Christmas Dates for This Weekend

Good Thursday morning!

The Gallery Pics are a few leftover from this weekend. I'll have new photos for tomorrow's post because Roxie's Volleyball Banquet is tonight. Lovely chicks in lovely dresses... and they all want their picture taken. I'm going to be in my happy place!

ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! ANNOUNCEMENT! - Two days after I announced the Guestbooker at the bottom of my page was WORKING PROPERLY, it broke! Yep! BROKE!

Anyone else who wants to enter the Christmas Dishrag Contest (yes, the name is going to stay the same) must let me know via Facebook, e-mail (mfaulkner1306@charter.net) or just come by the house and throw a rock through the window. I'll get the message!

You can still leave one comment per day. (If you leave four comments, your name goes in the bowl FOUR TIMES.)

I will draw the winner next Friday morning, December 9!

What is the prize? What is the prize?

I knew you would ask. I will be giving away a BEAUTIFUL, HOMEMADE Christmas Dishrag... PLUS, a bottle of Bath and Body Works Vanilla Bean Noel Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Soap. (See picture below.)

Hurry up, Guys! There's only ONE day left to enter... and you know you want that dishrag!

RANDOMNESS #1 - I knew you were wondering. The Boy is coming home this afternoon for Christmas Break. I'm preparing the fatted calf... or pig... or other big piece of meat. Because The Boy likes meat... and Italian Chicken. (I know. Italian Chicken is meat, too. I'm just so excited I'm a little muddled!)

It's going to be a good day!

RANDOMNESS #2 - I know you're sitting on the edge of your seat. I won't make you wait any longer. I still have only SIX Christmas Cards. SIX. I have to admit, I'm starting to get a little worried.

I stayed up late last night and put 60 of my 120 cards in the mail today. I hope that inspires/motivates/guilts you to get busy!

No pressure! This is, and will always be, a "no pressure" blog.

RANDOMNESS #3 - I'm going to share two more "Most Expensive Neiman-Marcus" gifts with you today. They just keep getting better and better.

3. 2012 Bespoke Ferrari FF
Price - $395,000

When expensive gifts are being talked about, it’s seldom that Ferrari as a brand is missing from the list. This Christmas list will have a limited edition Ferrari FF created exclusively for the Neiman Marcus store, which will sell the car to 10 lucky qualifying customers. Also, strict watch has been kept to ensure that no customer can purchase more than 1 unit of this car. Like most others, this limited edition coupe has a V-12 engine of 651 HP capacity that can take you from 0-100 km/ph in under 3.7 seconds and it has a top speed of over 322 km/ph.

The body, as well as the interiors, have received a special grey tone called the ‘Grigio Caldo’, along with embellishments of the Neiman Marcus logo. The difference for the interiors will be the fabric used which is a softened version of the semi-aniline leather, and will come with a special custom made luggage set. The seating capacity is for 4 adults with ample space for comfort.

NOTE - As you can see, the gifts are getting more affordable. I am SO glad they are limiting the amount of Ferraris you can purchase. Buying two would just be tacky!

4. Hacker Craft Speed Boat
Price - $250,000

Another item which mesmerizes at first is the Hacker Speed boat of the Neiman Marcus 2011 Christmas collection. This 27-footer speed vessel has 1400 hours of detailed craftsmanship used on its body and technical components, which include the rare mahogany wooden hull, embalmed with 15 coats of varnish for the perfect finish.

Also adding to the exclusivity factor is the limited edition production of 10 boats and features like underwater lighting, gold leaf waterline, cream colored seats with purple piping, GPS, refrigerator and premium stereo system for entertainment. For people who like to light up during journeys, there is the monogrammed humidor to store their favorite cigars. Like most items on this exclusive Christmas list, a donation of $3,000 will be made to the Double H Ranch for each sale conducted, aimed at rehabilitating families with children suffering from life-threatening diseases.

NOTE - I wasn't sure about this one, but the purple lining on the cream-colored seats put me over. It's definitely going on my list!

Blog Linkage - Bloggers seem to write better in December. I have a lot of good posts for you to read!

1. Go to www.kellehampton.com and look at her sidebar. Find the Archives, click on December and read the December 1 post entitled "Christmas Past, Christmas Present, Christmas Future." Excellent!

2. If you didn't get a chance yesterday, stay on Kelle's Archives and click on the December 3 post entitled "Party at the North Pole." Such good ideas and wonderful pictures to go along with all the other party details.

3. Go to www.angiesmithonline.com and read her post entitled "Sketched" dated December 3. (I found this particular blog on one of BooMama's posts last week.)

4. Go to Dating Divas under My Blog List and scroll down to the post entitled "Ding-Dong Ditch" dated December 7. This would be a fun, fun activity to do as a family.

5. Go to BooMama under My Blog List and read her post entitled "20 Teen-Friendly Gifts Under $20" dated December 8. Great list. Good ideas.

6. Go to Confessions of a Pioneer Woman under My Blog List. Click on Photography at the top of her page. Enjoy the Christmas Card pictures fans have created. Pretty funny stuff.

I don't think you can say I didn't give you anything worthwhile to read today, can you?

Christmas Dates for This Weekend

There's a lot going on this weekend. If you and one of your children want to do something fun together, here's a list to choose from!

1. Polar Express Storytime – Barnes and Noble at the Summit

Barnes and Noble will be hosting a Polar Express Storytime highlighted by a special reading of the holiday classic, and hot chocolate and cookies. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas. It begins at 7:00 p.m., Friday, December 9.

2. Bart's Art Cart – Holiday Cards – Birmingham Museum of Art

Tis the season! Design and create custom holiday cards for your friends and family with Bart the Art Bat!

Visit Bart’s Art Cart in the main lobby to explore great art and create some art of your own with the help of our Teen Volunteers. Each month highlights a different gallery and features a new art activity. Learn how to look at art with your child. Stop by and make art with Bart! It begins at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 10 AND Sunday, December 11.

3. Saturday Market – Pepper Place

Visit our region’s farming families at the Pepper Place Saturday Market. They grow vegetables and flowers, bake breads and cookies, cakes and pies, tend the bees, and drive into the Lakeview District of Birmingham to sell the fruits of their labors.

In addition to farmers, bakers and beekeepers, you can enjoy local musicians on two stages while sipping a fresh cup of coffee or enjoying a light breakfast. There is a cooking demonstration at 9:00 a.m. every Saturday morning by Birmingham’s finest chefs.

I've mentioned Pepper Place before. This is held Saturday from 7:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.

4. Snowball Snack – Ruffner Mountain

Brr! It’s cold outside! We know the chances of snow are pretty slim in Birmingham, so let’s make our own snow... a snowball that is! This treat is a blast to make and delicious as well. AND IT IS FREE.

Make your snowball treat at 10:30 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. this Saturday, December 10.

5. Super Snowman Storytime – Barnes and Noble at the Summit

Come find out what crazy shenanigans snowmen get into at night when we read Snowmen at Night by Carolyn Buehner. Plus, make a snowman of your very own to take home! We’ll have snacks, too. This event will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 10.

If you have some free time this weekend (and you KNOW you will), pick a date and have some Christmas fun... one-on-one.

Have a happy Thursday. I'll be back tomorrow with Weekend Happenings, Randomness, more of The 12 Days of Inflatables, pictures galore... and who knows what else!

Take care, and I'll talk to you in the morning!

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda