Christmas, a retrospective

Sorry - this is really late, I know you have all been waiting at the edge of your seats (all 15 of you) waiting, waiting, waiting for the details on Feefee's Christmas.  Here it is, albeit late friends....my Christmas 2010.

We had a delightful time with brother Pat, Mom Evelyn and Dear Sweet Mr Big on Christmas Eve with a nummy dinner - I love being able to use my 12 days of Christmas plates....

and then we were off to church.  Before we knew it it was Christmas morning, a little odd this year because the kids were with their Mom..

I don't know why you are looking so stinking happy Mr Snowman, its now 365 sleeps till Christmas...sorry, was that Grinchy?  Anyways, it's Christmas morning at Castle Allen, a little odd this year because the kids were with their Mom..but still wonderful, Mr Big and I were together, and happy and healthy - and look how spoilt I was

Mr Big is such a great gift purchaser, thank you darling, everything was just perfect!  We had a really nice morning in one anothers company and then it was time to head off to Chateau Martine.  When you walk into Mike and Teresa's home you see this lovely slogan, and isn't this really what Christmas is about - family being together?  Course as soon as I read this I had to fight back the tears - I was missing my family from NZ more than ever and was homesick but when I saw this *sniff* I missed them more.  Thanks for calling on the day Momma and Al, that was wonderous!

Whats the perfect followup to that niceity?  My toes.  Perfect.  The toe socks Mr Big got me were orsome but my kiwi toes did not really want to be in toe bondage....as is evidenced here

A beautiful meal was had by all - and we started to settle into games.  While doing so Miss Teresa brought my attention to Mikes uncanny resemblance to one Mr Spencer Tracey.  Ok, I see it T.

speaking of games....I think I did not too shabbily, though I think that you guys were mean in not allowing some of my creative words including:

Thank you Teresa for opening your home to us for another wonderful family occasion, for another wonderful Chrismas.  What a beautiful family we have.  Though I didn't dare ask for the fam to squish together for a family picture, I did manage to snap a little picture of the three gals - Mindaroo, Evelyn and Teresa.  love you guys.

What you cant see over their shoulders (or hear) is the snoring of one Mr Patrick Allen, bachelor at large of Lake Stevens.  Here he is, dreaming no doubt, of a white Christmas.

Only 364 sleeps to go, it was the best Christmas ever.

Fogalicious

Pea soup is what we woke to this morning - I think Tony the deer is glad he's an indoor deer as he looks out to the fog shrouded Clark park

Owl pajamas

These were the perfect gift. Thank you tarjay for making them, thank you Tadpole for hearing my screams of delight when I saw them and thinking to tell Mr Big they would be a good Christmas Gift, thank you honey for not returning them when I used my witchy psychic powers to guess what they were. I love you OP's !!!!!!

Let it snow park deux

 Ok I'm pissed.  I was promised snow and though I was on high snow alert all evening (11pm, 1am, 2.30am and 3am I woke and threw open the blinds hoping to see nothing but a blanket of white and tiny snowflake whizzing by my second story window blizzard style.  Sadly, and quite remarkable, North Everett was slighted friends, SLIGHTED by the snow.  Neary a flake fell.  Downhearted and head hung low I made way to work down broadway...still nothing...(though there were many cars with snow drifts ontop of their cars, almost mocking up with their snowiness)...onto I5...nothing....then we got to South Everett and BAM - snowmageden.  PRAISE GOD for the fact that we were car pooling and able to use that lane otherwise it would have taken me hours to get to work.

You wouldn't know it from looking at this picture but this was definitely the calm before the cluster.  This is 164th in Lynnwood, typically a mild mannered street with nothing very exciting happening (ok, there IS an artisinal well here but that's it)  If you look really hard in the distance down this hill lookie at the carnage of people who have no business driving, let alone in 1 inch of snow....BUT FRIENDS, part of my new mantra as we walk into this new decade is to not get so frustrated at others - so I digressed and enjoyed the incredible beauty (around the carnage).  Just check out the sky

and each tree was just a miracle

and then there was the sky....again....

I did get to see some flurries whispering past my office window and this filled my happiness meter to overflowing, amazing what a little slightly frozen water can do for a gals demeanor!

Goating around

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U24ieRZO3s

Nigerian Dwarf Goat - please be mine next Christmas!!!!

363 sleeps to go

See ya Christmas - its been grand, see you in 363 sleeps - I miss you already.

Is it just me or do you feel depressed about the plain and simple fact that Christmas goes so quick.  I'm a fan of the stores starting in October - it draws it out longer.  And with it being the best holiday/time of the year who wouldn't want to make it last longer?

As you know, at Castle Allen the tree and accompanying decorations must come down on Boxing Day, otherwise depression sets in. Deep.  Thanks to Mr Big we got most things packed up and stashed in the attic, just a couple of outdoor lights to come down this weekend and we will be done.  But now I am left with a dilemma - WHAT DO I DECORATE FOR??? Winter? Spring? I'm stuck!  Your comments suggesting the best decor accoutrement's would be appreciated.

Segwaying here's another question.  Why are the bathrooms in Chinese restaurants so friggin disgusting?  Mr Big treated me to a Dim Sum lunch in the elusive Zen Garden (PS - though this isn't my favorite dim sum place the garden in the back is magnifeek)...and it was all quite nice right up until I had the misfortune of needing to use the facilities.  For some reason the proprietors of this style of restaurant must not place high importance of the hygiene of the loo - this one was a delight with a recently flooded floor (sweet Jesus I pray that it was water and not.....you know...), plus to add to the general ambiance, there was feminine hygiene products lying about the loo area.  Needless to say I did the hover AND closed my eyes so I didn't have to see the carnage.  Yikkes.  Bad.  Don't think I will be returning there anytime soon.

Christmas Hilariousness

I know you are always rolling in the streets reading my bloggy, but it is nothing compared to this genius writing



http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2010/12/year-kenny-loggins-ruined-christmas.html

High on the hills

Leavenworth WA.  Our annual pilgramage to the holy land of Christmasness.  Peppermint schnapps-check, friends- check, every scrap of warm clothing - check.  It's time to hit the road.

First matter of business...the stomach.  Where else would one eat but THE SULTAN BAKERY!!!! OHHH YEAAAAAAA.  We had warned unnamed friend and her sharkboy that the meals were gianormic there but I think that mayhaps they might have thought we were over-exaggerating.  Imagine their surprise when "the Trainwreck" unnamed friend had ordered arrived by forklift...

Actually, I have officially been given the nod to reveal unknown friend as one miss Hailey Hansen...and now allow me to introduce her luffa - Mr Chris

after breakkie we headed up the Tumwater Canyon and on the way we stopped for a few photo opportunities.  Tad found a wonderful forest road and as we were making our way up what should Hailey (aka unnamed friend) find rolling around in the back of the suburban?  A HATCHET.  Some of my faithful readers may or may not know that Hailey talks about shanking.  ALOT.  So it came as no surprise to the occupants of the gleemobile that her happiness meter was redlined when she spied this tool and immediately signalled for Tadpole to halt the car so she could hatchet something.  Fortunately for us and civilized society, the blackberry bushes where the only victims

Queue maniacal laughing

....and yet more....

ah, but the mountains took me away from the carnage

We were then on our way again...but had to stop to take a picture or 15 of the moss literally glowing on the trees with the sunshine on it

There were so many places along the trip that we wanted to stop - even a snow drift wouldn't stand in our way and by our I mean me and Tad, the other turkeys stayed in the warmth of the burban while we scaled this mountain of snow

but the payoff was well worth it!

There were icicles on the sides of the composting long drop loo - and Tadpole thought he would take them back to the car as a treat for the guys to suck on, sadly they cottoned on that it might be unsanitary to do so and sent him packing!

More yummy mountains

Praise God, there was fudge in them there mountains - chewy praline vanilla was my fav

I think I'm addicted to this scenery

and then...we were there, with 50,000 of our closest friends

look at this saucy lil elf

Time for beer.....

and gobbling sausages as ably demonstrated in this mural (Tad did not pose for this photo)

ahh- a warm fire, Mr Big, good friends and sausage.  Who could ask for anything more?

and then the town and the tree were lit - so beautiful ESPECIALLY with the snow lightly floating down

also - one of the must do's in Leavenworth is the hat shop - Mr Big rocks any look, especially a Plymouth Pioneer - this hat would make him around 9 ft tall

and as you all know I've always wanted a teacup pig, but maybe a TADPOLE PIG would be even better

Adieu Leavenworth - till next year!

 

Warm Beach

New to the Christmas Calender this year was something neither Mr Big or myself had ever done.  Warm Beach, home to (queue Dr Evil voice) ONE MILLION lights.

Mr Big, myself, Tad, Ronnie, Lois and Jason started at Carpenter Creek Winery for a delicious glass of wine (and cigar for Mr Big) and then we rolled out to Warm Beach in convoy.  Lucky for us this year we had a two-for-one deal so it cost $14 instead of $28 to enter and stroll the lights.  Lovely as it was I don't think it is something I would pay $14 per person for.  Anyhoo, here in all its glory I present to you......WARM BEACH LIGHTS (PS, don't expect too much with the photographic prowess you dozens of faithful readers are used to, for some weird reason these aren't my best work)

Here's the Warm Beach Group

I really loved this arch way, Mr Big is thinking of something similar for next year at Castle Allen

these pendants coming out of the trees were utterly breathtaking, and this picture no way does it justice

The laddies in front of a beautious tree

ahhh - what better than a kiss with Mr Big?

I'm not a big pink person but this was by far my favorite display here

this wee deer was just begging to be kissed

and I will leave this picture uncaptioned, I don't think I need to tell you what Ronnie is doing

in front of the gingerbread house - thank you kind Asian lady for taking our picture!

Dad, I was thinking of you when I saw this, I think that this piper bears a striking resemblance to you

SANTA'S IN THE HOOOOOUUUUUSE....

What was weird was that Jason seemed to REALLY REALLY like these fuzzy friends that were milling around.....as is evidenced in the following (I don't know where Frosty's hand is but where ever it is Jason doesn't seem to mind.  I'm just sayin).

 Two little bears at Warm Beach

A good night was had by all.  Tomorrow, Leavenworth, AKA Christmas Mecca.  *Scratches head* can you use Christmas and Mecca in one sentence?