2012 Christmas Advent Calendar - Day 19

Christmas Decorations - Part 3

Yet another Christmas decoration that has been in the family longer than I have.  What can I say, I like old things, and traditions!  The figurines are old and faded, and most of the angels have lost one or more wings each, but this Nativity set is one of my most precious Christmas decorations!

2012 Christmas Advent Calendar - Day 18

So pretty!  Anyone fancy a trip to London for Christmas?

Teaser Tuesday - The Broken Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just:
* Grab your current read
* Open to a random page
* Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title and author, too, so that other Teaser Tuesday participants can add the book to their To Be Read (TBR) Lists if they like your teasers!

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So I finished The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, and enjoyed it so much that I immediately downloaded the second book in the series, The Broken Kingdoms.  It takes place a while after the first book ends, and instead of dealing with the ruling high society, seems to be focused on the underclasses.  So far I'm really liking it!

The Tease:

"...Madding smiled sadly. "That's different. We can die.  You mortals, though...Nothing can stop you from dying.  All we can do is stand by and watch."
And die a little with you."

 -The Broken Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin

What's your Tease?

2012 Christmas Advent Calendar - Day 17

"At this festive season of the year, Mr Scrooge," said the gentleman, taking up a pen, "it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. ... We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices."
- A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens

2012 Christmas Advent Calendar - Day 16

This year was the 80th Annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.  The tree is very pretty.

On a side note - I really don't think it is right for anyone to travel with Muppets, while wearing Muppet skin:

Somehow it just doesn't seem fair to the Muppets.

2012 Christmas Advent Calendar - Day 15

10 more days!

Movie News - Star Trek Into Darkness Poster

Last week, this happened:

Synopsis:
"When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. As our heroes are propelled into an epic chess game of life and death, love will be challenged, friendships will be torn apart, and sacrifices must be made for the only family Kirk has left: his crew."

I'm very excited about this movie, as I've been a fan of the franchise for...well...just about forever.  However, this poster is a little too reminiscent of the movie poster for The Dark Knight Rises.  I like it, I just wish it was more original.

What do you think?

2012 Christmas Advent Calendar - Day 14

It's almost here! 11 more days!

2012 Christmas Advent Calendar - Day 13

Christmas Decorations - Part 2

You know...for your viewing pleasure...

Here's two little guys that have been part of the family collection forever.  I have no idea where Mr. & Mrs. Santa Mouse came from, but again, I suspect that they are older than I am. And so cute!

This is one of my FAVORITES!!  He's The Christmas Dragon, and is a relatively new addition - a friend made him for me out of clay about 15 years ago.  He's actually a pin that could be worn, but I've always been afraid to wear him as he tend to be a bit fragile.  

I usually put him near my Nativity Scene so he can watch over the baby Jesus to make sure the Wise Men don't get out of control.  Plus that's where the best sheep are, in case he gets hungry.

2012 Christmas Advent Calendar - Day 12

Christmas Decorations, Part 1

We have a lot of Christmas decorations.  A lot.  Most are store bought, some are hand made, many are new-ish, and a few are older than me.  I'm sure everyone has a similar mix of beloved ornaments or decorations that make the holiday seem to be missing something if they aren't in place.  So I thought I'd share some with you guys.

So, for the moment, just ignore the Taco Bell Christmas Chihuahua and Frosty the Snowman.  These little Santas sliding down the candle to the chimney have been around longer than I have.  The one on the left get his leg broken one year, so now he's an amputee and slides further down the candle than his buddy, but he's still in it to win it!

I love these little guys and insist that they spend the holidays prominently displayed in the living or dining room somewhere every year.

What are your favorite Christmas decorations?