You Have Stolen My Heart

In our lunacy of leaving the house on Black Friday, we went down to Glass Growers Gallery.

Ryan bought what might be the prettiest ornament ever. I haven't put it up yet because the kitties are still knocking things over. I think it might just end up in the window so it can catch the sun (ha!) and stay safe from little paws.



The picture doesn't do it justice. It's gorgeous. This kind of thing is the reason I say that I'm not artistic. This is on a whole other level. I can't compete.

Family Tree

I lied a little about none of the other ornaments being as fabulous as Paco and the cactus. There's some other pretty cool ones. They'll get their day in the sun...really.

This is one of my favorite ornaments. It was a gift from Ryan's parents.




It says around the bottom, "Connected with a bond of belonging - forever family."

I like the belonging part. That's very true. Ryan's whole family has been very welcoming, right from the beginning, especially Sue and Pete (or Mike, depending on the day...I'm just going to alternate back and forth, I think. We'll see how that works.).

Shortly after we announced that we were planning on getting married, I talked to Sean. He told me that he was "glad his brother finally found someone who appreciated his quirks." Really, that's what he said. What he doesn't know is that I'm only slightly less quirky than his dear brother. Not everybody gets me. It's nice to be accepted for who you are and everyone I've met so far seems to. I'm glad...I like them, too.

Yuletide Cactus

These are the ornaments that are probably in my category. We'll start with the Yuletide Cactus. It (obviously) reminds me of good old Sin City. Out there it's actually palm trees that get strung with Christmas lights. I kinda miss sunny, 50-degree Christmases...kinda.


This kitty looks just like Ginger. Except for the halo. That is definitely not just like Ginger.


Ryan picked this one out. I agree. We do, in fact, rule. I have not, however, received an apple...ever.


The red sled is mine. Apparently, red is more girly. The cats have now knocked it off the tree four times. Needless to say, I moved it.


Ryan picked this one out for me, too. He seems to think I have a shoe problem. Just because you buy seven pairs of shoes in three days doesn't mean you have a problem. Flip-flops don't count as shoes either, by the way.


There are more ornaments, but they're in the "our" category more than these. Not to mention that none of them are as fabulous as Paco and the cactus.

Paco the Christmas Parrot

This is the beginning of my short photo-documentary about Christmas ornaments. These are the ornaments I kind of think of as being Ryan's.

You've already met Paco the Christmas Parrot. Isn't he charming?


When I was little, everybody in my family had a sled. Actually, the sleds are still around. They're at my mom's. This is Ryan's sled. It's awfully small. Maybe Paco can borrow it...


Big? Pointy? Definitely not my ornament...Draw your own conclusions.


I actually picked this one out for Ryan. It reminds me of Scout. It must be the halo.


What Christmas tree would be complete without a shamrock? Apparently, not ours.


Next up...Lynnsey's Christmas ornaments, including the Yuletide Cactus.

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

One of the reasons I haven't put up a Christmas tree for the last few years is that I am owned by three cats. Here's Ginger after she helped me put the skirt underneath the tree. She's very happy about the Christmas tree. It tastes good.


Here's Gracie, inspecting the underside of the tree just in case anyone decides to take a nap under there (aside from Lola). We wouldn't want them to see any unsightly misplaced branches under there. Good work, Gracie!


In his blog debut, it's Paco the Christmas Parrot posing for a shot with Ryan before perching in the tree. He came all the way from the jungle to visit. He's looking forward to doing a little skiing.


Yours truly placing a lovely ornament on the tree, probably another tropical bird or something equally ridiculous to those of you who are more serious about your holiday decorating.