Christmas Eve -- WONDERFUL Day!

Well, Marilyn, Colin and Henry (the cats) and I got a decent start down to the beach this morning. We arrived at the beach house by close to noon.

The car was loaded for bear -- I'm not kidding! We had all our tree decorations (plus tree skirt), some outdoor decos for the front porch, Christmas gifts we'd been given and so much more! Both our bags that we each bring down each time we come were packed HEAVY! And we each brought along our laptops (I'm using mine right now, as a matter of fact), too.

It's fun to have my laptop because then I can sit here in the living room with the entire family and blog -- instead of needing to be alone in my office upstairs...

We went to the store to get needed items and goodies. A tin of cookies for our neighbors (to go with their other Christmas goodies), and a couple tins to have for guests (which we are expecting). An extension cord for the tree and so on.

We went by to Romancing the Home to take Linda (the owner) a bottle of wine. We bought a lovely vintage decoration for the house, too.

Here's a sample photo -- of our lovely white Christmas tree!!!


Christmas Tree
(Clicking the above photo will take you to the larger version!)

PHOTO SHARE!

Clicking the photos will take you to the larger version!


Wreath


Porch lights


Front door


Blue sock


Candles


Candles


Turtles


Turtles


Turtles


Crow


Crow


Crow


Candy canes


Pillow


Pillow


Fireplace


Christmas tree topper


Christmas Tree - cross


Christmas Tree - angel


Christmas Tree


Christmas Tree - close-up


Christmas Tree - close-up


Christmas Tree - close-up


Christmas Tree - close-up


Christmas Tree - close-up


Christmas Tree - close-up


Front door wreath


Mantle


Tree and wreath


Chair with hats


Father Christmas


Vintage Tree decoration


Vintage tree and Father Christmas


Vintage tree and Father Christmas


Tree and wreath


Christmas tree


Wreath


Martini Glass


Martini glasses


Martini glasses


Basket of lights


Basket of lights


Basket of lights


Basket of lights


Gift from neighbors - sunset beach photo

The cats settled in nicely when we got here. And there was almost no fuss with them on the way here, I'm happy to report. They seem to be enjoying the house, as always.

We got entirely unpacked and after our errands began to decorate our white tree. We used two strings of 100 lights (200 total), then began adding our ornaments. A year ago Marilyn saw a tree in Coastal Living magazine of a tree that was her inspiration for what she wanted to have when we got a beach Christmas tree. It was white with pastel balls. I have to say I think our tree is much more lovely than the original! The colors make it like a fairy tree -- or something out of a dream. So pretty! I need to share photos right away... (smile)

Yes, we did continue our long-time tradition of watching "The House Without a Christmas Tree." I was happy when I located the DVD, as I wasn't even sure we had one! We've had the VCR tape forever, so I was afraid that was all we had. We don't have a VCR here at the beach -- just our blu-ray players. But, believe it or not (!!!), we still have a VCR/DVD player in our living room at home. And a bunch of our Christmas movies are only video tapes, as amazing as that is anymore! Hahahahaha.

We had checked to see when mass was taking place and discovered it was at 5:00 p.m., rather than at midnight (as is normal most places!). But the vigil was going to take place at 9:00 p.m.

Our family tradition has always been for Chinese food on Christmas Eve. We used to get take out and eat at home (not sure why, really!). But Marilyn and I like to go out, so that's what we did. We went to The Great Wall in Gearhart, Oregon (right near Seaside) -- a Chinese restaurant we both like and go to frequently. Dinner was really nice -- and the place was PACKED with people having dinner there!

After dinner we came back to the house and started to watch "Auntie Mame" (another favorite). But decided to go to the Vigil Mass, so we left the cats and got back around 10:30.

We got to see the end of "Auntie Mame," after getting home, by the way.

Wow! We have a townhouse -- and normally you don't hear much from next door. But right now it sounds like someone is about to come through the wall! I have the impression one or more of the kids are jumping off a bed down to the floor -- over and over again! (yikes) Well, they should be heading to bed soon -- with Santa on his way! Hahahahaha.

I didn't mention that we took a Christmas basket (plus wine) to the neighbors across the street. Such nice people! They gave us a gift and had us open it: It's a photo the wife took of the beach and ocean at sunset -- and that they framed for us. They want us to keep it at our Portland house to remind us of what we have here. (smile)

This evening the next door neighbors came back (they were gone most of the day), so we were also able to take goodies over to them.

Well, we're just lazing around now, snacking and watching TV.

Truly, this has been a PERFECT Christmas Eve!!! I hope all of our friends who celebrate Christmas enjoyed an equally wonderful day!

And we're looking forward to Christmas Day!

Holiday BEST to all my friends, whatever you celebrate this time of year. Enjoy! (hugs)