Fraggin' In A Winter Wonderland

.
Winter will officially begin this week, so "these here" are legitimate wintertime frags.

If you have some weekly loose ends that need to be tied up into a neat little bundle, you will find a link at the bottom of this post which will take you over to Mrs. 4444's place where you will find all the frag linkin' you could ever want.
.
.

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

.

.     

A little bit of snow fell on Lake Wobegon this week.

Oh wait, this isn't Lake Wobegon - - - it's Wisconsin Rapids, but the snow fell on us anyway.

I am TICKLED PINK to have snow - - - I only wish it was MORE and that the temperatures were COLDER.
.
.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * 

.

.   

Fisherhubby never did get around to doing my list of "put-aways."  So here lies an upside down lawn chair, a fire pit,  - - -
.
.

Another lawn chair, a patio table WITH umbrella, and even a couple of terra cotta pots (If you look closely enough you will find them) all blanketed with snow.

They are our snow gauges.

You gotta have snow gauges to give some depth perception and help you figure out how much snow you actually got.

These things are very important when you live on the frozen tundra.

What was I THINKIN' asking FH to put these very valuable snow gauge thingies away anywho???
.
.

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

.

. 

I had a brilliant brainstorm to add some flash and dash to my Christmas Bowl and Pitcher.   For YEARS I've been putting the greenery around its base and tucking the red candles in the white Moravian Stars back behind the greenery.

This year I decided to add some spun glass ornaments to the bowl.

I ran out to Wally's bright and shining world and came home with a package of ornaments that I thought would fill the bill, or should I say BOWL, nicely.

As I plunked the very first one in, I heard a slight shattering sound.

Oh yes I did.  I broke a tiny bit off of one of my brand new shiny bits and bobbles.

I think I've placed it so that the broken part doesn't show - - - can you see it?

Nope, neither can I.

But I still know it's there.

Sigh.
.
.

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

.

. 

I went searching for a white gravy boat that I could use in all seasons.

This is all I could find - - - and it is green, red, and white.  Yes, I did feel it was necessary to sate the colors in case you couldn't see them for yourselves.

(Maybe some of you have red-green colorblindness.  It could happen.)

At first I was really disappointed that it was Christmassy.

Then it DAWNED on me - - - that's not Christmassy, that's cranberry-y!!!!

This is cranberry country - - - I WILL be able to use this gravy boat year around.

SCORE!

.

. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

.

.   

Will you look at this goofy man I married?

We have a dining room table, a kitchen table (both with chairs I might add) AND he has his new old antique roll top desk.

And yet, he CHOOSES to work on his computer all bunched up inbetween the sofa and coffee table with his feet twisted into some pretzel shape beneath him.  (Unless he decides to kneel beside his bed to do it - that's his OTHER favorite computer pose.)

He piles his "stuff" including his coffee cup all up on my coffee table.

Oh, but LOOK!!  There are his reading glasses - - - one pair on his nose and one beside him.
.
.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

.

.  

This is how I like the loveseat to look.
.
.

It happens to be one of the spots FH LOVES to drape himself.  (Obviously this photo was taken pre-Christmasizing.)
.
.

Sunday our great Dane came home from church with us and made a beeline for the loveseat, saying as he went, "This is MY spot when I come over here."

Thing of it is, whether it's Fisherhubby or Dane who piles onto the loveseat,  THIS is how it looks when he gets off:
.
.

Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised, they are both only about eleven.  Eleven year old boys can't be EXPECTED to straighten up after themselves, can they?

Oh, and please do not be insulted FOR Fisherhubby that I said he was eleven.  He is very PROUD of his juvenile status.
.
.

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

.

.

I had never before seen a Christmas tree formed out of books, then suddenly they began to pop up all over blogland this Christmas season.

.

.    

The other day I walked into the teen section of the library and what to my wondering eyes should appear - - -
.
.

But a book Christmas tree with paper star on top and faux lights twirled all around.

Cool!
.
.

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

.

.

This arrived in the mail today - a Christmas card from Nancygrayce.

Look how it's addressed.

Fisherhubby is famous in blogland and he's never even made his first post.

He must be REALLY lucky to be married to me.

;-)
.
.   

* * * * * * * * * * * * 
.
. 

Some Christmas presents appeared under our Christmas tree wreath today.

.

. 

And just look at that!  Even THEY are snow themed.

.

.

* * * * * * * * * * * *  

.

. 

That does it for this week.

Thanks for joining me for these snowy frags.

Now, please hurry on over to Mrs. 4444's place 

And see more frozen frags on display.

.

.

.

Click this: Mrs 4444

.
.

A Christmas Madrigal for Sunday in My City

.
.

One crisp moonlit Friday night, Fisherhubby and I joined our friends Bill and Eloise (pronounced E-Lois) and headed to one of our local high schools to take in the Christmas Madrigal Dinner.
.
.

We were joined there by other friends,
.
.

Among them the grandparents, parents, and siblings of who for US was the "star" of the Madrigal.
.
.

"The Jester"

AKA:  Marcus.

Have you ever seen a more handsome Jester in your life?
.
.

While we waited for the festivities to begin, we read through the "Rules of Etyquette" which we found at our places.

I don't know for sure and for certain, but methinks perhaps our very own Jester, Marcus, had a nimble hand in helping to CREATE this list.

At least I can "hear" his voice throughout.

If you did not take the time to READ through and decipher this list - - - oh do go back and do so now.  They are "choiyce."

Soon it was time for the entertainments to begin.
.
.

The director (Mr. Plehn) directed.
.
.

The Jester jested - - - and greeted - - - and narrated - - - and acted.

He was one busy and talented Jester.
.
.

The long trumpeters trumpeted.
.
.

His Majesty's Dubious Thespians Thesped.

No, it is NOT a real word - - - go with it, O.K.?
.
.

As far as we were concerned, being his greatest fans and all, the Jester stole the show.

With a lot of help from his also very funny counterpart, "Pierrot."
.
.

Each and every "gueyst" received one of these designer dessert plates.

.
.

They were made from clay especially for the Madrigal by the oh-so-creative students in the Art Department at Nekoosa High School.

And all returned home better for having shared a little Renaissance Christmas Culture with his neighbor.

.

.

Joining Unknown Mami
For Sundays in my City.

Please hurry over to her place to see
What others are sharing of their cities.

My city is Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

 .
.

Fragments - Ridiculous to Sublime

.
It's Friday and time for some Frags to come out and play.  If you've never joined Friday Fragments before, let me highly recommend that you join today!  You'll find directions for how to do so at the very end of this post.

About ridiculous and sublime fragments - there may not actually be ANY sublime fragments in this post, but oh my friends the last one is ridiculous on oh so many levels.

Just wait 'til you get there.
.
.  

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

.

.

Have you seen this new Christmas movie yet????  It's awesome.

Oh WAIT - - - it isn't a movie!! It's my kids and grans in their very own Christmas Card.

But wouldn't it make a GREAT movie jacket?

Just look at little pixie Piper!
.
.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

.

.  

There's a snowman on the African Savannah!

.

.

When they saw him

The giraffe froze,

The rhino's blood turned to ice,

And the elephants got cold feet!!!

.

.

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

.

.  

Couldn't find any Christmas eggs, so red and gold ornaments joined the football eggs in the chicken basket for a touch of Christmas ambiance.

Can't take away the footballs 'cause it's not only Christmas time, it's College Bowl time too.

Gotta love all these celebrations at once!
.
.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

.

.  

Changed my outdoor vignette from fall to Christmas.

Did you know that if you use sand as "filler" inside your outdoor containers, and if it rains and gets the sand wet, and then if it freezes,  your picks are stuck in the sand until spring or until you bring the whole kit and kaboodle indoors and let it thaw.

They "ain't" gonna blow away when they're frozen down in the sand.

If you live in Florida or some other seasonless warm place, sorry about your luck.

Yes that most certainly IS a blob of blue sticky-tack that I can't get up from the concrete.  It WAS holding down one of my faux fall pumpkins.

.
.

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

.

.  

This commercial was made just for me and my love of "Kings."

Don't know why there's no sound - - - but sound is overrated anyway.
.
.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

.

.  

Bret Bielema, FORMER Badger coach, has left us for Arkansas and the Razorbacks.  All this since a week ago when I posted that I e-mailed him before the Nebraska game.

There are those who say I chased him away with my backseat coaching tips.

I don't know about that, but this I do know:  He'll still be sportin' red and white on the Hog's sideline. 

.

. 

 * * * * * * * * * * * *

.

.

This is my friend Sheri, sporting a dog-lovers sweat shirt, which I thought all my dog blog friends would enjoy.

.

.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

.

.  

Fisherhubby and I attended a high school Madrigal dinner (I hope to post about it for Sunday in My City this week)  and THIS was one of the songs on the program.

Fisherhubby said it will be his new theme song when he stands out on the patio cooking at the Weber.

.

.

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

What do you suppose THIS is?

I like this "view" of it.

Answer in Sunday's post - - - so tune in then.

.

.

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

.

.

And now we have reached the ridiculous fragment.

If you turn queasy at the sight of bad dressing, and by that I mean one woman's ill conceived notion of modesty, you may want to click away from this blog now and spare your stomach.

Oh, I kid you not.  

Click away if you don't have a brave heart.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

This, my friends, is undoubtedly the MOST exposed and ill disguised muffin top I've EVER seen.

   

"Does this make my posterior look the size of Texas?"

Yes dear, I'm afraid it does.    Don't you have even ONE mirror in your home?

Normally I try really hard to give photo credits on this blog, but this time I don't think either photographer nor photographee WANT identification.

Besides, I am clueless as to either identity. 

.

.

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

.

. 

That does it for this week's frags.

Thanks for joining me for both the ridiculous and the sublime.

Now, please hurry on over to Mrs. 4444's place 

And see more sublime and/or ridiculous frags on display.    

.

.

.

Click this: Mrs 4444

.
.
Photo of Bret Bielema from bleacherreport.com
.
.  

It Happened on First Street

.

The calendar hadn't even rolled over into December yet when this little place on First Street put on its Christmas airs.

Oh, to be sure, the same airs were coming out all over the world at this time, but never before had the Christmasization process occured this early at any home presided over by the author of this blog.

Never.

Don't worry - - - I'll STILL keep them up well into January to preserve my tradition of being one of the LAST to take them down.

I believe in celebrating for the ENTIRE SEASON - - - which for me won't end until after the FBS National Championship Football Bowl on January 7.

Then I'll probably keep them up a week or two LONGER just to be sure I've gotten all the seasonal celebration out of my system.

None of this jerking down the Christmas decor on Christmas afternoon - or the day after - for me!!!
.
. 

But THIS year, things are already gettin' quite festive 'round this little place.

Come on in and see!
.
.

As I get older, I find myself with less energy for seasonal decorating, but do still enjoy a little Noel flair around the house.

My solution?  A few well placed (I hope) items that shout "Merry Christmas."
.
.

A few months ago I found this little angel bell chime in the Shepherd's Loft.  Someone was giving it away and I snatched it RIGHT UP.

We had one nearly like this all the years I was growing up.  I have no idea what ever became of that one, but this will do very nicely to take its place, thank you very much!!!
.
.

Another angel hovers above the china hutch.
.
.

She is very refined to have had her beginnings as a brown paper bag and a styrofoam ball, don't'cha know?
.
.

Of course the "Kings" have taken a front row place of honor.

Never mind that there are still patio lights and a toppled lawn chair on the stoop.   We are NOTHING around here if not classy that way.

I blame Fisherhubby, putting those things away falls under MY heading of "Things for Fisherhubby to Do."

His headings and mine don't always coincide.
.
.

Now back to the "Kings" - - -
.
.

Here a King, there a King, (and a saucy little Christmas Kitty)
.
.

Everywhere a King King.
.
.

Some Christmas baubles and ornaments scattered here and there - - -
.
.

Grouped together in a chamber pot - - - a CHAMBER POT?!? - - -
.
.

Or hanging by a Christmas ribbon thread - - -
.
.

From windows real or faux,  help to make the season bright.
.
.

And in my home, featured in three prominent places, reminders of the Holy Birth which we celebrate at Christmas.

You'll be hearing more from me before the big day arrives, but just to get us started - - -

MERRY CHRISTMAS, everyone!!

.
.

Because It IS All About Me ;-)

.

I'm playing a new linky party for the first time today.  I didn't have time to play "Sunday in My City" this weekend, so maybe this will make up for my bloggy lack of participation!

Thanks to hubby/wife team of Wayne and Heather for hosting this hop, "Monday Quiz About Me" over at their blogs.

Each week they post 4 questions to be answered by the "playas" and here are those questions and my answers for this week:
.
. 

1. When was the last time you had your picture taken with Santa?


You know what?  While I've had MY OWN picture taken when I was trying to BE Santa, I don't think I've EVER had my picture taken WITH Santa, perhaps THIS is the year to remedy that.


Goodness, if I'm gonna get to sit on his lap I hope he is a YOUNG and CUTE version.

;-)
.
.  

 2. Which do you prefer - ham or turkey?


99.9% of the time my answer to this would be TURKEY, yes in all caps.

However, recently I've discovered some spiral cut hams at my grocery store that are yummy enough to give Mr. Turkey a run for his gobble.
.
. 
3. Do you give more to charity in December?



Probably not.  All year long we tithe and give to other ministry projects on a monthly basis.  I prefer to spread my giving out over the entire year rather than bunch it up at the end.
.
.

4. Which US City would you most like to visit and why? 

I love my own state of Wisconsin sooooo much I don't really hanker to visit cities anywhere else.  

However, I WOULD love to go back to Bayfield, Wisconsin to spend the night in the historic Greunke's Inn AND  - - -

Take the Apostle Island boat tour from there.

I'd also like to see the northeastern seaboard - - - Maine to be specific.  However, I don't have just ONE location in mind there.
.
. 
 And now I'm supposed to ask Heather and Wayne a question for them to answer as they hop around.  Here goes:

How in the WORLD do y'all manage to nearly ALWAYS get your linkies right next to each other in all the blog hops you play?
.
. 

Now, if you'd like to play "Monday Quiz About Me" please hurry over to Wayne or Heather's blog to do so. 

Just click here for Wayne or here for Heather

.

.