§ Eight Tiny Reindeer...

Mari from My Little Corner of the World mentioned she would like to see the sleigh and reindeer that Bud stylized and cut with the jigsaw years ago. I asked him to make them where I can tear them apart year after year to pack away in the smallest possible storage box after the season was over. He complied. Each piece of the sleigh slides in place, also stackable and less space needed. The reindeer each have four parts. The antlers, the front legs, the back legs and then the body. Each piece fits snug as a bug in a rug! And each can be stacked and stored with very little space needed. No bulkiness at all. So, I will try and show you the set. He has a sleigh [stained green and the runners are a dark walnut brown]. The reindeer are as close to the 'real color of natural hide' as possible. He also put a slit in each antler pair for ribbon|reins...


And this year, Santa has a little help with being pushed for a jump start...his bag is mighty heavy for take off!

To show you a bit of perspective, the deer/sleigh under the tree from kitchen view...

Guesstimations: Sleigh [about 16" long x8" wide x6-8" tall] and reindeer [each about 5"-6" wide by 10-12" tall and about 8" long nose to tail], after disassembled, can be stored in one plastic storage bin from Walmart.

§ Review and More

At bedtime this past Tuesday evening, I read late into the night until I finished the book I've had open for a couple of weeks. When I bought it at the bookstore the first part of this month, I thought it was going to be a good book. Well, it wasn't BAD per se. but it wasn't as good as I had hoped. To me, the first 2/3rds of the book was more a teen-fantasy romance. I guess to some adult women, that is their forte. But I wasn't that impressed. There is a romance, a bit of witchcraft, horror, and mystery all rolled into one plot. The main characters are the same as Irving's....including the horse, Gunpowder. You have Katrina, Ichabod, and Brom. With backup of Charlotte, Giles, and Katrina's parents along with servants and relatives of aforementioned. Now the last 1/3rd of the book was quite good. A predictable ending, expected. But a goodly twist in the end. And of course, there is Sleepy Hollow and the Headless Horseman. Again, the author of this tale takes us through the schoolmaster, Mr. Crane, meeting the Van Tassel family....its all 'seen' and narrated through a woman's point of view...Katrina's. Recommending this book would be something I would tell only those that love the classic The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving [which I really like]. And to those that don't like being thrown off your horse and a bit of October mystery and tall tales of New England/New York...well, then, just leave it on the shelf. Three out of 5 star rating from me.  [the online critics disagree with me for the most part...most have 4 or 5 stars]

Book:  The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel by Alyssa Palombo 

Classic:  The Legend of Sleepy Hollow



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Then, Wednesday morning we woke up to a low-lying fog. After breakfast, and before the fog lifted, Bud and I drove to Hans Suter Refuge on the Bay to walk some. This is what we saw:

We left the park, and stopped to shop for groceries for the day and by the time we left the store, the fog had lifted and the sun was shining brightly. Driving home I had to stop [finally] at this one intersection that for the last 14 years has had this huge [estimated about 10 feet tall] red reindeer [lighted at night] in the flower bed. I got a chance to grab my cell phone before the light turned green and got a picture of it. The photo doesn't do it much justice...it's a favorite of mine. I look forward to seeing it each holiday 

season.

§ You'll Go Down in His-s-s-tor-r-ry!!

WATER UPDATE

Late Sunday afternoon, the city of Corpus Christi's tap water ban was lifted. Of all the over two dozen water samples sent in for testing, the results were negative for any poisoning. I guess it's better to be safe than sorry...from what I read online that afternoon, the testing and observing for further contaminates will continue for weeks. We residents have been given an 'all clear' for the use of showering, cooking, laundering, drinking, with the tap water. I'm going to be a bit leery from here on out. ONLY using the water from the pipes when necessary. I think I will continue to use bottled water from now on with my cooking. I'm not sure I even want to dine out in a restaurant because of the water treatment any more.  But on 2nd thought, I'm sure there are many many MORE hidden secrets behind the kitchen doors in a restaurant other than the water situation.   And for me, trust with government officials just flew out the window in my household! [what else is new?] LOL


SCARFACE
If you have visited me and recall reading a recent post from a while ago, you may remember the white tailed deer and the yearling I spotted at Bazemore Park...I fell head over heals for the yearling that I dubbed "Scarface" since it had a healed over scar on its muzzle. Over and over in my head, I envisioned the cute critter!  Eventually, I convinced myself I had to attempt sketching it.  And since it was too cold to be out in the open fields walking on Sunday, I watched a couple of movies, and then...another sketch!  I found this task a bit difficult, demanding, and way too much use of my art eraser this time. First the eyes are too large [but for me, deer eyes are hypnotically pretty], the muzzle was too long, then after re-drawing it, too short. The shading and tendons with the ears and jawline aren't showing as they should in my opinion. I find many faults with this one. But, I'm done with it!! Maybe some other time I will retry with a clean slate! Maybe.



NOTE TO SELF

Get my driver's license renewed! It expires on my birthday that's only a couple months away. Texas law tells me I can renew it 1 year prior, and or 2 years after [?]!! I don't understand this...if it expires on your birthday, why can I wait 2 years after the fact? Makes no sense at all....it's expired!! Any logic in this? No. At least I don't think so. Again, government issues puzzle the heck outta me. Maybe it's my age. Which brings me to another quandary. If I am allowed to renew online/snail mail, without physically going to the DMV, do they use the OLD photo from 6 years ago? Now, that makes sense [sarcasm]...I don't have as many wrinkles on my photo from back then...the cops [If I need to show my valid license] will surely think I'm having a bad hair day, or I aged 6 years overnight!!



AN EARWORM of a song
You know...
Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen
But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all...


...the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it glows
All of the other reindeer
Used to laugh and call him names
They never let poor

Join in any reindeer games
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say

with your nose so bright
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Then how the reindeer loved him
As they shouted out with glee

the Red-Nosed Reindeer
You'll go down in history"

§ More Babbling....

Just what home would you choose if you had to? Out of 50 most expensive homes for sale [1 from each state in the union], it was difficult. But I narrowed my choices to two. My ultimate dream home has always been on the Pacific Ocean. Ocean views with all glass walls...high on a bluff, with so many acres called mine, my nearest neighbor would be MILES away!!  Anyway, just for fun one morning while perusing the web so as not to wake up Bud in the quiet hours, I scanned the most expensive homes up for grabs.  I was astonished that the 'expensive homes' were so LESS expensive in some states...location, location, location!!  And I definitely wasn't impressed with the one in Texas - of all places, Dallas?  No way.  I'd prefer the Texas HILL Country!   Note to self: "I must start playing the lottery; and win!!!"

Here is my top choice: Michigan

[19.5 million]

Known as Granot Loma, this 26,000-square-foot log cabin comes with an enormous hot tub, a private harbor, an apple orchard - and of course, a private island.

The fact it's on a private island appeals to me greatly. Besides I like the rustic home AND its wooded surroundings.

Here is my runner-up: New Mexico

[13.65 million]

Nestled in the foothills of Santa Fe, this manor offers phenomenal views of the Sangre de Cristos from many of its rooms, which include a formal living room, a grand dining room, and a library.

Oh, oh...did someone say a library? Of my own? Yep, that would be a selling point for me.

So, if you have about 10 minutes of spare time, try and pick YOUR ideal dream home from the most expensive homes for sale by state.  Awwww, come on, dream a little.  It's cheap entertainment!!  Check 'em out by using the arrows at the top of the listed pages!!  HERE  I'd be most interested in your choice[s].

no copyright infringement intended

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I did a little bit of holiday decorating again. This time I strung the lights on the sleigh and reindeer garland. I was hoping it resemble the reins from the hands of Santa, but it didn't.  They're up and lighted!!

When that was done I finished with the fireplace. Of course, living here in South Texas it rarely gets below 40 degrees at night, so there really isn't any need for a fire in the fireplace [we do have some firewood, only for cold nights/mornings when the power is out for some reason]. Anyway, I decided to add some candle glow...

- - -

Reading our local news online via my phone, I was all smiles when I read this report!! I'm gonna share the photo that was linked from Facebook...

It made me feel good to read something positive, and the patrolman also felt the need to show that there ARE good people out there!! Someone wrote on his patrol car "Thank You"! In lieu of all the negative cop stories etc. these days...well, did I say I liked reading this?!!

- - -


One more thing; I have a question: In all my years, I have NEVER eaten a scone. I found a holiday recipe for cranberry scones with maple butter. Erik, our son, LOVES cranberries!!! Now my question is...are scones tasty? Your input is invaluable to me.

§ Lights...camera....Anni in Action

No, there is no video of me, nor any photos of me at all. It's just the Anni in 'action' of me carrying my cellphone/camera around the house taking photos of the lights and holiday scenery---

Sadly, over the years, we've had outdoor decorations stolen from our yard. We're not the only ones. So, in order to keep these two reindeer safe at home for the season, we put them up INDOORS and enjoy the animated buck as he protects his lovely doe! [animated means when lighted his head lifts up and down in slow motion]

Carved Santa Head in center of pine wreath - lighted opening between kitchen and dining room

I bought this ornament the year my father died...he was the great fisherman!!  - Santa hat

Artificial Poinsettia in Pine Basket - Frosted Fruit and pine cones embedded in a pine bough

Glass Lighted Tree [we have three] atop a blanket of snow - Santa's Lantern

A whimisical Santa - Resin Nutcracker

Frosted Icicles adorning our tree - Santa Ornaments

One of Santa's Gift Boxes on his Sleigh - candle and pine, lighted garland

REAL poinsettia plant - A hand painted ceramic tea pot with cardinals [the entire set is sitting on the dining room hutch]

Cardinal Snowman Tea Light Candle Holder - Frost Speckled Glitter Snowflakes on Tree


... And the reason I took the cellphone for the use of the camera? These two, Tahoe and Winston, on my Santa Afghan!!  They're like two young kids on Christmas morn....can hardly wait until it's unpacked and opened for THEM alone!  No one else gets to use it...heck....it is full of cat hair within only a few hours!!