Rocking The Christmas Tree

It's up.  It was drama free. We kept the crowd at bay this year and decorated in secret, keeping our shades down so no one was drawn in by the magic.

 

Learning (somewhat) from last years disaster we decided to put the tree in a large crock we had sitting about.  GG cut about 15" of branches from the bottom of the tree giving us a long trunk.  She anchored this in the crock with pavers and we filled in the spaces with river rocks.  It stood, proudly.  We held our breathe and poured in water, it held.  If it was up to us, we probably would leave it just like this, green and fragrant.  But we have traditions  And they involve friends and shiny objects.

Our friend Blaise arrived at 4:00 and started wrapping the tree in lights.  By the time Beth hit the door, we were ready for ornaments.  When Anne and John came at 7:00 they had time for a drink and then dinner was served.  By 10:00 everyone was out the door and we were alone with a clean kitchen, some new Christmas tunes and a beautifully decorated little tree.

In closing: A link to my favorite Christmas song...

With A Little Bit Of Blooming Luck

Until today only a few fragrant vases of pine and an occasional rose have decorated our house for Christmas.




Not a bauble, not a flicker of light, not a glimmer of glitter.

But today the tree goes up, and with any luck it stays up.

You probably didn't know us last year so take a peek at our tree trimming adventure Christmas 2009.

Then keep your fingers crossed.

Since You Asked

 Last Sunday we went to Trader Joe's for a little grocery shopping.  It was almost noon and it was as hopping as if it were Thanksgiving eve.  As we stood in line for like forever, I remembered Belinda asking me what kind of grocery store TJ's was.  To GG's horror I started dodging people, carts and crying children to get a few pictures.

They carry charming seasonal plants...

big bundles of cut flowers...

caters to one's sweet-tooth...

and one's inner child.

I had no chance or room to get to the real food ie: meats and grains and vegetables and teas and coffees and and and but suffice it to say most are packaged as their own brands,  By the time I wound my way back, most of the groceries were rung up and GG was just finishing up the packing.  Note: TJ's is definitely the kind of store you bring your own bags, pack your own groceries and if you're smart, go with your girlfriend so you can meander off in search of pictures and still get home in time to watch your football team loose yet another game.  Good times.  Great groceries.

Back At The Ranch

The first Tuesday in December is showtime at work for us.

 

A group of about 40 ladies in Chanel suits show up for a floral demonstration.  They belong to a DC garden club and they're in it for the shopping and the entertainment.

My work amiga Betty and I provide the entertainment.  Every year we have a theme, the theme occurs to us in November when someone calls to ask "  What's the title of the program".  I quickly spit out something then promptly forget about it until the first of December.  This year was Winter Wonderland.  We made it snow for them today.  

We filled bowls with "snow" and a few cymbidium blossoms, pepper berries and  small gold pine cones.  And loaded birch bark sleeves with  tallow berries and eucalyptus buds, white roses and evergreens and a silvered protea.

There was a wreath with gold hydrangea and galax leaves, white birch branches and birds nests.  There was a milk glass compote overflowing with roses and ornamental kale, calla lilies and mistletoe and a fat white pillar candle. There were cylinders layered with cranberries, more "snow" and floating candles.

We chatted, told stories on ourselves, arranged flowers; they clapped and asked many questions.  The hour flew by and they had to drag us off the stage.

But lunch awaited and even we can't compete with food.  The real show.  Till next year ladies.  Merry Christmas.

Dear Santa

I'm starting my Christmas list early this year.  Last year you arrived rather late and the lab had been outside for hours awaiting her Christmas treats.




This year I would like:

1. Congress to pass the Dream Act and repeal DADT now.  This session, before they adjourn for the holidays.
2. My milk glass compote to remain magically full of thin skinned, juicy clementines.  Preferably the Darling brand.
3. Our troops out of Afghanistan.
4. The money pledged to Haiti to arrive in Haiti.  And someone of moral fortitude to get the aid to the people.  
5. A mani-pedi and all the glitter out of my hair and eyelashes.  Floral designer, grubby yet glamorous.
6. The hallway painting project finished ( this wish looks like it might be granted soon, very soon)
7. One more warm sunny Sunday so I can finish, or do, my fall garden clean up.  60's please.
8. GG to do well on her finals. ( probably do better if she could stop painting and start studying)
9. Enough strength and creativity and coffee to get through this Christmas season. 
10. Peace on earth.
11. And maybe just one more good year where I don't  look my age yet.

Another reason to get to our house early: remember how ticked off the cat was when you woke her up?

Thank you Santa and GG, hallway project over, done, finished, beautiful.  O night, O night divine.

Who You Looking At?

What we have here ladies and gentlemen...

is an old fashioned Christmas stare-down.

 

The kitten ( 17 year old kitten) has moved into the living room for the holiday season.

The Lab is terrified.


We are delighted she has chosen us over the attic.  Delighted but wary.


Next Sunday we move the couch to put up the tree...

The cat will not be amused.

Together Again

Luckily the canine revolution was quelled yesterday.  I finally got a day off to spend with the Lab.  We were waiting for another repairman to come ( this is becoming a habit, but I'm not going into a rant about Sear's products here) and of course if your hours are 8:00am to 12:00pm, you can be sure no one will arrive until 11:30.  Who gets the 8:00am appointment do you think? 
                                               




After a rainy walk filled with squirrel sightings, but NO chasing, we came home and made breakfast.  I'm an oat eater, granola in the summer and baked oatmeal in the colder weather.  And believe me , that colder weather has arrived.  I've been fiddling around with this recipe for years and am happy with this latest version.

I use 1 cup of uncooked quick oats and 1 cup of mixed grain cereal, both from Trades Joe's.  I add 1/3 cup of dried fruit, this time raisins, sometimes, cranberries, often a mix of dried berries, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, a 1/2 a teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg.  The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of brown sugar but this is too sweet for me.  Yesterday I used a few maple sugar candies a friend had brought us from Canada,  Last week I used honey.  I melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the microwave and if using honey melt it along with butter.  In another bowl I have a beaten egg to which I add 1 and1/2 cups of skim milk, and a 1/2 cup of low fat french vanilla yogurt,  you could also use applesauce in lieu of yogurt.  When butter has cooled down I add it to liquid ingredients, stir and then add this to oat mixture.

I pour into an 8" square baking dish, coated with oil or butter.  Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 20 minutes.  I cut this up into 9 servings.  GG eats one in the morning with a splash of milk and a sprinkle of brown sugar, heated in the microwave.  I pack mine up and take it to work to be eaten with my work amigas and the Starbucks latte that awaits me every morning on the work table.

Cooking together is such a bonding experience that the Lab and I went on from there to make a delicious black bean soup, but that's a story for another day.

Suffice it to day, the house was filled with delicious smells all day, the dryer was finally fixed and  now I can stop showing up at my neighbor's houses bearing flowers or bowls of turkey noodle soup, and wet laundry.

Oh, and I promised the Lab her own blog later on this month as long as she promises to stop writing about our dirty laundry.