Happy almost New Year, dear friends! The Mister and I have a quiet New Year's Eve planned, nibbling on steak tartare (my fave) and sipping chardonnay while watching my boyfriend, Anderson and crazy Kathy bring in the new year. Tomorrow we are looking forward to attending a brunch in the 'hood.
We had a great time with our girls over Christmas. The time always goes by way too quickly when they visit. Here are a few photos that I took while they were home.
Sally, one of my favorite readers from the UK, sent me this beautiful live wreath along with darling earrings and a book about gardening. I've never seen one of these wreaths before, and I just love it. It still look great, too.
Our Santa whose middle name is naughty.
We also added a bark collar to his bling.
We also added a bark collar to his bling.
Little elf getting a hug from her big sissy.
I've had this ornament for about 20 years.
I still get a kick out of it.
The kids don't see the humor in it.
Years ago, my #1 had a Girl Scout leader who kept her tree up all year long. Just the thought of packing all the stuff away makes me think that she may have been on to something.
I got a great deal on this cape at JCrew right before Christmas. The Mister told me that I look like I stepped out of Call the Midwife. Needless to say, the Mister found an extra helping of a cold shoulder in his stocking this year.
Our #2 giving Chowdah advice on dating.
Our #1 comes home to visit Chowdah and Chili more than she does to see us!
After the girls left and we had nothing to do but stare at each other, the Mister and I started the Australian series, Offspring. It revolves around an obstetrician and her quirky family. There are six seasons and we have four left to look forward to. Woohoo... who said our lives weren't exciting!
I'm almost finished reading this book and it is quite the page turner. If you enjoy thrillers, I highly recommend this one.
Amazon
The Mister and I took a couple of road trips over the holiday break. We listened to this one in the car and really enjoyed it. Rules of Civility is also a good read.
The problem with movies that get a lot of hype is that they seldom live up to the hype. I enjoyed La La Land but not as much as I thought I would.
What can I say, we were desperate. When we walked out of the theater after seeing Office Christmas Party, the Mister mumbled there's two hours that we'll never get back.
How could we live in Massachusetts and not see Manchester By The Sea? This film is well-written, and the acting is magnificent. But I will tell you, this movie is a sad one and a tearjerker. Don't see it if you've got the after holiday blues.
Speaking of after holiday blues, I found this crime scene the other day when I went to let Chowdah in. Nobody in my family drinks beer which raises the question of the kind of crowd Chowdah has been hanging out with. A stern talking to and a lecture about responsible drinking are on Chowdah's agenda for 2017.
I wish you all a very happy, healthy New Year.
Until next time...
Looks like Chow has been hitting the bottle again.
The Mister and I took a couple of road trips over the holiday break. We listened to this one in the car and really enjoyed it. Rules of Civility is also a good read.
The problem with movies that get a lot of hype is that they seldom live up to the hype. I enjoyed La La Land but not as much as I thought I would.
What can I say, we were desperate. When we walked out of the theater after seeing Office Christmas Party, the Mister mumbled there's two hours that we'll never get back.
How could we live in Massachusetts and not see Manchester By The Sea? This film is well-written, and the acting is magnificent. But I will tell you, this movie is a sad one and a tearjerker. Don't see it if you've got the after holiday blues.
Speaking of after holiday blues, I found this crime scene the other day when I went to let Chowdah in. Nobody in my family drinks beer which raises the question of the kind of crowd Chowdah has been hanging out with. A stern talking to and a lecture about responsible drinking are on Chowdah's agenda for 2017.
I wish you all a very happy, healthy New Year.
Until next time...
Looks like Chow has been hitting the bottle again.
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Chowdah and Chili crack me up! This is the first year in ages that both our girls are here after the holidays, one living under our roof again. It's awesome.
ReplyDeleteYou're hysterical with a sharp, quick wit. And great cape! We're celebrating New Years Eve with leftovers and Netflix series Last U Univ (football junior college,) woo-hoo!!
ReplyDeleteSimple New Years Eve planned here as well. I have loved reading your blog all year long, Katie. Looking forward to more gift and book suggestions, as well as sharing your family times with us. Happy 2017, Katie! -Jenn
ReplyDeleteOur New Year's Eve is more than quiet. Each of us, including Sadie, in their respective spots reading and snoozing. Your guess as to which of us is snoozing.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and the mister and to those two adorable pups. Sadie needs a sky cap! ;-)
As ever, your blog is so entertaining. BTW, in the first photo, that's called a mistletoe ball in England.
ReplyDeleteKatie I have started putting away all my Christmas bling and I am beginning to think like the scout leader. I am not going to put out so much next year.( Yeah right...) Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Katie! Your girls with the doggies are just the cutest :-)
ReplyDeleteKatie,
ReplyDeleteAs always I have so enjoyed your blog. We just came home from seeing Manchester by the Sea. I really enjoyed the movie and hubby and I talked a lot about the ending. I have taken many of your recommendations to heart---books, movies and makeup. The mascara you recommended has been great--but is difficult to remove completely. What do you use? The books you reviewed have been especially good--specifically the ones involving bookstores and baking/cooking. I am looking forward to a whole new year of your recommendations, reviews and quick wit!!!Might there be an engagement or move in your future? Whatever it holds I can't wait for you to share it with your readers..
Good morning, Bobbie! So funny that you mentioned that you and your husband talked about the ending of the movie. The Mister and I did too. He was a lot more disappointed with the final outcome that I was. As far as removing the mascara completely, I use the Neutrogena towelettes and they seem to do the trick. I wish you a Happy, healthy New Year, dear Bobbie! Thank you for reading my blog and taking the time to comment.
DeleteWould love to know about your Sunglasses? Where did you get them? Brand and style name. Love them. Thanks
ReplyDeleteHi Angie! I have worn Ray Ban Wayfarers for about 20 years. This year, when I was ordering sunglasses, I decided to go out of my comfort zone. They are prescription and they are made by Lafont. The style # is: LEO 532-48021-135-CC. Have a very happy new year, Angie and thanks for reading my blog.
DeleteHappy New Year, Katie. Love that wreath/kissing ball (?) and that stocking ornament of yours. I was never so happy to complete the undecorating than this year - it seems to be getting harder each year, but oh, so worth the calm of a naked house as I will soon catch up on my backlogged reading.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat to have gotten acquainted with you and yours in 2016. I'm looking so forward to each and every post of your corner of the world. Cheers to a healthy new year so we can enjoy it to its fullest!
Rita
Katie, A correction. Anderson is my boyfriend !!!!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year
Happy New Year, Katie! I love all of your beautiful photos of your family, dogs, and decorations. Thank you for all of your excellent entertainment recommendations, which I always enjoy immensely.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun holiday! Your girls and pups are beyond adorable! The Mister is too, of course. So happy that I found you in 2016 and can't wait to see what's up for you all in 2017! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHi Katie! I'll share Anderson with you if I have to but you can have his sidekick--I just don't get her at all! My Christmas decorations stay up until the Epiphany but then I'm happy to take them away and have everything clean again. I don't think I could take it all year. I knew someone who had a special closet built so that she could just slide her tree in and out of every year, ready to go. I'm glad you had both your girls home at the same time. Those days just go by so quickly! Happy New Year! Looking forward to hearing more of your thoughts and recommendations. Linda
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! I binge-watched Offspring on Hulu earlier this year -- loved it! John Waters also stars in All Saints, the latest Aussie drama I have binge-watched. I am totally hook on Australian TV.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, K-K-K-Katie. I always think of them teasing Barbra Streisand in The Way We Were with that line.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a lovely time with your girls and pups and The Mister! I was going to de-Christmas today but, after sleeping with a four year old that got me up to 'watch the news' at 5am I took my own advice and have been sitting on my butt ever since. lol
Have a wonderful week. xo Diana
Happy New Year, Katie! Reading your posts is one of the things I look forward to doing in 2017. Your wit and sense of humor is definitely a gift. Thank you for sharing it weekly with all of us.
ReplyDeleteWe saw Manchester by the Sea on Christmas Day....amazing acting but oh so depressing and sad...
ReplyDeleteYes, taking the Cmas tree down is awful but I don't want it up all year either,so I'll keep taking it down I guess. Chili and Chowdah are too much cuteness! Always a fun stop here!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the book and movie reviews. I concur with all who said that the acting in Manchester-by-the-Sea was excellent, but overall the movie was somber. The movie didn't offer a gratuitously happy ending, but how could it considering what happened to Casey Affleck's character. I do think that the ending was positive for the boy and his guardian. Good thing you have the pups to cheer you up after sad movies!
ReplyDeleteKatie,
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you and yours! I confess, I'm so happy to have stumbled upon your site, it's the humor I need to start the day! Your tree and family room look so pretty!
xo,
Karen
Lol - "...the kind of crowd Chowdah has been hanging out with"...priceless! Those two dogs could have me laughing for days! Great book and movie recommendations but I must say, I am disappointed that La La Land didn't live up to the hype. I know my husband will want nothing to do with it so I was going to plan a girls movie night to see it. Maybe I will pick something else... As far as the Christmas tree goes, every year, I take mine down either New Years Eve or New Years Day. But I woke up yesterday, took down about 2 decorations and took a break. So here I am on January 2nd with a house full of decorations. Not exactly the ambitious way to start the new year! Oh well! I needed to add more relaxing time to my new year's resolution list anyway! Happy New Year to you and have a great week!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
Shelley
Dearest Katie, my lovely friend
ReplyDeleteI do hope I can get this message to you as I tried all yesterday. I was so touched and delighted to see the picture of the little wreath and so glad you liked it:))
You are such a dear and special person, you give all of us so much joy with your blog I had just wanted to send a little thank you, with my very best love
Your Christmas holiday pictures are so festive and I can tell you had so much fun with your lovely family, I know you had looked forward to it so much. The girls are as beautiful as you are
I wish you all a very Happy, healthy and wonderful new year and thank you for your friendship
With my love always
Sally xxx
Happy New Year! You have my become my "must read" blog this year, and I have to say I'm a disappointed when you take a break and there is not a new post to browse. Keep all the good book, gift, and movie ideas coming. I slightly disagree on La La Land. I really enjoyed it, but it could be because we were about to go on a vacation to LA and because I watched it with a 14 year old who is very into musicals. :) Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI love your wonderful look back! I want to be adopted into your family!
ReplyDeleteAnd I've been taking down Christmas all day (none of the trees -- there are 14. Some will stay up a very long time). All day - and no one can tell. Not even me. This is so very wrong.
Happiest of New Year's, my friend!