Beautiful Bella Bunny...

This is Beautiful Bella Bunny.  She is my gift from my friend Kay.  Kay is my sister Marie's best friend yet I am happy to say she is also my friend.  Kay's daughter Star actually hand made Bella.  Star has made many bunny girls and boys and Kay had shown me some of them earlier this year.  Star does a wonderful job on every detail.  Bella (I named her) has a lovely grey dress with red and black accents.  She also has soft grey eyes to match her dress.  Her long pink lined ears are very sweet and she has a flower bow adorning one ear.  I am so in love with Bella.  My heartfelt thanks to Kay and her daughter for gifting me this bunny.

Here is the back of Bella showing more details.  Star even hand makes the little ribbon roses that adorn her belt.  Bella is posing on the top of my bedroom wing chair for these photos.  

Being a proper lady Bella did want to let you have a peek at her matching red bloomers.  I must say I wasn't quite so ladylike in the restaurant opening my gifts.  Every table around us knew exactly how excited I was to receive Bella.  Hand made gifts from the heart are the very best kind of all.  Thank you Kay and Star!!!

This is proof that you can have a holiday open house for neighbors and keep it very simple.  Mr. C invited the neighbors for a Road Maintenance meeting without even thinking of the fact that is was December 15th and holiday time.  I put the fun in the gathering with some food and hot mulled cider.  We still have snow so I knew warmth would be good.

Simple nibbles...pistachios, crackers, salami and cheeses.  I think my toothpicks were a hit.  I have shared them before.  Easy and quick to make up.  I glue small sparkly beads onto wooden toothpicks and they add to the festivities.  No close up photo this time but you get the idea.

And my favorite foods...sweets.  Pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, iced gingerbread cookies and some very delicious dark chocolate with almonds, cranberries and ginger.  Thank you Trader Joe's for being so awesome and having such excellent options.  I did bake the cupcakes at least.  There were 11 of us and it lasted about 4 hours.  Everyone left with smiles and happy tummies.  One neighbor was sick with a cold and said the hot mulled cider really helped her feel better.  Festive and simple afternoon.
I will be playing Santa's elf wrapping gifts and organizing more of my lists today.  I am afraid I have repeated my every year affliction...I am never done until the morning of December 25th and the day has begun!
Looks like many of you have gotten organized and finished early this year.  Able to enjoy the magic of the season and truly relish every joyful moment.  Maybe next year I will be better...hmmm...Santa, I was better than bad this year.
Merry Christmas Bliss to all...