Tuesday, December 25, 2018

A Winter Wonderland


There's a house just down the street from my brother's where the owners go all-out decorating for Christmas. It's truly unbelievable. We took my nieces last night and strolled through the holiday fantasia, and I compiled a little video to show you what it's like -- complete with cheesy Johnny Mathis Christmas songs (which I secretly love) and a special holiday appearance from Dave!


A couple of months ago I found this vintage ring-toss game, Hoopla, while walking Olga in London. It was set out with some other games on a garden wall, clearly meant for someone to take. If I had to guess, I'd say it's from 1970 or so -- those figures of the birds and "Mr. Mean" are very H. R. Pufnstuf, aren't they? Anyway, I brought it to Florida and played it with my nieces last night. I thought they might roll their eyes, but it turned out to be pretty fun!

This morning I woke up in our hotel and decided to risk going out for my morning joe (as usual -- I can't stand in-room coffee). Most places were closed, but I found a Daily's store in a Shell station where I got a cup (southern pecan flavored, allegedly, although you couldn't prove it by me). When I took it to the cashier she said, "Is that all, sir?" I said yes, and she said, "Merry Christmas -- it's on me." That totally made my morning.

Merry Christmas, blog readers!

18 comments:

  1. The free Christmas coffee is a nice touch! Made me start my day with a smile. Merry Christmas.

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  2. I wonder how many people have seizures from all those blinking lights.

    merry christmas!

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  3. Love that gift from the cashier at the Daily Store. The true spirit of the season. Merry Christmas to you and Dave!

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  4. Merry Christmas to you, Dave and all the family. That may be the largest home Christmas display I have ever seen.

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  5. Free coffee! A great way to start the day. And Merry Christmas back to Dave!

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  6. Merry Christmas Steve and Dave! I loved that video.

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  7. Merry Christmas! I'm glad to have met your blog-acquaintance this fall, you have such a fun style of reporting the daily goings-on of life.
    Free Christmas coffee at a Shell station! Love that.

    I also love Johnny Mathis--a friend gave me a CD of his Greatest Hits as an Xmas Eve gift last night! I could sing every song.

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  8. That house is insanity at it's best, dear Baby Jesus is squealing with glee,pretty sure! Perfect song, too!

    Merry and bright, seasoned greetings to you and Dave and Olga, I hope Santa visits her.

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  9. Merry Christmas to you both and I enjoyed the video, its impressive that someone does all that. The free coffee was definitely a nice gesture!

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  10. Thanks for sharing the video Steve. Happy Christmas! (What's left of it).

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  11. Merry Christmas to Steve and Dave! Wow, that is some house! I have never seen anything like that in our neighbourhood. We only put one single string of lights over the garage door - nothing anyone is going to excited about.

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  12. Merry Christmas to you, Dave, and your families!

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  13. Takin it cool in Florida and having a good time.

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  14. Ihope u had a lovely day. I want it over

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  15. Those lights are too much. Is it a competition?
    And there's no such thing as a cheesy Johnny Mathis song.
    And a last minute Merry Christmas to you....we've already moved on down here.:)
    Alphie

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  16. What a lot of work in that light display! I'm sure it brings a lot of pleasure to many folks.

    The ring toss game reminds me of the midway games at the various fairs and exhibitions we have here. A simple concept but hard to do well!

    Nice of that cashier to buy you a Christmas coffee!

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