It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

[wilson]

The halls aren't fully decked here yet, but the wheels are turning, and the engine will rev strongly first thing tomorrow morning. The house's exterior should be fully festooned by bedtime Sunday. Mom doesn't quite realize what's coming, but she'll be in the spirit as much as Jay & me.
Drinks with friends tomorrow night, including one whom I haven't seen in a year and a half, and Thanksgiving, as always, was splendid (including my brother's engagement announcement).
Here we go!!!

We don't have any Christmas smileys (Seriously? Not a single one? The horrors!), so I had to settle for three kings.

[Lavabe]

Well, maybe two kings and a queen.

[devildeac]

BAH!

[YmoBeThere]

BAH!

Humbug!

[EarlJam]

The halls aren't fully decked here yet, but the wheels are turning, and the engine will rev strongly first thing tomorrow morning. The house's exterior should be fully festooned by bedtime Sunday. Mom doesn't quite realize what's coming, but she'll be in the spirit as much as Jay & me.
Drinks with friends tomorrow night, including one whom I haven't seen in a year and a half, and Thanksgiving, as always, was splendid (including my brother's engagement announcement).
Here we go!!!

We don't have any Christmas smileys (Seriously? Not a single one? The horrors!), so I had to settle for three kings.

Wilson,

Great post and great to hear from you. It's been too long. Let's get together for a Duke game or general Holiday festivities.

Best,

-EarlJam

[DevilAlumna]

Congratulations to your brother! Will Walter and Hobie get to carry the rings down the aisle? ;)

[Lavabe]

Congratulations to your brother! Will Walter and Hobie get to carry the rings down the aisle? ;)

GOT to happen, especially with Atlanta's top dog!!

[Very Duke Blue]

Is is a wonderful time of the year. I love this time of year. We do need a Christmas smiley.

[Lavabe]

Dear Head Elf,
How do we set up a tree so that the wonder dog doesn't knock over the tree or the ornaments?
Thanks,
Lavabe

[Very Duke Blue]

Dear Head Elf,
How do we set up a tree so that the wonder dog doesn't knock over the tree or the ornaments?
Thanks,
Lavabe

Put it in a playpen.

[DukieInKansas]

Dear Head Elf,
How do we set up a tree so that the wonder dog doesn't knock over the tree or the ornaments?
Thanks,
Lavabe

Put it in a playpen.

Or hang it from the ceiling.

eta - doesn't work as well with a live tree - hard to water.

[shereec]

Dear Head Elf,
How do we set up a tree so that the wonder dog doesn't knock over the tree or the ornaments?
Thanks,
Lavabe

We have cats. Cats like to climb trees. After coming home from work one year to find the Christmas tree laid out across the living room floor, my unflappable hubby studied it for a minute, went to the workshop for a hammer and nail and waxed cord, put the nail in the window frame beside where the tree is always located, uprighted the tree, tied it (about a 1/4 of the way from the top) to the window, and announced "fixed". We cleaned up the mess on the floor and enjoyed our tree (with about 30 broken glass balls still on it) for the rest of that holiday season.

Now we always set the bare tree up, tie it to the window, and leave it for a day or two until the animals get used to it. Then we decorate. Because the tree is right beside the window, the cord doesn't show. We are careful not to put breakable ornaments within swatting distance.

[bjornolf]

Is that better? ;)

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

Is that better? ;)

WOW! I'm putting you in charge of making all Christmas wishes come true!!! Bless your heart!
Love, Ima

[Very Duke Blue]

Dear Head Elf,
How do we set up a tree so that the wonder dog doesn't knock over the tree or the ornaments?
Thanks,
Lavabe

We have cats. Cats like to climb trees. After coming home from work one year to find the Christmas tree laid out across the living room floor, my unflappable hubby studied it for a minute, went to the workshop for a hammer and nail and waxed cord, put the nail in the window frame beside where the tree is always located, uprighted the tree, tied it (about a 1/4 of the way from the top) to the window, and announced "fixed". We cleaned up the mess on the floor and enjoyed our tree (with about 30 broken glass balls still on it) for the rest of that holiday season.

Now we always set the bare tree up, tie it to the window, and leave it for a day or two until the animals get used to it. Then we decorate. Because the tree is right beside the window, the cord doesn't show. We are careful not to put breakable ornaments within swatting distance.

Great idea. Last year I wanted to leave my Duke tree up until (our) basketball season was over. Harley was 3 mo. old. He wanted to take it down. He won, we had to take it down.

[Very Duke Blue]

Is that better? ;)

Yes, thank you very much. I copied, but haven't figured how to paste. HELP

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Is that better? ;)

Yes, thank you very much. I copied, but haven't figured how to paste. HELP

Press the control [ctrl] key and "c" at the same time to copy selected (highlighted) text or pictures, the control key and "v" to paste.

If you use the control key with the "x" key, it copies and deletes from the original position, like if you wanted to move a section of text from one place on the page to another, without having to go back and re-highlight and delete after copying the text, picture or whatever.

like I did with this last emoticon.

[Miles]

Kelly and I went and bought our tree yesterday. It's a lovely Douglas Fir and fits snug next to the fireplace. We also bought a little fake tree to sit on an end table in her dining room, and she already had a little tree in the bedroom. We strung the lights and tonight we'll hang ornaments. We are both so excited!!!

[Bostondevil]

We do two Christmas trees. The 'Big Tree' and the 'Kid's Tree'. I'm trying to talk Mr. BD into a third this year. We'll see. Anyway, Number 2 son Jack and I decide on a theme for the 'Kid's Tree' every year. This year? Candy Canes! It will be a tree decorated entirely with candy canes and candy cane ornaments. I can't wait!

[DukeUsul]

Here are some videos of the adorable BabyKatieUsul and her "first" Christmas tree (last year at 7 months really doesn't count).