Tis that time of year to get the SHOPPING DONE!

As you can see the woman is ready!

I LOVED THE HAT and immediately thought of ADVANCED STYLE!

We can get away with ANYTHING and it actually looks GOOD!

TRENCH COAT,JEANS and SNEAKERS……all fashionable in todays world!

Our SON delivered our Christmas tree the other night!He has many of these pine trees and for the last three years we have been gifted a tree from his property up North.What you see here is a pick-up truck with a trailer behind…………….HOLY MOLEY!

As my dear friend SANDRA said,”LOOKS LIKE IT BELONGS IN A HOTEL LOBBY!”

A short rib I literally threw together early one morning.I used the veggies in the REFRIGERATOR.

Celery root, baby carrots, potatoes and leeks………

We ended up having leftover broth so THE ITALIAN pureed it for a gravy for the dogs food!

BETTY ENJOYED it for a few days over her kibble!

Just add some warm water too thin.

WAITING FOR DINNER………..they have the most BEAUTIFUL RELATIONSHIP!

BETTY & THEODOR…ABLE.

THANK GOD FOR LITTLE GIRLS!

Hitting that warehouse for PANETTONE and other tidbits!

Garlands for the stone walls outside!

OLAF…….AKA BUGSZY taking a nap!

This is my view from my bedroom window.

A CLOSE UP OF THE HOOVES.

TODAY HE IS HAVING A MANI/PEDI……..I WONDER HOW THAT WILL GO?

SANTA PLEASE STOP HERE……..

LOOK FOR NUTCRACKERS ON THE CHIMNEY!

MANY MORE INSIDE AS THIS 63 YEAR OLD DANCED FOR YEARS IN THE BALLET PRODUCTION.

LOOKING BACK NOW IT WAS A MAGICAL EXCITING TIME OF YEAR!

WE LIVE IN CALIFORNIA!

WE STILL HAVE ROSES IN DECEMBER!

I ADORED MAKING THIS BOUQUET!

Those vintage cigarette urns are great for small bouquets and Q-tips!

YES, HE IS ALLOWED ON THE COFFEE TABLE TO REACH MY LAP!

HE NO LONGER CAN JUMP WITH EASE……….we have no idea how old he is, but he is up there.

Q-tips for ALL EARS!

My ears are ALWAYS moist in the AM……..

The animals get their ears cleaned on occasion!

Good Light in the kitchen makes for a GOOD CLEANING!

I CALL THIS ROOM THE North Pole……

YOU CAN SEE WHY!

I AM ABOUT DONE AND PROUD OF IT!

SOMEHOW THIS YEAR IT ALL CAME TOGETHER AND WHAT MADE IT REALLY EASY WAS I PUT THE WRAPPING PAPER,TAGS AND RIBBON UNDER MY BED SO I DIDNOT HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE ITALIAN TO CLIMB UP INTO THE ATTIC!I GOT A JUMP START WITH THE PERFECT ASSISTANT WHO MANAGED TO PULL A RIBBON (on the bed) ON A GIFT BRING TO THE FLOOR AND UN-WRAP IT!I ARRIVED JUST IN TIME BEFORE THE SHIRT WAS TASTE TESTED!

QUALITY CONTROL can be EXPENSIVE!

OLAF AND THE SILVER DOME………….HE IS SMELLING SOMETHING DELISH!

But knew his limitations and did not go further with the INVESTIGATION!

I DO TRY TO POUND MANNERS INTO THE ANIMALS.

THE JOWELS ARE FALLING AND THE HAIR IS THINNING AND THE RIGHT EYEBROW IS DISAPPEARING!

WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN ALL AT ONCE?

AND LOOK A GRAY HAIR ON THE COAT JUST SAYING CIAO TUTTI!

HAVE A GORGEOUS HOLIDAY SEASON………..

I should be back before the BIG DAY.

I WISH YOU ALL HAPPINESS AND HEALTH.

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ALL I NEED FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS!

XXX

YOUR CONTESSA

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