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Thursday, December 25, 2014

Merry Christmas!

 I hope all of you make precious memories this Christmas.
This is not my best "looking" Christmas but sometimes you have to let your desire
for the perfect holiday go and just enjoy the moment.
 I bought a new tree this year...off Ebay and after buying; read in the details that it could
take as long as 15 days to arrive...and it did.

By the time I got the tree...my schedule was full of work and parties and no time for decorating.
So this year...I just have a tree up with lights and no ornaments and until about two hours ago...
my mantel had pumpkins and fall leaves on it!
I did finally a little before midnight on Christmas Eve quickly create a simple Winter Scene.

But it's ok....
Cause today was a great day. My life long friend, Pam came to visit with her husband and son from Memphis.
I only get to see them once or twice a year. We had lunch at a Mexican restaurant and then
spent the afternoon running around doing last minute shopping
which included both Target and a large super market.

And it was a great day ending in seeing a few Christmas lights around town as we raced back
to my house so that they could get on to their family celebration
and I could get over to a friend's house.
It was so fun for me to be out shopping with my friends on Christmas Eve.
I rarely get to shop with anyone. I usually shop alone. So it was really a treat.
Laughing and remembering the past good times we've all had together.

After saying good bye...
My friend Petra and I threw together a dinner of snacks, cheese and wine.
Her boyfriend was also in attendance.
Very spontaneous and yet just right.
While there I made

Cranberry Salsa 
using a recipe from a friend at work
it's similar to the one linked above but I used a little different ingredients.
see below

Fresh Cranberries
Green Onions
Ginger
lime juice
fresh jalapenos 
and a little sugar.

I made it at Petra's cause I don't have a food processor.

Then I came home and wrapped presents while listening to my favorite 
Christmas CDs.
I haven't had time to do that at all till this night.

After that  - I went to wash my face and burnt the crap out of my skin and eyes
for although I'd washed my hands several times since making the salsa...
there was still plenty of jalapeno on my hands to burn myself.

It really hurt! Skin burning...eyes burning and every time I went to rinse using my hands
it just seemed to put more jalapeno on me.

I now have coconut oil spread all over my face and am hoping those jalapenos don't 
cause my skin to peel!

Now

Dogs are all sleeping around me as I type this and even though
the tree is not decorated and the mantel is thrown together and the Christmas pillows never
got put out...it will still be a Christmas to remember.

I hope your's is too.

Nita and Pam
Christmas 2014


20 comments:

sheri said...

I love that first image and the Doxie and the tree and the happy picture of you and your friend. Sounds like you had a fabulous day (except for the jalapeno face!). Merry Christmas!!!

CeCe said...

Merry Christams to one of my favorite bloggers. Hugs, CeCe

Scribbler said...

Merry Christmas to you and your doxies!

Better use rubber gloves when you wash your face! That is no fun, getting jalapeño in your eyes. (been there, done that) The salsa looks delicious, and I will save the recipe.

The time you spent with your friends was much more important that dolling up your house -- you can do that any time (if you don't sleep) but you don't always get the time with your friends.

pogonip said...

Thanks for reminding me that there are no perfect Christmases--but that each and every one can be memorable and enjoyable! Merriest of days to you and your pups!

Cindi Myers said...

Merry Christmas Nita!
You are so right, memories are so more important than having the house decorated perfectly.
Sounds like you had a wonderful Xmas.
Love the photo of you!
You two look so happy!
Give your little ones an extra hug from me!
xoxoxo

corrine said...

Loved the pics . Merry christmas to you and the weenies.

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

I spit my drink out when I read about you burning yourself with jalapenos. Sorry for you, but it did make me laugh out loud. Merry Christmas.

Unknown said...

Merry Christmas dear Nita! It sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas in spite of having fewer decorations and a litle jalapeno mishap! And just think how much fun it will be to decorate your new tree next year! Great picture of you sweet lady.
Big hugs,
Patti

Sonia said...

Christmas is all about friends and special times together. The ornaments and decorations are just the fluff. Glad you had a great day with special friends! We are headed down to Florida to see my mom and family first thing in the morning and to me that is the best gift of all! Have a wonderful New Years Nita!

Dawna (Stitches from the Tub) said...

Sometimes the best Christmases are the ones without a lot of fuss. I never had time to put the tree up & only decorated the table a few times. But like you spent time with those that I love. So to me your Christmas seems perfect, built of memories. Happy New Year.

Unknown said...

Merry Christmas, Nita and Happiest of New Year to you!

donna baker said...

Sounds like a busy Christmas and a good one. And hey, Nita, you got a free peel. Much better than one from the dermatologist.

Art and Sand said...

Time with your friend was a gift in itself.

I hope you have recovered from the jalapeno disaster.

Annette T. said...

I had to smile at your wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve. That's what my daughter and I did. My husband has Alz, and it's progressing, so this year was very different, but you know, in my heart of hearts it was still wonderful as always! I'm sure your tree is lovely and the mantel as well! Happy Holidaze!

Julia said...


Feliz Navidad, espero que el próximo año venga cargado de proyectos mágicos, y mucha ilusión. Un abrazo y muchos besos des de elracodeldetall.blogspot.com, Os espero .( • ~ • )


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vintage girl at heart said...

Merry Christmas! Your day sounded fabulous except for those tricky peppers... and so happy for you that you got to see and have fun with your friend!

Laurel Stephens said...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Nita!

Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow said...

Blessings of the season and a happy, healthy New Year. Thank you, Nita, for bringing us beautiful features all year long. You have great style. xoox

Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse said...

Christmas is not about perfectly decorated homes. I'm glad you had a nice time. Thanks for a great year of inspiration!

Adam Hazlett said...

Always an adventure reading your blog.
So glad you had a memorable Christmas.
Sounded perfect except for the jalapeno burn. I did that with onions...I had cut some onions up for Sam no problem, didn't even tear up or anything...then later at the computer I rubbed my eyes not thinking anything of it. Then rubbed them again because they burned a little, I thought the computer screen was drying them out, then again because I could barely keep them open they burned so and the tears were flowing and my nose was running...I suddenly remembered the onions and ran to the sink to rinse my face. Hope you have a Happy New Year Nita!