How to Stuff a Wild Bikini in My Suitcase

Turns out the snowsuit is at the cleaners, and it is going to be cold here. My little brown, houndstoothed suitcase, however, is at the ready. Warm and silky long undergarments, woolen sweaters, jeans, handknit beanie, gloves, scarf, and coat. (And yes, that aforementioned bikini for the indoor pool.) Whew! I'll have to rise thirty minutes earlier just to don all those items.

We got back to the hotel from dinner around a quarter until midnight. So when the clock struck twelve, Squidley and I were outdoors walking Deutsch and Scout. In the rain. The cold rain. With added wind.

We quickly kissed, called out new year wishes, and made a beeline for the nearest entrance.

The above two photos were shot one after another, one with flash, one without.

A good New Year's Eve to everyone.

Itsy Bitsy or Nanook of the North

Only moments ago, Squidley suggested getting out of Dodge City for New Year's Eve and the beginning of the new year. Ok. Where are we going? Hmmm . . . . We'll figure that out in the morning.

Meanwhile, I'll start packing. And thankfully, I have the laundry caught up. However, without destination details, I don't know whether to pack a bikini or a snowsuit.

Somebody call it. Heads or tails.

The Body Mop

Squidley and I, along with Deutsch and Scout, have had a very good day, albeit it from varying perspectives. And sometimes it's good to take a look at things from another's viewpoint. You might find that looking at things from your point of view is not necessarily the definitive point of view. (Fortunately I had someone handy to help lift me from my prostrate position.)

I'll be offering more "doxie cam" photographs in a future post. Stay tuned.

'shrooms, Anyone?

Nighty night, everyone.

Yummy!

Squidley and I have had a very nice day, quiet and very relaxing. The only time away from the house was when we got out and about to search for some puzzle books for me.

For dinner, Squidley baked a turkey breast and cooked green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy. There was also leftover squash casserole. Such a delicious post-Christmas dinner!

I am tired and am ready to get into the beddy bye. Hope your evening is nice.

Nighty night.

Food Photography

I shot many pictures on Christmas Day but forgot all about taking pictures of the food. So today, the 26th, I kinda remembered. Well, I remembered to photograph one dish. And oh, what a dish it was! Squidley's marvelous squash casserole.

Well, the day has been quiet, and I have napped a whole lot yesterday and today. I guess all this great food is comforting and can just make one a bit sleepy. Which can be a good thing.

Nighty night, everyone.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Today is wonderful, celebrating the birth of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. And we do so with family. Some of us, however, cannot be together for this joyous accasion; we do, nonetheless, keep them in our hearts and minds. And love them dearly.

Deutsch and Scout's stockings were hung with care.

Their excitement was beyond compare.

The boys were tired but very happy.

Merry Christmas to all.

And to all a good night.

A Cardinal Christmas

This is an example of one of our favorite ornaments, from a collection we bought maybe four or five years ago. We both enjoy birds, and the redbird seems to be the bird of choice for the Christmas season. We also have two cardinals on our tree. Next year, perhaps, I'll try to find some pretty little bluebirds to use among our decorations. I think that would be pretty. And I like to make things especially nice for the special occasion of celebrating Jesus's birth.

Deutsch and Scout have been enamoured with the Christmas tree this year. Thankfully, nothing has fallen from the tree or gotten broken. You may notice the bareness underneath. We have searched high, and we have searched low. The tree skirt had just eluded us both. It's got to be somewhere. Our Christmas things are well organized, or at least I thought they were. At any rate, I may just make another one. I made the "missing" one probably seven or eight years ago, and it was still in very good shape the last time I saw it. Maybe I'll change up things a bit and make something entirely different.

Squidley and I had a quiet little dinner at a favorite restaurant on Christmas Eve. The food and service is always exemplary, and the tone is quietly romantic. Afterward, we drove to a nearby church for a simple and beautiful Christmas Eve service.

There was a pair of "boots," made out of white dinner napkins, sitting on the hearth in the room where we dined. Very unique. Made me think that one of Santa's elves might be dealing with a case of cold feet.

a closeup

This is our little skirtless tree. OH, and I also forgot to place a very pretty angel at the top. I hurriedly decorated the tree before Thanksgiving and before our trip to the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida, and I guess my mind was more on preparing for our little holiday. Nonetheless, we think the tree is quite nice.

This little Santa Claus is carefully hidden within the tree branches. The person who finds it receives a special gift. There is a similiar German tradition in which a pickle ornament is hidden, and the child who finds it first wins something special.

A few years ago I gave Squidley this container filled with "snow." He just likes the white stuff so much, I figured he should have it around all the time. Oh, and the Santa is a sweet ceramic ornament made in Germany. I also bought a ceramic angel at the same time.

a depression glass pitcher filled with gold ball ornaments

an old pitcher made more festive with red bead garland

Though we had a wonderful evening, our afternoon was spent taking special care of Deutsch. While getting his nails trimmed, he suddenly jumped, causing the clipper to hurt little him. We used a home remedy immediately, then consulted with Deutsch's doctor. We were told that we were handling everything well (though he could be taken in for an exam if we wanted). Because he wanted to continually lick the injury, we were advised to go by the vet's office and pick up a Victorian collar. Deutsch only wore it until beddy bye time, when we put him into bed with us where we could keep a close eye on him. And of course Scout joined us, too.

Here's wishing everyone a nice Christmas Eve.

White on White Autograph

As you can plainly see, the snow is not gone yet, and neither is the fun I'm having with it. There is the occasional green peeping out from underneath, but for the most part, there is plenty of the white stuff all over the place. Though rain is predicted for the 25th (And that will take care of much of the snow.), we should still have a white Christmas, if only by default.

Fortunately, getting out and about now is no longer a task. There is lots of snow everywhere, but the main thoroughfares are pretty much snow free. Tonight Squidley and I ran a few errands and took time to enjoy a couple of chicken salad sandwiches. We are not doing major shopping this year, but we did stop off to pick up a few extra things for Deutsch and Scout. Believe it or not, they get very excited when there are packages to be opened. Whenever a package is delivered to the front door and then brought indoors, they are just so very excited. And when a package contains something for them, they just begin dancing with joy. We will enjoy sharing their excitement when they receive their presents on Christmas morning.

Take good care. Until Christmas Eve, nighty night.

Spent Snow