board77

I beg to differ

Hee. I'm such a 90's child - I only know that song from Home Alone.

Sharing a pic of the only two presents I've been able to wrap so far (risked late arrivals by shopping online but hey) because I'm proud they're made of recycled magazines and old greeting cards. Been trying to get more environmentally friendly this year, and probably still messing up a lot, but things like this are nice to see the results of.



Also, here are some pictures I'd already uploaded: link. They were taken at Casa Loma in Toronto just before the Gathering of the Fellowship convention. It had snowed overnight and the place was decorated for Christmas activities, so I really love looking at them this time of the year.




*E*

I thought about reusing old papers and such to wrap presents, too, E. I like doing that kind of stuff, but I ran out of time and energy. I bought the wrapping paper last year, so I might as well use it, right?

Oh, totally understandable. Again, only two presents wrapped so far.

More than that, I really wish I had thought of this earlier, as I'd been going through years worth of magazines lately. If I'd kept an eye out for flashy advertisements from the start, it would probably get me through another decade of Christmases. I don't really buy magazines anymore for various reasons, so once this pile is gone, that's it. It shouldn't make me sad, but it does. With mags like Vogue and Vanity Fair, every page is so jaw-droppingly gorgeous it feels awful to throw them away, but I've no room to spare. Christmas wrapping is a perfect use since it looks nice sitting by a tree for a few days, but I don't mind it being ripped and tossed later on. It's like going out with a bang. Haha I don't know.

Wonder what the supermarket does with the mags they don't sell? Send back, probably, but in cases for you find out things are just thrown in the trash, it's worth trying to get your hands on. Especially since wrapping paper (around here, anyway) isn't recyclable? I've no idea why, but pretty colors or not, that won't fly with me.


Back to watching Beauty and the Beast. Not technically a Christmas movie, but always felt like one to me.




*E*

Well, we won't be having the pink "margaritas" and cookies I planned for our family viewing of Home Alone, but we'll probably have Gatorade and saltines instead. (Getting over a stomach virus)

Watching LotR is a great Christmas tradition, too! We are going to have to do that.

*E*, I loved the pics of Casa Loma! It brought back great memories (except that I've never seen it in the snow or at Christmastime). Very pretty!


Lali

Part of the appeal of that convention was seeing Toronto at Christmastime. I love to travel, and then visit places again some December just to see how each town or country decorates and celebrates.

I've been to Casa Loma three times now, two of which were on summer visits, and wow what a difference! The best part was that I arrived on sort of a family activity day, so there were teeny kids everywhere, dressed in fancy Christmas outfits. Was such a lovely atmosphere.

I always seem to end up alone at such things. Stupid relatives lol.

I mean, er, tra-la-la, stories by the fire and whatnot.




*E*

Care to join us for a lovely family evening of Gatorade and saltines around the gas fireplace?

I've Lysoled everything in sight (and out of sight), so I'm thinking we're not contagious anymore.

(I've been to Casa Loma three times. This last time was with the girls, and we were in Toronto with Freddy's parents. His mom couldn't do the steps up to the mansion, and we had less than an hour before it closed. So we left his mom and dad waiting near the bus stop below, and we hoofed it. We went over nearly every square inch of that place in less than an hour. Amazing! Of course, I recommend having time to actually ENJOY it, but it was still pretty cool.)


Lali

Oh lawd! Yeah, part of why I took so many pictures of the stone wall around Casa Loma was because I was stalling to get my breath back after those stairs. The other visits were driven to, so we'd just get out at the parking lot, nice and ignorant to any physical exertion (until we'd get in the place lol).

Sometimes you just have to rely on souvenir booklets to learn more about the places you zoom through.




*E*

*ignores all the interesting posts between this and Alatar's*

Ah, it's Christmas at last.

I saw that yesterday but didn't have the energy to post it. Loved it!

I also liked the "Death wears a cute little bow" and "Ceilin cat sings in the choir and basement cat plans to steal collection plate."


Lali

Jude, love it.

I'm at my parent's house. Which means two good things: I get to sleep in my old queen sized bed that I grew up with instead of the twin I have at the apartment, and I get a decent shower! Yay.

I also get really nostalgic when I'm here, and I kinda like that feeling. Also, good food.

Also, Merry Christmas.

Happy Orodruinsquestday Jonny! (and everyone else)

Merry Christmas, everyone!













Love, Lali & Freddy

Well done, you two.




*E*

Lali that is a lovely pic. Thanks for posting that.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone.

Thanks! I put it together from a few sources and added the text 'cause I love you guys!



Lali

Awww. It shows.
And I am sure the feeling is mutual.