A Grab Bag of Christmas

Welcome to Christmastime at That Old House!

Please come in; we hope you won't notice that we 

haven't decorated the front door yet.  

Stop at the Kissing Ball in the front hall . . .

that should distract you!

 Let's make a quick left turn, into the Parlor on this sunny Monday morning.

 Candles, cedar roping, and a touch of bling on the mantle.

Little white lights peek out from the roping at night.

 What's this?

A turkey?  A peacock?

No, it's my last minute inspiration for a tree topper . . . gilded feathers.

 Okay, even I admit it's odd.

But it gives the little tree a rather startled look,

as if it's surprised to find itself all decked out for the holiday.   Who, me?

 Late on Sunday afternoon, I tucked myself into a corner of the sofa, above,

with a book in my hand, warm slippers on my feet, and an adult beverage at my side.

It was a lovely way to spend a little time post-party.

I took a few pictures from my sofa seat.

See my slipper?

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  The sunroom tree is a big ol' Southern boy from North Carolina.

 He's wearing a be-ribboned headdress, a reminder to us that so many

of the ornaments on our trees were gifts to us after Hurricane Floyd destroyed our others in '99.
Look to the right, at the top of the sidebar, for a link to that story.

I do love tree ornaments.

One can never have too many.  Fact!

Our Family & Friends Christmas Party on Saturday turned out just fine.

The essential decorating got done in time, and all the food was cooked, and most of it eaten!
Biggest hits:  Hot Reuben Dip, and Cranberry Onion Brisket.

Our guest list of 22 grew to 29 by party time, which is always a blessing and a joy.

(Our 30th guest didn't eat dinner, only dessert, so I'm not counting him.)

My father was able to join us, and stayed until 10:30 that night.  Pop loves a good party.

Thank goodness for the help of my husband, my daughter Anne on the day of the party,

and my daughter Alida, home from California since 12/15 for the holidays.

And my sister Peggy for her Christmas baking.  Mmmm... cookies!

 I didn't get many (if by many I mean any) pictures during the party; I was just too busy.

Wait.  There is one, taken during our Annual Grab Bag from my spot in the kitchen.

The Grab Bag gifts were particularly delightful, bizarre and ridiculous this year.
My nieces say it was epic.

Good job, all!  Laughter is the best gift we can give one another.

After cash.

Monday link parties:

Mary at A Little Red House -- Mosaic Monday!

Susan at Between Naps On The Porch -- Metamorphosis Monday!

At Cottage and Vine -- the 2010 Tour of Homes!

At The House in The Roses -- Show Off Your Cottage Monday!

Be back tomorrow with some really neat Goodwill Christmas scores!
And maybe (finally!) a decorated staircase!  -- Cass