Christmas prep has started...

Now making my list for Christmas gifts and goodies... and starting to store cookie cannisters and boxes for mailing. Yes, it is only Thanksgiving next week, but that makes Christmas 4 weeks away! In that short time we need to order, buy, clean, and bake - as well as wrap and decorate. 

We usually get our tree the day after Thanksgiving (as well as any live garlands from the local nursery). DH put up our outside Christmas lights yesterday (we don't do the whole house, just across the front). 

There's not much decorating for Thanksgiving... so it goes from Halloween pumpkins to Christmas here. And I like Christmas. It's my 2nd favorite holiday (Easter being my first). But there's more 'magic' in the air at Christmas... not sure why, just always has been for me.

Also next week my youngest granddaughter becomes a teenager (13)! Hard to imagine as the time passed so quickly. 

Oh, and for the longest, the only feral cat that comes to eat regularly has been the one we call Shadow. He was born here in the yard, and once grown had gone off (as most do eventually), but he returned a few months back and has been staying around. Now he has brought a friend, a black female that could well have been part of the same litter.

The reason we believe this is because she comes right up to the door and looks in - like the ones who knew this yard from birth would do. She seems very comfortable and not at all afraid (not that she'd let us too close). Also Shadow has always been a loner... not getting to close to other grown cats. He was good around kittens - and he doesn't seem to mind her eating close to him.

We've been here 40 years and have seen many many ferals come and go. Occasionally we think maybe they come back for the holidays??

And recently, our grandson who lives with us, just had his 27th birthday! He moved in when he was 18 and his parents moved to Hawaii. He tried living there for a bit, but decided he was a Texas boy and moved back. Love having him here! We celebrated with a Tiramisu cake and dinner at a favorite Italian restaurant. Pictures of our dinner following:

My chicken Campanella

DH's Sausage & Peppers 

Grandson's Niko's Special

Bread pudding

Cannoli

And a quick update before I close this, my eye is healing well... one small problem has occurred that is keeping us watching is that my tear duct seems to be partially blocked. Apparently it has nothing to do with my surgeries, but still bothersome. I had the doctor check it and he did something (like put a tube down it and irrigated it?) and said yes, it was partially blocked. I'm using warm compresses, Systane drops, and may use a Rx antibiotic drops if it doesn't clear up soon (there is a surgery... but really really don't want another surgery 😟). If anyone out there has ever had a blocked tear duct  -  I would love to hear any advice or solutions.

a few memes:

That's it!  Wishing you a happy Sunday! 

Hugs (virtual),

Rian