THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO IN THE DAYS LEADING UP TO CHRISTMAS
(ALL PHOTOS FROM 2009)

In the days leading up to Christmas: You can look really cute in a Santa hat.....................

And have a jolly time destroying the Christmas tree................ And share good times with friends......................

And pose really pretty for the camera..................

And toast your friends...................

And crack some really big nuts....................

And fete your loved ones with a Soup Party..................

And pose with simpatico cousins...............

And fill your tummy with good food...................

And express your gratitude to your hosts........................

And have fun, fun, fun.......................

And celebrate a special birthday.................

And have a rip-snorting, root-tooting good time.......................

And hang the stockings for Santa.......................

And celebrate a milestone birthday (60).................................

And celebrate with friends (although Connie doesn't seem to be too happy about having her picture taken!).............................

And express yourself.....................

And enjoy time with friends who have been with you for over forty years..................

And enjoy the adoration of someone who loves you.....................

And be amazed and amused by what you see........................

And spread some holiday cheer...............................

And sometimes have to pout because you have been punished.........................

And feel sooooooooooo misunderstood! (Don't feel so bad, Winston, the Christmas tree will be back up in a few days and you can prove to EVERYONE just how much you have matured this year................................

THANKSGIVING 2010

Binky has an appetizer of hard salami and pepperocini before we prepare our spinach and green bean casserole to take as our contribution to Thanksgiving Dinner......................

It is a joy to be invited out to eat and not have to do the main cooking and preparations ouselves...........

One thing I am so very thankful for this year is my baby daughter...............

And we're off to celebrate at Casa Chavez........................

Where Sisi has prepared a classically beautiful table.........................

Baby Binks soaks in the ambiance.................

Yeah..............Louie!!!!

The hoard attacks the buffet.................

The tall and the small of it............................

Binks came in on a flight today, but will have a whole week at home.................

Checking to be sure that there will be enough food......................

A beaming Miss Cathy.........................

"Thanks for everything, Auntie!".......................

"Good Grub!".......................

Another reason I have for thankfulness this year--my one and only son...........................

The conversation seems serious and intense.................

With serious reflection.........................

And exchange of ideas......................

A lovely late autumn bouquet.................

Candlelight becomes you..........................

This is a great holiday because it reminds us of the many, many wonderful things in our lives.............

Frannie always enjoys her Grandpa's sense of humor.................

Homme Pensive...................

Frannie has a sly response to one of Grandpa's "bon mots" and Giano broadcasts the witticism to the rest of the family in New York....................

Binky's appreciative response to intelligent conversation.......................

The response you get when your conversation "takes a detour to the Twilight Zone"..................

Poster girls...............

Thank you to the Chavezes for a lovely holiday.....................

And a good time was had by all!!