For The Barbie Lover

 I had the most wonderful Christmas.  But first, I want to tell you about the incident on the night before Christmas Eve.  It had been very windy that day with some rain.  I heard a loud crash in the middle of the night.  I checked the porch area, and nothing.  Early in the morning around 7:00 (it was still dark out), I heard a chain saw and a couple men talking.  I went outside, and a BIG tree in my yard fell over and landed on the mailbox and into the street.  There were limbs and branches everywhere!  Two of my neighbors were cutting the wood and clearing out the road, so it was safe to drive.  One of the mailboxes (where the packages are delivered) busted open, and some packages fell to the ground.  My neighbor covered the packages with a big plastic bag so they wouldn't get damaged.  There were piles of wood everywhere, and it was a mess!  If the tree had fallen in the opposite direction, windows might have been broken, and damage might have occurred to my car and house.  Thank the Lord.  Oh, and shortly after, the postman came to the house - those packages that fell to the ground were mine!  They were torn open a little, but they were just clothes, nothing breakable, and secure in plastic bags.  My neighbor chopped some of the wood from the fallen tree, and will use it for firewood this winter.

My brother-in-law came over right before Christmas and brought me lots of goodies.  My sister-in-law baked and baked this year, and I got to sample it all.  When my in-laws send me surprises, it's like Santa came!  There was peanut brittle, brownies, rocky road, and Ghirardelli chocolate peppermint bark.  Brother-in-law made raisin oatmeal cookies and homemade chili.  His chili is the best, and it taste even better with a little cheese on top, and some corn chips. 

  Me and my son had appetizers on Christmas Eve, and he made a nice ham dinner.  I didn't get pics of it, but it was a delicious glazed ham, with the meat just falling off the bone.

Jess gave me the most thoughtful gifts - white towels, plates and bowls, a school photo of Francesca, peppermint pretzels, See's candy.  Nel's will be coming soon, and it will be fun getting a surprise in January.  This Mickey's coffee was delightful.  Jess is always visiting Disney, and it's her happy place.  This cup was a gift from my son. 

And Jess gave me this white soft, furry, sweater/jacket.

During the week, my son made tamales, and although this was a process and it was his first time, they turned out really good.

Charlotte was sick at Christmas, but here are a few pics at their house the days before.

And there is always the tradition of seeing the Nutcracker production every year.

I packed up Christmas and put it all away until next year.  I did keep some wintery things out, as winter just started and will linger on for another four months here.

We have a huge interest and love of Bigfoot around these parts up here, and there have even been sightings in northern California of people claiming to have seen him.  Jess placed this stuffie in with all her gifts.

Isn't this the most delightful Barbie?  It's a Self-Care Barbie.  Jess got it for Christmas, and it's a reminder to take time out just for herself.

And I just got these pics back from Jess.  It's the French Cafe we went to when I visited.  It had such a magical atmosphere.

Here's to a splendid new year!  May it bring many good things to you and me.