Feliz Navidad, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Merry Festivus and Habari gani !!

 Well. Here we are again. COVID cases are surging and disrupting life, both personally and professionally. I am technically "off" work but am doing daily data submission to the Department of Health. It is necessary so that nationwide resources can be adequately dispersed. 

This has been a very wet early winter this year. I prayed for this, and boy did God answer. It started on December 14th:

It was pouring, so I was covered in leather and wool, head to toe. Tahari boots, Wilson's skirt, Coldwater Creek boiled wool sweater.

That outfit kept me dry, and then we got this reward !!

On December 15th, we had the hospital-wide Holiday Party. Due to the need to socially distance, it was outside, and it was freezing. But I rose to the occasion and wore this adorable dress and sweater combo.

Here's a look at the Venice lace hem, the dotted hosiery, and the Impo booties.

On December 16th, I wore a cute dress that I got at Savers, on the day I found the Celine sweater.

It's very unique - it has all these layers of different fabrics.

The cowl scarf is from Calvin Klein and the booties are Rockport - very cushy.

On Dec17th, I wore an outfit that I try to wear every year. It's a brocade blazer by WDNY, corduroy jeans from A&F, and a vintage sequined turtleneck.

Here's a better look - I get tons of compliments every year.

On December 20th, another outfit that I wear every year. This is a Style and Co cowl neck sweater with a lace inset and a lurex plaid skirt from Loft.

Here's a closer look at the skirt.

So we got two fruitcakes to taste test from Monastery Greetings, a company that sells products made by monks from all around the world. First, a 3 pound delight from the Trappist Monks at the Abbey of Our Lady of Guadalupe. 

It is located in Carlton, Oregon.

Here it is, whole and then in cross section. It is soaked in brandy. It is delicious.

On December 21st, yet another yearly outfit. This beautiful pearlized leather skirt is INC. The equally beautiful lurex sweater is from NY Collection.

My jet tassel necklace is also INC, purchased in Washington, DC, pre-pan.

My tweed coat is a designer imitation from Newport News.  It's elegant, very Chanel inspired.

My COO gave me this for Christmas. I will continue to comply.

Then the second fruitcake came. It was made by the Cistercian Brothers from the Assumption Abbey.

The Abbey Bakery is located in Ava, Missouri.

This beauty weighs two pounds and is soaked in rum.

The story of the Abbey is included, and that way of devoted life both confuses and fascinates me.

This one is round - the other was a loaf. It was gooey with booze and fruit juice.

As you can see, it is packed with nuts and fruit.

On December 22nd, another annual pair of slacks from Sisley, in purple and black brocade.

The sweater hoodie is INC. It has embellishment down the sleeves. The pants have a velvet waist tie - these slacks are so luxe and have all the touches that make them nice. They are also lined.

I got my December Birchbox. Inside, from top to bottom:

1) Hero Cosmetics Balancing Capsule Toner -for skin.

2) Aceology Brightening Treatment Mask

3) Oribe Supershine Moisturizing Cream - anything Oribe is great.

4) Merci Handy Cross the Lime Hand Sanitizer

5) Luseta Beauty Biotin and Collagen Hair Mask

6) On the side - UOMA Beauty Drama Bomb Extreme Volume Nourishing Mascara

This year, I made Christmas cookies. I have not done that for a while, due to many reasons. I made sugar cookies with cream cheese frosting and jimmies in the shape of stars:

And Nipples of Venus with maraschino cherries in a sugar cookie topped with white chocolate. Everyone loved these !!

Sugar cookie Christmas trees with vanilla frosting:

Same for the candy canes:

And some wreaths:

And some bells:

The grandkids still love getting the bag full of Dollar Tree toys. Four bags and one gift for Kim, since her birthday is Christmas Day.

This is Calista's haul. Too much to describe.

The three boys got the same haul. Also too much to describe.

All packed up !!

For Ashley, some cosmetics. I get boxes and LOVE THEM. But there are some things that I do not use.

I made a selection of products that I think Ashley will like.

Kim's Snickerdoodle candle and Ashley's cosmetic selection.

The grandkids also got these:

This is what I wore. Facconable velvet jeans and a Fendi cashmere blend jacket.

It's so pretty and so soft !!

Here are the cookies on the table at Mimi's house on Christmas Eve:

The grandkids could not wait to dig into their bags.

Nathan gave everyone a Crusher Nerf gun.

It has a gattling gun design.

Santa was here!! Cookie crumbs around the sink !!

Luke, Ashley, and Preston gave us these pictures for Christmas.

Calista made us a card !!!

Calista made me two necklaces.

And she made Grandpa Doc two key rings.

Nathan and Kim gave Doc a giant Hershey bar and a souvenir silver shot thing.

Here it is - it looks like a syringe filled with silver nuggets. You really can find anything on the Internet.

And Luke and Ashley's gifts:

The next day, Christmas Day, we went down to my brother's house. He is a great cook. We had ham, funeral potatoes, green bean casserole and enough appetizers to stuff us .

I wore the A&F corduroy jeans with a Gucci sweater.

On top, a red leather jacket from ID, with a silk scarf from Gucci.

Yesterday, December 28th, I wore the Leith dress again, with the weird grey boots that I love.

On top, my grey leather jacket with the Venice lace back from INC.

For Christmas, Doc got me a lot of beautiful semi-precious jewelry. I like semi-precious because they are beautiful and they are reasonably priced. 

First, a Celtic pendant of abalone and silver.

Then, a cuff of 10K with cabochon gems of quartz and peridot. 

This pair of silver earrings with Malachite green stones is so pretty and will match many pieces that I already own.

I love this blue topaz, amethyst, and peridot pendant- it is absolutely gorgeous !!

And matching snowflake earrings of blue topaz and amethyst.

We move to the pearls. These freshwater pearls in silver lilies make beautiful earrings.

And also the same pearls in a more contemporary settings.

Then, my favorite, this black onyx ring with the big freshwater cultured pearl !!. I love black and gold as an outfit combination.

These blue topaz and peridot earrings were adorable. They will mix well with lots of pieces that I already own.

I debated about including my jewelry gifts in this post. I do not want to appear boastful at all, but they are such beautiful pieces that I want to share. Then I talked to Doc and he reminded me that all these jewelry items together were less than most Christmas gifts from a spouse. We bought them from a company whose ethics were disclosed and we agreed with. I intend to enjoy them and look forward to sharing my outfits with you featuring these jewelry pieces.              

 Have a Happy New Year, and we shall see what lies before us. !!! Let it be good !!