MID-WEEK CHRISTMAS...

I am not a seasoned technologist

 (is that even a word?) 

 I had to google how long the computer 

has been in our lives. 

 It wasn't until 1970 that computers became

 a staple in most homes. 

 Ours, however, didn't appear until 2000. 

 I learned how to receive and send emails,

 and that was the extent of my knowledge. 

 It wasn't until 2012, when I started blogging,

 that I started to branch out. 

 I have never played a game on the computer 

or watched Tic-Tock videos.

  I dabbled on Facebook for a short time

 but don't do it anymore.

  I had heard of YouTube

 but had never connected until now 

and I seem to be obsessed. 

 All I watch are decorating shows

 and am especially enjoying Christmas. 

 They are a relaxing way to end my day.

  I have found channels that I didn't know existed

 plus bloggers that I follow 

but have never seen their videos.

  One channel, in particular, 

has been an inspiration to me 

but that is another story for another post.

When I showed you the parlor and sitting room

 in Part One last week,

 (Part Two coming soon)

 I realized I had forgotten to show 

some important photos

so I am coming back today to rectify that.

Here is an overview

 of the parlor from the sitting room...

...and the sitting room from the parlor.

Santa says I should get coal in my stocking 

because I forgot to showcase he and Mrs. Claus

 as they forge out into the snow. 

 The deer pulling the sleigh are from Dollar Tree.  

They were glittered silver

 and I painted them to resemble metal. 

 I trimmed the weird antlers 

to look as natural as I could.

This snowflake is made from 

lunch bags from Dollar Tree. 

 They really are fun to make and quite pretty. 

 I only had time to make one,

 but as many as you can imagine could be made.

As I am writing this on Saturday

 and looking out my real window,

 it doesn't look anything 

like the picture on the TV screen. 

 The wind howled all last night around the Cottage and has been doing the same today. 

 Along with the wind 

there were gray skies and cold rain. 

 We are getting ready to host the kids on Sunday

 for our Christmas family gathering

 and the report is for a little better weather. 

 I'm so glad because

 they will be on the road for awhile.

The dining room table is all set 

for us to enjoy our Christmas meal.

We are eating from

 my set of The Old Curiosity Shop dishes 

that I purchased a few years ago

 from Goodwill in San Diego for $11.

Throughout my Christmas posts this year 

you will notice that I mention 

Temu and Dollar Tree a few times.  

These two companies do not sponsor me

 and I pay for everything I get. 

 I noticed on one YouTube channel 

that was featuring a haul from Temu,

 the host sounded like there might be

 ones who didn't approve of Temu.

  Maybe I misunderstood her but, for me, 

I enjoy buying from them. 

 I have always received my orders in a timely manner

 and have always been greatly impressed

 by the quality for the prices they charge. 

 They have a great variety of

cute and different merchandise

 and, let's face it, no matter where we buy from, 

most of the products come from the same place. 

 If I am to be honest,

 we probably won't be able to afford any of their prices next year anyway.

Hope you all are well 

and enjoying the count-down to Christmas.

P.S.

We did hold our family dinner on Sunday 

and it turned out so well.  

The weather was perfect 

(on Monday it went back to raining).  

The food was wonderful. 

The Captain and I cooked 

a turkey breast, mashed potatoes and gravy, 

yams and brussel sprouts with maple syrup. 

 Tami and Tim brought rolls, 

a wonderful spinach and strawberry salad 

and carrot cake.  

Jake and Jacenda brought 

a homemade lasagna that was delicious. 

 There were 6 adults and 5 dogs in attendance.

  All were on their best behavior and had a good time.

  Instead of giving gifts to each other 

we pooled our resources

 and donated money to a woman's program. 

 It was one that Jacenda was familiar with 

in her work at the hospital

 and one, among many others, 

that would be left out in the cold 

after the Trump administration takes over. 

 We did each contribute an ornament 

and played a white elephant game with them. 

It was a lot of fun.  

The dogs emptied Rugby's toy box all over the house

 and had a great time playing tug-a-war together. 

P.S.S.

On Friday night the Christmas carolers came to the neighborhood.  What started out many years ago a very small group, has now grown considerably.  They all line up outside the garden gate and one runs up the walkway and knocks on the door.  When we go to the door they start singing and at the end they all cheer, wave and holler Merry Christmas.  We cheer, clap and tell them thank you and give our holiday wishes back to them. They then move on to the next house. 

 It is something that we look forward to 

each and every year.

See you soon...

...xxoJudy...

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