Christmas Cat Nip!

Each Christmas I treat the cats to some fresh Cat Nip toys!



They take great pleasure in attacking the cat nip, throwing it around, and then passing out on it!



They scheme up ways to try to get the other cats cat nip as well!



Until the Cat Nip kicks in and they sit comatose for the rest of the afternoon! Ahhh, I love the smell of Cat Nip during the Christmas season!!

Some Christmas Spirit

Here is a video we shot at Disney Hollywood Studio of the Osborne Lights! This will definitely get you in the holiday spirit!

Osborne Family Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios from Mark Giles on Vimeo.

Dec. 3rd prompt - The Holidays Smell like...

When I think of the smells of Christmas my first thought is Gingerbread! However, as much as I like to smell it, I don't like to eat it. I have never been a fan of gingerbread.

The next smell is pine trees. I love to have a real tree in my house and smell that fresh pine each day!!

Then back to cookies baking. Any cookies, they all smell delicious.

Turkey. The smell of Christmas dinner is such a warm feeling!

Fresh snow. That crisp, cold air. I only like this smell on Christmas Eve, and no other time of the year.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Yesterday was our big travel day to Disney. It started at 6am, which is too early for me. The Limo picked us up at 7am to take us to the Airport. By 8:30am we were through the process and waiting until 10am to board. We were on our way probably by 10:30am. However, due to high winds and bad weather, we arrived 30 minutes late. We went to find the Disney Magical Express and finally made it to Port Orleans French Quarter about 3:15pm.

After checking in we headed out to the Magic Kingdom. It was raining quite a bit. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the bus ride was only 10 minutes. All we did at the Magic Kingdom was look in some shops, then headed to the monorail to go to the Grand Floridian.

The monorail was a very slow process. If it wasn't for the rain, I would have definitely taken the boat. After about 30 minutes we made it to the Grand Floridian. This was my first time at the resort. I was never really interested in it. I thought it had a stuffy feeling. But at Christmas time it is beautiful. They had a massive tree in the lobby. Plus the life size Gingerbread house made out of Gingerbread! A live band playing Christmas music. A photopass photographer was taking family portraits in front of the tree. It gives you a very warm and welcoming feeling.

We had gone there to attend the Cinderella dinner at 1900 Park Fare Restaurant. Because I told her the wrong time of my reservation, she said she didn't have it. They still accepted us. She said it would be a 40 minute wait, but 5 minutes later our pager was buzzing. We were seated near the food and before we could get comfortable Prince Charming was beside us! Shortly followed by Cinderella, the Wicked Step Mom, Anastatia and Drisella. Plus they had a waltz and a dance! It was a very interactive meal. Gemma was still shy but was good a posed for all the pictures. Anastatia was even jealous about my fabulous Tarina Tarintino necklace I was wearing! We were still there when the Prince came out again, but remembered Gemma and asked her how her meal was.

Then back on the monorail. Only 1 stop this time. And another bus back to the hotel. We grabbed our resort mugs and some drinks and came back to our room to find our bags waiting to be unpacked.

Day 2 prompt - Movies that put me in a Holiday Spirit

While it is still raining outside, the next step to feeling festive is Holiday Movies. Some of my favorites are:

1. A Christmas Story - I am so surprised when I find out some people still haven't seen this movie. It is from 1983 and definitely a Christmas Classic. From the Red Ryder BB Gun, to the Mayor Award, and FUDGE, the movie is funny and definitely a favorite.

2. Love Actually - I love this movie. I love Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister. I love the Art Gallery Boy and his crush. I love the Porn Stand Ins. I love the English guy making a splash in America. And I love that even the little boy finds Happiness in Love!!

3. Miracle on 34th Street (the original) - This movie is another favorite. More of a heart warming story.

4. It's a Wonderful Life - I don't watch this every year. I find I already need to be in a festive mood, since there is a large part of the movie that is sad.


Movies I don't like: The Christmas Story - any version with the Ghost of Christmas past, present and future. I've never had any interest in watching any of the comedies with Will Farrell or Tim Allen, or Arnold or Jim Carrey.

Sparkly Red Toes

The great thing about taking a vacation somewhere warm in the Winter, is it gives me a chance to get a pedicure that people will see! And with the holidays approaching I decided to get my toes painted a Sparkly Red!! Now I can show my toes with pride!!

December 1st prompt - Around Me, I See..

I am taking a 12-31 Art Journal class on line - kinda like a Daily December book with more of an Art twist. I haven't got my pages put together yet, since I am hoping to use some pamphlets and things from Disney. So in the meantime I thought I will do some of my journaling here, so I remember what I wanted to add. The first prompt Dawn has given us is: Around Me, I See. My book is titled Welcome to my Non-Traditional Christmas 2009.

Just to prove that this is indeed a Non-Traditional Christmas, I am going to stop, and look around me, here on December the 1st. It isn't so much as what I see, but more so what I do not see.

1. SNOW!! - We have yet to have a single snowflake fall from the sky!! A record that we broke!! No snow also means being a little slower to get into a Festive mood.

2. A Christmas Tree - usually by now my Christmas tree is up and decorated!! Lights are flashing and the fresh smell of pine fills the air. This year, I don't even have last years decorations up to look at. No tree, no decorations, no smell, no flashing lights.

3. Wrapped gifts - I have bought many gifts that sit piled in bags and boxes. Haven't had the time to start wrapping them yet. I am lucky that Gemma is used to see boxes all over our house. She doesn't even think to look or else she could easily know every present she is getting for Christmas. They are all sitting in the living room.


That's a pretty good description of my December 1st! The thing I like about doing a December Art Journal vs. A Daily December book is the pressure to have photos each day isn't there. Last year I tried to think of activities to do, just for a photo. And then I never finished the book. Let's see how this one works out. Since I am going away I'm not even going to fully start it until mid-December.