How to gift wrap a cat

This just struck me as funny. I think I could have done this yesterday if Tabitha had gotten in my way when I was in super-drive-wrapping-mode.

Merry Christmas

I hope Santa was good to you.

Santa Claus by Thomas Nast 1881

Merry Old Santa Claus
Harper's Weekly January 1, 1881

I had one of the originals and this is my photo of the lithograph which was sold long ago. The historic Thomas Nast House is in nearby Morristown, NJ. I accomplished just about everything I set out to do today and delivered lots of local packages wrapped in brown paper and tied up with string. Really! I hope Santa is good to everyone. Merry Christmas.

I took this photo of the Nast House from my car with my iPhone in the fall.

The Rush is On

I have so much to do today. It's Christmas Eve and I have presents to wrap, a small tree to decorate, and dishes to prepare for tomorrow. I added a border to this print I posted last year of the Christmas Hares. Maybe I'll have time for something original later. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

Christmas Decor with No Red

A blue and white (and green!) Christmas with Carolyne Roehm. via

Prince Charles playing with delight in 1949

Princess Elizabeth, the Duchess of Edinburgh, playing around with her young son and heir, Prince Charles, in 1949.

It's easy to see he was adored by his mother. I love these animated gifs, don't you? Imagine what fun they must have had at Christmas!!!! via

Tartan Love isn't just for Scotland

via

I wonder what their yarn looks like? Instant tartan?

I have always loved Tartanware and I don't own a single piece.

Tartan throws over the back of the chairs at either end of this long table and tartan throws over the white table cloth laid on the diagonal complete this picture.

Tartan behind the secretary desk bookcase looks grand, doesn't it?

Choir, by Candlelight

What a beautiful church service this must have been. via

Santa Delivers

Click here to watch this Christmas surprise at the luggage pick-up carousel.

Isn't this the nicest thing? Poor guy who asked for underwear and socks. Doesn't this make you want to fly on WestJet Airlines?

View from My Kitchen Window

The window over my kitchen sink is perfectly situated. I get to see the sunrise in the morning and the moonrise in the evening. What could be better? This is a southeastern exposure so the sun/moon activity starts in the trees to the far left and travels up and to the right in an arc. Tomorrow is the first day of winter and the shortest day of the year. Set your alarm and get up early so you'll have a full day of sun. I like to get home before dark, homebody that I am. How about you?

My Staffordshire Transferware Punchbowl

The inside decoration on my huge Staffordshire punchbowl is every bit as fancy as the outside. The wide banding is repeated on the interior as well.

This transfer is on the bottom of the bowl's interior.

I'm wrapping up the semi-final stage of a real estate transaction today so all parties can breathe a sigh of relief and get on with their lives until early next year when we close. I don't know which end is more stressful, the buying end or the selling end. I'm on the happy side, representing first-home buyers. I'm really shocked at how busy we are for this time of year. It's a good sign for the economy and I'm proud to be helping. 

Sunset Sky at My Cottage Today

I almost missed this evening's fiery sky. I no sooner raised my window, leaned out to take the photo, and it was gone. This is where the sun rises every morning to the left so this is the reflection of the sunset taking place in front of the cottage. I can't see a true sunset because of tall trees. The weather has been so strange lately and now they are saying Sunday will be 66° which is at least 20° above normal. So much for a White Christmas. I know so many people who will be traveling on Christmas Day, I can't say I'm sorry. I'm glad they will probably have good weather for flying or driving. Fingers crossed.

Moon Over Manhattan - animated gif

Moon over Manhattan. via

Tonight we will have a waning Gibbous moon in Cancer with the sun in Sagittarius. It's all very complicated and interesting, isn't it? See the current moon calendar here. I don't really follow the astrological signs but plenty of people do. My mother used to be a dental assistant and one patient wouldn't have any dental work done if the sign was in the head. See the Medical Astrology chart here.

Dogs afraid to pass the cat.

Click here if you can't see video below.

We have the same problem here at the cottage but it has gotten slightly better over the years. Webster and Tabitha go out together first thing in the morning. Tabitha likes to go first and swat Webster when he scoots by. She used to hiss too but doesn't anymore. Actually, lately she's not even swatting. She usually comes back first to eat. Webster won't come in the house unless I stand in front of her, as the cat food dish is in the vestibule. I'm happy to see this problem exists in other households too. Poor dogs, they are so respectfully cautious of the cats they live with, letting them rule the roost. Webster too.

Beach Christmas Tree

First you have to find a starfish. The rest is easy. I love it, don't you? via

Tartan Love

Royal Stewart Tartan and Christmas are perfect together. via

Full Moon Outside My Bedroom Window

Happy Full Moon in Gemini December 17, 2013

I had to pull my bedroom curtains behind my head to prevent window glare. Instead I got blue and white check reflection. Oh, well. XO

Tawny Frogmouth: Watch baby bird grow

Watch this little bird grow at the St. Louis Zoo.

Click here to see more still photos from the moment she hatched through one month of growth. The video is on the website too in case you can't see the one above. She looks like an owl but isn't. Read more about this species from the Australian mainland, Tasmania and southern New Guinea here.

Webster Speaks

His face says it all. "Can we go home now? This coat is doing nothing for my poor feet."

Country Christmas in a Log Cabin

Could anything  be prettier? I hope there's a roaring fire inside and there probably is as it could be the only source of heat. And a big Christmas tree. via