Christmas Day.
Day after Christmas.
That's kind of how you feel after Christmas too. All the planning and excitement and then it's over.
That's when you start rooting through your Christmas gifts. I got a pair of short LL Bean boots and
a Woolrich Buffalo plaid shirt. I'm all set for the outdoors in 2016. Time to get outside.
I am very excited to share this year's Christmas card. We thought it would take hours to get this shot. We cleared our calendar for an evening. I set up the scene, we set Stewie down, directed the pugs into place, then dropped in Wyatt. They all stretched out, looked at the camera and *click click click* we were done in under 5 minutes. It was a Christmas mircacle!
Just to prove to myself that they could do it again, we had them all post again under the Christmas tree in their Christmas t-shirts (too hot for Christmas sweaters). These guys are pros.
Merry Christmas from all of us to you!
This year's Christmas theme came together bit by bit. First I found these wood discs that I could wood burn with initials for tags.
I did not burn myself this year. *thumbs up*
Then I found this Buffalo Plaid wrappping paper at Target. Can you believe it? What are the chances. It all came together as a Lumberjack Christmas Theme. *high five*
This year Aaron set up a table in our living room as a wrapping station. That was a huge help!
Wyatt still managed to get in the way. He thinks he makes a great paperweight.
For my handmade gifts this year, I made my peeps kitchen chalkboards from upcycled cutting boards. I made myself a prototype earlier this fall. I also burned myself making it but I was extra careful making these.
I visited 11 thrift stores to find enough cutting boards. I can tell you where every Goodwill, Salvation Army and Savers is in the Rochester Area.
Tina's chalkboard (lower right) is actually a pizza peel which works out because she loves pizza.
Each board has the shape outlined with the wood burning tool and then the chalkboard paint inside the lines. I included a stick of chalk rolled up in craft paper with each chalkboard. This one was photographed in my friend, Paulette's, kitchen. I hope all my friends enjoy them!
We are down to the last few details for Christmas. Like Christmas nails! These are a Jamberry design called Christmas Sweater.
I made an orange clove pomander for the kitchen. Christmas makes me think of oranges.
Orange pomanders have sort of a gross history. Masking the unpleasant smells during the Plague. Eventually they became a Christmas gift. Martha Stewart has how to steps posted.
I found these Bob's peppermint stir sticks while I was out shopping. While I try to avoid buying myself things at Christmas time, I thought these would make a nice treat.
I was right.
I added a few more albums to my Christmas record collection. I am espcially thrilled about the Elvis one because it is a clear green record.
The cover with kittens makes me grin too.
How cool is this green record?!
I have my eye out for some other Christmas records that I'd like to get. The Carpenters Christmas Portrait, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton Once Upon a Christmas, and Christmas with Dino.
We have been working our way through the advent calendar test tubes and last night Aaron surprised me with tickets to the RPO Holiday Pops Gala!
I enjoy any opportunity to visit the Eastman Theatre. The Holiday Pops are just the thing to put you in the Christmas spirit.
Afterwards we walked down to the Liberty Pole to see it lit up with lights.
The Liberty Pole is a landmark in downtown Rochester. The first one was erected on the hill at the triangular intersection of East Avenue, Main and Franklin Streets and stood 118 feet tall. The current pole was built in 1965 and is 190 feet tall with a network of steel wires forming a riangle around it's base. There are concerts and other gatherings there but I think it's most well known for the lights at Christmas.
Today was our annual Christmas Brunch and I got to set up something I have always wanted to try. A crepe station!
Aaron made fresh crepes on the fly right in the dining room.
And everyone could choose what they would like in their crepe. Scrambled egg, swiss cheese, mushrooms and dill? Brie with raspberries and maple syrup? Nutella with strawberries and brown sugar?
I think it was a hit!
I had one of each.
Then it was into the living room to exchange gifts. The pugs kept busy with bones Tina brought them.
While the cats had to inspect everyone's present.
Seriously. If you were opening a present there was a cat there getting poking his nose into it.
Just doing their job.
This week has been non-stop holiday celebrations at the office. Grazing day, luncheons, secret Santas. I needed an outfit that really reflected the festive mood. What is more festive than a pug? Behold the Christmas pug sweatshirt!
And Christmas pug socks to match. I think the outfit was a hit.
This is what Stewie has to say "THAT'S A LOT OF PUG!"
Don't you love traditions? Especially holiday traditions. We went to get our Christmas tree at the same farm we have been going to for years. I think this is the warmest weather we have ever had this time of year. No mittens or hats!
The Clarks joined us again for the big tree hunt and cutting.
Here is this year's tree.
Afterwards we had our usual Christmas-tree-getting-day dinner. I like getting all my Christmas plates out to set the table.
Tina made peppermint brownie sundaes - another yearly tradition. So sweet and so perfect this time of year.
When we trimmed the tree I had worries that Wyatt the Riot might be a little too interested in branches and decorations so we only hung unbreakable ornaments. Looks like I was spot on.
Gopher kitty!
The halls are decked for the holidays.
We put out our wood German decorations for the Christmas mantelscape.
I found these light up laser cut wood houses at Christmas Tree shops. They were such a good price, I wish I had got more.
Santa is too cute to light and melt.
My cherished aluminum tinsel tree with vintage Shiny Brite ornaments.
I put a lot of decorations up in the kitchen. I had to explain to Aaron - "This oven mitt is for looking at, not using. Use this burnt grubby one over here instead."
I think it makes the kitchen cheery to decorate in there too.
