Thursday, December 26, 2013

The Day After Christmas

How was your Christmas everyone?  Did you have a great time?  Were you able to relax and enjoy the day?  I have to say I am very happy Christmas is over.  It is a LOT of work, but everyone seemed to have a grand time at my house so all the work was worth it.  Minus a few glitches with my Father (he decided not to come over for Christmas dinner as he was made at me), we all did just fine.  I love watching my boys open their presents, even at the ages of 20 and 16 they still get excited about seeing a new t-shirt, or a pair of shorts.  They are very gracious and so that makes me very happy.  It isn't quite as magical as when you are little, but they seem to have made the transition and enjoyed their day.  I am not one to go on and on about what I got for presents, but this year I have to say I just might.  


When I went out to get the mail late on Christmas Eve, there was an envelope addressed to me from my wonderful friend Taci.  Taci is one of the lovely bloggers that get together in Oregon.  She is amazing.  Do you remember when she made me the darling sheep that is on the wall of my craft room?  Taci is the sweetest woman, she is in a highly stressful career and yet she is patient, kind, loving and oh so generous.  She sent me this darling bird.  I am sure it is supposed to go on my tree but I am going to put it up in my craft room, it is too cute to be hidden away for most of the year.  Taci, you have surprised me with this darling bird and thrilled me with your generosity, thank you, thank you, thank you.  I'd say I have been spoiled rotten this Season!


My husband and I do not really exchange gifts, we have all that we need and more.  However Max does do some shopping so look what he got for his mother?  Yarn!!!! I am not sure when he made it all the way to the yarn store in Tampa without me noticing he was gone.  And I have to say I am slightly suspicious as my husband's favorite color is blue and there seems to be a lot of blue here.  Maybe they were in on this together?


After seeing the knitting ornament at Target that I purchased for our knitting group ornament exchange, I told my youngest son to go directly to Target to get me one the following day.  I told him where they were, and yet still received a text message from him asking, "where is knitting at Target?"  Okay so several text messages later, with many directions like, walk back to the Christmas items, across from the candy is the glass ornaments, look up and to your right, do you see it?  I knew he had it and I was thrilled.  Not a surprise, but fun all the same.


This was a surprise, a swimming Santa!  Mr. 20 year old knows I love Santa's and he is a swimmer so it was a perfect present.  He made it at Build-a-Bear in the mall and apparently had the whole store laughing.  He is a funny one my Mr. 20 year old.
  

Do you see Santa's swim jammers and swim cap?  He looks like he is ready to go to the Olympics.
 

Early Christmas afternoon I was taking Max outside and look who was visiting, a Tiger Swallowtail.  I could not get a perfect picture of this beauty as it kept flitting here and there on my neighbor's bougainvillea.  I have never seen this butterfly in Florida, so was amazed when I looked it up that it is common in the east.  


It was nice enough to stick around so I could run in and grab my camera.   Stunning is the word that comes to mind when I saw this beauty.  I think it was a little Christmas present from nature just for me.


Max got a lot of presents, too.  Although I am not so sure he deserved a visit from Santa.  He has been growling a very low growl at Mr. 20 year old's friend who is staying with us.  And bless him this young man is so kind and patient with Max, he keeps trying to win him over.  But Max is stubborn and not behaving at all, I am quite mad at him because I did not raise him to act this way. 

Hope you all had a wonderful Holiday and are able to rest up and relax today.

24 comments:

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Such awesome gifts!

Come on, don't be so hard on Max...any dog that get's his Mom yarn is awesome and you know it! Besides I am sure the dude is cool and all that, but he's a stranger on Max's turf, so a little growling is only normal. Max rules! Love him to bits.

Gosh, I love that yarn. What'cha gonna make with it?

Wishing you a most wonderful day filled with many blessings and Happy New Year dear friend, too.

Clare said...

You have some gorgeous gifts and wow that butterfly is stunnung, enjoy the rest if the Holiday
Clare xx

Marjo said...

Dear Meredith,

Thank you for your lovely comment, hope you enjoyed your Christmas also ....

Wowww the yarn is beautiful ....

Have a nice Happy Newyear

Love
Marjo

moonstruckcreations said...

I can just imagine Max riding the bus to go and get you that wonderful yarn! I expect he is very very tired after all that effort which is probably why he is being a little bit tetchy with your sons friend ;)

Hope you are now getting some well earned "me time" after all your hard work making Christmas special for everyone.

Helenxx

PS those gals up there in Oregon are super aren't they? Would love to join one of their get-togethers, wouldn't that be fun?

Betsy said...

It does look like you had a wonderful Christmas. Max has good taste in yarn. About his growling, maybe he's afraid some of his new toys will disappear with the new person. Poor Max.
Love the swimmer. It will be a great reminder of Mr. 20 year olds years of swimming some day when he's older.
The bird Taci made you is beautiful. I have a yellow one that flys in my craft room all year long. Now I can think of both you and Taci when I see it fluttering in the breeze.
Blessings,
Betsy

CJ said...

It sounds like you had a good day. The butterfly is amazing, and those flowers! And that sunshine! I'd forgotten what a wonderful place you live in. What lovely presents you had, lucky you. I hope the rest of your week is good too.

Annie Cholewa said...

Surely Max deserves his presents ... any dog that gives yarn is one in a million!

Wishing you peace and joy in the coming year x

Gracie Saylor said...

Mr. 20 YO has definitely inherited his mom's creative talents! His Swimmer Santa is an Olympic champ for sure :)

While I was at Teresa's on Monday I gawked at a little humming bird perched on a branch outside the dining room window. I took several photos of him on my iPhone, but they were not clear enough to post :( but your butterfly photo is delightful...especially since it is cold and foggy here...not conducive to having butterflies visit!

Well, I am pleading for pardon for Max, too. He is your faithful friend and protector and so generous to gift you with beautiful yarn...mercy for Max, please, Meredith?

What a wonderful surprise you received in the mail from Taci! She is loving kindness itself, creative and generous as well.

I am sending you extra hugs to comfort you in: the upset with your dad, Max's growling, saying another good bye to Mr. 20 YO, and to help you recover from the work of Christmas.

What creative projects will you tackle next? I finished crocheting a wreath on a milk jug ring last night and this afternoon I am going to try to sew together the pin cushion from the kit Taci gave me. Much Love to you, Meredith xx

ps We enjoyed a spiral ham dinner yesterday. Four-year-old Molly declared the ham she was eating was delicious. Others around the table echoed her opinion. Then during a lull in the conversation she asked, "Who killed the pig?"
...... oh my........

Jennifer Hays said...

Oooh, Mr. Max, you're being naughty. Santa's already back to watching for next year! It looks like you've had a lovely Christmas, Meredith. I hope you can enjoy a little more time with your son before he heads back. That butterfly is gorgeous and I just love bougainvillea; I love the little white blossoms it gets inside the big ones. Hope you have a relaxing weekend.

Teresa Kasner said...

Hello my good friend! How sweet that Taci sent you a bird she made! She gave us one like that last Christmas and this year a creative pillow kit in a jar!

I look forward to seeing what you make with your surprise yarn! What a good husband you have! I got such a kick out of the "where is yarn in Target"! LOL!

That is odd that Max won't make friends with that boy.. but you have to trust a dog.

The butterfly shot is soooooo warm looking. Lucky you.

*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*
  *H*A*P*P*Y* *N*E*W* *Y*E*A*R*!*
*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*~*:._.:*

((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Taci simmons said...

My dear friend Meredith, so happy you got the little bird... Just a little something to send my love and friendship flying all the way there close to you. So glad you had a good Christmas with the boys and isn't funny how they only hear 1/2 of what we say . I also have a 16 year old boy ... They are lots of fun :)
Max is probably just jealous ... He wants all the attention just for him.
I'm so happy you got the boys there for Christmas and that the bird made his way there to you. Have a wonderful New Years celebration . Lots of love !

Taci simmons said...

My dear friend Meredith, so happy you got the little bird... Just a little something to send my love and friendship flying all the way there close to you. So glad you had a good Christmas with the boys and isn't funny how they only hear 1/2 of what we say . I also have a 16 year old boy ... They are lots of fun :)
Max is probably just jealous ... He wants all the attention just for him.
I'm so happy you got the boys there for Christmas and that the bird made his way there to you. Have a wonderful New Years celebration . Lots of love !

* said...

Your little bird Is very sweet, what a lovely gift, I think you're right to put it in your craft room to enjoy.

Max is a clever lad, maybe he could have a word with my Chester,although im not sure if he wouldn't just eat it, he will give anything a taste!

Christmas is lovely, but so much work for a relatively short time. My boys enjoyed their day, so that was good enough for me....my lovely hubby, among other lovely things, gave me a yarn voucher, so I will have to make a plan.x

Linda said...

The little bird ornament from Taci is lovely and will look great in your workroom where you can admire it all year round.
Some lovely yarn from Max, what a clever dog.
I had a chuckle with your phone directions for youngest son lol
Swimming Santa, what a lovely and appropriate gift
Even dogs have the occasional grumpy day or two lol
Thanks for sharing xx

Hannapat said...

It looks and sounds as if you had a lovely day. I agree with you it sure is hard work all for one day. Love your gifts and yes it looks like there might have been a wee bit of collaboration there, maybe the pattern will follow soon ;-). Enjoy the rest of your days leading up to New Years xxx

Rose Red said...

Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas and a happy new year! You received some lovely thoughtful gifts, how clever of Max to get to the yarn store and have money as well! Not to mention picking yarn in your husband's favourite colour, heh heh!
Hope you've been able to relax a bit now that Christmas Day is done.

Anonymous said...

Glad you had such a wonderful holiday.

Looks like Max picked out some nice yarn selections for you.

You have to wonder WHY some dogs pick certain people not to like. Jake (our rent-a-doxie --- i.e. the dog we dog sat while his family was away) hated the kid across the street that he never met. Every time Conor would come outside, Jake would stand at the window and growl. One day he finally got to meet Conor and LIKED HIM! Go figure.

kristieinbc said...

It sounds like you had a great day! I feel much the same as you - I am always so glad when it is over with. I feel awful for admitting it, but it's true. No matter how smoothly things go, and no matter how much fun everyone is having, it is always a lot of work for the mom. :-)

Babajeza said...

I love your Santa! Hahaha! It sounds like you had a very good time. Hugs, Regula

Anonymous said...

Just love that little bird! My son is 14, ;)

Acorn to Oak said...

That little bird is cute. What a sweet gesture! Wow! Max sure got a lot of gifts! That's one lucky Dog! Our dog and cat each got one gift each. They're so happy with they're gifts and wear themselves out each day playing with them. So cute!

Joyful said...

So glad you've had a wonderful Christmas.

I too am glad it is over and this year I will take down my Christmas decorations early. I want to be ready for the New Year in case I have to move my mother again soon.

I do like your new yarn and can't wait to see what you will make with it :-) Have a very Happy New Year!

kathy b said...

Max Made out like a bandit! hahahahah.
We are still waiting for Santa's gift to the cats.. it ought to arrive soon…..

Im so glad you had a great Christmas

Unknown said...

My Maggie (Max's twin) has never growled at someone who came into our house until a friend of mine came over. I was mystified until I later realized the friend was not a real friend. Maggie knew it all along.

Laura from beautiful West Michigan