Happy New Year!!!!

Happy New Year to one and all.  We won't be going out, but rather we'll end the year with a bang, Big Bang Theory that is and a few blow ups with  Red 2.  Hope the coming year will continue to bring happiness and health to my family and friends.
2015 will be our 50th wedding anniversary year, I know, I know, when you're so young how can you have been married so long, but it's true.  And we've decided to make it  year long celebration with something happening every month.  Can't wait.

It All Began Simply Enough

It really did begin simply, we were living in Germany, Bad Krueznach, Darmstadt---can't remember which one, and I asked Mac for a nutcracker for Christmas.  Of course he got me one, and here he is much worse for wear, but still a part of the family.

Of course after that others had to be added, Clara with her nutcracker of course and the Mouse King.

After that I needed Herr Drosselmeyer and a Pirate

Next came a Santa Nutcracker

After that came more and larger nutcrackers

Mac began branching out after that and soon I had a Bear Nutcracker and a Football Player Nutcracker

Feeling really creative the next year he adapted some nutcrackers and made me a Jeeves and a Poirot

We watched some Duck Dynasty the next year and who should appear under our tree, why Uncle Sy

Then this year, after seeing DCI Barnaby's wife Sarah imitate Clint Eastwood he knew I needed a Clint Nutcracker so he adapted one for me.

Like I said, it all began simply enough.

Christmas Painting

It has become a bit of a tradition that Mac paints me a picture for Christmas and this year was no different.  My new header is that painting.  So sweet and of course it's us, we love to dance, though we haven't done as much lately as we use to.  Maybe in the new year.

We Got Goodies

Received so many great presents this year, we must have been exceptionally good.  My family knows me well.  More nutcrackers for my collection, I'll talk about that tomorrow, lots of teeny, tiny things  including a teeny, tiny snow globe, lovely treats from Japan and an especial favorite a pair of vintage toy pianos that Mac gave me.
Miss Kitty did well too and seems to love her new scratching post.
To me, other than having our daughter home, the best part of Christmas is watching my family open the gifts I've gotten for them.

Isn't he gorgeous?

It was hard finding gifts for our daughter because I was restricted to things that could fit into a suitcase, but I did find a few things, other than clothes that tickled her fancy.

For Mac, in addition to lots of books I found him a vintage fishing creel and bamboo pole.

For my fishing husband who likes all things vintage

Where's mine?

Bugs trying out one of my new pianos

My Precious

After Christmas

Christmas was wonderful: presents were opened, way too much food was eaten, dvds were watched, books were read, talks were had, the cat didn't pout too much.
Now she's gone, put on the plane to Japan this morning ( I miss her already), but I know she's going to where she needs to be, where she's happy, where she's made a life for herself.  It's a long flight, 16 hours of flying and more of layovers.  We more than appreciate that she made this trip for us.
We won't be going over to see her till 2016, but she'll be back  for Christmas next year and every week we'll Skype, that'll have to keep us going.
But for now I have the memories of this Christmas to treasure.

In the Bleak Winter Weather

It's not really cold, but it's grey and dismal.  Rain has been here since Saturday and will probably last till Christmas.  We even had thunder yesterday.  But inside it's cosy and warm, lots of good meals, some gluhwine, presents wrapped, football watched.  And just lots and lots of time spent talking and reading together and just enjoying having her here.
I'd like to make each day last a week, but I  can't, so I'm off of the computer and back to the couch.
Merry Christmas to all!!!

Christmas

Christmas arrives tonight at about 6:55 on a Delta jet.  She's the best present parents could receive.

Still Alive and Just About Able to Kick

Not ready to join the Rockettes yet, but back is finally starting to settle down.  Today is the first day I can say I feel ok, not good, but ok.  To celebrate I stood on my hard kitchen floor and baked about a million sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies.
Our daughter is due in from Japan tomorrow and she's requested 3 things: fresh chocolate chip cookies, barbequed ribs and a Starbucks Pumpkin latte.  We've got the first two covered  and she can get the other one  at the airport when we pick her up tomorrow night.
Having her here is our Christmas present, can't wait to see her.

OW!!!!!!

Borrowed from the
web, not me

I think every bit of cold east of the Mississippi and south of the Mason-Dixon line has settled into my lower back.  Large rations of  Ben-Gay  have been applied and a pain pill taken.  Further communication may become fuzzy.

Paintings

I love the painting, the picture isn't half as beautiful as
the painting!

Several people have commented on my new header, it's two Christmas paintings that Mac painted for me the last couple of years.  I love them, particularly the kitten and Santa.
The painting to the left is one he's been working on for quite awhile, it's for himself, not for sale.
He's sold a load of paintings lately, stuff he calls commercial painting.  Below are two that are a couple of whimsical Christmas ones copied from some Christmas cards I have.

Aren't these 2 wild!!!

Why do I wrap packages upstairs when I know they're going to have to be carried back downstairs----thank you Mac---?  I know there's more room up there, but I could make room down here.  I'm not done, but anything else I buy is going to stay down here.  I can bring wrapping down here, much easier.