A Merry Christmas Was Had By All 2007

Hoping you and yours are enjoying this wondrous day. We are slowing down to a snail's pace, which is just fine by me right about now.

We began our traditional Christmas Eve with the opening of one gift. The teenager wanted us to open what he had bought for everyone--his first time on his own. What a delight to find a lovely Japanese tea set wrapped in plain brown wrapping. The kid got a computer program and the hub received a wonderful writing pen with his name engraved. It's nice watching your oldest begin to mature and take on little responsibilities. It does a mother's heart good.

I then proceeded to make my chocolate chip cookies, which I make every Christmas Eve to make sure Santa gets the "good cookies" as the teenager used to call them when he was little. Can't give Santa the bad cookies, Lord forbid.

The kid turned on A Sound of Music, which we have to watch every Christmas Eve. Just listening to the music and singing along made the cookie cooking go by so fast. Gee, I'm going to have to start using the larger oven when cooking cookies. Three to a sheet just ain't right. We never did make it to the second tape. Lordy, yesterday went by in a whiz! It was 1 a.m. and I still had presents to wrap. Not many, mind you. And, I'm not one of those fancy shmancy wrappers for the family. I know they're just going to rip it off anyway.

The doc had given me some cough syrup for nighttime with some sort of narcotic in it. I tell you, I sure did dream. Like in ALL night! The next thing I knew, the kid was in our room, turning the lights on ready to hit floor! I think I was still pretty dozy and decided to put off making Christmas breakfast until later. I normally like making it before the sun rises, but not this year. Maybe that's a thing of the past. We'll see.

As promised I started my country cooking, albeit later than usual. Ok, you know about me and baking. There's just no chemistry there. Still isn't. I'm not going to give up. I'm not going to give up. That is my New Year's resolution, and I will NOT GIVE UP! Gee whiz. I was all ready for some homemade biscuits and they just stuck to everything. I was just ripping those puppies as I tried lifting them off the liner. Pout. Thank goodness, I had my trusty rolls in the freezer. hehe.

No one seemed to notice, or care after we all sat down. The teenager's friend (also known as my other son because he lived with us for a little while and practically still does!) arrived just in time to sit down to a hearty breakfast. OMG, look at all that hair between the both of them! (There is fruit at the other side of the table, really!)

Mom wasn't awake at the crack of dawn like we were this morning, so I waited to give her her presents. She is always so excited about everything. I know she's been missing me--my being quarantined and all; so it was good to sit down and enjoy Christmas morning. Even her dog, Frankie, got a little something in his stocking. That dog cracks me up!






I think Bella has it right. This is what I want to be doing right now. Maybe if I use that plug and plug myself in, I can get a burst of energy. I need it. I have a chocolate pie to make and I don't want to--whaaaaaaa. Maybe there will be time for a nap afterwards. Let's hope! I'm pooped!

Hope you all are enjoying your Christmas Day.

Update: Of course there's an update, being the worst baker ever. I am here to say that the Baking Gods are truly testing my eagerness to get it. Gawd. Can it be so hard? I simply amaze myself each and every time I go to bake. I don't have any problems cooking; but when it comes to baking, OMG!! Case and point: I start making my chocolate pie. Make the Oreo crust. Bake it. BURN it. (Remember, I have no sense of smell at this point.) OMG. Ok, I had to use the large oven because my PIE PLATE WON'T FIT, yes, that's right, it WON'T FIT in the small oven. Ok. Granted, I have only cooked meats in the large oven, but I pulled out the thermometer, got the temp exactly and it still BURNED!! Ok ok, no prob. I'll just make another one, plenty of Oreos where they came from. Put them in the blender and darn if I don't chip my wooden spoon into the mix! Mmmm, that's nice and crunchy! Ya think I should have just gone for it? LOL. (And it was one of my favorite spoons.) UNBELIEVABLE! Am I a riot or what? Givin' up. For tonight anyway. Even postponed Christmas dinner until tomorrow. Lord have mercy. I'm walking away shaking my head. Just don't get it. Literally.

But through it all, my sidekick stood by me. She's my angel with fur.

Happy Ukrainian Christmas!

Just back from NY where we all (the hub's side of the family) gathered for Ukrainian Christmas (or Little Christmas, as the hub's Italian mother calls it). We left Lake Louise on Thursday and flew into NYC. The teenager met up with us there and then we made our way further upstate to the hub's parent's house.

Ukrainian Christmas falls on January 7th and it's another big feast up there. Although more time and effort is spent on Ukrainian Easter, Christmas is just as special. Over the years, as we've moved further south (and the inlaws further north), it has become harder to make it up to celebrate every occasion. For the past two years, though, the boys have had the week after Christmas off which makes it possible to enjoy Ukie Christmas with everyone.

We all (four out of the five siblings with spouses and kids--14 of us) gather at Grammy and grandpa's house (the hub's parents) who live in the Catskill Mountains of NY, about two hours outside NYC. Their house is by a beautiful lake; which this year was completely thawed. There was no snow and it was actually in the 70s(ƒ) yesterday! Amazing. It's normally in the teens or colder this time of year! Look at how green.

Grammy and grandpa hide "little" gifts for all the kids; and each one has to find theirs hidden in the downstairs. Here's Uncle G holding up one of the boys in order to reach a goody and one of the girls on the "hunt!" They always have such a fun time, and it's over lickety split! The kid received some "power"balloonss that you blow up and let loose so they fly around the room with quite an obscene noise--good for boys, not so good for dogs.

Here's my SIL's doggies, Ruby and ZuZu. Ruby has made Miss November in a special pit bull calendar this year. Even Rachel Ray suggested it for a Christmas gift (all proceeds go to the shelter) on her Christmas special. These two are the sweetest dogs you will ever meet.

And, of course, what would one of my posts be without food? You wonder why I'm so fat??? Look at all this wonderful Ukrainian food! Now you know why!

Grandpa's kitchen, in all its glory.

Ann's famous Salad, the only part that's healthy!

Holubtsi (stuffed cabbage)

Kyshka (links stuffed with pork and kasha or rice)


Kovbasa (smoked and fresh sausage)

Pyrohy (dumplings stuffed with potatoes and cheese)

Shinka (pork roast stuffed with fresh garlic cloves)

Rugelach and Bow Ties (or Angel Wings)

Goodbye to NY, once again.

It's always a treat seeing everyone; and I forget how much I miss being with them. Although it's hard saying goodbye to them, it's always good to get home. Home, sweet home. Awwwwww.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Out with the Old, In with the New

That seemed to be the theme this year from Santa. He's such a wise old man.

My ancient cell phone (which I rarely use anyway) was replaced with a new fancy schmancy one. The hub got it free ($50 then a $50 rebate) with the program we have with the company. My old one's battery was just about dead after having it for about five years! As anyone who knows me will agree, you can never get me on the cell which drives my family insane. I keep it in my car for emergencies and that's about it. With the new phone, if I don't answer (which I don't if I'm driving . . . so you do the math), it transfers to the home number where I will get the message. I'm bad, I know, but I just hate cell phones. But it is nice to have in case I really do need it one day.

My next upgrade from Santa was Photoshop CS2. I had the old Elements 4, so this will be a good upgrade! Yay!

The hub normally gets me a piece of art for Christmas. Last year, I received an oil painting from Haiti. They have the most colorful artwork there. This year, it was a little more local--two Nashville artists.


This is by Emily Miller. Hers is an acrylic. I love architecture, as you should know by now. Don't know where this is going, but you know I'll find the perfect spot!

Not only do I love this artist's name, but her work is extraordinary. Streater Spencer's -- LOVE IT! -- piece of the angel is just lovely, isn't it? I've moved it around and haven't decided where to put it yet either.

My friend Linda from Virginia knows me pretty well. She sent me a beautiful paperweight to hold all my flying papers down! Isn't it pretty?

It was a wonderfully quiet Christmas day full of food and naps, food and naps. The hub made a marvelous meal of filet mignon and lobster tails for Christmas dinner. (Was so hungry, forgot to take pics!) Then it was a yule log for desert. Yum. (NO, I didn't make that! In my dreams, perhaps!!)








Christmas Eve, I did bake some cookies. I took a batch over to Walgreens (the teenager was working, poor souls) to cheer them up. They were enjoyed, believe me! Also made a batch for us, of course.








One of the hub's brother always sends us some wonderful NY delicacy. This year it was pizza! It was soooo good! I always tease the hub when we're up there. He always turns his nose up to any pizza he has, "It's not 'NY pizza'." We have yet to find a place in NY that has "NY pizza" since we've been married. The closest is in Hoboken, (NJ) across the Hudson! This was good NY pizza though, I have to admit. The hub's off the hook for a while thanks to his brother Steve! This was our Christmas Eve dinner.



Here's a pic of mom at 5 in the morning opening presents. (The rest of us are totally unpresentable at 5 a.m.!) Here's Dave looking at the newest family member with curiosity. This was the kid's favorite present. A little mechanical bluebird. He's so easy!


Hope everyone enjoyed their day. Now, on to working in Photoshop CS2! Phew!

Waiting for Santa

This has been our tradition for 16 years. This is the teenager's baby cup and plate. Each year, we put out a cookie and milk for Santa in hopes that he takes a breather in between houses!

Christmas Time at Rosa's

Well, I think everything is set for Christmas. I sent out all my packages, finished shopping and the house is as decorated as it's going to get. I'm done early this year! Really! I am!

Today was a cloudy day, so you can tell some of these pics are from previous days when it has been gorgeous outside. We've had unusually mild weather. No complaints.

I've been receiving some wonderful goodies in the mail. First I received my stocking swap from Sombra. Look at all the wonderful goodies stuffed in the stocking! It was a lot of fun doing this. Thanks Sombra and thanks Peggy for pulling it together!

Next came a surprise package from Merryville! What sweet treats the box contained. Mrs. Staggs sent me one of her lovely hand-made snowmen. It fits right in with my little town.

Too sweet!Next came a surprise package from Merryville! What sweet treats the box contained. Mrs. Staggs sent me one of her lovely hand-made snowmen. It fits right in with my little town. Tucked inside the box was a special little snowflake. How precious! She also sent me this lovely little wreath which I have hung on one of my doors. I can't believe how talented that Mrs. Staggs is. (I think living in Merryville has something to do with it.) As promised, she sent a copy of The Snowman Story we all pitched in and wrote. It was wonderful seeing it in hard copy. What a wonderful idea. Thank you Lena for everything. It was such a lovely surprise.

Then, I received a very special package from far away lands (England) where little elves and faeries live. A little box full of magical trinkets were sent from my Secret Faery Paula. Do go and visit her blog. It is so lovely. When I first opened the box, magical faery dust came out in a poof! It was so much fun, I felt like it was my birthday! (Told you I keep on celebrating!) First, I came upon a little booklet in which my faery wrote the sweetest little note and drew such a lovely sketch for me. Those faeries sure are good with pen and pencil. There was the prettiest string of peace doves attached to an old brass bell. I have hung it under the light near the Christmas tree. I'm waiting for new angels to ring the bell. And then there were these little stars, as if just fallen from the faery sky, all hand stitched and as shiny as a silver bell and a music cd that has a beautiful compilation of new Christmas music. Thank you Faery Paula!! I feel as special as special can be.

Think I've o.d.'d on decorating. This is enough until after Christmas and the sales. I sometimes add a couple of new items before Ukie (Ukrainian) Christmas on January 7. We'll see what's in store this year. But for now, this is it! I may move some things around and stuff, but for now, this is it! I love it though. I love coming home and just relaxing (yea right) and enjoying the sights.

Even the fish are in the spirit! Tiny bubbles . . .


And the powder room has a special tree, grin.

Another manger scene. This one is from South America. I've had it since the teenager was a baby. (I have a gorgeous one that friends from Mexico gave us, but I never put it out this year. It's made of clay and is beautiful . . . but I couldn't decide where to put it where it wouldn't get knocked over and broken.) This one is quite sturdy! And this is the entire one I started on our honey moon and have added to over the years. The pewter one I picked up somewhere in my journeys.















Now, this is one of my favorite areas at Christmas. My front hall has all of my Krinkles going up the stairs and hiding in the garland. (Mind the dust, please!) The cats have done a number on several of pieces (the ostrich has no head to hide in the sand and so forth) and glue doesn't even do the trick any more. I guess her feathers were just too much of a lure for them. Gotta love that Patience Brewster! (Is that not the best name for an artist?) So far so good this year, unlike poor Mrs. Staggs whose Miss Luna has attacked the reindeer! Oh deer!





















Animule stockings. I had already misplaced (lost) the rest of my lettering before we got Bev and Dave, so they are known to Santa as B & D, only. It gets the job done. He knows who's been naughty and nice.

I am so looking forward to getting up tomorrow with nothing to do. I have some wrapping to do, but no more shopping and no more trips to UPS! I did my last visit today. I sent a little package off to a friend and included this! Oh Ulla!! Ulla has finally opened her Etsy shop and includes little kits to make some of the wonderful classes she teaches! Yahoo. I got this and another GREAT ornament kit. I did this one last night. I absolutely love it!! (Even added more embellishment, as if it needed it!) Ulla, you're the bestest! Sure wish you had a shop in Nashville!

Well, it's bedtime once more. I had to go out today and buy myself a new pillow. I've been having terrible neck pain because my pillow has somehow gone flat on me. (Heavy head, I guess and I admit to being a pillow snob. Oh yes, a true Princess and the Pea type, indeed!) I can't wait to try the new one out tonight! Doesn't that bed look delightful? (Minus the pea, of course!) Nitey nite.