Well, look who decided to turn up in our neck of the woods for the holidays?
Yep, autumn.
Finally.
Just like that, the leaves turned.
We put on our fun stuff, and had a ball.
Clink Clink!
Merry merry, happy happy.
The madness is over, woot woot!
(did I say that out loud? hee hee)
I love Christmas, but it does get crazy, and if I don't calm my brain it spins.
We were however very lucky this holiday season.
We had a very important visitor.
Stanley Klaus was in the house.
(aka Mister Lovee, and his new alter ego me thinks)
He made magic, and made a bunch of kids (of the furry variety) reallly happy.
And me too.
Nothing like kids during the holidays eh?
So, mine are furry, whose looking?
🙂
Did they ever had a blast.
My goodness.
Stanley Klaus did good.
He was a hit!
(it's a good thing Stanley Klaus doesn't mind sewing up toys every couple weeks either)
After baby Jesus arrived something funny happened.
I was decorating and baking, when I began to smell frankincense and myrrh.
I couldn't believe it.
A real Christmas miracle??
I was running around, trying to figure out what it was?
But no no, it definitely was around the area baby Jesus was in.
I ran around looking for ML, he came inside and smelled it too.
We were both in awe.
That is…
Until…
I realized…
It was just my fresh wreath being slow roasted by the candles beneath it!
Hahahaha!
It was sort of a miracle, that's for sure.
That the house didn't burn down.
🙂
Ooopsie.
Well, after the laughs…
Baking ensued like mad, making treats upon treats…
The lasagna was… oh my!
I sort of made up a recipe.
I did scribble down my steps, I can share them if you'd like.
It was so flavorful, and yet so light too.
Interesting for a lasagna.
Ina Garten's ginger cookies had to show up.
I have a friend who loves ginger, so I wanted to make these for him.
They are really gooey to make, but if you love ginger, these are for you.
They are quite strong and spicy.
With candied ginger inside, moist and crunchy, all in one – yumm.
So much playing, with the gifts of Stanley Klaus, still going on.
Lots of fun gifts, things wrapped in his signature comic strips.
And oodles of thoughtful little things.
Like her…
(with yearly heart rocks inside, yay!)
Fun for all.
Fur in the hammock.
Crunching leaves, hooray!
Giant apricot tree finally takes a break…
Sunny skies and fresh air.
Bliss.
Matty on the lookout.
Boys playing with Stanley Klaus himself 🙂
(this happens all day here btw)
My boys jump really high.
Can you believe Matty is still with us and thriving???
We can't.
After that near death scare last winter.
Boy oh boy.
Now that is a miracle right there.
(thanks to Stanley Klaus for doubling as medicine man and giving Matty his meds twice a day still)
He sleeps cuddled up to me at night, and I tell him all the time how hard it was to break him, and get him to love.
And, how I'll keep loving him and softening him up forever.
He just looks at me.
Probably wondering, what the heck is she saying?? haha!
Or thinking, I really want to bite her nose off but she is the only person I love in life.
🙂
Can you believe it's barely autumn like around here?
What lovely days I tell ya.
I asked the boys to pose for a holiday portrait.
But instead they tumbled and rolled and acted kooky.
Haha!
They are such characters I have to say.
Thanks guys.
That's the thing about dog kids.
You don't feel compelled to scream at them to get out of the dirt.
Well, I have a few more deliveries to make.
I made about 8 batches of caramel corn this season.
Maybe more.
(and there is not one morsel left, it just kept disappearing)
Plus other things.
I have been working on all sorts of projects behind the scenes.
And, the Valentine order just arrived on Friday.
Time time time…
As my friend put on my birthday card…
Time keeps on slippin' slippin' slippin', into the future.
Wholey Moley, no joke.
Off I go for now.
Fun things on the way.
Did you have any holiday fiascos or hilarious tales?
Like the Frankincense and Myrrhacle that almost happened at our place?
Hee hee!
Looove, V
Happy belated Christmas! Thank you ever so much for sharing the holiday with us! Looks like you all had a most lovely time. And it is so good to see your pups happy and healthy!!!! I did so much baking – we still have some left. And I made an apple crumb pie to contribute to our holiday dinner. Looking forward to the coming of the New Year and the promise it brings. Wishing you and yours a most wonderful and healthy New Year! xoxo
Beautiful photos! Glad you didn’t burn your beautiful house down!
A belate “Buon Natale” to you! Funny, I just posted a couple of lasagna
photos too! Although, I didn’t make it and it was pesto lasagna, but still. 😉
A happy New Year to you!!! 🙂
Merry Christmas, my Beloved Muse.
**kisskiss**
Deb
Who knew that frankincense and myrrh smelled like fresh kindling for burning down one’s house…YIPES!! Geez, Louise, woman! You cannot do that. And, YES. Yessirree-Bob. THAT was a Christmas miracle. Just tempting the Gods arentcha!?! LOL (I did something very similar myself, once upon a time ago) Glad everything is fine. Love the puppy pics. So doggone (snort – laugh) cute.
Happy Warm Weather!
Kathy (from Chicago)
Stanley Claus!!!!!! Klaus?
I think Matty is a werewolf. Weredog.
He’s a small, frustrated man in there.
Who LOVES you.
But only you.
And Stanley.
Kathy, it was funny, the thing that was burning that smelledvery
incense like, was the ornamental rosemary. It didnt smell like the
culinary rosemary (I have both in the garden), and the ornamental was full of
little purple flowers, and the flowers and the bark of the ornamental were all
totally browned, and that is actually what smelled like frankincense,
YIPES!! hahahaha!!
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 12/29/2013 2:28:16 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Hello, Miss Vanessa
Oh! My! I’m so glad your house didn’t burn down. The fire must have had a lovely fragrance. So glad it wasn’t the drapery.
And Autumn to come at such a lovely time for you. We are still raking tons of leaves from our trees losing their leaves a couple of weeks ago. California and Arizona are so totally different than most parts of the U.S. as far a seasons go.
That is what makes it so much fun living where we do.
Ho! Ho! Ho! Mr Stanley Klaus! That is so funny!
Enjoy your New Years Day! This year has totally flown! Slipin away is right!
XO
Miss Teresa
Can’t say any wreaths caught on fire around here 😉 You’re too funny, that lasagna looks in-cred-ibleeeeeeeeeeee. Loving the leaves, can’t believe it’s so autumnal down there. We’re buried in 3 feet of snow, won’t be seeing a single leaf for months! Kinda scary :O
Here in Wisconsin we had a 40 degree day yesterday. After 6 inches of snow the few days before, so we had rivers of melted snow running every where. Every car wash in the county had a half hour wait or longer. Everyone wanted to swish the big chunks of muddy snow and salt off cars before the next round. We are predicted to be far below zero this week.
I had to laugh when you mentioned the smell. I was in the living room and asked why did I smell lemons? Like furniture polish or something and we don’t even own furniture that needs polishing. Of course I did not get up to seek out the source.
It turns out someone (probably with 4 legs and fur) had knocked over a gallon of citrus cleaner in the bathroom. No one fessed up or looked guilty.
It was a nontoxic spill, but slippery.
I am glad Matty is doing well still, and that you all had a happy holiday. I am SO excited because I got a kitchen aid mixer for Christmas! Yay! I can’t wait to bake things. If you have any more recipe recommendations send them my way!
OMG! So glad your house didn’t burn down! What a riot, and yes that was a miracle! Love the pictures of your precious boys. And that lasagna – yes please do tell us how you made it. My mouth is watering. Seems you had a lovely Christmas, the miracle being the best part! I was sick with a miserable cold, which is now at the tail end. It’s okay, because I actually got to rest during what is usually a hectic time. Sometimes things happen the way they’re going to, and that’s okay. Seriously, I’m glad you discovered your toasty wreath!
Oooooo, congrats Alia!! SCORE!! 😉
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 12/29/2013 4:56:01 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Oh Melanie, so glad you feel better!!!
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 12/29/2013 5:10:51 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Sooooo glad you stopped to investigate the source of the lovely Christmas scent, so it didn’t turn into a very nasty, sad story for you (and us!)! And, I second the sharing of the lasagna recipe! It looks absolutely divine! YUMMMM! ! ! That Mister Stanley Klaus is such a considerate softy! 😉 And, as always, your fur babies are just adorable! Matty looks so fierce in that photo with Mr. Klaus!
QUOTE: “He sleeps cuddled up to me at night, and I tell him all the time how hard it was to break him, and get him to love. And, how I’ll keep loving him and softening him up forever. He just looks at me. Probably wondering, what the heck is she saying?? haha! Or thinking, I really want to bite her nose off but she is the only person I love in life.”
HAHAHAHAHA! I am sure that’s what Sean says about me. I am a hard woman to love, more like a Porcupine. Once you get past the barriers, there’s a sweet, mushy heart in there. ‘;)
Oooooh, on the Ginger cookie recipe from Ina. I love the Barefoot Contessa. I’ll have to make those for Sean. He’d eat Gingerbread all year long…loves the stuff.
Here in Michigan we are back to winter and oh so very cold. It was 14 D(F) last night but in the morning it was 45…What? well this is Michigan and if you blink the weather will change again! Right now I’m longing for spring.
I love all of your photos. Matty looks so majestic and Miles is so playful. Beautiful fury ones.
Wishing you and your family a Happy and Healthy New Year.
welllll now, you know, those little glade action sprays where the stuff spits out anytime somebody walks by annoys me, but i might pay good money to see a flaming smell good special edition christmas cheer ornament by golly! but i think im more inclined to be glad that you didnt become homeless. 🙂
Well not homeless, since you woulda just moved in to the gypsy wagon or the sweet little housey house cottage.
Yes please for lasagna recipe that is light as a feather. 🙂
Fur babies are AWESOME. My new abode is called “Cool Furry Oaks.” When i get around to taking pictures and settling in completely in you will see it too! FOUR DOGS. Two with some wolf. One 3/4 wolf. (One german shpeherd). All the sweetest, craziest, follow me around so they dont miss a trick or possible treat bundles of fur!!
My pants have informed me that there are no more treats in my future for awhile. 🙂 So i guess I’ll start making and giving away too!!
xoxoxviiixoxox roostah
Misha, the cookies are super strong, but super good. They take
candied ginger inside.. yummmms!!!
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 12/30/2013 4:35:07 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Cool Furry Oaks!!! Cant wait to hear more about it Rooostah!!!
xoxo
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 12/30/2013 6:27:14 A.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
Here’s to another year following my most favorite blog in cyberspace and to many more to come. So glad your house didn’t burn down from your Christmas miracle! hee hee…you can laugh about it now huh? I too am amazed that your little love Matty is still with you. I was so worried but he looks so good! Many more years to his health as well. So glad you had a Merry Christmas friend and I’m looking forward to more.