Yesterday, at 2:08 p.m. EST, the temperature was 86 degrees in Florida!
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Saturday, December 24, 2011 - Christmas Eve 2011 - We don't even have the slimmest chance of experiencing a white Christmas tomorrow, BUT in Florida, you might get a sunburn on Christmas this year. haha

I still remember the first time I was in Florida for Christmas and it was 82 (my favorite temp) degrees. To me, that was great!! My favorite tree is the palm tree. And a palm tree with lights is gorgeous.

At 7 a.m, I'm going to start making my potato salad for tomorrow's Christmas get-together (it always tastes better when it melds for a day). Plus, I'm making a 7-layer salad which we're all excited about.

Hope it turns out okay. I know I shouldn't worry because anything with bacon and special mayonnaise should be pretty tasty.

Gotta go get some more coffee. later gators, djb

These are the angel ornaments Diane sent me for Christmas. Aren't they adorable!!!
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Thursday, December 22, 2011 - It was surprisingly easy to get the pictures of Andrew and Jarrett inside these angel ornaments. They're very well made. Not chintzy at all.

Thanks, Seester!!

You can see Andrew's A to the left of Jarrett. Don't know if you remember, Diane, but you also gave me an A and a J one year!

And, every year, I decorate this little tree and sit it on the counter in the kitchen. This is the same tree that Andrew and I bought back in 1986 at Kmart in North Aurora. WOW!

That's an old tree. I just realized that this is supposed to be in the boy's blog. duh, Donna. all right, I'll do that, too. bye, djb

At 6:58 a.m. this morning - this is what the front yard looked like.
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Saturday, December 17, 2011 - Late yesterday, we kept hearing that it was going to snow during the night. Obviously, a lot of people dismissed that idea because we've had a dearth of snow so far this year.

We just don't have the SNOW mentality ingrained in our brains yet. Example: I was planning to go into Wal-mart to get some address labels (no one else has them) this morning at 7 a.m. HA!!!

Not such a good idea until the roads get plowed because people just don't know how to drive on the first big snow of the year. Actually, there's only about 2 inches or so out there -- maybe 2 and a half inches.

But it isn't going anywhere any time soon. Boy! I've sure loved having NO SNOW. But remember what I always say, Snow ya later, djb

Here's Rachel and David with Christmas cookies for me and Bob.
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Tuesday, December 13, 2011 - Last night, about 8:30 p.m., I was chatting with Granny, when Bob came around the corner and said, "Someone's here to see you." I hadn't even heard the doorbell.

When I walked over, there was Rachel and I thought it was Isaac at first, but it was David. He's grown about 6 inches since school started. He said, "A lot of people make that mistake."

Thankfully, I had started my Christmas decorating yesterday so things looked waaaaay better than the previous days. I think it was the festive jolt I got from being at Ron & Liz's house. Thanks, guys!

And the cookies are SOOOOOOOO good!!!! David also said, "We're lucky because our mom likes to make cookies." haha

Now, I've caught the Christmas spirit from those sweet kids. Happy Birthday, Jesus! later, djb

The almost full moon photo taken this morning at 6:05 a.m. Temperature was 9 degrees ABOVE zero.
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Saturday, December 10, 2011 - I didn't realize that today was the full moon until a few days ago when I saw the moon getting bigger and brighter... So, I've been wondering what the name of this moon is. I thought it was the Full Snow Moon, but since it was only single digits this morning, this name is totally appropriate.

December 10, 2011 - 9:36 a.m. EST – Full Cold Moon: On occasion, this moon was also called the Moon Before Yule. December is also the month the winter cold fastens its grip.

Sometimes this moon is referred to as the Full Long Nights Moon, and the term "Long Night" Moon is a very appropriate name because the nights are now indeed long and the moon is above the horizon a long time. This particular full moon makes its highest arc across the sky because it's diametrically opposite to the low sun.

Last, but certainly not least, this will also be the night of a total lunar eclipse.Viewers across the western United States and Western Canada can catch the total phase before the moon sets. Alaska and Hawaii can see the entire event from start to finish. Central and Eastern Asia and Australia are also well placed for viewing this eclipse (where the calendar date will read Dec. 11). Totality lasts 51 minutes.

the above full moon info from space.com

moon ya later, djb

Here's what the driveway looked like at 7:36 a.m. this morning!
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Friday, December 9, 2011 - Okay, the first snow event for this season began some time last night. This is what we were greeted with today. oh my!

I'm just SOOOOOO glad that we went into the city on Tuesday instead of this morning. The expressways are not so expressive when it snows. They're more like molasses.

Hey, I just saw my first SNOW PLOW of the season at 8:05 a.m. This is only going to get worse. big sigh.....

Remember: this is NORTHERN Illinois not Florida. haha snow ya later, djb

Here's my poinsettia. I actually got it before Thanksgiving!
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Wednesday, December 7, 2011 - Every year since I can remember, I've had to buy a poinsettia. One year, I actually had more than one -- that was a fun year.

I used to take care of them and they'd last until the summer. The past few years, not so long.

Happy Birthday, Jesus. see ya later, djb