T Stands For Christmas Gifts

I finally found a way to get my photos from Christmas onto my blog.  And if, perchance, my electricity is still on, I'll be by to visit.

Although there are more gifts than this, these are the main ones I received.

All the way from Canada, these came from my friend Cindy at Pink Bird Studio.  The bingo cards should have given you a hint.  Cindy really knew how to make me happy this year.  That wonderful rocking horse had belonged to her mother, who died last summer.  She knew I would love it.  She also sent the Lyra Aquacolors, too.  They are water soluble, and I have wanted water soluble crayons since forever.  Thank you beyond belief, Cindy.  You have absolutely NO idea how much these meant to me.  Of course, Cindy sent me a few other goodies (including ATCs), but I had already put them away before I considered sharing them on my Christmas table.

My friend Joseph sent me a box of Godiva chocolates.  Just what I need because I'm so emaciated (NOT!!).

This was a gift I gave myself.  Recently, while at The Spice Merchant buying Christmas gifts, I saw this retro cup and a saucer that was similar in style.  I've never had the dark French roast before, so I'll be grinding some beans to make a pot soon.

These were sent to me (along with die cuts, and various other sundry goodies I'd already put away) by my friend Erika or Bio Art Gal.  Can you believe those awesome two stacks of paper?  You know I'll be using those.  Thank you Erika, for the goodies, and the stamp.  Is that a subtle hint (grin)?

This was sent to me by a very dear friend Jerrie who lives out of state.  I was shocked and thrilled.  I hadn't heard from her in nearly a year, so I was so pleased to receive it.  And to think, all she got from me was a lousy handmade card!  Unfortunately, Jerrie doesn't have a blog or web site.

Chris, my friend at Pear Shaped Crafting really knows me.  She knows I love stencils, and these are fantastic.  They are about the size of ATCs, and I'll use them as both backgrounds and foregrounds, I'm sure. She also sent some die cuts and some stamped images on deli paper.

Scott and friends Jason, Rudy, and Andrew got together and gave me this geeky energy meter.  It is made in the EU, but this meter tests energy levels in the US.  It detects the amount of energy being used by the devices it is hooked up to.  It then determines the resulting cost of energy for the item or items in use.  If I were to plug it into my power strip, it would let me know how much energy is being used by my computer, printer, desk light, and scanner (when the scanner was working).  Being a bit of a geek myself, I fell in love with it.  Thanks guys!

Remember my friend I gave the KeyMo Journal to?  In return, she gave me this three candle, candle holder.  Since I didn't have a place to put my grandfather's hat, I laid it on top of the candle holders until I can find a place for it.  One of the things I dislike about winter is, everything looks dusty.  I swear, I had dusted and washed the glass items just two days before I took this photo, and the deer was not dusty, either.  However, everything looks terribly dusty to me.

While I had my camera out, I took photos of some of the trees I had on display.

This tree started life as a napkin holder, but I bought it to hold my cards I receive each year.

I purchased this one specifically for my main floor bath.

These trees live here all year long.

I was so ready for Christmas to be over, and as soon as I took the photos,

I packed everything up, including the tree on the front porch.

And to show I was prepared for the possible black out that didn't materialize,

I had candles in every room of my home, although I would never leave any burning if I'm not in the same room.   I had my lighter to light said candles, and I made THREE pots of coffee that were ready and waiting.  I don't care if the coffee is cold, but I can't live without my coffee caffeine.  I used my insulated mug which doesn't insulate well, but it's better than a cup and saucer when I was hiding huddled under a blanket. 

I also have this very useful portable OTT light, which runs off uses three AAA batteries.  Far safer using it instead of a candle when I needed to run to the "loo."  But thankfully, Bleubeard, Squiggles, and I didn't have to huddle in the cold or the candlelight.

Now it's your turn to share your drink related post.  It can be anything as long as it relates back to a drink in some way, like my bag of coffee beans and new cup and saucer, or my disgustingly ugly (wheat) Shocker mug.  Of course, it can be a postcard, a movie, a painting, a sketch in your sketchbook, an altered book page, a digital, hybrid, or traditional journal or scrapbook page, or photos of your time out and about.  Once you link (direct links only, please), Bleubeard, the T gang, and I will be around to visit.  And Bleubeard wants you to know that your photos can be taken any time, not just Tuesday, and not even this year.