Just a few more

Before all this stuff gets put away for another year:

We didn’t do a Star Trek garland this year, after all the drama Tom endured putting it up last year. Instead, we used the small tree for the Star Trek ships and character ornaments. I first called it the Geek Tree, but I finally settled on the Birthday Tree, since Tom’s a Christmas baby. I put his birthday presents and cards under it as they came in. Every time I plug in the light cord, most of the ornaments talk to me. I’m so tired of hearing Janeway, but I never get tired of the Borg and Spock.


Likewise, the sleigh bells have grown too numerous for their old display tree. This year, we hung them over a couple of the doors in the living room.

Mmmmm, rum balls.

And cheese straws along with sausage-and-cheese balls, all holiday traditions in my house and Lynne’s.

Of course, the Barbie ornaments got their garland.

The window opposite Santa’s workshop,
where many of my rocks, stones, and crystals enjoy colorful lights, too.

Here are a few of the cards we received this year–I took this before the last flurry of them arrived.

And finally, the tree, day and night:

The night we decorated, in honor of ‘Nathan’s tradition, I wore Christmas socks. Here’s proof, along with Guinness and Margot snoozing in their new dog bed (it’s usually next to my desk in the office).

This is the family photo we sent out with our Christmas cards. I could barely hold Margot, who wanted to get back to Ft. Emo to write poetry about forced holiday celebrations. Because she’s moving toward the camera, she looks like the largest of the dogs. Note that Tim’s Rex and Pixie are joined by their houseguest, Puddles. And Guinness is just hoping Tom will give her a treat when this ordeal is over.

Thanks for indulging me. Still to come: photos of the people and hounds at The Compound throughout the holiday season, including the brave little rescue known as Pirate Paco. Then I’ll really be finished and ready for a new year of photos!

25 thoughts on “Just a few more”

    1. You’re welcome. =) This is a cookie press with all its disks that push through dough in different shapes:

      This is the disk for the cheese straws:

      Reply

  7. Rum balls and sausage balls and cheese straws, oh my!

    You make your own cheese straws? I have a cookie press but no recipe 🙂

    Your house is beautiful. I’ve only ever seen the Barbie garland before– I love your art and the stained glass and the window treatment over your heads. And the dogs are cute too 🙂 It’s a holiday wonderland!

    Reply

    1. Thank you! As for the cheese straws, here you go:

      Two packages of room temperature Cracker Barrel sharp cheddar cheese, grated. One stick of room-temperature butter. Two cups all-purpose flour.

      Knead all ingredients together and season with red pepper (start light, add to taste, and remember, they’ll be hotter when baked, so don’t overdo it). Using the star on a cookie press, push out in long rows onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for between eight and twelve minutes (ovens vary). Bottoms should be lightly brown, and after cheese straws cool, they should be slightly crispy. Break into three- to four-inch sections.

      They are addictive.

      Reply

    1. Thanks! And now it’s all put away for another year. I saw on FB that y’all are trying to get yours put away, too. This side of it isn’t as much fun. But there’s always next Christmas! I’m sure the Christmas shopping season will begin in about six months.

      Reply

  11. Tired of hearing Janeway? Bite your tongue! I’m envious because that’s one of the ornaments that I do NOT have. I’m envious of the tree in general, mind you. I think I have to do that next year….

    Reply

    1. I could put you in the will to get the ornament! 😉 Janeway has never been one of my favorite of the ST characters. Though I REALLY never liked Tasha Yar, so Janeway is miles above her.

      Reply

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