I have never participated in Midweek Blues before, I keep missing the starting day but I am on time today so here is my very first entry to Midweek Blues!!

My neighbour decorated her small Maple Tree in the back yard with blue balls.

I think they look kind of stark and cold against the bare branches and the cloudy sky, and that is what I like about the pictures!  Makes them a bit more dramatic!

To see other entries of Midweek Blues, please go and visit http://thedustycellar.blogspot.com/

Ruby Tuesday

Merry Christmas to everyone and welcome to Ruby Tuesday.

I heard the strangest thing today which left me just shaking my head in wonder at what levels some go to during the season. I heard a news story today on the radio about the practise of wishing Merry Christmas  to others during the holiday season.

The news story talked of how it is now forbidden for teachers etc. to use the term "Merry Christmas" in school. If it is heard they could be sent home for it. The children were still allowed to use the term Merry Christmas but all staff were not.

In these trying times where people struggle to just put food on the table or pay thier bills, where people cannot find honest work to support their family, where crime is rampant and people feel hopeless, where people live on the streets and where children are abused, I wonder why this energy of preventing people from spreading a bit of goodwill amongst men is not used instead to really do something that could change the circumstances of someone in a hopeless situation.

I don't want to be told by someone who hasn't the right to tell me not to greet people with a simple Merry Christmas if I choose, I want to put food in food bank hampers and buy toys for children who otherwise would not have gifts for Christmas. I want to say what I feel without someone trying to influence thier version of Political Correctness on me.

I think if we all put as much energy into constuctive endevours we could rock the world.

Merry Christmas to all and all the best for the New Year.

To see other photos of Ruby Tuesday, please go and visit http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/

Macro Monday

Here are a couple of pictures of our Christmas display, including my hubby's favorite Christmas ornament!

Christmas Bows and Bokeh!

This Freaky Claws(Claus!) is my hubby's favorite ornament and that poor reindeer looks scared!

To see more photos of Macro Monday, please go and visit http://lisaschaos.com/

Macro Monday

Last week when my computer was acting up and taking a whole hour to download two pictures, I decided to call it quits then and save the last two pictures I had for this weeks Macro Monday.

Christmas is always a good time to take lots of close up shots of all the ornaments etc.

If you check back on my last week's Macro Monday post, you will see the other two candleholders that complete this set.

To see other photos of Macro Monday, please go and visit http://lisaschaos.com/

Ruby Tuesday

There is lots of Ruby rich colours around in Christmas displays!

To see other entries of Ruby Tuesday, please go and visit http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/

Friday's Fave Five

I thought because Christmas is just around the corner, I would do some Christmas faves for you all.
1) Christmas Light Displays: I got home from work late tonight and even later than I normally would of because I took a bit of a scenic route to see some of the beautiful Christmas light displays that are up. Some of the displays are amazing! Such talented people out there. A few are set to music as well. It is quite a bit foggy outside tonight and that just added to the magical quality of the light displays I think.

2) Shortbread: It is my favorite cookie of all the year. I love it just plain, no cherries, or dip in chocolate. It has to be made with real butter too. Believe it or not, I know a couple of people who actually use margarine to make their shortbread. That is just wrong!! (I am also one of those strange people that loves fruitcake, the dark kind!)

3) Eggnog: I am glad this only comes out on special holidays. If it was available all year round it might not be so wonderful. I love eggnog in lots of different ways - ice cream, with rum, lattes, straight up, substitute for coffee cream. I like it warmed up as well, in drinks in place of milk. It makes excellent french toast as well.

4) Candy Cane Ice Cream: Another thing that its good it is only out at Christmas. I don't even waste time getting a bowl. I am the only one in this house that thinks this is wonderful. So I can eat it right out of the container with no guilt at all!!

5) Ponsettias, Garlands, Wreaths, Christmas decorations: and here is the wierd part in that I don't like putting them up and especially hate to take them down. I love seeing others decorations and store displays. I just don't like decorating in my own home. Weird huh???

To check out other lists for Friday's Fave Five, please go and visit http://susannesspace.blogspot.com/

Today's Flowers

Today's Flowers gives me another change to share a picture from my little Christmas tree. What tree would be complete without a candy cane?? I always look forward to stirring my mug of Hot Chocolate with one of these candy canes!!

You have to have Christmas crackers and presents under the tree!!

Christmas ornaments look good in martini glasses and candle holders! There are also some holiday ornaments in the post directly under this post, go check that out too!!

Part of the Christmas Wreath on the door.

For more Christmas treasures and wonderful flowers click on Today's Flowers and go visit some wonderful sites.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Christmas Ornaments

We put up our little tree this weekend. It is only a foot tall and already decorated. There are a few ornaments that are loose but the ribbon, lights, garland flowers etc. are all glued on. It is the easiest thing to put up now that it is only my hubby and me here for decorating. The tree used to belong to my dad and decorated his room in the nursing home when he was alive. We inherited it after so for me it has a bit of sentimental value. My hubby has a wicked sense of humour and this Christmas ornament appealed to it. His shirt says Slay Bells Ring and he hides behind the tree and trys to catch the duck!!

This is my newest ornament. I bought it a couple of weeks ago and the thing I liked best about it is its egg shape. I collect eggs you see. I love the blue stones as well.

This little duck is older than I am. He was the very first ornament I ever recieved right after I was born. If you put him on a slanted surface his little feet walk down the hill!! His colouring has long faded, the black of his eyes are gone and his beak is washed out orange now but Christmas would not be Christmas without him.

I have yet to finish shopping but considering that we have five more days until Christmas, I am doing pretty good. One more present to buy and I actually found it today in a downtown store. I couldn't pick it up as I need some strong arms and a big space in the back of my car to transport it. I am going to beg my neighbour to lend me her SUV and help me go to get it. I can't tell you what it is!! My darling daughter might just read this!!

Christmas Decorations

Not your average Christmas decorations!! I went to a Christmas fair and these are some of the beautiful decorations that were on display.
Beaded Butterfly. Don't know what kind of bird this is depicting, but its very handsome!!

Porcillin statue. (I can't spell tonight!)

Blinged Christmas ball.

Pearl beaded encrusted heart.

Beaded Christmas Ball.

Hand done beaded Christmas ball.

Hummingbird.

Jolly old Saint Nick!!!

Christmas Dove.

Its seems very early only being the middle of November to be seeing Christmas displays but everywhere you go there they are. I am not really into the feeling of Christmas this year. Maybe in a bit it will hit me, who knows. But the decorations sure are pretty!!