THIS XMAS SEASON

Well, it all came an went so fast this year!   I'm sad to see it go.  I think it felt shorter because we had our little Xmas gathering the weekend before Xmas and it's usually two weeks before.  And when it's so early in the month the prepping, and the tree decorating, baking and all of that starts way before, so it's Xmas way longer...got to keep that in mind for the next one.  And I must admit, the party the week of Xmas was a bit much, because this year was so big with my family coming to visit for the first time as well.

So it was a constant for my mother and I, running around daily.  No two people could have made more trips to as many markets in a day as we did!  But it was the best of fun...I really am missing her tons right now.

Not only was this the first ever Xmas that my family has ever been to my home on Xmas day, but it was the first visit for any of them to my new home here with Ray and Case.  So it was super special.

So here is the week of Xmas in a photo montage...hope you enjoy!   And I hope you all had smiles, and friends, family and cheer during this past Xmas season...xoxo, juner

Our little break on the beach amid the racing of
shopping and cooking

Santa's helpers taking a break as well....only in Santa Cruz!

My little brother and my baby sister...yay!

Xmas Eve seafood tradition
(newspaper lining the table for all the shells)

Lizzie and Mekenzie laughing a lot

My new hand made birthday scarf from Lizzie
that I got to open Xmas eve...

Good baby sister....

Xmas Eve

Xmas morning...pretty packages

What'd he get?

The big blue tree

Simply lovely in person

All the bronze ribbons and purple and blue trim...
I love staring at it.

This was from the smaller red and white tree in the den

You can't get a good photo without the flash...
and it's so pretty in the dark!

Lights trailing along the upper deck and side door in the courtyard...it's really magical.

Vintage snowman and snow woman from my good friend Sue

An amazing antique ornament from Ray's best friend Mark
(who is now my dear friend as well)

Beautiful orange rose(orange roses being my favorite) ornament from my mom,
to commemorate our week together..

And the best is yet to come.  I got a very special gift from Lisa...so special that I want to share this with you in a post all to itself.  So give me another day or two and I'll fill you in on the details.  In the meantime, here's a sneak preview and a bit of a hint.... 

The rest to follow soon....

The day after Xmas on the wharf (that's my dad)

Loads of sea lions swimming about

They rest up on the dock below, and make quite a bit of honking

It was a really cold, sunny day...
great to spend with my folks and my sister.

The next night was family fun at the bowling alley...
I just observed.

This little rascal kept hitting strike after strike..
his best being 7 in a row!

Fun was had by all...

And this guy never wears shoes bowling!  

The girlfriend kept a happy face regardless of her score...
good sport!

Then yesterday a very weird cloud cut across the sky above us and left this very odd red glow around the yard.

It was daylight, but all the xmas lights had a neon kind of effect because of this weird red glow

The entire sky was a vivid blue with this thin solid
red cloud that went for miles...
we thought it might be an alien invasion!

You had to be there to really get the eerie feeling
of the bright glowing neon xmas lights
and this red glow on everything...weird!

Middle of the day, bright lights, red glow...
what more can I say...aliens!

So there you have it...the holidays in one total photo marathon blog post.  Like I said, I'll get another post made in another day or two so I can share my very special gift from my very dear partner in crime...Lisa. Hope your new year finds you healthy and happy...safe, dry, loved, cherished, and filled with ideas to create something that sings to your soul...happy happy..xoxo juner