Some Christmas "Pretties" in our Home

Today I will feature a few of the 'pretties' in and around our house --all decorated for Christmas. In my header photo at the top of my blog, you will see our gorgeous Christmas tree, and our wonderful fireplace. The wreath above the fireplace came from George's family. In the picture above, you will see a close-up of our treetop angel. She was originally purchased to be a part of my angel collection; however, we soon figured out that her place is on the top of the tree--where she can look after ALL of us!!!





The little creche on our coffee table also came from George's family. (When George and I got married, we kept some momentos from both families --but we also started our own traditions.) The creche is very special to both of us---and reminds us of the TRUE meaning of Christmas.





The little beauty is called a Winter Rose. Isn't it gorgeous? Each year, one of my childhood friends sends us a beautiful poinsettia. This one is in the Poinsettia family --but is quite different. Do you like my Winter Rose?






Well---the table is decorated and set, and the china is OUT.... Even the turkey platter is out!!!! BUT--where is the food??????





Since we have no mantel over the fireplace in this house, we hang our stockings on one of our bookcases... Hopefully, Santa will come and fill the stockings on Christmas Eve. I will leave him some milk and cookies for sure!!!!





Finally, I wanted you to see my Christmas Quilt. This was made by a great quilter friend who lives in Colorado. It is so special to me. And--besides wreaths (mentioned in a previous post), one can never have enough Poinsettias in their home at Christmas!!!!

Hope you enjoyed seeing some of my Christmas Pretties.

Hugs,

Christmas Birds

Except for showing my Cardinals in yesterday's post, I haven't done a bird post in a long time. AND---I enjoy having LOTS of birds at my feeders all year round. I sit on my throne (sofa) --and watch the little birds going back and forth most every single day. They are such a joy to watch. Some of our birds have disappeared (Bluejays, most of the Bluebirds, Brown Thrashers, Robins, Hummingbirds) ---but will be back in spring. I have seen a few Bluebirds --but not often.

The birds we have at the feeders regularly now are: Cardinals, Tufted Titmice, White-breasted Nuthatches, Carolina Chickadees, Carolina Wrens, Mourning Doves, LOTS of Goldfinches, Some House Finches, and our woodpeckers (Red-bellied and Downy mostly).. There are Northern Flickers and Pileated Woodpeckers around --but they don't come to the feeders.

Yesterday, while watching my football team LOSE (sigh!) and while cutting out the latest coupons and making my grocery list for the week, I decided to see if I could take some pictures to share with you.

WELL----as you can tell from seeing the following pictures, none of them are very good. It was a cloudy day and the snow that is still on our deck caused a glare---plus the fact that I didn't realize that our lit Christmas tree was causing reflections (as you will be able to see) on the feeders and on the birds. I almost threw away all of the pictures --but then decided I'd show them and call them my Christmas Birds!!!!!!

Hope you enjoy some of my little angels. This female Cardinal in the picture above was busy stuffing her mouth!! Notice the reflections from our Christmas tree lights?????? Ha -Ha... Sorry I didn't get a picture of the males since they are so pretty this time of year with their red colors. I missed catching them at the feeders and I also missed catching the Red-bellied and the Downys. Oh Well--hope you enjoy the ones I managed to get.




A little Goldfinch sitting on the line ---waiting his turn at one of the feeders





We have lots and lots of Goldfinches this year---but so far, no Pine Siskins... (You may remember from last year that we had hundreds of Pine Siskins!!! I hope they go elsewhere this year! My 20-30 Goldfinches keep the feeders busy enough!)





I love this sweet picture of a male Goldfinch... He has lost his beautiful yellow summer color--and it's hard now to tell the difference between the males and females.





We also have some House Finches at our feeders. There aren't as many as there are Goldfinches but I love that red color on the males.




I added a string of lights to this male House Finch. Isn't he pretty????? He's definitely a Christmas bird!!!!! ha ha





Now---the string of lights is a necklace around his neck... Doesn't he look like it's Christmas????





The little Tufted Titmouse on the left wonders why he didn't get a string of lights around his neck. Doesn't he look sad???? AND--the House Finch is trying to EAT the lights to keep Mr. Tufted from having them!!!! ha ha






The Christmas House Finch on the left was enjoying wearing his lights as a hat ---and the House Finch on the right was looking UP searching for his own lights....

WELL---that's about all that I have to share today... Again, I apologize for the bad quality. Hopefully I can get some better pictures soon. In the meantime, let me say again--for the millionth time---how much I LOVE my BIRDS. They bring so much joy ---and right now, they ARE definitely my "Christmas Birds"...

Have a great Monday!!!
Hugs,

P.S. Thanks for all of your thoughts on my mystery critter prints I found on our deck after the snow. You ALL gave me some great answers but I have to say that my favorite answer came from Blog Friend SANDRA. Sandra said that Rudolph paid us a visit. I'm sure he was checking out the house---making sure he would have a place to land the sleigh on Christmas Eve. Thanks Sandra... That was a great answer!!