Day Three Hundred Fifty Eight 2010

Ranft Family Christmas 2010

What a wonderful Christmas! Merry Christmas To All And To All A Good Night!

Day Three Hundred Fifty Seven 2010

This Big Orange University of Tennessee Nutcracker is the latest addition to our Nutcracker collection. Grandson Elijah loves playing with them and noticed the new one the other day. He picked it up and said, "Hey, Shelby, look at this scary Nutcracker!" Nutcrackers are kind of scary--like clowns--but this one looks positively wicked! I'm not sure what his problem is. Maybe a toothache? He looks like he wants to bite something. I like him.

Day Three Hundred Fifty Six 2010

Each Christmas I remember

The ones of long ago;

I see our mantelpiece adorned

With stockings in a row.

Each Christmas finds me dreaming

Of days that used to be,

When we hid presents here and there,

For all the family.

Each Christmas I remember

The fragrance in the air,

Of roasting turkey and mince pies

And cookies everywhere.

Each Christmas finds me longing

For Christmases now past,

And I am back in childhood

As long as memories last.

~~Carice Williams, Christmas Past

This is a picture of my hubby/honey Neil, sitting on Santa's lap, circa 1955.

Day Three Hundred Fifty Five 2010

Christmas tree lights reflecting in my window pane looked like glitter raining from the sky on another cloudy, drizzly day. The sun was on vacation on the first day of winter--the shortest daylight of the year. Happy Winter Solstice, everyone! Rejoice! The days get longer from now until June.
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Wishing my brother in law, Terry Sissom, a very happy 54th birthday today!

Day Three Hundred Fifty Four 2010

Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of year
~Vince Guaraldi and Lee Mendelson