Is this December?

Dried fruit- really dry dried fruit. Having grown up where fruit was scarce, Christmas time always brought oranges and dried fruit into the kitchen. Favorited more than anything else! These dried berries , of course, have gone too far.

It has been an "off" holiday-ish time here. Just can not get behind red and green and that little squiggle of excitement. Number one- we are leaving- number two, there is no snow...
Roses are blooming!
There is a large bear with lights in him across from the Fairhaven green. Not a Santa to be found.

Vinny in his tam, sort of christmassy- not everyday wear for Vinny...there seem to be folks walking around wearing more festive duds (pulled together sort of)- and that, is really stepping it up for Bellingham, capital of casual wear-what ever's-clean-maybe, maybe not.
I have one ornament hanging from one tiny bough. Nearly too much fuss...I wore myself out.
And the presents that I got- I got for myself...
This cool clock was a trade from Festival of Lights-made by a friend who finds things and sticks them together and then teaches them to tell time.
This beauty was a gift for me by the maker of beauty-at The Festival of Lights. She holds things in her skirt- clever hiding place for my diamonds and platinum timepiece- except now you will know where to look! Just don't tell anyone else, mmmkay?
This was a purchase, same place...re purposed for no purpose, but could not pass it up.
Even the neighborhood is "meh" this year. This is the best that they could do- I will say that it is better than one ornament on a stick-some measure of effort went into their decoration...
Perhaps it is the economy, blame everything on that- or maybe christmas has become too commercial to care about it anymore.

Something came in the post today though, that epitomizes real heart felt love and giving- the most thoughtful beautiful, most generous gift ever - a surprise! Hand made by Leenie in Idaho, next door to the grand teets. THAT made my christmas whiskers twinge a little and that is the first time I have felt "seasoned" since the carols got switched on bloody EVERYWHERE! Leenie is a true christmas elf, an angel, a joyful spirit- in spite of national "meh". Thank you Leenie! You are amazing.