The Arrival of the Mackie's Family Newsletter Means the Holidays Have Officially Begun

There's plenty of things that mark the beginning of the holiday season. For many of us, once the American Thanksgiving and Black Friday have occurred, the holidays begin.  For others it's when they flip the calendar to the month of December and to others it's when TV perennials like "A Charlie Brown Christmas", How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "Frosty the Snowman" air.

But at my home, the way I know Christmas is truly upon us is when I receive my copy of the Mackie Family's annual year-end newsletter (accompanied by a Christmas card and new photo of the Mackie kids Colin and Catriona.) Each year Francesca and Brian send a thorough account of the family's adventures throughout the past 12 months. Since I don't get to see the Mackies nearly as often as I should, their newsletter is a real treat.

Thanks for tracking me down at my new address and continuing to include me on your elite list of newsletter recipients Francesca and Brian. I hope the Mackie home is filled with much love and merriment this holiday season.

This amusing comic truly is a sign of the times. The comic was on a Christmas card I received from my friend Joanna Kildow and her family. As you may recall, they live in New Jersey and Joanne shared her account of life in thr path of Hurricane Sandy in Scribbles.

I hope things have returned to normal Jojo and that you, Kent and the gang (meow meows Rocky and Dean included) have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  Love Ya!!

One Big Happy Family

Gotta love these ones. Rich Hunt and his girlfriend Stepher Noodle Doodle deck the halls and get their jingle on accompanied by "Turtle's" four legged family members Kya and Niko in this awesome holiday photo set.

Kya and Niko are big enough to guide Santa's sleigh Rich and Stepher, so if any of his reindeer are under the weather on Christmas Eve, don't be surprised if he gives you a call. HO HO HO!

I hope your first Christmas together is as wonderful as you both are!!

Sandra Burger-Vedder's cat Murphy is fascinated by their Christmas tree.

The True Meaning of Christmas

Above, our friend Heather Weir-MacNeil joins with colleagues of Henley House to present gifts to Bethelehem Projects of Niagara. Heather has a huge heart when it comes to helping those in need, be it opening her door to family and friends, stockpiling donated items in her home or baking banana bread until the cows come home, in order to raise funds for worthy causes. 


HEATHER WEIR-MACNEIL

  And while some folks only show their generosity during the holiday season, kind and caring Heather does it all year round (with a little help from her hubby Doug and sons Andrew and Kevin, who can often be found burning the midnight oil as they weigh and package baked goods.)

In acknowledgement of the Henley House staff's generosity, Bethelehem Projects of Niagara posted this message on their facebook page:

"Bethlehem Projects of Niagara Thanks so much to the wonderful staff at Henley House in St. Catharines for making Christmas very special for two of our community families. Wishing everyone at Henley House a very Merry Christmas!"

Showing that she never takes all the credit for such efforts, Heather said "Let's go back to one tin at a time 1 toy one piece of joy it all adds up THANK YOU to all who take the time and think of others I cannot say enough about the people I work with you are the best feel proud and a very MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL"

You never cease to amaze me Heather. In all the years I've known you (which has been quite a few) you never think twice when it comes to putting others needs above your own. Kudos to you my friend and Happy Holidays!

VISIT BETHELEHEM PROJECTS OF NIAGARA'S FACEBOOK PAGE -CLICK HERE

Jesse the Jack Russell...What a Cool Dog

Back to Basics for Catriona's Snowman

Anyone can make a snowman when they have a carrot for his nose, buttons for eyes, a scarf to keep him warm and a corn cob pipe (as long as it's just for show) but as our friend Catriona Mackie of Toronto proves here, sometimes all you really need are a few twigs and some fresh snow to create an adorable little companion.

In fact the only thing cuter than this back-to-basics snowman is its clever creator herself . Great job Catriona!

Scribbles would like to wish the Vince family a very Merry Christmas

AN ORIGINAL COMIC BY SCRIBBLES

Not a Creature Was Stirring...

Christmas truly is a family affair and that includes our furry family members. Robin and Tim Whyte's cats and dog are seen here in a memorable moment from Christmas past, keeping a close watch on the tree. Sure hope the Whyte's put the milk and cookies up high or else it may be gone long before Santa's arrival.

When it comes to Christmas trees, big or small, we love them all.  Above (left to right) we see my mom's Christmas tree, which at a height of about 2 feet, fits perfectly on her side table in the living room.

Next we have my tree. It measures about 3 1/2 feet tall, just the right size for my cozy living room area.

And then there's Rob and his sister Patty's tree. Coming in at a towering 9 feet (comprised of two trees stacked on top of each other) this giagantic tree takes up a full corner of their living room. In fact, the angel on the top of this tree actually touches the ceiling. Now THAT'S what I call a big Christmas tree. 

Tree-Mendous

We always love to discover photos of our Winnipeg pal Bekah Eckert on facebook and when that pix includes awesome Christmas decorations it simply screams out "put me on Scribbles".

We hope Bekah and her family have a marvelously merry Manitoba Christmas...HO HO HO!!

Scribbles Wishes All Our Ottawa Valley Readers a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Home for the Holidays Mall Surprise

Last December, U.S. cellular company T-Mobile surprised shoppers in a mall with this flash-mob inspired production of Home for the Holidays. I wonder if Welland's Seaway Mall is planning on doing something similar...LOL...Sorry fellow Wellanders, I couldn't resist.

We may have inadvertently missed including our pal Falynn Shaw in our We Love Christmas Video, but judging by this photo, she doesn't seem to be upset about it. We found this pix of Falynn and her friends on facebook in her pal John Pigden's photo gallery.

As you can see, we've blocked a portion of the photo. What's going on that we omitted?? Well let's just say the manger animals were very shocked and one of the Three Wise Men dropped his frankincense!  [Yes I know, I'm going to Hell for that one...LOL]

X-tremely Similar

Tate Stevens (above left) is this year's 5 million dollar X-Factor winner and he's been spotted around Welland. Well actually it was his lookalike Rob Proulx.

Rob said during a recent visit to a local bar, the bartender there was tickled pink to see him, claiming he's a dead ringer for Tate. She told Rob he made her night as she gushed over him.  LOL. A star is born!



Winter Window View

This is pretty cool. Click the link below, then type in your address (or anyone's address you wish). Submit and then you will see a Winter view from that location.

CLICK HERE TO TRY IT OUT

Santa's a Canadian, EH?

Christmas is forever, not for just one day,

For loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away

Like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.

The good you do for others is good you do yourself.

Our Mushy Holiday Tradition

It started innocently enough. It was Christmas 2007, Rob and I's first together, so we bought a talking tree ornament and recorded a message. Since that time, the Christmas trees have changed, but the commemorative ornament concept has not. Each year another decoration is added to the collection, with the biggest change being that I customize the ornaments myself, rather than buying one already labelled.

What also remains consistent is the love between Rob and I. We are far from perfect, but we're perfect for each other. I couldn't imagine a Christmas without him and his family being a part of it and hopefully I won't have to for a very very long time.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Enjoy the classic children's story in this special video clip.

Angel Kitty

This is my first Christmas without my cat J.R. and in memory of him, I created a J.R. angel which graces the top of my Christmas tree. I also have another memorial picture, in thr shape of J.R. with shiny jewels in his eyes, which sits atop of my entertainment stand.

Nothing will ever bring J.R. back to me, but these treasured memorials help make it feel like he is always close by.

HOLIDAY HUMOUR