Monday, December 13, 2010

The Night Before Christmas-Lair Style

by Joanie

Must be Christmas, must be Christmas, must be Christmas, Christmas Day!

Ok, well it will be in 12 more days. Today we celebrate the first day of the 12 days of Banditas' Christmas. We're taking a special look at the preparations that go on when Santa prepares for his annual journey. Lean close and look into the magic Lair kaleidoscope...

"Well, I think that about does it," said Santa, leaning back in his chair. "We've gotten all the lists reviewed, the presents packed and, " he looked at his cell phone, "we'll be ready to head out."

"Not quite, big guy."

Santa looked over his glasses at Wee, his head elf. "What do you mean? I've gotten Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas. It's all there on the North Pole App."

"You haven't reviewed the Bandita list yet." Wee smirked.

Santa felt the blood rain from his face. He cleared his throat and motioned for the iPad. "Hmmm..all right then. We'll start with the Aussies. That Christine's been a very good girl this year so we'll double the Tim Tams in her stocking. Ho, ho, ho...and Helen, she does make a tasty Chrissy cake."

Wee leaned back and propped his feet on the worktable. "Yeah. After last year's cake, you were jolly all the way through to Groundhog's Day."

"Never mind," Santa shot back. "Anna C. She's definitely on the naughty list. It's nearly impossible to pop down her chimney and make it out in one piece. I lost ten pounds and three hours Christmas Eve running from her as she giggled something about Jingle Bells."

Wee squinted. "Is that a twinkle in your eye?"

Santa cleared his throat again. Goodness, his mouth was dry. "Anna in England will get her usual order of hockey pucks."

"That's hunks," corrected Wee, "She wants hockey hunks."

Santa waved a dismissive hand. "She'll get them if they'll fit in her stocking. She always asks for XL. Zipping his finger down the screen, he continued. "Quite a few Bandits and Buddies in the Americas. KJ...well, we need a GPS to find that girl. Never know where she'll be on Christmas. And dear Lord, make sure we take the super sleigh. Cassondra and Jeanne have asked for "fire power" again. So much paperwork."

Wee tapped his Blackberry. "Gotcha and I'll up the shielding too before you seing by Nancy's."

"Good idea. That blasted dragon always makes rooftop landings a challenge."

"Who's left?" asked Wee.

"Oh, quite a few," replied Santa. "On the nice list we have Caren, Susan, Inara, Jo. PJ who I've heard has been baking, Trish with her wonderful YA stories, Christie and Beth." His eyes went wide as the naughty list, flashing red, came on screeen. "Donna wants a new corset and Suzanne...hehehehe,"

Wee raised one brow.

Santa coughed again. Has to be the dry North Pole air. "Suzanne will get what she wants. That leaves Kate and Tawny....we'll need oven mitts for those two...and Aunty Cindy...VERY naughty indeed."

"There's one more."

"Ah, yes. Joanie T." Santa pondered the iPad.

"She's awfully nice but a bit naughty...around the edges," Wee mused.

"Ho, ho, ho, you're right about that. We'd best visit her first to find out."

Late Christmas Eve.....

Santa landed silently in the fireplace of Joanie T's Lair room. This should be a quick trip. Baking supplies, savvy agent names, multi-book contract. Wrapping his magic around him, he stepped into the room.

SQUEAK!!!!

The mouse in a ball rolled beneath his boot causing Santa to lose his footing. He staggered toward the Christmas tree.

SSSSSCATTTTT!!!!

"My eyes! My eyes!" he cried as the hidden aerosol can hissed a stream of air into his face. Blinded, he grabbed for the tree which swung like a flag from a pole from the rope holding it to the wall.

Meow...meow...meow...

Santa's vision cleared in time to see two pairs of emerald green eyes moving toward him from the dark. Grayson and Cricket!!! Had he seen them on the list??? Frantically, he searched his bag, releasing a sigh of relief as his hand curled around a large jar of catnip.

Catnip?!

He peered at the most beautiful cats in the world who seemed to be smiling right before they leaped.

And he said as he flew into the night "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good....aggghhhhh"

What about you? Will you be on the naughty or nice list? If I put you on the wrong list, convince me why you should change. What can Santa expect at your house Christmas Eve night?

It's FINALLY here! The Romance Bandits 12 Days of Christmas Booty. Every day between now and Christmas, one lucky commenter per day will win a daily prize and on some days, additional goodies from that day's blogging Bandita or guest. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we'll give away more booty including autographed books, GR mugs and much more! Come join us! Tell your friends! Let's make the Season BRIGHT!

124 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yes !!
Looove the pictures ;-)

Sheree said...

Well, I wasn't as naughty this year as the cats, that's for sure.

I would say, I was mostly very nice. :)

SiNn said...

cuteeeee pictures! im on the naughty list and i sorta like it

great post!

Tawny said...

Awwwww, I loved this peek into Santa's plans for the Banditas! What a great post, JoanieT :-)

I am, obviously, on the naughty list, as usual. Awww, the comfort of the familiar ;-)

Emmanuelle, congrats on the Rooster nabbing, I hope he has a wonderful visit with you.

Kirsten said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

well done Emmanuelle.... you had better treat GR good to stay on the nice list.

Hi Joanie I think I have been nice this year... at least I think I have LOL

Book Chatter Cath said...

Great post, and great news about the upcoming comps :)
I'm such a good girl its so boring, it would be nice to cut loose once in a while but I'm afraid of the repercussions!!!!!

Laurie Logan said...

Hmmm... unfortunately I've been good this year. I'll try harder next year to make that naughty list. ;)

Fun post!

Helen said...

Whoo Hoo Emmanuelle have fun with him he probably wants some cooler weather.

Joanie

What a fun post I have been good and yes those Chrissy cakes do pack a bit of a punch with the sherry they have in them and then poured over the top when they come out of the oven LOL. I still have to find time to make the Chrissy pudding yet more sherry YAY.

I have been good this year (although I may have missed out on a bit of fun by being good) I have the presents done just need to wrap them and I do hope that Santa didn't scare Cricket and Grayson too much by tripping over them.

We always leave some Chrissy cake and a beer for Santa and some carrots for the reindeer at our place it is hot after all in that suit he needs a cool drink when he has finished delivering Presents.
HO HO HO

Have Fun
Helen

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Does he have and in between list? If not then I guess I would be on the nice list, barely. I had a half and half kind of year...LOL

Santa gets sausage balls and coffee from me this year, it seems like that is all anyone wants me to make and I have three more batches to make this year.

Maureen said...

That was a fun post, too funny! I am definitely on the nice list no matter what anyone else says and Santa will find Curious and Liberty, our cats waiting for their Christmas cat treats when he climbs down the chimney.

Laurie G said...

Great story. Congrats E!! I've been good. Boring I know. I've had too many run ins with evil people this year. Hope that 2011 will be better!

Beth Andrews said...

LOL - great pictures and a fun and fabulous post, Joan *g*

I'm so glad I'm on the nice list! Yay! Emmanuelle, you must've been VERY good to snag the rooster today. I wish he'd stop by my house - he could wrap presents or help with my baking :-)

Santa will find frosted sugar cookies at my house Christmas Eve. But I think I like Helen's idea of leaving a beer better!

Laney4 said...

I have been naughty in a good way, according to my husband, LOL!

If I'm still up when Santa arrives, I've been known to flirt with him. Naughty, naughty?

I try to leave a butter tart, along with a glass of milk to wash it down. Santa must arrive shortly after I set them out, as the milk hasn't had time to curdle (thankfully - can you imagine if I made Santa sick?).

runner10 said...

Cute post. Love the pics. Hopefully, I am on the nice list this year. We always leave milk and cookies out for Santa on Christmas Eve.
I've enjoyed your blog this year. Glad I found it!!

pjpuppymom said...

Great post, Joanie!

Emmanuelle, congrats on nabbing the rooster. Put him to work helping you get ready for Christmas!

Joanie, have you been using Santa's magic looking glass to peek into my kitchen again? How did you know I've been up since 6am baking cookies and making chocolates? *g*

Santa always finds frosted sugar cookies and hot chocolate when he arrives at my house. Of course, he must run the gauntlet of happy doggy tongues to get to them! lol!

We also leave out mini carrots for the reindeer. They need to keep up their energy too!

Okay, break's over. Back to the kitchen!

Anna Sugden said...

ROFL what an awesome post, Joanie. Glad to see the kittens making a star appearance!

I'm on the naughty list with Tawny - hey we have the shoes for it!

And yay on those hockey hunks being delivered. Is that a hockey stick in my stocking or is someone pleased to see me?

Hmm with no kiddies around, Santa can look forward to some lovely mince pies - home-made by lovely hubby - and a rather nice glass of wine. Though he might enjoy the new sherry hubby discovered - apparently it's Christmas pudding in a glass! Home-grown carrots for Rudloph and the rest of the gang, of course.

Kirsten said...

Will I end up on the naughty list if I steal one of Anna's hockey hunks? Because I think it would be totally worth it. ;-)

Minna said...

Naughty list. of course.

http://www.offthemark.com/send.php?pdate=2007-12-25

Hassisen Kone - On jouluyö, nyt laulaa saa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxPMHu-XOnU

Pave Maijanen:Kuokkavieras
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2VkzK2LS8E

Rajaton- Tonttu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZiJ0WvvGds

Joulu Peruutettu - Mamba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3Oe8bC5Mdw

Mamba - Kulkuset
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-3i45acnkY&feature=related

Joan said...

Yawn....good morning everyone!

Emmanuelle, congrats on the rooster. He'll expect presents and word of warning...he doesn't go for partridges in a pear tree. Superiority complex, don't you know.

Joan said...

Sheree...you seem very nice.

Want to come to the Lair to take lessons on naughty???

:-)

Just a little...around the edges.

Joan said...

Hey SINn...well, I guess with your name you would be a bit naughty, LOL

Joan said...

I know Tawny. Word has it that all the girl elves were caught in the reindeer room reading your Blazes.

Santa was disappointed.

The boy elves who dated those girl elves? Not so much :D

Joan said...

Kirsten,

Those hunks are kind of tall. How big is your tree???

Do you want them wrapped? The bows only look right in one place

Joan said...

barb and Cath...you can join Sheree in the naughty class.

You'll have your pick of instructors.....which would you like?

Joan said...

Laurie,

Good for you on being good....though really, if you join the girl elves you might get those good edges frayed...

Joan said...

LOL Helen,

I tried to make the American equivilent of a Chrissy cake for the fair one year. I poured sherry over it for weeks.

Don't know how it tasted, but you could get tipsy on the fumes alone!

Joan said...

Dianna,

I LOVE sausage balls!!!! Toss some over here to KY!!

The first time I tried to make them though I didn't read the reciepe...I COOKED the sausage first!!!

They didn't hold together so good

Joan said...

Maureen,

Curious and Liberty? What type of kitties are they?

I've seriously considered renaming Grayson Monkey Cat. Dang, he's got energy!

Laurie, here's to ALL of us having a better 2011!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Awww, Joanie!! Very fun post!

Alas, I'm afraid I've been on the VERY naughty list this past year. And if I have anything to say about it, next year will be just as NAUGHTY!!

hehehe

Trish Milburn said...

Awesome way to launch the 12 Bandita Days of Christmas, Joanie! I think you pegged everyone correctly. :)

Well, I'm getting a newly painted living room and a concrete driveway for Christmas. This means that Santa (aka our bank account) might be crying into the new year, but it's all much needed. In fact, I have workers in the house right now. Or should I say elves? :)

Joan said...

You were on the line about naughty or nice anyway Beth, but with the beer? Say hello to Tawny.....

Joan said...

Laney4,

So YOU'RE the inspiration behind "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus!!!"

Tsk, tsk....

(Psst...is the beard real???)

Joan said...

runner10

Glad you found us too!

The nice girls who get the GR always end up on the naughty list the next year....so give it a try and see.

Right Emmanuelle? Right? Emmanuelle?

Yep, another one bites the dust :)

Joan said...

Well now PJ, there are a few certitudes (is that a word? I don't know but I like it) in this world, and one of them is that you bake at Christmas!!!

I can smell the cinnamon and gingerbread and turtles over here in KY. Yummo.

I haven't been able to find too much time to bake the pleathora of goodies I usually do. I've got a chocolate chip cake in the oven right now. I make it for my brother's "son" for his birthday each year.

I'd love to make some thumprints and brownies but have to go for PAT right smack in the middle of my day....we'll see....

Joan said...

And yay on those hockey hunks being delivered. Is that a hockey stick in my stocking or is someone pleased to see me?

LOL, Anna....Santa also forgot to mention that they were out of jerseys so they'll be coming bare chested.

And I watched a fascinating feature on Sunday Morning yesterday on the tradition of Christmas pudding.

Lighting fire to your desserts, fascinating.

Joan said...

Oh, Minna....you're naughty?

Really?

And you live so close to Santa....

Hmmmm...you live...close...to Santa...

Ohhhhhh

Joan said...

Hehehehehe

That's what gets Santa through the night Suzanne....

Joan said...

Hey Trish,

Well, we could have gotten some elves to do the work gratis.....

If we'd promised more of Tawny's Blazes for their girlfriends

Just sayin'

Anna Sugden said...

*heavy sigh* Bare-chested hockey hunks ... if Santa insists, I'll force myself to put up with them ;)

Blodeuedd said...

I have been...nice, yes totally :)

Santa can expect some glogg, a tree, and wait, which house are we talking about. We will be xmas hopping again

Donna MacMeans said...

Yay Emmanuelle! Way to nab the rooster!

The dear hubby would love it if Santa brought me a new corset - a gift we both could enjoy. I may have been nice, but the naughty girls get the best gifts!

Love the kitty pictures!

Nancy said...

Emmanuelle, congrats on the Golden Rooster! I hope you'll keep him busy and out of trouble.

Joan, how fun! Ermingarde appreciates being on Santa's list. The dog is less thrilled to have a dragon around for the holidays, but she'll cope. Poor Ermingarde would've been too lonely in the Lair while we were all at home.

Janga said...

I definitely fall on the boringly good list. Maybe Santa will bring me more opportunities to be naughty in 2011.

We'll leave Santa the first slice from the lemon pound cake and a glass of milk and remember my dad, who always made sure his favorite cake was the one cut for Santa's generous slice.

Joan said...

Blodeuedd,

Glogg??? What is this glogg of which you speak???

Sounds..kind of...naughty.

I imagine Santa will find you no matter where you are...esp. for the glogg

Joan said...

Ahh Donna, that's why you made it to the naughty list!!!

And rumor has it, it will have twinkling lights!

Joan said...

Nancy,

I think Santa is planning a visit to your house early...those Dragon Treats are HEAVY!!

Janga,

Oooo...lemon cake! I make a killer lemon cake. I could be NAUGHTY for lemon cake...

Kat said...

Thanks for the laugh. I am perpetually on the naught list I’m afraid, but dear hubby doesn’t seem to mind.

Terri Osburn said...

What fun! Though I've yet to put my tree up (I know! I'm way behind!) it will be tied to a railing to remain standing. I have two large cats and I just know climbing will be attempted. LOL!

I'd day I'm on the nice list. Dang it. But not for lack of trying. Kiddo will be out of state for the big day, which means I get to sleep in. Until the cats get going.

traveler said...

I have been very good as usual. Brownies and milk. what a treat.

jo robertson said...

Joanie, what a delightful post introducing our Twelve Days of Christmas celebration! Are those really Cricket and Grayson? Darling piccies.

Hmmm, I'm probably on the nice list, but I definitely feel naughty at this time of the year. I get decidedly grumpy manuevering through crowded store isles and snarled traffic streets.

Hellie Sinclair said...

I am on the nice list. As usual. He likes my cookies and hot cocoa.

But why does Santa leave the Naughty Girls the better gifts?

petite said...

Great pics.
I was very nice.

Gillian Layne said...

Santa is going to find peppermint schnapps hot chocolate and fudge on the mantle. Because, as a dutifully appointed checking-all-the-last-minute-stockings-and-such Elf in Training ;), I'm all about the midnight Christmas pick me up.

And it cannot be twelve days til Christmas. Simply cannot...

Nancy said...

Cath, you wrote: I'm such a good girl its so boring, it would be nice to cut loose once in a while but I'm afraid of the repercussions!!!!!

This is me, at least in public. Then I joined the banditas and realized, over dinner in San Francisco, I had become one of the "rowdy girls." It was a pleasant surprise. And the ceiling didn't fall in or anything. :-)

Nancy said...

Dianna, you make sausage balls? We make fruitcake, and we've had a terrible time finding the candied fruit. Places either don't have it or they had it and sold out quickly, which means they didn't get much of it in. It's very frustrating.

I bet those sausage balls are yummy.

Nancy said...

Laney4, I love your dog picture! Our first golden had a habit of methodically mulching sticks when she was outside.

Silvia said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Nancy said...

Joanie wrote to Sheree: Want to come to the Lair to take lessons on naughty???

Joanie can probably find you a nice gladiator to help with those lessons. . . .

Gannon Carr said...

I cannot believe it's only 12 days till Christmas!! Yikes! Still so much to do.

Hmmm... depending on the day (or night) I could be on the naughty or nice list. I'm only naughty in the nicest sort of way....if you know what I mean. *snort*

Cybercliper said...

I used to be on the Naughty List - ah, those were the days...now, I'm on that stupid Nice List and its downright embarassing. I keep telling myself, just a few more years, when I grow old - I can let loose and hide behind senility! Everyone has a "bat crazy" aunt in the family and I intend for it to be me...

Fedora said...

Aww.... what a fun day! LOL, Tawny--but as you know, naughty IS nice! ;) I'm sliding onto the naughty list this year, mainly because of my slacking... the tree's barely up and decorated, treats are half made, no cards have been addressed (OK, technically I've addressed one. Yes, a single card.)... *sigh* Where are those cabana boys? Maybe they can help me out!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Emmanuelle, that's the Rooster to you for the day! Has he visited before?

JT, what a hilarious post. Although I'm SURE I'm on the NICE list. Absolutely sure. Especially as I KNOW Santa didn't find out that I stole one of Anna's hockey hunks for a bit of...research.

Happy Christmas, everyone, and good luck with the prizes. I love this time of year!

Susan Sey said...

Good afternoon, Joanie! I should definitely be on Santa's nice list, & why? Because I'm eating all the chocolate covered pretzels the girls & I made while snowed in this weekend.

I know we're all watching our figures this holiday, & I'm saving people with true willpower issues the struggle by eating all the candy myself. It's a sacrifice, but I'm doing it out of the goodness of my previously-grinchy heart. :-)

My jeans won't fit by Friday but I'm all about taking one for the team, you know? I'm absolutely full of Christmas spirit. And cookies.

Carol L. said...

A great post. I wonder if Anna C is getting her Hockey Hunks because I'd be glad to take them off her hands lol.
This is going to be a very nice Christmas with the Banditas giving away so many prizes.
Carol L
Lucky4750@aol.com

Landra said...

12 days of Christmas begins!!!! Yea! I love the pics of the kitties.

desere_steenberg said...

What a wonderful post simply stunning !! I was on the nice list for most the year except every now and then my wild side does kick in and I am on the naughty list , Girls just wanna have some times! And Santa can be expecting chocolate chip cookies, eggnog, a comfy chair to sit in while enjoying his snacks in front of the fireplace, and as a thank you a few good books to take back to the North pole to read to keep himself busy till next year while us girls play the naught a nice list game !

Have great day and thanks again for the great contest and the great post !!

Merry Christmas to everyone !

p226 said...

Hmmm... should this be a question of upon which list my name resides , or which list I'd prefer.

Modokker said...

Love all the pics especially the last kitty and the santa and Mrs claus ones lol cute

Lisa B

gamistress66 said...

I'm sure I'm on the nice list ;) I'm always a good girl (hey, I heard those snickers ;p). As Mea West says -- when I'm good, I'm good & when I'm bad, I'm very good ;D

If all those hockey hunks don't fit in the Anna stocking, Santa can drop one off under my tree ;)

donnas said...

Haha great story. And I love that picture. Im pretty sure I would be in a lot of pain should I try that with my cats.

chey said...

I'm not on the naughty list this year!

catslady said...

How adorable. Santa is going to leave lots of catnip for my furbabies this year lol. That's because I haven't done my shopping yet so I'm probably on the naughty list lol.

Jane said...

I love Christmas at the lair. There's a thin line between naughty and nice and I think I'm currently on the naughty list. I'll leave Santa some Walker's shortbread cookies.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Susan:know we're all watching our figures this holiday, & I'm saving people with true willpower issues the struggle by eating all the candy myself. It's a sacrifice, but I'm doing it out of the goodness of my previously-grinchy heart. :-)

That is so nice of you! Apparently you and my son are both soooooooo generous. I can't get my baking finished since he's eating it as fast as I bake it!!! GRRR

Unknown said...

OK, So I'm always on the naughty list, but I try to explain every year...LOL
This year I'm leaving some home made Rum balls and a nice cold coke.....maybe Santa if you eat a few...You'll just Forget....this year????
XXXOOOO
PS-Left lots of room for presents next to the tree :)
Love the Post!!!!!

Pissenlit said...

Pretty kitties!!! Ahem, sorry, where was I? Oh yes...

I think I'm on the naughty list this year. Hmmm, I wonder if I could bribe Santa to put me on the nice list by leaving out a large batch of congo squares seriously loaded with chocolate chips(though not as loaded as they could be seeing as how, *cough* for some reason, not all the chocolate chips tend to make it into the batter).

Oops, I think the bribery idea permanently puts me on the naughty list this year. ;)

Barbara E. said...

I should be on the nice list because I live too boring a life to make it to the naughty list. If I was put on the naughty list by accident, well I think I'd like to stay there - it might be fun, LOL.
Santa can expect some nice homemade chocolate chip cookies and milk on Christmas Eve, as usual.

Lois said...

Yeah! :) Those poor cats, though... LOL :) Mine would scratch my hands off before letting me actually get any part of those outfits on her. LOL

Lois

Nancy said...

Susan, it's so good of you to take one for the team. I did my part last night by testing the white chocolate the boy was using in his cupcakes and frosting. I mean, what if it had been bad and he had made kids at school sick with it? We can't have that!

Joan said...

Hi Kat!

It seems a LOT of husbands do not mind the naughty list..isn't that...NICE of them? LOL

Joan said...

Terri,

No tree up yet? Chicken!!!!

:D

Actually, I have mine up but NO ornaments on yet.....kind of don't want to tempt fate, yanno.

But Bumblebee will look SO adorable curled up under it....

Joan said...

Brownies sound delightful traveler...I'll take mine stale like my Peeps.

Jo, no..those aren't pics of my babies, they are stock photos though the one with the Santa hat COULD be Grayson.

I have decided Grayson has Russian Blue in him. Find a pic of one and that is EXACTLY what he looks like. Yes, he was hidden in a commoner litter to keep him safe from the Bolsheviks.

Joan said...

MsHellion,

Well, we aren't EXACTLY sure what their gifts were....could have been coal.

Those dirty, dirty girls!

Joan said...

Gillian,

I know! Can you believe it??!!

I still have PRESENTS to buy and only three are wrapped (still intact from the kitty carnival on my bookcases)

I feel like I do Christmas in bits and pieces anymore.

Joan said...

Gannon,

For some reason, your post reminded me of the "Santa Baby" song.

I believe I have THAT type of singer inside me. I could Boop bop de boop

Has anybody heard Taylor Swift's version? OMG...SO wrong, so very wrong.

Joan said...

Cyberclipper,

YOu have to wait for senility to be "bat crazy"...

Man, I'm ahead of the curve on that one..

Joan said...

flchen,

Sorry the cabana boys are at Tawny's house doing scrapbooking....

She told them to bring their "big scissors"

I don't know....

Nancy said...

Fedora, if it makes you feel better, we do not yet have our tree up, and I have not addressed even one card.

You're ahead of me! :-)

Joan said...

Susan,

So THAT'S the secret to getting through a blizzard!

I am SO behind on ANY baking, I'll be lucky to take some to my work and my brother told his co-workers I might not get to do any.

One guy cried....sigh. To be so popular..

Joan said...

Hi Carol L and Slush (I love that name since I tramped through it today on errands)

Have a great holiday!

Joan said...

Hi Desere!

Santa sounds like he'll have it made when he stops at your house...hope he isn't lured into forgetting to complete his rounds!

Merry Christmas to you too!

Joan said...

p226....

Really?

You need to think about it???

Naughty boy!

Joan said...

Modokker I loved those kitty pictures too.

This year I "dumped" Ireland in favor of Kittens for my 2011 Calendar.

gamistress, Mae West just kind of sums it up, doesn't she

Joan said...

donnas, chey and catslady,

Merry Christmas!

Christmas with Cats (Sounds like a mini series) is certainly different.

In trying to coax them to behave I explained that Santa Paws would not visit if we didn't have an INTACT tree.


They stared at me.

Joan said...

Jane,

I'm contemplating making some shortbread and BJ what a unique way to have rum and Coke, LOL

Joan said...

Pissenlit,

Step away from the kitties....

Oh, never mind. Give their ears a rub and pass the catnip....or congo bars

Dina said...

love 12days of Christmas, esp Banditas style. :)

Joan said...

Barbara E.

Chocolate chip cookies seem to lead the race in Santa treats.

Anybody do the cutout sugar cookies decorated with icing?

Joan said...

Lois,

Oh no way did I do that to my cats...I can't even get them to wear collars!!!!

These online instructional videos i.e. how to trim cat's nails where the cat sits there all calm...

NOT!!!!

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Joan said...
The first time I tried to make them though I didn't read the reciepe...I COOKED the sausage first!!!

They didn't hold together so good

I have fixed so many here lately I am just about wore out with them. I fancied them up just a little and the folks at work went nuts. Just added a little garlic and rosemary.

Louisa Cornell said...

Dragging in from work to read Joanie's post and it definitely brightened my day!!

Congrats on the GR Emmanuelle! He is DEFINITELY on the naughty list!

I was always on the nice list until I met up with the Duchesse and La Campbell !! They lead me down the road to sin and iniquity every time! Or is that Richard Armitage? SNORK !!


Santa will find a nice selection of cupcakes and a couple of iced bottles of root beer waiting on him. He'll have to look on the mantel to find them because anything lower is DOG FOOD !!

Linda Henderson said...

I should be on the nice list, I've been pretty good this year. I think Santa should be left an Irish Coffee instead of milk. He could probably use it for his long trip.

Kate Carlisle said...

Ooh, touch me with your oven mitts, Santa Baby!!!

LOL Joanie!! I love this post! Great to see who's naughty and nice this year. And I love seeing those kittens in their holiday gear! Too toooo cute!!

Sausage balls? I want some!!

I'm leaving Bloody Marys and homemade tamales out for Santa. He'll need something with a *KICK* to propel him the rest of the way across the world!

Way to snag the Golden Christmas Rooster, Emmanuelle! :-)

Helen said...

There seems to be a lot of people on the naughty list this year but I am sure you are all having lots of fun and The Cabana Boys are at Tawny's with big scissors helping to srapbook that should be lots of fun.

I have just got Hubby home from hospital so I have something I really wanted already YAY

Have Fun
Helen

jo robertson said...

So glad your husband's home from the hospital, Helen!

Louisa Cornell said...

Oh Helen, I am SO HAPPY for both of you!! You tell him to do exactly as you tell him to do and get better and better every day. Keeping you both in my prayers. What a lovely Christmas present!

Nancy said...

Helen, I'm so glad you got to bring Hubby home! Great news.

LilMissMolly said...

Merry Christmas y'all! We don't usually put our tree until the 23rd, and then keep it up the old fashioned 12 days, and take it down at the Epiphany on the 6th of Jan. :) But, I'm willing to celebrate with you now! :D

Pat Cochran said...

I'm usually on the nice list but
I've tried lately to be moved over
to the naughty side! Can't be too
bad! How naughty can one be at age
74???

Pat Cochran

Joan said...

No need to do fancy stuff for me, Dianna....hot sausage and cheese are perfect!

Send them to my Gmail acct :D

Joan said...

Cupcakes?

With sprinkles?

With sparkly sprinkles?

Sigh.....

Joan said...

Ah Linda...Irish coffee....a cailin after me own heart.

Extra whipped cream if you please.

Joan said...

LOL Kate,

I could just hear that verse in the traditional song.

Fling your feather boa over your shoulder and join me...

Santa Baby, grab me with your oven mitts, they'll fit...and hurry down the chimmney tonight.

Boo boop de doop

Joan said...

Helen!!

Yay on hubby getting home!!!!

That IS the best present ever!!

Here's to continued good health in 2011

Joan said...

How naughty can one be at age
74???


Two words.

Betty White.

Join Kate and me in a chorus of Boo boop de doop

Unknown said...

Merry Christmas everyone!

amysmith98@gmail.com

p226 said...

Gak! I've been listed.

But.... since I've been listed in the naughty column.....

You know. I've always had this philosophy. If you're gonna do the time, you may as well do the crime.

As the santa hat falls askew on the horns sprouting from my head.....

Laney4 said...

Joan,
I cannot tell you if Santa's beard is real or not. That would be naughty of me to say! Let's just say that Santa likes his ho ho ho! (That's baaaad, I know. Sorry about that - NOT!)

Nancy,
The golden retriever doesn't belong to us (although I wish he did). His name is Austin and he lives 2.5 hours away from us. When his owners go away for weeks or months at a time, we dogsit Austin with pleasure. They leave him here because I am home all day and goldens thrive on not being alone. Austin is my favorite dog in the whole wide world. He is soooo intelligent. It's like he's talking to me with certain barks and looks in his eyes. I love him to bits, obviously. He's 13.5 years old now, unfortunately....

Terri Osburn said...

Joanie - The tree is now up! And about to be tied to the railing. They're both batting at the ornaments and I know there will be climbing attemps while I sleep!

mariska said...

I have been sooooo nice this year...well what can a pregnant woman can be so naughty right ? and with a month old baby now , i'm gonna be nice thru next year :)

Deanna said...

Ooooh so late to the lair, almost missed this wonderful post. I've been good, very, very good ... at being naughty that is. *smirk*

Margay Leah Justice said...

After what I've been through this year, I certainly hope I'm on the good list! Here's why: On September 14th, my younger daughter had spinal fusion surgery to put rods in her back from the shoulders to the hips to correct a massive curvature (scoliosis). I spent the whole week in the hospital with her and have been catering to her ever since. Plus, I have been doing whatever I could - including contacting my State Rep - to ensure that my older daughter got the funding she needed so she wouldn't have to drop out of college (one of the grants slashed her take which totally screwed her up). Hm, I think that's everything!

Dina said...

since I cant get into trouble even trying, lol. I'll be on the nice list. :)