Hi there, friends! It’s Rosy Reindeer, here. Just wanted to check in with you readers of Gatherings to let you know that we reindeer were getting ready for our big night! You know that I’m not one to brag…but aren’t my antlers to die for??? I’ve worked so hard to get them ‘just right’ for the big trip!

You can see how hard we’ve been working to get into shape! Long runs through the snow…

Lots of good grooming from the snow boys…sort of like personal trainers…

We’ve reviewed the tapes of last year’s journey…to see if there is anywhere we need to improve…

We’ve practiced our take off and landings…

And , even spent some time brushing up with Santa…

Now I’m sure, being the smart, ‘in-the-know’ women that you are, you are aware that the Santa uses only us ‘girls’ to pull his sleigh! It’s been that way since the beginning, of course, but there’s always some guy who thinks he should be the one leading the group. Sometimes, they will try to sneak in…tie their antlers on and fool the old man. But, Santa is no dummy…he catches them every time!Just look at that sad reindeer…shame on him!

Every one knows that:
According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male
and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male
reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late
November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till
after they give birth in the spring.

Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa?

Today’s post is really random…just a few things I wanted to document. Inside and out, things that speak to me…

Many years ago, I purchased this quilted wall hanging. I love the primitive nature this has…

One of the many birds on my tree in the rear foyer. This whimsical bird has leaves for his tail…

When my boys were younger, high school age, one of them gave me this little ornament. Quite humorous when you consider I lived in a household with 4 of them! Were they trying to tell me something?…

Close up of a fallen croton leaf in my yard. Perfect Christmas colors, don’t you think?…

Love, love , love the colors of the few leaves left on my Japanese Maple trees…

A glittery snowman sits amidst some live evergreen branches on the table on the screened porch! He twinkles at night in the moonlight…

Late this afternoon, I got the nicest surprise. A friend from school, who knows well my affinity for the chocolate, called me and said she had left a surprise by my front door. I went to look, and there was a package…for me! I LOVE surprises! When I opened it, this is what I saw!
Isn’t it great? In case you can not read it…it says, “There’s nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with chocolate!” This is a big cup…perfect for a nice cup of hot chocolate…with marshmallows! Thanks, DT, you made my day! And the friendship I feel for you is as true as my love of the chocolate!

Just one more to share. I love candles! And, I’ll admit I buy too many of them. I really like for my house to smell festive. I have spent much money on many differing brands that promise long lasting scents that will fill your house with the smell of whatever. But, they don’t. Maybe if you stand right over them…but not from another room. Here then is the candle I have found that will do just that. I can light it in the kitchen…I can smell it in the bedroom, in the bathrooms, all over the house…REALLY! And, it is available at W*l-M*rt! Yes, that is the place for these wonderful candles. This is the scent I chose for the Christmas Season…Cranberry Mandarin. It is light, but certainly there! They have several other scents as well. Their Mulled Spice is delightful, too! The candles come in all sizes from tea lights to the big round ones. Just thought you’d like to know.

I have just returned from shopping…in the cold…in the rain…in the crowds. I actually enjoy getting out and getting into the crowds and enjoying the sounds and signs of the season. Call me crazy! I had a pleasant time…as long as I was inside! But, WHOA NELLY!, when I stepped outside…it was a different story.

What is the big deal, folks? None of us are going anywhere fast during this time of year. You should know that. Trying to cross a walkway, I was almost run down twice! And, I had the right of way…they had a stop sign. Instead, I found myself having to run…on the slick road…in the rain…in the cold.

People…BE COOL…you know there is going to be major traffic, and you know people are going to be walking where you are driving. It is the only way we can get to our car, so we can join in the driving train! It costs nothing to let another car get in line in front of you. It is the right thing to do! Cause I promise, you’re gonna be the one who wants to get in the line soon, and you want someone to return the favor.

And another thing, when I decide to be kind and use the good manners my parents taught me…for heaven’s sake, don’t blow the horn at me and tell me to hurry up! I happen to believe that ‘what goes around, comes around’…and I want what’s coming to me, to be kindness. So should you! Remember this…

And, I’d be mighty careful about being rude to pedestrians trying to cross in front of you…you never know who it might be!!!

Oh, yes! It was a great day! The day was very cloudy and rainy…dark and drab…OUTSIDE! But, INSIDE…there was so much joy and laughter and good food and catching up and hugs and presents! Wow! Is that a house full of happy or what?!! From the moment the first friend arrived, there was never a lull in the merry making! I wish it could have lasted all day! There would certainly have been enough food! I loved getting my house ready, and preparing for my guests…but, they did the hardest work…they brought all the food! And, it was delicious! As usual! I was so busy seeing everyone that I forgot to take a picture of the food…before we dug in! But, here it was afterwards…

I think there were 23 ladies here,we were missing Jana and Jeana. Some sat inside around the table…some sat on the screened porch…some sat in the studio. Don built a nice fire in the outside fireplace this morning and it was so cozy. We were able to have the fireplace burning inside, too.

Then came the presents. Everyone brings a gift with a Christmas theme…and then we choose a gift in a numbered order, and hope the next one to choose doesn’t steal it from us! I was a little surprised that TF stole a gift, but actually there was lots of stealing going on! All the gifts are so desirable, and it is always fun to see which item gets passed around the most. I ended up with a lovely snowman cookie jar!

Here are the ladies who attended today…
TJ …using these ornaments for earrings…

Dawn…Paula…Angel…

Jennifer and Dawn…

Angel…Rhonda…Shari…

April and Lynn…

Kim…

Daronda…Tina…Kelsey…

Brenda…Debbie…Eve…Mary Alice…

Donnell…

Allison and Bonnie…

And so, I end this post with some words of wisdom from the day…
Wise words.
This should be a season of peace and joy and friendship…not rushing around, stressing out and coming unglued!

Believe! Does it matter just WHAT you believe? Oh, yes, it does! Even though this cute sign (that was so rudely stolen from me-:))is talking about ‘believing’ in Santa…I look at it as so much more. Believe in the Spirit of Christmas- the merry-making, the good will toward others, the planning of things that will make those you love happy, the
willingness to share with those who are needy, the sharing of your heart with others. And, never forget these words…
“We love, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19. We love others because He chose to love us. We know of love because HE IS LOVE, and teaches us HOW to love.
He loved us enough to send His only son into the world…not to condemn us…but that, through Jesus, we may be saved.
Please remember that Christmas is a birthday. The birthday of our Saviour, Jesus.

And, a message from Andi and Sherrie, and the rest of us FP girls…

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*****if I left out anyone, please forgive this rattled brain…which is full of tangled tinsel!!!*****The picture at the top of page is the top of my TV cabinet. I love being able to use my mercury glass pieces. Thanks to Tina, for doing the high ladder work!!!*****