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December, the final wallpaper in the series, is now available for download from Solitary Elegance.    We conclude our tour through 1809 with the Tyrolese walking dress (on the right).  Her companion, an evening dress from 1812, is seated on the left.  The background is designed from pieces of an elaborate 1811 set of pearl jewelry for full dress.   An 1816 embroidery pattern decorates the holiday message from Pride and Prejudice.

The wallpapers aren’t specifically dated to 2009, so I hope you will continue to use and enjoy them.  Many thanks for all the kind comments and support throughout the year!

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This year’s Christmas celebrations didn’t happen quite as expected, but we made the best of the changes wrought by the weather.

Santa Claus was scheduled to make his traditional pre-Christmas visit the Monday before Christmas, but since the roads were dangerously icy, there was some question whether he would be able to venture out.  (I know, the sleigh and reindeer ought to be able to handle winter weather.  Work with me, here.)  Luckily the Gimletmobile and its 4-wheel drive abilities were able to make the trip to and from the North Pole, plus a much-needed grocery store stop for Mrs. Claus and the elves, too.

Thing One has always enjoyed his Santa visits, but Thing Two isn’t quite ready to let down his guard yet.  This year he was cordial but wary, eventually sitting on Santa’s lap, but confined his remarks to one word, regardless of the conversation topic:  “Yes.”  After Santa made his departure, Thing Two was heard to say, “Santa was a little scary.   He was very big.”  Unlike many celebrities one might see in person, Santa really is very big (as can be seen in the first photo, where he barely fits under the doorway) but we hope Thing Two will not let that prevent him from making friends with Santa as he gets to know him better.  Chinook and Nanaimo were disappointed at not being allowed to meet Santa; after he left they rushed upstairs to inspect his chair.

While the Gimletmobile was able to get around town for work and grocery shopping, conditions were worse for other family members.  Between cancelled trains from Portland, OR and Vancouver, BC which left cousins stranded, and steep, slippery hills and deep snow drifts, the decision was made to postpone the traditional Christmas Eve extended family party.  Instead, on Christmas Eve we put together a small dinner (not easy, since the grocery stores were running low on several items). The Gimlet brought over the GrandGimlets, Uncle B, and Uncle B’s friend Hillary, we opened a few presents and played games.  Santa had left behind a special gift for Grandpa:  canned haggis.  We’re not sure if that means Grandpa was good or bad this year.

Christmas Day brought yet another snowstorm and a long-distance surprise for the GrandGimlets:  Christmas greetings from Norway! (But no lutefisk to go with the haggis.)  Grandma was able to tell her cousin (who had no snow in her town) that Seattle was snowed in.  Over the next few days the temperatures (finally) rose above freezing and the snow melted enough to make our traditional family party possible on the Sunday after Christmas.  (The delay also made it possible for me to finish everybody’s Christmas gifts, an added bonus.)  As always, dinner was magnificent (the Christmas crackers were a fun new addition), we had a wonderful time, and we were especially grateful that the family was able to get together.  Thing Two had been very disappointed that Christmas was over, so a belated party helped him — and all of us — enjoy Christmas a little longer.

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A few images from our multiple snowstorms:

The view up the street

Brr for the birds
(The chickadee in the top photo tried to nibble on that frozen apple,
but didn’t have much luck.)

A good day to stay home

but some of us have to go to work
(We’re especially thankful for the Gimletmobile and its 4WD,
without which we would have been completely stuck!)

A cozy spot

Kittens watching the snowstorm
(There can never be too many kitten pictures on a blog)

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In a time-honored holiday tradition among household pets, Nanaimo and Chinook drink deeply from the wassail bowl we have so thoughtfully provided.  What is it about that evergreen-flavored water that they crave?  They probably ask the same question about our eggnog.

The guys haven’t cooperated for a portrait of both of them together on the hearth, so these two photos will have to do.  Chinook hopes Santa will bring him some smoked salmon for Christmas (he’s living up to his name and loves the tidbits snuck to him when The Gimlet isn’t watching) but will settle for any cookie crumbs Santa drops during his visit.  While waiting for Santa’s visit he satisfies his mooching urges by cleaning up after Thing Two’s snacks.

Judging from his size (and he’s only six months old!) you might guess Nanaimo has already polished off Santa’s cookie plate, and perhaps the jolly old elf himself, too.  But unlike Chinook, Nanaimo doesn’t beg for treats.  Nanaimo would like his very own sewing basket for Christmas, filled with balls of perle cotton (#8, please) to knock off the table and bat around the room.   Given his fondness for embroidery, and some of his other holiday escapades, there is some question whether Nanaimo will be on Santa’s “nice” or “naughty” list.

Looking angelic in an effort to butter up Santa, Nanaimo is large enough to play the parts of all the manger animals in our childproof and kittenproof creche.

It wouldn’t be the holidays without dressing up the pets and children!   The kittens looked so handsome in their green velvet jingle ruffs, but it would appear the Things had more fun than the kittens did.  Note the classic limp pose, typical of the Ragdoll breed, especially when being humiliated.

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I blogged about this creche slideshow last year but it’s worth sharing again:  BYU Magazine and photographer Bradley Slade present a four-minute series of lovely nativity scenes from around the world, accompanied by Away in a Manger.  Use as a serenity break throughout the month as needed.  Enjoy!

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The Friday before Christmas, GimletBlog HQ received its much-anticipated advance visit from Santa. Or to be more accurate: most of us look forward to Santa’s arrival, but Thing Two is still reserving judgment. He did better than last year, though, accepting a candy cane and sitting (very briefly) on Santa’s lap with Thing One for pictures.

This year’s family Christmas Eve party was held in our new family room, which proved to be as well-equipped to host a large gathering as we had hoped. Thing Two decided he needed a break from all the unfamiliar faces and noise, so he retired to the stairs where he could watch the festivities from a secluded spot.

It snowed the afternoon of Christmas Day, which has not happened in Seattle since 1990, and only five times in the city’s history since 1891. The boys made a nice big snowman which took all week to melt.

Best wishes to you and your families for this holiday season and for 2008!

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Enjoy this lovely four-minute slideshow of nativity scenes, courtesy of BYU Magazine and photographer Bradley Slade. The slideshow is in QuickTime format. Merry Christmas!

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