipped away from me. 

So here we have it.  Two very miserable happy reindeer who reside in our house. (Can you tell I just learned about the strike-through option on the toolbar?)

The pictures really do speak for themselves.

Poor Panda.

Poor Sadie.

Both used for our own selfish amusement.

Of course, nothing says "loss of dignity and respect" more than the most reluctant reindeer of all.

Susie.


 

Can You Believe He's 26!?!

Of course, I said that when he was four and made this Christmas ornament at preschool for our tree.

Now he's a cool grown-up dude living in LA with his wonderful GF, Sammy, his dog, Stan and working in a job he loves.  It doesn't get much better than that except this is the first birthday of his we aren't all together. BUT, he will be arriving home on the 23rd (same day he came home from the hospital, I might add) to much fanfare, family and a belated bday celebration!

Happy Birthday to The Writer!

December 20th

Ah Yes, The Power of the Spray Bottle

So, yes indeed, order, obedience and respect have been restored to the Boston household all because of this:

Cue chorus of angels, please...

Total intimidation, fear and strict observance of rules.

Just look at how she cringes at the mere sight of it.

I have her under my total and complete control and she now knows who's boss.

In spite of what these pictures show, she does respect the spray that comes from the bottle.  Tree has not been scaled, no more tablescaping from Miss Darcy and kitchen-counter-cruising has ceased.

Yep, I have her right where I want her now..

News Alert! The Boston Lady Gets a Christmas Tree Skirt!

Hey, this is a big step for me.  Every year I swaddle the bottom of the tree with an old white sheet supposedly to make it resemble snow. Oh come on. It's taken me 30 Christmases as a married woman to admit that no one is fooled by this.  Just because my mother did it (and we actually lived somewhere that it did snow), I don't have to do it too. I carry on other traditions learned from my mother, so it was time to toss the sheet. (But no offense to those who do still use a sheet, it's a sweet simple look - I just needed to change things up)

It a handmade skirt that I found at a wonderful antique mall in Oviedo, Florida today while shopping with my friend KarenSue.  She took some fabulous pictures of the place, please go look at the eye candy we found at this really wonderful mall.  It is aptly named Hidden Treasures Antiques , just click on the name and it will take you to KarenSue's blog and the pictures. We can't believe we had never been here before.  CC and CG you can be sure we are taking a trek up to this place soon!

Panda gave the new skirt two paws up and says she loves the vibrant design.  So do I.

Darcy, the naughty kitten, decided she LOVES the pom-poms and that they just might distract her enough to keep her from scaling the tree, but she's making no promises once the ornaments go on.  Then all bets are off.  She's the blur in the picture in case you couldn't guess.

Anyway, skirt's in place, lights are on. Ornaments are next and we will almost be ready!

Hope your holiday preparations are going well too!

What Part of "Get Down" Do You Not Understand?

I have lost control.  A water-filled spray bottle is in your future Darcy.



Don't worry family members I will be washing the tablecloth as soon as we have learned our lesson. And here I was congratulating myself because she hadn't climbed the Christmas tree (yet).

Linking to West Virginia Treasures for Tuesday's Show & Tail! Please stop by and take a look at Angela's beautiful blog and if you have some pet stories to share, link up too!

If Looks Could Kill...

Can you see those eyes in this grainy "papparazzi style" shot?  The queen of the house, Susie, is reduced to hiding in the closet, sulking.

And this one, Bumby.  It's not disgust and being ticked that keeps her amongst the clutter in the same closet. It is fear. Fear that makes her watch around corners for unexpected encounters.

Fear of what you ask?

This.

Darcy.

Yes, she's back home from college with The Maven and she's rocked The Boston household.

She's stalked.

And, even though Darcy doesn't know it, she has struck fear in more than one member of the house.



Sadie, like Bumby, just seems to not understand the kitten mind and therefore is somewhat afraid.  Won't even look at her.

But Sadie you need to be watching, because if you don't then this will happen.

As for Panda?  She could care less.  The kitten blur barely registers on her radar.

Frog legs indicate total relaxation.

You can see who is the most relaxed creature, who looks the happiest and who is on alert, just in case. And who is missing from the picture (ahem, Susie and Bumby).

Welcome home Darcy, from some of us.

Festive. Brought to You by Many Sources

This week's photography challenge issued by the talented Chania at  Razmataz was "festive".  Well, who can't find something festive this time of year?  Even I was up to this challenge.

Took some photos around the house. Nope, too ordinary and predictable.

(Sorry Snoopy, I love you, you really are one of my favorite ornaments!)

Went to the mall. Egads! They had a huge tree

and lots of beautiful decorations, but it was TOO much.

So, I decided to scale down and visit a favorite window shopping site where my good friend KarenSue and her business partner, Kathy rent a booth.  I knew I would find just the right amount of understated sparkle and fun. Festive fun:

(If you will look very carefully in the beautiful mirror behind this tinsel treasure you will see my MIL, Orlando Grandma reflected on the left - we had relaxing fun looking at all the goodies)

Chic, sophisticated glamour:

Colorful vintage beauty:

Fun, nostalgic cuteness:

And sweet, precious angels:

I got back home and was greeted by my humble light display on my front porch. Nothing fancy. But who says ordinary and predictable can't be festive?

Thanks Chania for hosting another fun challenge!

(If anyone wants a more detailed peak at KarenSue's booth, please read my earlier post here. She and Kathy are always changing it up with fun new items every week!)