Wednesday, December 31, 2008

~ Happy New Year ~ in a vintage way

You didn't think I was done sending out vintage greetings, did you?

Wishing happiness and good health to all in 2009 ~

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Ruby Tuesday ~ seasonal fun

It's Tuesday and that means it's Ruby Tuesday here in the blogosphere. I invite you to come along with me as I experiment a bit with light and photos, all containing red, of course.~ ~ ~
This snowman decoration on a plastic frame was made by our great-nephew, Adam, who is not yet 2. Isn't he a talented toddler? Crafty.
It has an outline of his hand on the back of the frame. He also gave us an ornament featuring his photo. Not sure if his mom wants us to post his picture, but trust me, he's a cutie.

I love this gnome ornament below, because I love gnomes. At the bottom it says "Gnome for the Holidays."

And there's always Snoopy to bring a smile and wish us greetings of the season.


To see more Ruby Tuesday entries, visit Mary T, The Teach, at Work of the Poet.
Thanks go to Mary for hosting this meme!

* ~ Important seasonal info ~ *

I opened a box of candy canes yesterday and when I turned it over, I found some scintillating information about the red and white, twisted and striped, peppermint -flavored, cane-shaped candy.

And I quote: "Of all the beautiful traditions of Christmas, few are as ancient in meaning and rich in symbolism as the tradition of the Candy Cane."

Betcha didn't know that!

I'm not going to retype the entire thing here, but I'll share the final paragraph:
"Candy canes on the Christmas tree symbolize the shepherds in the fields on that first Christmas night - shepherds who heard the angel chorus and come to worship at the crib of the newborn King."

This last line brings us back to reality: "Most of all, they are an inexpensive and delightful Christmas treat for the family."
Well alrighty, I guess I can agree with that. Lots of info on that 99-cent box of candy canes, right?

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Creative Photography


For Roger's Creative Photography meme, I'm using a photo I posted earlier this month.

Here are Linus and Rigby checking out some Christmas lights.

To see more photo entries and to join in the fun, visit Roger at Idaho Photo and click on the Creative Photo tab. And there you will find some great pictures.

A sentimental season

I went to a Christmas party for employees' children a few years ago, and even then people were spelling my name wrong!
It's not '"y," it's "i" - P-A-T-T-I

Here's the photo in sepia tones:

At first I thought the photo was circa 1959, but on second thought I think it was the early 60s...
~~~
The Christmas season has always been my favorite time of the year. When I was little it was all about Santa (as an only child I got a lot of loot), my birthday and my father's birthday the next day and now, well it's also about Santa, my birthday and my daughter's birthday. Allegra was born on my birthday in 1988. Woo hoo!!

So we're still celebrating around here. Have a nice Sunday!

Saturday, December 27, 2008

Another morning photo shoot, this time with the snowman's lights on

Like my new beagle puppy? An unexpected Christmas gift for sure. ;-)

His name is Percy.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Looking up on Christmas Day

I liked the way the sky looked on Christmas afternoon, so this is my entry for this week's Looking at the Sky on Friday meme. Below I experimented with 'auto level' on the photo.


To see more sky photos, visit Tisha, that Crazy Working Mom of 3.

Mission accomplished

We did it! Snag and Stuff was a success. The boys got their booster shots this morning. Now they are under the bed.

Whew!

Rigby and friend



Happy day after Christmas ~

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Ho ho ho

Ralph took this photo last night after I was asleep. Santa was waving to him through the front window!
Quite the capture, if I do say so myself.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas Eve spirit


Apparently I'm also a late bloomer in getting into the Christmas spirit, but I eventually make it to that point. I think I'm there. I just decorated my printer. I love these little friends of mine.

No, I don't have too much time on my hands.
I'm sitting here ready to work, but it's too early to call anyone who probably has the day off and is still asleep, especially since it's cold and gray outside and there is a wintry mix thing going on. Brrrr.

We have a coffeemaker

The other day I wrote about my coffeemaker gasping its last caffeinated gasp. But there's good news! Ralph went out and bought us a coffeemaker last night.
Woo hoo!
I washed the carafe and filter basket and now I'm running water through this vital kitchen appliance for its test run. Fingers crossed it works!

(Note to Vinny Bond: Now this is a post about minutia)

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Score today: felines 1, humans 0

It's about 10 hours since the 'incident' wherein the felines refused to get out from under the bed because they knew we wanted to put them in the carrier.

They have been quite somber all day, once they got out from behind the water heater. Usually that's just Rigby's hiding place, but Linus joined him in there for several hours.
Can you say dusty cats?
Achoooo!

I wonder how many ornaments they will knock off the Christmas tree tonight, to get back at me for this morning?

Stay tuned..

Ruby Tuesday ~ Christmas angels

Our daughter in 1994. I spy a new Polly Pocket there!

Our son on Christmas Eve in 1996. He looks rather scared, but maybe he's just anticipating Santa Claus' arrival.


My mother's "retro" angel candlesticks from the 1950s. They weren't retro at the time though. They were up-to-date decorations.
If only I had gotten some red taper candles to put in the holders to add to my Ruby Tuesday post.
But alas, my holiday disorganization continues.

To see more Ruby Tuesday entries, visit our hostess, Mary T, The Teach. Thanks, Mary!

Sending wishes to all for a Merry Christmas and a Happy Hanukkah ~

Snag and stuff, revisited - time for booster shot

Cameron and I can't get the cats into the carrier. They keep running and hiding.
I'm looking at the empty carrier, ready to cry. Well, almost.
I even looked at the handy tips here at www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Cat-Into-a-Pet-Carrier, and I
I had already done most of them.

They mention TGIF, which stands for Tail Goes in First. Well, maybe that's the ideal, but after awhile I don't care if Tummy goes in first.

I need help, and I have help, and I still can't meet this challenge.

OK, blog break is over. Gonna try one more time...

Update - 10:13 a.m. - After more than an hour of attempting to get them out of their hiding places, I had to call the v-e-t and reschedule to Friday morning. Airhead 55 will be disappointed when he comes home, but c'est la vie when living with felines.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Monday morning minutia

This week isn't starting out well. It's about 10 below zero outside, the coffeemaker seems to have gasped its last caffeinated gasp, and I burned the toast.

The toaster is on its way out too, I think. Dang appliances!

So how is your Monday going?
~ ~ ~
On a lighter note, here's another vintage Christmas greeting from me to you.

Christmas cheer. That's what I need.

Sliding by with a Yuletide hi

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Children make Christmas special

Vintage Christmas greetings ~
Isn't she sweet? Reminds me of myself when I was about 4 or 5. I loved dolls, and actually I still do.

Santa Claus takes the train and gives his eight reindeer a break. I'm guessing this card has a Christmas message. I must use online translator to figure out.

Santa never forgets the children.

This kiddo is sadly mistaken. No Santa?
I think he is a misguided lad.

And this last one I post in honor of Airhead 55 ~ Ralph just loves fixed-wing aircraft. That's why I named him Airhead 55, of course.

Staying ahead of things

I hate when this happens.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Sky gazing with Tisha and friends

I took this last month from the passenger seat as Ralph drove up a nearby hill (we live at the top of one) and posted it already, but I liked it so here it is again. Is that cheating? Hope not.

To take part in this new meme created by Tisha, visit her at Crazy Working Mom.

P.S. Next week I hope to post a photo of Santa and his eight tiny reindeer flying through the sky that I plan to take on Wednesday night.
Wish me luck that I get a good shot!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

And this was with the Dangler

This coaster set with a Southwestern motif came with the (aforementioned) Albuquerque Dangler.

Dangler update

I recently wrote about an Albuquerque Dangler I got in a grab bag at a Christmas party. Some people wondered what it was. I finally took it out of the box this morning. These are just some of the dangles involved.

Whatcha think? More to the point, where do I dangle it?
It's too heavy to hang off the Christmas tree, but maybe in the summer I can hang it outside.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Trying to stay calm amidst the hoopla


It's Dec. 17 ~ and I'm feeling overwhelmed. I've only decorated a tiny bit, haven't shopped, and I feel like the days are flying, which they are!


Speaking of flying, I'm posting some vintage artwork of sweet angels to help us focus on the quiet peacefulness of the season. I love looking at them.

Get your own vintage images here.




I wish everyone a Happy Yuletide!


Monday, December 15, 2008

* Ruby Tuesday *

I posted this photo last Christmas season, but that was pre-Ruby Tuesday.
I love Charlie Brown, but I guess almost everyone does. He's pretty lovable.

~~~~~~

Continuing my occasional posting of vintage holiday greetings, I post this Santa in Uncle Sam costume. He's not only jolly, he's patriotic.


To see many more Ruby Tuesday entries, visit Mary T., The Teach, at Work of the Poet.
Thanks go to Mary for hosting this fun meme.
Happy Holidays, and Happy Ruby Tuesday!

Hors d'oeuvres, anyone?

I saw this comic the other day and instantly thought of blogger/gourmand Vinny Bond, who is planning a special New Year's Eve menu, from soup to strawberries.

This one's for you, Mr. Bond.


Married To The Sea
marriedtothesea.com

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Kitchen glimmer

I finally got a bit of decoration up. They don't call me Patti the Festive for nothing, you know.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Friday night foto fun

The moon was huge last night, did ya see it? I read it was 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than a usual full moon. Next time the moon will be that big is in November 2016, the article said. I took some photos, and these were the best two.

I came in and got all tangled up in pulling out some decorations. I quickly gave up. I'll wait for assistance from our son when he gets home Thursday. He's good at this stuff.



But I did get a good photo of the kitties checking out the lights. Look at these two fellas. I must say they light up my life.