Image Credit: Roger Lynn/PhotopinCC
After Thanksgiving our family spends the next several days preparing our home for Christmas.
We trim the tree, hang the lights, and set out the Nativity.
We dress our stair railing in green garland with bright red bows, display beautiful floral arrangements, and hang a pretty, white wreath on the front door. Oh—and let’s not forget the Baby Jesus window clings or the miniature Santa Claus for our front porch. (And yes—we do both. Here’s why.)
Decorating for Christmas is a family affair.
We play Christmas music or slip in a special movie to add to the festive occasion. I usually make some fun snacks and it’s a grand time of bonding and togetherness.
This year, we’ve toned down our decorating because of our fur baby, Miranda.
As you might expect, kitties adore bright, shiny things and long strands of fuzzy garland. In fact, we’ve discovered the hard way that Christmas is a kittycat’s paradise.
When I found Miranda caressing some of our tree bulbs, I had horrible visions of what could happen. (Remember that funny/awful scene from Christmas Vacation—the one where the cat chews on the Christmas tree lights and… yeah. That one.)
Needless to say, we’ve sought lots of advice on ways to deal with pets and holiday goodies. One thing we’re trying this year is placing a moat of tin foil around our tree. That seems to help for now, but I’d love additional tips if you have any!
I’ll post more photos of our princess in the near future, but until then here are a few you might enjoy.
Don’t mind me—I’m just hangin’ out!
What? I’m only trying to help!
Uh huh. That’s right. I’ve got your back.
All tuckered out on her favorite, old blankie.
Miranda cheers me on as I write… Gotta love it!
An example of last year’s tree—with all the lovely trimmings!
Now…
A few links of interest—
- Please join me on the ACFW blog where I guest-posted recently. You won’t want to miss the Top 20 Ways Writers Spread Joy. Pop over for some helpful hints and share your own!
- Do you have a favorite writing blog? Here’s the chance to make your vote count! Nominate your favorite go-to resource in Write to Done’s Top 10 Blogs for Writers Contest. (For instance—I nominated Books and Such Literary Management.) Voting is open until December 24, 2014.
- Check out Kristin Schell’s Easy No Bake (Gluten-Free) Peanut Butter Cups. You will LOVE this just-in-time-for-the-holidays recipe! (And this is another fabulous website you’ll want to add to your list.)
- AND for your daily dose of inspiration, check out Help Me to See Them over at Guideposts.
Here’s to a super-blessed day and a joy-filled CHRISTmas season!
PLEASE SHARE
Christmas prep and kittycat woes. How do you deal with a curious pet?
***
How do you decorate for Christmas?
Any tips for handling a very active (and inquisitive) kitty cat?
Blessings Always,
Comments 6
Thank you for sharing my Peanut Butter Cup recipe. They are favorites around our house! I don’t have any tips for handling Miranda’s curiosity, but perhaps we should get her together with our new puppy Auggie – who is less curious and more bull in a china closet! Ah…
I’m headed over to read your ACFW post now. xo, Kristin
Author
Kristin, delighted to have you stop by!
Aw, I bet Auggie’s sweet! Miranda is a big, fat scaredy cat when it comes to other critters. She was a rescue cat, but she was in a foster home before we adopted her and she’s come a lonnng way. Maybe she and Auggie would make great pals—after a bit of a warm-up. =)
And…love, love, love (did I mention love?) your cyber home! Warm, inviting, and fantastic recipes. AND of course you know I want a turquoise table!
(((HUGS)))
Love it, Cynthia! I wish I knew how to keep the cats off the tree, but we just keep all the breakables up high! 🙂
Author
Shelli, I’m smiling. Been there, done that. Now Miranda goes for the red beads and garland. We didn’t even hang the red icicles this year. I’d heard too many tales about that. *sigh*
Another blogging friend posted a photo of her cat getting into a plastic shopping bag last week. I wonder what it is about the bag that intrigues them.
Author
Patti, I’m not sure—maybe just the curiosity factor. Normally, crinkly noises scare her. Ha!