Santa Paws was here

We had so much fun watching the dogs open their toys! Usually we have to give a little starter helping rip with the wrapping so I wrapped very loosely this year, but Bailey definitely knew the story this year and was ripping into the gifts as fast as I could hand them over! Even Willy got into the action.

We had a delicious Mario breakfast, complete with mimosas (or just champagne for those who feel the OJ dilutes the champagne too much) and enjoyed the cozy house with the rain outside... Later, mom and Peter came over, and I made turkey, stuffing, cranberries, yams, rolls, etc. We did have 2 food casualties, though. The green beans never made it to the table - they were frozen organic TJ's green beans - sounded good - but they were weird and kind of mushy once cooked. I think they may have had freezer burn or something? The dogs were served them instead. The mashed potatos also had a definite "weird" element to them. They were ... sticky. Like, chewy, or tacky... gum smacking sticky. So here's what became of them... Meet - Sticky the Mashed Potato Man!

Before the money fiasco Mario got me a new camera which I am still figuring out. Something is funky with the lighting and I keep getting blurry or grainy photos. I need to read the manual. Exciting to have a new camera though, with a screen you can see! ;)

Here's Mario in a new sweater from my mom, and Bogey

and me, enjoying a holiday Newcastle (actually after that sip I used the rest as a baste for the turkey :-d)

At the end of the evening, Mario and I went to the barn to visit the horses. It was COLD - 39 degrees! The horses got warm timothy pellet mashes with baby carrots, celery, and pieces of candy cane on top. Even though it was cold and late, it was so nice to be out there in the fresh air and able to see them and wish them a Merry Christmas. :)

Today was a super lazy day!!! I have to work tomorrow, leaving early - around 7am, so today I stayed in my pjs alll day. Got up late, ate a huge breakfast and watched The Matrix with Mario while drinking coffee... What a great movie! I haven't seen it in years and forgot how sweet it is. Then I watched my new Pete Ramey DVD "Tools of the Trade". Mario gave it to me for Christmas but it technically was a gift from Pete and Ivy themselves. :) Thank you Pete and Ivy!!! It was awesome!! (in a totally different way than the Matrix) It's all about hoof trimming tools - how and when to use them, how to sharpen them, and then how and when to use some of the newer products like Equicasts, dental impression material, glue on boots, pads, etc. I played with the dogs, ate leftovers, played with the cats, ate more leftovers, worked on scheduling, and cleaned up some ancient email. I want to add a couple of things to my trimming website so I am kind of planning it in my head... But wow, I know how to waste some time when left to my own devices. (Mario went to Randall's earlier)

I don't regret it one bit, though! :o)

Closing with this photo of Dylan sleeping on his bed today...

~ Peace ~