Double Digits

It's hard to believe.  Double boys.

Now in double digits.

My best Christmas present (after them).

 

Happy Birthday to two super guys.

Before and After

Christmas Eve:  The Before

Wrapped and ready.

 

The After Gifts: 
Music Lessons

  

I may regret the amp.

 

Boy toys

 

 

Microscope

 

 Remains of the day.

I hope your day was Merry and Bright.

Christmas Party

Everything was ready but me!  I didn't get good any pictures before the party started.
But imagine a slab of sliced, cured salmon arranged in in two rows, with cucumbers and deviled eggs done the center. Decorated with parsley and dill.  A full silver pedestal with mini brownies and berries. A chafing dish with mini bourbon  hot dogs.  (Eight left.)  Plenty of cheeses, grapes and crackers.

 Eight pounds of baked ham, mini chive biscuits, a whole loaf of party rye.

A plate with chewy ginger cookies...from Bon Appetite's current issue.  Thanks to T for helping to make those!  Refilled twice, gone.

 

Use your imagination.  You can see the flowers on the last post.

Getting To Look Like Christmas

Finally got some decorations up.  The big tree is done. Thanks to my decorators T and E.

This is a vintage ball from my MIL.

 

 Catch the price.

The little tree is done with the White house ornaments and birds.

 

 

 

 

A few angels.

Balls for the chandelier. I got a great buy last year on Martha's ornaments.

 

 

And our vintage foil snow flakes from childhood.

A garland for the stairs.

I added greens (when it stopped raining) for a party on Saturday.

 

 

I used holly, box and cedar from the yard.

Oops...crooked shade!  Or too much wine in the photographer?

Visit to Santa pictures.

Ode to the sea shore.

All white flowers...lilies, big and mini carnations, babies breath.

Big heirloom Rose Medallion tureen.

 Kitchen table for a party.

Kitchen counter ($2 stand from Goodwill.)

Getting the spirit of the season yet at your house?  Check out Today's Flowers # 173 for more beautiful blooms.

All Black

The black belt crew.

 

 T gets his belt.

 E gets his belt

 

 

 

 Best friend K gets her belt.

 

 

 

 

 Forms

 

 

 Admiration

 Exaltation