Snowman Plate and Snowball Candle

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A scene from my January tablescape.  I picked up the Sakura plate at Guardian Angel last year.  I decided it was high time to burn the snowball candle that I've had sitting in my candle stash for years.  I think they look pretty cool together.  The snowman doesn't seem worried he'll melt.

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Last year the Sakura plates were the focal point of my December/January table.  This year, I just used one plate as an accent.  I had hoped to have enough snowflake pattern Correlle plates, but I did not.  Maybe I can collect enough by next year.  Oh, but I like these even better!  I used the blue circle pattern instead.

The big musical snowman snowglobe is another Guardian Angel find from years ago.  I think it makes a nice focal point for the table.  The tall candle holder, snowflake vase filled with ornaments, placemats, fabric napkins and rings, glasses, and coffee mugs are also GA finds.

I really am wishing for snow and hoping my snowflake theme helps bring some our way.

Tree Lights in the Bubbly

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We had some champagne to ring in the new year, and of course, I had to take some pictures.  Donnie says it's an upside down Christmas tree.  If it is, it needs a star;-)

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Christmas Kitty

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This photo is in response to all the cute Christmas pet photos I saw on Facebook over the last week.  I was in PetSmart yesterday, and of course they had all their pet Christmas 'clothes' on sale.  I couldn't resist this little reindeer had for Kitty.  I set her up on the ottoman in front of the tree, and she kept purring and was easy to work with while I took a few pics.  That's not to say that she didn't toss it off the second I let her down;-)  I think I need to go back for the Santa and elf hat versions for next year!

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Front Yard Waterfall

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This is how our front yard looked after the massive rain we had this week. Our rainfall for the month so far is 5.59 inches, and we had nearly 4" of it in one event.  Check out our weather station here.

Here's a snapshot of our weather history over the last year.

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Christmas Eve Refreshment

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Christmas Eve resembled Thanksgiving at our house as I baked pumpkin pie and cheesecake with Johnny's help.  We tried fresh goose, I mean heritage turkey;-), and it was very good.  Not gamey at all and tasted a lot like a beef roast.  Thankfully the kids ate it!  In between all the cooking, dinner prep, and getting ready for Santa, Donnie and I had a nice adult beverage.  I use a 4 cup pyrex.  I squeeze 6 limes into it.  Then I squeeze in a pomegranate...yum!  Add tequila to taste.  Fill the rest with organic juice.  I use cranberry/blueberry and a mango mix.  Put in a 1/3 cup organic cane sugar.  Rim pretty glasses with salt and crushed ice and fill.  Definite yum!

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Holly Springs Light Tour

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We looked at the WRAL Holiday Light Map, picked out some houses nearby, and mapped out a round trip route taking us to all the houses and then back home in the most efficient manner.  We saw 5 great houses and one dud.  I took tons of pics and really had a good time as did the rest of the family.

One house had these singing Christmas tree faces to music.  Cool!  Another had 3 focal point trees plus house lights set to music.

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In yet another, 3 houses in a cul-de-sac were all decorated up and flashing to music.  What a great community project!

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There's a house not too far from us that won the ABC Great Christmas Light Fight.  We hope to get to see them before the end of the year.

Johnny and Robot

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We went to The Museum of Life and Science in Durham and spent some time at their Maker Fair event making Christmas ornaments and frames.  For more details on the copper tape craft, check out Chibitronics.

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