Wishing You All the Best for 2012!

Happy New Year from our family to yours.

Window Wars at Boston Manor

I've been a bit absent from blogland during the Christmas rush.  Didn't even take pictures during Christmas festivities because we were so busy enjoying ourselves.

I hope all my friends out in blogland have had a wonderful holdiay time.

The Bostons have enjoyed having the newlyweds around this week, but Bumby is still protesting the presence of Darcy.

She mainly avoids Darcy, but during her morning outdoor time she becomes quite bold in challenging Miss Darcy to a duel through various windows.

This morning it was at our french doors leading out to the back yard.

C'mon, c'mon you little pipsqueak!  You've been hounding me 

for days, put up your dukes!

Sometimes it is all out war with both cats up on their back legs pounding the glass with their paws, but this morning Darcy seemed content to just watch Bumby issue her challenge.

What is that crazy recluse doing now?  Why doesn't she play with

me when she's in the house?

Hmmmph. I just DON'T understand you Bumby.

My secret weapon is actually to ignore you Bumby and make

your tail puff out in frustration.

Mission accomplished!

Now that I have a little down time I will make the rounds to read my favorite bloggers, which is all of you!

2012 is almost here!

Merry 80 Degree Christmas from the Boston Household

It's a warm one this year, but that doesn't keep us from enjoying our family

and friends who will show up to celebrate the day with us.

Merry Christmas from all of us to all of our friends and family.

Darcy the Christmas Tree Burglar

Last year Darcy was a small kitten at Christmas who seemed to be obsessed only

 with my dining room table centerpiece.

This year, however, she has turned her attentions to the Christmas tree.

Rattling ornaments.

Launching off of presents.

Playing with ribbons and trying in vain to squeeze her large self into little gift bags.

So glad we can provide the perfect playground for her.

As for Panda, she just wants to sleep...

Happy 27th Birthday to Our Son, The Writer!

Who knew 27 years could fly by so quickly...

Seems like just yesterday we were facing a Christmas with a newborn...

With Grandma Hughes at about 12 days old. 1985

Now we are facing a Christmas with a married son and his new wife.

Much less scary.

Happy Birthday to The Writer.

We are so proud of the man you have become and look forward

to seeing what else you will be accomplishing in the future.

About one year old at Cocoa Beach, FL.

We've all come a long way from that first shaky, scary, newborn Christmas.

Our Feeble Attempts to be Festive...

The dogs just aren't feelin' it this year... 

maybe they really DON'T like those silly things we dress them in.

I can't imagine why.

Darcy on the other hand enjoys being naughty and getting up on

the dining table just like she did last year.

Revenge for the collar we put on her, I suppose.

 Naughty and proud of it!

Hanging out under the tree seems to be another favorite past time of hers..

And Bumby? Well, she just lays low and hopes no one notices her.

Smart girl.

We Have a College Graduate!

After weeks of pressure and stress - well really after four long years of hard work and perseverance, The Maven walked across the stage at The University of Central Florida and accepted her diploma in Hospitality Management!

That's her at the top of the stairs!

Relief, joy and pride were the themes of the day.

Happy Graduate, Class of 2011

Roommate and great friend, M, and The Maven

Orlando Grandma gives the new graduate a hug

Now she will go forth and meet her destiny, which I predict will be something awesome.

Mr. Tennis and I join Orlando Grandma and The Maven to celebrate

A great day for our family.

WHERE THE HECK IS MY NEW ROOF?!?!?

You all would be proud of the restraint I showed when called for the third week in a row to be informed that our re-roof will be delayed because of rain.  After all it isn't the fault of the young lady who coordinates all the supply deliveries and work crews that we have had rainy weather the past few weeks.

I can only imagine some of the reactions she gets when she has to tell people things aren't going to happen in the time-frame they are expecting.

Fortunately we have no active leaks, so the delay is only an inconvenience of the mind. "Let's get this done!" is what has been going through our heads for weeks now.

Fortunately we have happy events too make us less cranky and I told the young woman to please not worry or stress about having to call me with a delay.  We are lucky to be having our new roof put on with the help of our insurance company.

We are also lucky that in two days we will have a college graduate, in 6 days The Writer will celebrate his 27th birthday in LA and in 10 days the newlyweds will be here for Christmas. That we are all healthy and will be able to enjoy getting together for so many good reasons is so much more important than a silly new roof.

(But, please let it be done next week!)

It's Better to Give Than Receive, But Sometimes....

...it's nice to be on the receiving end.  Actually I was on both ends because I gave it to myself!

I'm not a "purse" person or "name brand" person necessarily, but one thing I've been on the lookout for at the thrift, for over a year, is a leather purse by:

Yesterday I found the perfect one! It looks like it's never been used! $6! Leather! 

Maybe it's horribly out of style.  I wouldn't know, so I'm happy.

AND, I picked up a pretty wreath for a "dolla" for the front door.

 I think it looks Christmasy, especially against my reddish door.

  I will add some spirit to it soon.

And don't worry I was monitored as I took my wreath picture.  Nothing gets by Darcy, nothing.

Garage sale here tomorrow at my house with CG.  

We've got to sell the rest of our stuff from the flea market

AND I still have wedding "stuff".

Hope your weekend is fun!

Randomness at Boston Manor

Lately my mind has been going in a thousand directions at once. But today, PE Day (Post Exam Day), I feel pretty relaxed.  The Maven stopped by last night to drop off a couple of things on her way to the beach for a couple of days with her old roommate.

She was upbeat, happy and felt that exams went well and is ready for the last week before walking at graduation.

I took a few shots around the house last night as I relaxed.

These little bottle brush trees are "my thing" this year.  I've enjoyed putting them here and there.

At the suggestion of a fellow blogger I brought out my parent's old Hudson's Bay blanket to perk up the sofa as well as a "Christmasy" one I found at the thrift.  I know, I know, wool blankets and Florida don't mix, but at night they have a cozy feel.  

The best thing hanging up around here now is something The Maven brought by last night.

Yes, I realize I will have to iron it. Or she will...

She asked me to hang it up so the wrinkles would ease out. 

It's all coming together just as it should.

Oh, yes, and Darcy is home for the holidays....

And making herself right at home...

... as usual.

Today's the Day!

The Maven sits for her two final exams today and then it is:

She's nervous yet confident. Scared, but hopeful.  Keep her in your bloggy thoughts today please.

And just because I know you are curious:

My Christmas chicken feeder.

Hope you have a good day - I'm off to Tampa to see Mr. Connor (my brother).

First Step in Chicken Feeder Christmas Makeover...

These mason jar snow globes are all the rage this year and I wanted to try making one myself.

My newest purchase gave me the perfect place to try it out.

Glue tree to lid, add artificial snow and you have a small winter scene.

This weekend I anticipate adding some lights and small tree ornaments to the bottom part of the feeder.  Maybe a small figurine near tree.