Christmas Tea

This Christmas was the first time Stacy and I went to tea together.  She was unable to make my bridal tea, so it was nice to share such a special place with her.

We had some nice qt to catch up and enjoy some really delicious food.

We both got Christmas special teas.  Stacy got a white, lightly spiced tea, and I got Gingerman tea.  It was not as spiced as I'd hoped, but was still very flavorful.

We started lunch with the tea house's delicious pumpkin chowder soup.  For my lunch, I had a spinach and artichoke quiche, small salad, lemon poppy seed tea bread, and fresh fruit.

Stacy ordered a turkey, avocado panini with ambrosia salad.

To finish off our meal, even though we were both stuffed, we shared a piece of Bailey's cheesecake.

After lunch, we shopped around the gift shop upstairs, and were tempted to get so many things.  Next year, we decided to come back and get each other's Christmas gifts after lunch at the shop.  Sounds like a good plan to me!

Pranzo Night With The DeCarlos

We are so luck to have great neighbors, who have become dear friends.  This Christmas, we celebrated by going out to one of our favorite local restaurants, Pranzo!

Ron and Linda DeCarlo (and leader dog puppy, Santo, under the table).

We had a great meal (like my delicious eggplant parmesan), and then kept the party going at our house, with Christmas cookies and a few games of Sequence.  (Girls won  :o)

Jim Brickman Concert

Back in early December, I almost won a radio contest for free Jim Brickman concert tickets.  I was caller 5/14.  After that close encounter, I got it in my head that I wanted to see the show anyhow. We have his Christmas CD, which I love, so it was great to go see him live.

We ended up with GREAT balcony seats, and had an unobstructed view of the stage.  Although, the concert wasn't all Christmas songs, like I'd hoped, it was still really nice.  He played some solos and songs with an electric violinist, and two singers.  

Playhouse square was decorated beautifully, like this 8 foot tall wreath in the lobby.  It was a nice concert to get the holiday season in swing.

Dog Noses

Ha Ha!  True!

Masquerade Mask

As a Christmas gift for Robb's Mom, I made her this beautiful masquerade mask. She is going to a ball this spring, and was hoping I could make a mask for her.

It came out beautiful.  The mask itself is covered in black fine glittter, and the eyes are adorned with an ombré lining of crystals.  Th flower is a combination of satin and a sheer shimmery fabric, centered with a sparkly crystal broach.  Add that to some feathers, and tie it on with a satin ribbon, and she'll be the belle of the ball!  It was hard to part with such a beauty, this was one of my favorite pieces I've done.  But, when she opened the present on Christmas, she was thrilled, and made me happy she loved it so much.

It's SO Cold

What does -37* "feel" like?  I can't tell the difference from -9*. 

The Night Before Christmas

The presents are wrapped, under the tree.

I can't help but to think how lucky we are to be able to give all these gifts to our friends and family.

What a beautiful sight!