Perfect Winter Porch

Now this is just plain wonderful, isn't it? Don't you love the use of a real tree instead of a column for the porch support? Just give me a big thermos full of hot chocolate, wrap me up in a big wool blanket, and call me when supper's ready. Absolutely heavenly! via



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Fabulous Annual Family Christmas Video

Click here to watch.

Be sure to watch this family's creative Christmas videos from previous years too. So fun! Many thanks to Victoria for finding these for me.

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Purrfect Santa

This little Santa's helper doesn't care for the cold weather or the snow.

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Paper Snowflakes Tutorial

Instructions via a YouTube Video.

Make some from tissue paper too.
It's so much easier to cut.

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Santa Claus by Thomas Nast in Harper's Weekly

I photographed this old page from Harper's Weekly circa 1881 some time ago. I must look for it in my bulging flat file. It's the classic image of Santa Claus by the famous illustrator, Thomas Nast. The artist was from Morristown and I drive by his historic home all the time on my way to the library.

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Super Nice New House

This is a super nice example of a house near me that is only a few years old but looks as if it's always been there. I like it a lot, don't you? It overlooks a golf course too.

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Magical Street in Quebec

Old Quebec Street - Montreal, Quebec, Canada ~ I think you could really soak up some Christmas spirit here, don't you?



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Life's Little Instruction Book | Volume II | Page 29

Great instructions for the Holidays from H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

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Big Cheeks

Both of the photos make me laugh. :-)

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Pretty Pie Crusts + A Pastry Board

What a great idea. The next time I bake a pie from scratch I'll try this. I'm going to look through my cookie cutters right now and see what I can come up with. How about little gingerbread men people for a pumpkin pie? Awesome.

I've been anxious to try out this pastry board I got at a garage sale recently along with 4 pyrex pie plates. There's no stopping me now!

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Your Dog

I made this illustrated quote long before I knew an actual French Bulldog. Webster and I are doing well since we returned Piggie to our friends. I think Webster likes being "only dog" again. We woke up to a cold morning and I see some dark clouds overhead. Thinking about a fire later and comfort food all day long.

Have a great weekend. Kiss your dog for me.



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Night Lights for The Holidays

Aren't these outdoor holiday lights lovely? I'm a total failure in this department but I'm so glad other people go to all this trouble so others can enjoy the fruits of their labor. Snow the ground courtesy of Mother Nature makes them even nicer.

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Snow is All Around

Snow is all around me but so far we've had no accumulation. Crossing my fingers that it holds off for quite a while. It feels very raw today and the frost on my garage roof is rather heavy. Brrr. See you later.
Photo by ©Brian Vanden Brink

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Illustrated Quote About Architecture

My photograph of a beautiful sky seemed perfect for this quote. Agreed?



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