Neighborhood Christmas Party

A few pictures from our little Christmas "do."
 

Our hosts, Judy & Fred - Thanks, guys!!!!!!

 

After snackies and drinks, then dinner - we got down to the business of the gifts.  

This is always a highlight.

Some of the gifts are hysterical and silly, a lot of the gifts are lovely handmade items, and there are some wonderful pieces of art.   We have a potter, a sculptor, a collage artist, a couple of painters, a woodworker/furniture maker, a leather worker, a couple of knitters, a stained glass artist, a weaver, a couple of writers, and a faux bois concrete artist.  Some of them are fortunate enough to earn their living with their art.  It's a wonderful group to be a part of.

I wish I had thought to take pictures of all the gifts, but oh well - I was too busy laughing and enjoying the moment.  But I did get a few.

The pink hat has been passed around the past several years.

Will this be its last??

 

Noooo, these shoes were not one of the gifts, but I fell in love with them and had to share them with you.  Aren't they adorable?!

The baby of the neighborhood makes her entrance.  Meet Smudge.  Can you tell she has quite a fan club?!

And Smudge shares a little of the attention with Whitey. who is one of the Grand Dames of the neighborhood.

This is the bowl I really wanted to win during our Christmas gift game.  Unfortunately, it wasn't part of the game.

But this was!  Made by one of our neighbors who is a potter and carved by his wife who is sculptor.  And it's mine, all mine.  And I am over the moon about it!  Gorgeous.

I love this painting.  The title is "Firefly."  It was painted by one of our resident artists.  I "almost" had this, but it was taken away and will be living in someone else's home.  Lucky souls.

I stepped out on the deck to take a picture of the moon over the mountains and I have no idea what happened, other than I guess I moved and ended up with this shot.  Which I like.

Another wonderful Christmas gathering in the neighborhood.  Here's hoping for many, many more.