It’s Christmastime in the City

Last week, Sir Beads and I went into Boston for a little Christmas shopping. It’s always fun to be surrounded by the hustle and bustle – not to mention the extra-special decorations – of the city during holiday season.

This year, we decided to make an occasion of it by booking a hotel and spending a couple of days wrapped-up in the Christmas ambiance! We found a few gifts for the family, had a couple of delicious meals, and thoroughly enjoyed the chance to relax a little, too.

I have a few photos to show you. (For the best view, remember to click on them!) πŸ™‚

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These HUGE ornaments hang in the atrium of the Prudential Center Mall. I especially love those giant ornament hooks!

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To get an idea of the ornament’s size – notice how small the people at the bottom of the picture look in comparison!

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Here’s a corner of the hotel lobby – festively dressed for the holidays. They were serving hot cocoa with marshmallows by that cozy fire, which was quite inviting after a long stroll in the chilly afternoon air.

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And finally, a little oasis we encountered . . . complete with bubbling waters over polished stones. Can you spot the shiny coins on the ledge? They were tossed in by shoppers making a wish.

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Speaking of wishes . . .

Sir Beads and I wish a very Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it!

And may each one of us have a New Year filled with friends, family and fun! xoxoxo

See you in 2013 πŸ™‚

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Thoughts for Thanksgiving

Dear Kids,

Special wishes for a very Happy Thanksgiving!

I’m grateful for so many things – and your loyalty is one of them. I truly appreciate that you take a little time from your busy schedules to check in here . . .

Sir Beads and I will be celebrating turkey day with our extended family. We’re especially excited that our oldest daughter, who lives overseas, will be able to spend the holiday with us this year! Pumpkin pie (our favorite dessert) will be on the menu for sure. πŸ™‚

Thought you might like the following Thanksgiving quotes – some funny, some heart-warming, some profound.

Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
~Native American Saying

The thing I’m most thankful for right now is elastic waistbands.
~Author Unknown

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Football half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence. ~Erma Bombeck

All that we behold is full of blessings.
~William Wordsworth

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ~Thornton Wilder

Hugs for all,

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Just One More Thing

I realize we’re well past the Christmas season.

But just like that one lonely ornament which always seems to be hiding in plain sight after the decorations have been packed up and put away . . .

I have one more holiday tidbit to share with you. πŸ˜‰

Are these cute or what?

Santa Hats

My younger daughter made them for our family gathering on Christmas Eve.

The ingredients? Tiny brownies (made-from-scratch), cream cheese frosting (homemade), and strawberries.

Oh my goodness, kids! We are talking d e l i c i o u s!!!

My girl wields a mean pastry bag – just look at those frosting pom poms.

Better get out your pencils and paper, or fire up the printer . . . I’m about to give you the recipe she used. Put it in a safe place for next year. I promise you’ll be the talk of the party, or the darling of the family – or both!

The recipe for “Santa Hats” can be found here

‘Til next time,
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Ah Ah Ah Choo

Hi Kids!

Don’t be afraid. The squeaky voice you hear really is me, Crystal.

I sound like “Miss Kitty” from the old TV show, Gunsmoke.

(Hope some of you are old enough to remember Kitty.) πŸ˜‰

I’ve had sort of a laryngitis/cold thing going on, here. Christmas was wonderful but I went through most of it feeling under the weather.

It began a week before the holidays when Sir Beads developed a raspy throat. I tried my best, but wasn’t able to escape getting it, too. Just around the time Santa and the reindeer left the North Pole, I succumbed. We’re getting better now, but if I never see another cough drop, it will be too soon!

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Enough about that. I’m really here to chat with you kids one more time before the year ends! πŸ™‚

I want to wish all of you a Happy, Healthy, Creative, Prosperous, and Fun-filled New Year!!!

(See you early next week with the next Bead Challenge!) πŸ˜€

Hugs,

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