Snow and the Christmas Tree

Well, our plans there year were to kick "off our fun old fashion family Christmas by heading out into the country in the old front-wheel drive sleigh to embrace the frosty majesty of the winter landscape and select that most important of Christmas symbols."  But the weather of Oregon had other plans in mind for us.  Rain, rain, snow, rain, wind, rain, and more rain sort of hindered our efforts every time we made plans to go.  So we decided to stick with the old standby tree and be done with it.  We even ran out of time putting up our Christmas decor outside and had to do it the night before.  But hey, our decorations stay up till after New Year's so we are still all set.  

We only got a little snow, just a light dusting, but it stuck to the ground and stayed around for awhile.

  

Our poor garden.  I miss it dearly.  :-(

PITA wasn't sure what to make of it.  All he wanted to do was either eat it or get it off his feet.  And I tried to get Baz to come out of the house and see the snow, but he is so old that he just wanted to lay on his bed and watch from a distance.

All my hard work over the summer is all gone.  But I do think the snow on the flower pots looks pretty.

We put the tree up and decided to give it a different look with a large green flower pot.  

And as the snow still came down outside and covered everything in its path.....

I started hanging Christmas ornaments slowly.  The white tree got covered in bird ornaments and I am pleased with how many my collection has gained.  They are all Macy's ornaments and I get excited every time I tell someone about them.  They are lovely!

Meia found this the perfect time to nap.  It was a good day!

Eco-Tip:  Don't leave your computer or other devices powered up overnight and when they aren't in use.  This goes for your Christmas tree and Christmas lights.  The more you power down the more energy you save and money, as well.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

The Christmas/Thanksgiving Cactus

For the past nine years I have babied this Cactus and it even traveled from Arkansas to Oregon with us.  It always bloom between Thanksgiving and Christmas without fail and as soon as I see it's little blooms making an appearance I know it's time to break out the Christmas decor for the season.  It's so lovely, and I am so glad it has survived as long as it has.

Flowering Cactus coaster (Google Affiliate Ad)

Eco-Tip:  Be sure and maintain your air conditioner for proper energy usage   If you home uses an AC unit be sure and clean the air filter at least once a month or every week if you own indoor animals.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

Spark of Loves this Week: Monkeys, Car, Seeds, Award, Bread, Hipster

Since last week was a busy week my Spark of Loves were put on hold till this week.  But without skipping a beat, we are right back on track.  Enjoy!

These monkeys.

Because no matter how many times I see one, I just crack up laughing.  I even love these slippers too!

This animated image.

Because it just says "love" all around.

These seed packets.

Because I received them from Burt's Bees a year ago during the up-rise of the Colony Collapse Disorder.  What a great cause, I was so pleased to be a part of the solution to helping honey bees when I planted half the packet this past year, and I get to plant the rest of them this coming spring.

This award.

Because I love Examiner and I am pleased to say that the last 4 years with them has been a privilege and I hope I am able to give them 4 more years of my journalistic insight.

These pumpkin muffins and bread.

Because my sick little man helped me bake them and it made him feel a bit better.

Random Photo of the Week:

3-D Glasses are totally hipster!  We love going to see movies in 3-D just so we can add to our hipster 3-D glasses collection we have accumulated, we love them!

P.S.:  The winner of the Christmas Swag Bag Giveaway was Barbara Smalls in Eau Claire, Michigan.  Congratulations Barbara!  And email has been sent to you to claim your prize and add addition information.  Hope you enjoy your Christmas Swag Bag!  :-)

Eco-Tip:  Be sure and insulate your home and check it once a year for wear and tear.  The more you insulate the more you save on energy cost and energy loss.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.

Meia and the curiosity of the Kitchen Rooster

My cat, bless her heart, she's going on 12 years now and she still acts just like a little curious kitten.  I recently purchased a rooster to sit in my kitchen and watch over my cooking, but she found it a bit peculiar   Here is a quick snippet of their meet and greet.

She kept her distance for a little while, but then I think her curiosity got the best of her and she just had to check it out.

She sniffed it.

And stalked it.....

And sniffed it some more.

She seemed to be satisfied that the kitchen rooster wouldn't be a threat.

But she was not about to be it's friend.  

So the kitchen rooster stands alone.  

Eco-Tip:  Use a crock pot to cook over the stove or oven.  A crock pot uses less energy to cook your food than the stove.  For this and other tips on going green visit, The Earth and Me Go Green.