Merry New Happy Christmas Year!!

Yes, I've created a new Holiday!  It's for those of us who wait until (or far after) the last moment to blog about cool stuff that's already happened, but we took plenty of pictures at the time and they DEMAND to be seen!

So from sometime in December we have for your viewing pleasure....

Lights dripping from the roofline...

(no pictures of  how NOT easy this was for Mark balancing on a step stool!)

And encircling the two front door fir trees.

I really like this photo with the front door window and Santa hiding behind the tree.

So come on in...!

And watch the sugar cookie mix be mixed...it must chill a couple of days,

so we'll check back in a few for the rest of the story.

But first...!!  A new tree arrives...

And is christened with the happiness hug!

(Every year our Christmas tree receives this greeting.)

However, this year, this is a VERY new tree (for us).  

And it's the kind that will NEVER droop.  And NEVER need watering.

Yes, it is an A.T.P.L.

Artificial Tree Pre Lit.  Six and a half  feet tall.

Our first...we have always gotten a Real Tree, with the wonderful smell of

pine needles (and the enventual  dropping of said wonderful pine needles), 

and the crawling around underneath with flashlight, and water jug, to fill the reservoir.

We had to make this decision because we waited too long to buy a Real Tree,

and all the stores were sold out.

So into Lowe's we went and picked out our new tree...

(with 50% off because it was a display model...hurrahh!)

And after getting it home and making it welcome with a hug...

It was decorated with our eclectic collection of ornaments.

See our angel at the top?

She almost didn't fit, and actually she's balanced on the branches near the very top!

Okay, remember the sugar cookie dough cooling in the fridge?

Well, it's Christmas Eve and time to start baking!

 Get out the rolling pin and spread flour on the counter.

Roll out the dough and pick a few cookie shapes.

Carefully press out the shapes.

 Carefully load them onto the baking pan.

Bake them (not shown!), cool them on wax paper...don't stop...

Keep it up until all the dough is shaped and baked!!

 I like this picture of how the counter looks during the cookie making.

The secret recipe is from my Grandmother,

 many of the cutters are from my childhood.

A few are newer and from friends and family.

We don't decorate the cookies...

they are soooo delicious all by themselves!!

Oh my, look at the time,  Christmas Eve has turned into...

 Christmas Day!!

Santa was Here and filled the stocking that hung on the cabinet with care!

Yes, it's tradition to hang it on the cabinet knob,

because for many years we didn't have a fireplace!!

 Dad got a camo shirt...so he can hide in the woods when it's time to take out the garbage...!

 A happy Green Day Band fan!

And a happy mom who will now be able to see the temperature

without putting on her glasses!

(She asked for this to hang on the back porch to see from the dining room window!)

Now before we get to the afternoon festivities...here are some other decorations....

 My thin Santa collection.

The one on the far right has put on a few pounds since last year...ha!!

 Outside, a rather grumpy Cardinal poses for a Red and Green Seasonal Snapshot...

A Bluejay finally sits still just long enough to be photographed!

And a winter wisteria vine gets decorated by 4 Cardinals!

Okay, WHO brought the TREE in the house????

An overall view with Amanda reading an instruction manual

for this...

The Keurig coffee maker for dorm life next year!!

And now it's time for Grandma and Grandpa to be here!

 Grandma immediately finds the cookie jar!

 And then she becomes the first of the Scarf Quintet!

It's a gifting orchestrated by a dear musical friend from Tucson!

 

 Joined by dad and daughter!

 And grandpa!

OH NO!!  I looked through the pictures and found none of me with my scarf...

 but I DID get a beautiful scarf!!

I AM part of the Scarf Quintet!!

Thanks to that dear friend for sending these to us...ya know who ya are!!

 From Grandma and Grandpa for the dorm...

Warm and very comfey blanket!

Well it's getting late and dark on Christmas Day, 

but there's still time for one more traditional picture...

 Grandma, Grandpa

and the Grand-kid.

Hope you had a Merry Christmas everyone...

and look forward to a happy healthy New Year.

Thanks for visiting us here at Hilltop!

 

Happy Halloween!!

I may possibly get this post up before Thanksgiving...ha-ha!!

And now, into the way-back machine to October 31, where the weather is beautiful...and we join Mr. Mark beginning Phase 1 of Big Spider Web Construction.

This is a hand-made-one-of-a-kind web which, 

when stored away during the non-Halloween months, becomes a...........

tangled mess.   

Kind of like those Christmas Light strings...

..

 But with a patience born of years of struggle, he soon has the web stretched onto the driveway.

 But Great Big Spider Webs don't lay on the ground....they must be ready to snag their dinner... 

Oh, don't worry about Mr. Mark as he hangs the web, because the Spider isn't out yet for dinner....

 Stretching the web to the ground and using iron tent stakes to hold it down... 

 

 SUDDENLY THE SPIDER APPEARS IN THE WEB!!

Grandpa Gil carefully watches to see that she doesn't make a meal of Mr. Mark.

 But she sure does look hungry...what to do???

 Luckily I find two out of work skeletons laying around,

waiting for their next acting job.

A handshake and they're ready to take on their new role...

WOW, what an actor!!

Look at that 'woe is me' act he's putting on!! 

Nothing but skin-and-bones....really just bones...he needs this job!

Now it's time to make space for other semi-permanent residents.

Amanda balances the monumentally heavy headstone.

Yes, it's made of extremely heavy....uh.....styrofoam.

 And here's everyone gathered 'round, waiting....Let's meet them!

Mr. Hansen, the other original skeleton actor,

who throws up a waving hand, but is otherwise still lying down on the job.

(Hey, isn't that one of those spirit orbs trying to get in on the picture?!)

As the words say, Mr. Wicks was a wonderful host.

Hands down, the best.

(Ha!) 

Happy Houdini, the magician's younger, double jointed brother.

Double-jointed ankle and baby finger, that's all.

His brother kept him around for laughs, 'cause that's what he did best.

LAUGH!!

Foolish Harry has popped up out of the ground for the first year.

His pet spider is named Polly.

As a former pirate, he used to have a parrot named.......

Gertrude.

Waiting for the sun to set....

I go next door to invite the neighbor over.

But change my mind....wouldn't you???

After all, we've got Wayne to sit with us.

The chain keeps him from roaming around....

And after dark, he really gets lit!!

(The kids are fascinated with him, sure that someone's in there

and going to jump out at them.!)

 And here we wait for the first brave trick 'r treaters.

Wayne, then my chair as tally keeper, then Amanda as candy giver.

Then grandma and grandpa as audience.

And little pumpkin boy.

 And here they begin!!!

Cowboys and Cowgirl and Indian Linebacker.

Intently reading the stones.

 Take a look at this.....That's a BIG spider!!

 Here they are arriving by wagonload.

And brakelights showing up along the street...as they stop to let out the kids!

It was a great year....

650+ Trick 'r Treaters stopped by!!

These guys just couldn't contain themselves next door...

 

HAPPY   HALLOWEEN  !!!

Daily Excursions of a Quirky Explorer!

Goodday all!  Ahoy from the land of exploration! (Haha get the irony? Ahoy - Anchor on my shirt...It's a knee slapper!)  I see that my explorer buddy, ya know my mum, has been off gallivanting in exploration, so I've take the liberty of providing some much needed photo evidence of our explorations!

Exploration Guide
Tip 104: Exploration waits for no one! So don't get caught off guard. Bring a jacket when the weather is nippy!

Today's trip yielded a fascinating photo opportunity of nature's balloon's! Don't worry though, it seems as if a little eight legged buddy has securely tied down the rambunctious tikes!

It seems as if they cluster!  Always must have a partner, wouldn't want to get lost in the big world of the woods!

It seems as if a little critter of the forest has been snacking on this poor tike of a toadstool!  No matter, he shan't let that damper his spirits!  Is anyone else reminded of a tiny table when looking at this little shroom?  I hope I'm not the only one!

Explorer Tip 57: When in doubt, your best friend in the measuring world can sometimes be your pinky finger!

Well all, as the sun sets on this day, so does the daily adventure, but fear not!  Each new day brings with it a new adventure!  And, you know with my family, it shall be documented by photo!
~Much Love from the lil' explorer,
Amanda

Need a Chuckle?  Need a Hoot?  Here's a joke to follow suit!
What did the mushroom say when the bartender told him to leave the bar?
-"But why? I'm a Fungi!"

Celebrating the 4th of July

It's very dry here and we won't be setting off a lot of fireworks this 4th of July, with matches and flames and big explosions with falling half-lit cinders.  **shudder**  Sure is unusual to have it so dry here.

No matter ...my Old-Timey Hibiscus bush has taken up the challenge of celebrating, sending up it's own stunning version of...

" ...the Rockets Red Glare..."

"...The Blooms bursting in air..."

 ...yes the song lyric is "The BLOOMS BURSTING in air..."

...like this..."....KABOOOOOOMMM!!!..."

 I'm taking quite a risk here, getting my hand so close to the flame...!!!  But it's what I'm willing to do to show off how proud this plant is to be one of the colors in the Red, White and Blue...

...giving proof through the night...

..."that our flag was still there"...
and Yes, it's OK to wave at the patriot sitting beside the waving flag...  **smile**

Happy 4th of July, America!!

Hope you all have a fun, safe holiday.

Thanks for visiting...until next time on Life at Hilltop...

Celebrate!

A little over 25 years ago, this lady and man met, fell in love, 

starred in their own beautiful wedding and  began married life together.

And, at the exact moment of agreeing "I Do", they built their very own 

Great Staircase.

Ummm, like in the backyard, out of wood and nails and paint and such, you ask?

Nosiree, read on for the full story if you will....

You see, these two had already each raised a happy family,

and now by saying "I do" for a second time, they created their very own

Blended-Extended Family Tree.

With 2 daughters, one son, 2 son-in-laws,

1 daughter-in law and 3 grandchildren.
And 1 granddaughter joining in a bit later.

Ah, stay with me, dear readers...

For also along with that fateful "I do",
a whole new category branched out within this

Blended-Extended Family Tree....
The STEPS.

The STEP daughter and STEP son, the STEP sister and STEP brother,

the STEP son-in-law and STEP daughter-in-law, 

not to mention the STEP aunt and the STEP Uncle...
Yes, even STEP-grandchildren.

Many steps.

STEPS and STEPS.

AHA!!  You see where this is going, right??

These are the STEPS in The Great Staircase 
that began with that fateful "I do"!!

And, of course,  this Great Staircase is surrounded with

colorful sailboats and motorboats and schooners,

 and several really rowdy rowboats.

Hmmmmm, now why would that be??

Why because every one of the STEPS brings with them their own friendSHIPS,

who are all those folks who may not be related by blood or marriage, 

yet are firmly considered part of this

Blended-Extended Family

 of the

Great Staircase of STEPS and SHIPS!!

Yes, that IS the story!!

Now it's time to join us in an Anniversary celebration
with an Italian Dinner in The Deep South of Mississippi...
in Tupelo (birthplace of Elvis...that'll be important to know a little later...)

Meet Chef Bubba Boyardee

Although of course all of the STEPS and SHIPS couldn't gather
at the same time for this delightful dinner, they all were with
this happy group in heart and spirit.

Now SMILE everybody (this means YOU, too, dear reader)!!
Oh my, there's me in the back!  How did I get in a picture??
Ha!  Thank you, kind waiter, for taking this great shot.

And then we'll tour back to the New Albany homestead for dessert...

And then some guessing games to see how well we know this Anniversary Couple...

Such as:

What is Mr. G's favorite aftershave,

Aqua Velva or Old Spice??

Who is Mrs. G's favorite singer,

Barry Manillow or Andre Bocelli??

Winners were able to choose from fabulous Dollar Store prizes

like glowsticks or funky eyeglasses!

Everyone wore a hawaiian lei,

even The King himself, who showed up at the last minute...
he was traveling from Tupelo (did you remember?) to Graceland.
He's reflecting the spotlight from his shiny gold suit...
"Happy Anniversary and Thank you very much"  *southern drawl*

And at the end of the evening the smiles on this happy group

(who were caught by my camera!)

matched the smiles of all who were at this celebration
(and had evaded my camera!)

and which I know match the smiles of all the

STEPS and SHIPS

in this Blended, Extended Family Tree
of The Great Staircase!!

Happy Anniversary, Happy Times,
and a delightful future with the...
(Now say it with me)...

Blended-Extended Family 
of the
 Great Staircase of STEPS and SHIPS!!

Hope you had fun with this little story!!
Oh, and I must mention that
for having never known a bit about each other 25 years ago,
we all get along very well indeed :-)

Thanks for visiting and see you next time for Life at Hilltop.