More gifts from Tenants

“Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for something else besides ourselves.” ― Eric Severeid

 

When I got back to my job at the RV Park, I noticed I had more gifts.  One of the tenants got it to me after I had already left for work.  So, I had a couple new gifts waiting.  Gosh, I really do like my tenants.  These came from Gail.

Christmas Day 2020

“Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home!” ― Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers

 Trevor wanted to take a Christmas morning picture.  I made him take 3.

Christmas Cookies

“Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart...filled it, too, with melody that would last forever.” ― Bess Streeter Aldrich, Song of Years

I made homemade chocolate sprinkle sugar cookies, peppermint sugar cookies, and snicker doodles.  

I didn't have a lot of ingredients, so I made them using a recipe I saved on Pinterest that only called for 3 ingredients: sugar, flour, and butter.  I added what I wanted to it for decoration and funsies.

They taste ok.  I know I have made better cookies, but I've been in the holiday spirit.  They look pretty.

Gift from Hawaii

“Santa Claus has nothing to do with it," the latke said. "Christmas and Hanukah are completely different things." "But different things can often blend together," said the pine tree. "Let me tell you a funny story about pagan rituals.” ― Lemony Snicket, The Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming: A Christmas Story

 

Trevor's daughters' mother Maile sent us a gift for Christmas from Hawaii.  I put a bow on it and put it under the tree. Meanwhile, Reeses and Kikiks the mother-daughter dog duo were excited to see what I brought in from outside. 

Christmas Candy

“It was the beginning of the greatest Christmas ever. Little food. No presents. But there was a snowman in their basement.” ― Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

 It's my first year at the RV Park, and one of the tenants, Donna, gave me these treats to take home.  How kind!  It really makes me feel blessed for working with such an awesome team and grateful tenants.

Real Tree, New Home

“Christmas it seems to me is a necessary festival; we require a season when we can regret all the flaws in our human relationships: it is the feast of failure, sad but consoling.” ― Graham Greene, Travels with My Aunt

2020 had taken an abrupt turn the worst.  Trevor's dad James Franklin Dillard's widow, Tina, had a serious medical problem, that landed her in the hospital.  She also has a boyfriend, and he and Trevor had a serious falling out afterward.  Right before Christmas, too. 

We were really hoping to clean up their home and celebrate Tina coming back, but that didn't happen.  Due to the turn of events, we moved out immediately to a hotel. Within hours of moving, we had a new temporary place while our future apartment is being handled.  

It was nice to move into a nice home and have a real Christmas tree. Our roommate already had her tree up, but we added candy canes and some more of her ornaments to fill the branches up.  Her name is Biany. 

 Trevor fell asleep on the couch watching sports TV.  I'm just glad the holidays are coming up and we have a place to call "home."  This was in South Salem, Oregon.  Home is where the heart is.  Merry Christmas.

Kittens and Trees

“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.” ― Peg Bracken

Our friend Danny invited us over to his home.  While we were there he said his wife Tanya got a kitten.  They live in Keizer, OR (but are moving to Independence, Oregon soon).  They also got a Christmas tree, but couldn't put ornaments up because the kitten kept climbing the tree.  She certainly is a cute cat!

Tropical Tree Skirt

“Christmas is a day of meaning and traditions, a special day spent in the warm circle of family and friends.” ― Margaret Thatcher

I had this tropical tree skirt on my Amazon Wishlist.  My sister, Jeri, ordered it for me for my birthday, and it came in time for Christmas.  Our roommate, Biany, already has a tree and tree skirt up.  Oh well, next year.

I'm determined to do a tropical tree, reminiscent of Hawaii, where my wonderful fiance is from.  

We have begun our Mele Kalikimaka and Island Traditions ornament collection to add to our future Christmases.  

Oh, how I love the season!

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

“Peace on earth will come to stay, When we live Christmas every day.” ― Helen Steiner Rice

Pam and Daniel, me and Trevor

Daniel's dog Draco

My nephew Daniel, me and Trevor

My nephew Daniel (my late sister April's son) had an ugly Christmas sweater party.  This was my first Ugly Christmas Sweater Party.

Oregonian Photos

“Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, the genial flame of charity in the heart. ” ― Washington Irving

So, California Christmases are chilly.  Hawaiian Christmases are warm.  Oregonian Christmases are wet, icy, snowy, and COLD.  

This day is my birthday.  I turned 43.  I decided for my birthday I wanted to take Christmas pictures.  These came out gorgeous.  It captures the weather as well as the colors of Gladstone, Oregon, just before Fall turns over to Winter.

Chrismas Cottage

“Christmas, my child, is love in action.” ― Dale Evans Rogers

In July, my nephew Daniel and his girlfriend Pam picked Trevor and I up and we went out to Lincoln City, Oregon to the beach.  Out here, they call it "The Oregon Coast."  While driving, I noticed a year-round Christmas store.  I told Trevor, "I must go there one day."

Today was the day.  Trevor took me to Lincoln City and we ate Mexican food and went to the Christmas Cottage.  Because of the pandemic, we had to wear masks, and the store was limiting the amount of people that could enter at a time.  

They had so much stuff, everything from cards to ornaments to snow globes, to magnets, etc.  They even had customizable ornaments.