Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch.....

This week I've been at our headquarters (home) while Cowboy has been back at the ranch taking care of the cattle without me....I'm sure I haven't really been missed;  Ranch hand is there to help.  And the diner is nearby.

Princess and I put up the Christmas tree, and Peach & Boy Wonder came over later so we could all watch Elf together.  Here's the tree and other decorations:

Our old farmhouse has 10 ft ceilings but our tree is only 5-1/2 ft tall....6 ft with the angel.  There will be absolutely no designer awards nominations....our tree is FULL of mismatched ornaments: homemade, store bought, and gifts.  While a designer tree would be fantastic, there is something to be said of tradition.  It's fun to look at the ornaments...and reminisce.  After more than a 1/4 century of collecting ornaments, the little 5'5" tree is PACKED.  We have so many ornaments that we have to hang 2 on some of the branches.  And every ornament gets hung.  Crayon Santa (whose cotton ball beard is barely hanging on), Popsickle-stick Rudolf,  paper stocking, coffee filter angel, paper Christmas tree with Peach's school picture, miniature mittens and snowflakes made by my grandmother....I'm gonna cry.......

We decorated the stairway.  The four stocking here are for (top to bottom) Harry, Ginger, Sunny and Aussie.  And, yes, they will get presents in their stockings.  Doesn't Santa do that for your pets?

Here is the mantle where our stocking are hung with care..... the stockings have multiplied.... now we're up to 9!   A new addition is in the works...Peach and Boy Wonder are expecting in May.  I already have the stocking in inventory....ready for next year!!  See the nativity set?  It's ceramic glazed in peach...my aunt made it.  Only 1 casualty in 25+ years....the shepherd boy.... headless.  The Christmas village on the mantle was a gift from Cowboy.  He's sweet that way.


Well, that's life in the little farmhouse.....meanwhile, back at the ranch, Cowboy is missing me.  He's coming home tonight....it's Princess' birthday.  He promised to hang the outdoor lights on the front porch, too.  I'm not gonna hold him to that....I'll hang them if he doesn't.  See, I'm no nagger.