Winter idyll

There I go stealing titles from Victoria magazine again. Actually, this is the most blah time of the year. The excitement of Christmas is over, the living room is in ruins. All the decorations I craved in preparation for Christmas are 50% off and I could care less. I am putting off packing up all my Shiny Brite bulbs and faux poinsettias and glitter gold reindeer for as long as I can stand it. So in the meantime, some fun.

I got to loot someone's house yesterday. It's called an estate sale and I nearly died myself the moment I walked in the door. Check out the lamp I got. It's totally 50's and has the original lampshade. I call it "Black Retro Raspberry."

I also scored a gay Santa. Technically, this is a Mary Kay promotional Santa and he is old. He's got white go-go boots! I love him and can't wait for next years' cubicle decorating extravaganza so I can show him off!

Some highlights showing the Christmas carnage

Cookies

Don't you wish you could discover cookies again for the first time? And that someone was there to take your photo?

Sneak peek...

Does anyone else see a vision of sugar plums?

Snow day!

It's one of those days when I think, "I don't want to go to work today!" So I didn't...because it's Monday! However, tonight was the big cookie swap, which is now canceled. Possibly postponed. I don't know...if anyone has 6 dozen cookies they'd like to swap, let me know.

Hattie and I braved the cold to go to, of all places, Wal-Mart. Truly pathetic, but our Christmas cards were ready, and I need to get those in the mail! So I layered her with a onesie, socks, oversize Santa's Helper pajamas, a hat, and two blankets. I don't think Hattie even noticed she left the house. She slept during the entire excursion.

So everyone is snuggly and happy at home. I have cocoa and 40 Christmas cards to address. Hattie has her deflated Elmo balloon (she is undeterred- still loves him). Etienne has obviously figured out that when no humans are home, he's going to sleep on the sofa (but always on a blanket). Here's my retro rocker chair, covered in snow. And the cookies....

Scooter cutie

Hattie and the fabulous Elmo balloon

It's OK; it's a Sesame Street character. Mommy approves. Most importantly, Hattie loves this balloon. She literally freaks out, kicks her legs, flails and screeches at this thing. Yay for cheap fun!

Next up, eating!

Crazy Hattie, sporting two sweet little baby teeth, is wild about oatmeal. Here's some proof.

Seven months old, and unstoppable!!!

The Incomparable Hattie Jane and her Magical Walker!