Have I Been Living in a Cave???

The fam with their favorite new Christmas toy--hey whatever it takes for togetherness, right? A little high five on completing a 'gig' and getting an encore...so easy to please,lol. So, my daughter talked me into getting Guitar Hero World Tour for Christmas as a "family game"--I must have been living in a cave for the past couple of years, because I never heard of it...but she said we'd all have a blast playing it and she's right! We're all obsessed with our own little family band--the VonVogi. Even Dad has joined in the fun, in spite of that fact that he thought it didn't have a chance at capturing his interest--until he tried it once and now he's as hooked as the rest of us!!! This spans the age gap in our family--we all wanna play and it gets us all together laughting and playing and spending time just hangin' together. It's even better than all sitting glued to the TV watching 'Lost'! Here's a picture of the three hardcore 'band' members-hubby, daughter and son. My daughter-in-law and I were just hanging out by the fire being 'groupies' for this set---we took a break to watch the rest of the fam 'rock', lol. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it--this game is a blast!

More Merry, Merry Christmas

Okay, I know it looks like all I have is funky ornate antiques...but really only the two pieces and the rest of my living room is fairly clean and straightforward. This piece is in my entryhall and filled with Italian woodcarvings by Anri and Dolfi...great to bring out in the wintertime because they are so heavy and in warm rich colors. They'll go back in the box after this until next year and I won't look so rococo around here!! Sooo...my daughter is having an 'ugly sweater' party tonight with all her friends at our house and tomorrow I'm playing the piano at church for the choir....then it's just family, family, family for the rest of the week! Woohoo...so happy to have all the 'have-to's' out of the way and the 'want to's' my full time 'responsibility' starting tomorrow afternoon!!!! Christmas puts a BIG smile on my face!

Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas

Can I say the hustle and bustle of the holidays is keeping me very busy! Oh happy day, my son and his wife got in late Wednesday evening from Washington D.C. and that's the best gift of all--now the whole fam will be together here for the next two weeks. We would love to be closer to extended family, but having the children home for the holidays is a real treat and we are going to savour each and every day together! No new jewelry, but I'm thinking about it...hopefully after the first of the year I can kick into gear, but for now I'm just enjoying family time and holiday cheer! Merry, merry Christmas to your and yours...or happy holidays if you celebrate in an alternative way. We have snow in our southern California mountains that I can see looking out my window...that's a rare treat too...and just a little chilly outside as well!

The Countdown Begins...

A holiday bracelet with some of Jena Fulcher's wonderful lampwork, sterling silver and swarovski crystals! Can you believe it's just 15 days until Christmas? I feel a tad behind the curve this year--I haven't even made holiday goodies, but the house is finally decorated except for the tree. We have a fragrant 10' noble fir just waiting to be covered in lights and glass ornaments--maybe tonight will be the night to get that done.

The Visitors

A girl and her puppy--doesn't it put a smile on your face?

Someone found my secret garden and filled it with laughter and play. My daughter and her Australian shepard came down into my quiet space for a visit and some playful wandering. Notice the matching scarves...I guess that is the sign of a well dressed puppy, at least one autumn afternoon! I gladly put away my book and quiet repose--for an afternoon of mother-daughter-puppy time!