Christmas Un-decorating and Scalloped Ham & Potato Casserole

That's the last photo of this year's tree, reflected in the mirror.

Baby hung out on the bannister and watched me put away all of the ornaments.
Look at her bewildered expression.

 

There's now a gaping hole where the tree once stood. I'm sure Baby will miss it since she had a jolly good time batting the ornaments the whole time the tree was up. Don't worry, Baby, next Christmas is less than a year away!

 

While visiting the lovely The Charm of Home today, I came across a great recipe for using leftover ham. It was like kismet since I hadn't yet decided what to make for dinner.

 

The link above will take you to the recipe, which is nice and easy! I sliced up some potatoes to go with the leftover ham...

 

... and made the sauce to pour over the casserole.

 

Everything was then layered in the the 9x13 glass dish...

 

... and then sprinkled with cheese.

 

One hour later - voila!

 

Perfect for a chilly winter night - and I  do -  mean -  chilly!!!

 

Again, here's a link to the recipe at The Charm of Home. Enjoy!!!

 

Donna

A Rainy Day in Portsmouth, NH

The day after our 'snowstorm,' there were some heavy coastal rains.

Of course that's the day Amanda and I had plans to drive up to

Three Graces Gallery in Portsmouth, N.H. to pick up her remaining artwork.

(this particular photo was taken by me in 2009 during another rainy day in Portsmouth!)

 

Sadly, this beautiful gallery where Amanda has exhibited her artwork for the past several years will be closing at the end of December. Kim, the gallery owner, has decided to spend more time working on her own art. And since she was at the gallery just about every day, that didn't leave a lot of time for her to pursue her own passions. So although we're very happy for her, our trips to Portsmouth just won't be the same without stopping in at The Three Graces. (Good luck, Kim!!)

 

Normally we wander around Portsmouth (even on rainy days like this), but on this particular day we were in a bit of a hurry, so after loading up Amanda's art we left the van in front of the gallery and just ran across the street to Fat Belly's to grab a quick bite.

 

 Someone told us we didn't have to put money in the meter because it was still the holiday season.

 

I still wanted to keep my eyes on the van 'just-in-case' we were misinformed and a meter reader or tow truck happened along! So how lucky were we to get the one table right by the window, with a clear view of the van!

 

I love tables with a view, and even in the pouring rain, Portsmouth is a fun place to people-watch. We saw people with umbrellas, people with dogs, people hurrying along, and people taking their time and enjoying a lovely, rainy afternoon (probably saying prayers of thanks that it wasn't snow or sleet! I know I was!)

 

The meals were delicious! Amanda ordered a grilled cheese with lobster...

 

.. and I ordered a veggie burger with a side salad. Delicious!!

 

All in all, a fantastic way to spend time with one of my two favorite girls in the whole wide world!

 

I hope you're all enjoying this week between Christmas and New Year's.

 

Donna

Midnight snow...

Our first snow has arrived.

I took these photos around midnight as the snow was coming down,
our first snowfall of the season (other than a dusting the other day).

 

The snow is always so beautiful when it first arrives, pristine and white.

 

The floodlight had been tripped by some little critter out in the yard. I love the view of our little yard when that happens, no matter what the season.

Wishing you all a snugly winter's day.

Donna

The Miracle of Christmas...

And an angel appeared to Mary and said,

 

(Court, Christmas Angel, Nursery School Play, circa 1994)

 

 "Rejoice, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"

 

Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God."

 

(Amanda, Chirstmas Dove, Nursery School Play, circa 1990)

 

"And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus."

 

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them...

(Circa 1950/1960 manger that beloned to my mom)

 

...and the glory of the Lord shone around them;

and they were terribly frightened.

 

And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid;

for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy

which shall be for all the people; 

 

...for today in the city of David there has been born

for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "

 

"And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths, and lying in a manger."

 

Wishing you all a blessed,

 

 

... peace-filled Christmas.

 

Donna

 

The Mid-Century Department Store Santa...

(My sister and I visiting Santa at Jordan Marsh, Boston, circa 1958.

She's the cute one looking up. I'm the one catching flies.)

 

Go to bed early tonight, boys and girls, because you-know-who will be making his rounds!

 

Ho Ho Ho!!!!!

 

Merry Christmas, everyone!!!!

 

Inspired by Claudia (Mockingbird Hill Cottage)

who posted old photos of her family with Santa!

Donna

Photo ornaments, the stars of the tree

Every year the tree gets a few new ornaments.

I've added a photo ornament of both girls to the tree every year since they were born. That box of ornaments does not get put downstairs with the Christmas decorations. It's kept in the top of the bedroom closet for safe keeping. It is that box of photo ornaments, of the girls and other loved ones, that is the most fun to open each year.

Here are this year's ornaments, both recent photos of the girls. Their baby days were long ago as they are now in their twenties.
(That makes for a LOT of ornaments!
Probably not the wisest decision to go to a SLIM tree this year!)

 

The ornaments from Wal Mart were originally black. I wanted to lighten them up a bit so I painted them blue, letting some of the black show through in the crevices. I like them much better now. Before I hang them next year I'll give them a coat of high gloss polyurethane and maybe some glitter, but I was anxious to get them on the tree this year.

 

It seems like yesterday that their newborn ornaments were put on the tree...

 

...followed by their First Christmas ornaments.

 

This locket ornament is one of my favorites. I got it back in the early 90's (I think from Lillian Vernon) when the girls were little.

 

Of course I keep the locket open when it's hanging on the tree.

 

There's a picture of hubby from the 60's when he was in the Marines.

 

And photos of loved ones no longer with us, but whose memories we always hold close to our hearts.

(Late 1940's era photos of my mom and dad).

 Our four legged family is also represented on the tree...

those who are with us and those who no longer are.

(These are photos of some of our loyal companions who have crossed the rainbow bridge.)

I have to share these adorable tinsel ornaments I purchased a few years ago. If you are an animal lover, you must check out one of my FAVORITE Etsy shops, OldWorldPrimitives. I purchased a set of 3 different CAT ornaments...

 

...and 3 different DOG ornaments! Are they not the cutest things ever?

(Yet another photo oranment in the background... My sister and I visiting Santa back in 1958 at the Boston Jordan Marsh Department Store.)

 

And what tree is complete without at least one celebrity photo ornament?

Years ago the girls met Fred Savage of The Wonder Years when he was appearing in a play.

The NICEST, most down-to-earth celebrity you will ever meet!!!!

(Taken at the Cape Cod Playhouse in Dennis, MA, summer of 1998.

Santa Caps, moon, other embellishments added by me, of course.

I hope he doesn't mind that he's part of our cherished Christmas tree decor!)

 

Wishing you all a peace filled, Merry Christmas.

 

Donna

Possibly our last tree for many years to come

 This may be our last tree for many years to come. It's been this way since we got Baby a few years ago. (See my "The Cat Who Stole Christmas" blogpost from our first year with her.)

 

 It starts with her jumping onto the pie safe. (Look at the glare as she realizes she's been noticed.) Normally a ham for the camera, she knows what she is about to do is a no-no. But in less than a minute, she has forgotten all about me and has now focused her undivided attention on....

 The Christmas Tree.

 

Within moments...

 

...the batting begins...

 

...and that is usually followed by a trip across the bannister to the back of the tree...

 

... where she finds even more ornaments to bat at.

 

Note: Normally she is picked up and removed from the tree immediately when she starts these antics, but for the sake of this one blogpost, I allowed her to be her normal curious kitty self.

 

(Just so nobody is worrying about Baby, the drop from the bannister to our split entry foyer is only a few feet. Nonetheless, I do try to discourage her from climbing across it.)

 

Here she is in action, thanks to my little camera video.

 

 

 

 

 I'm joining Claudia at Mockingbird Hill Cottage for A Favorite Thing Saturday this week.
Stop over and share a favorite thing of yours!
 

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Donna