Q the Cat

I am pretty sure my SS was Bex. Who sent me a beautiful scarf covered with birds - my favorites! AND so much black licorice I am set for the year! Love it, love it all. Thank you so much, SS - aka Silent Sister! And thanks to Lany for organizing yet again.

Three separate packages of SS gifts have arrived. Unable to keep myself from opening them, I now have two kinds of licorice to eat and a beautiful silk scarf. With birds. So pretty! And here I thought I'd never find dark chocolate covered black licorice again. Not only did my SS find it, but found a version with chipolte - so even better! Thank you thank you SS. I am pretty sure I know who you are .... <3

I have been remiss. Happy belated birthday to you, Buck! Cheers and all that good stuff.

I get to work from home on Mondays now. It makes the transition into the work week a bit more gentle. And I can get my laundry done.

Scrolling quickly through this page, my mind captured the phrase "chocolate, chocolate logic" That is all. PS I may or may not be wrapping presents today.

Ginger, wrapped in plastic, just in time for christmas. And, on topic, I'd say the last 15 minutes of True Detective Season 1, episode 4 is the BEST television scene ever. Makes me want to go watch that again ....

So very sorry for you loss, Lany. You were good to Draco and I know you'll miss him dearly. *big hugs*

I'm doing most excellent. Still in love and happy except that I have to work and he's mostly retired. Work is keeping me very busy lately, which is why you all don't see me more often. Westeros is blocked at my company, for some reason. The silly security people. How are you LadyO? I hope the morning queasies subside soon. Saltine soda crackers or oyster crackers always help me with nausea. Helena, how is everything in your world?

I can hardly believe there is no True Detective mentioned - season 1 was one of the best things on television ever. I fondly recall the board obsession with Ginger during that first season....

Hello there spammerians. And big congratulations to LadyO! What is your due date?

Questionnaire: Favorite Type of Food (i.e. Italian, Mexican, McDonald's, Burger King, etc): I like italian and Mexican. I took a trip to mexico last year and had the most delicious stuffed avocado, tasty tasty Mexican crema – yum! Favorite Scent (i.e. Fruity, Vanilla, Flowery, etc): I like citrusy and woodsy smells. My favorites are Fasier Fir, green tomato leaf, and verbena. Favorite Hobby (i.e. Scrap booking, Photography, things you collect, etc): puzzles, knitting with deliciously soft yarn, feeding my hummingbirds J Favorite books or types (romance, true store, mystery or just one you would like): low fantasy, some sci-fi, mysteries and the occasional non-fiction Favorite animal: I love birds, especially hummingbirds and also dragonflies. Favorite movies or types (romance, comedy or just a DVD/VHS you would like): Not a fan of romcoms, I love a big action movie, fantasy, sci-fi, and the ocassional indy flick Favorite Music Artist/Type or a CD you would like: I recently discovered Jeremy Adamiak and just love him. I like David Gray and that sort of singer/songwriter type. My absolute favorite of all times is a band called the eels, but they haven’t released anything new for a while. Do you collect anything? Only dept. 56 Christmas village stuff and I have a little GRRM/JRRT shrine bookcase with thingies from Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings. *love* Is there anything (not expensive) you want or need? What is your favorite: a. Color? green b. Type of candy? I love me some smarties. Also dark chocolate/sea salt stuff. And black licorice. I once had dark chocolate covered black licorice and it was the best. I've been looking for it ever since, so that would definitely be a hit. c. Type of munchie? Cheese popcorn! d. Puzzle to do? Jigsaw, logic, cross sums, jumbles, all kinds Do you collect anything for Christmas? (i.e. certain types of ornaments, nativities, snowmen...etc.) .I don’t have anything other than the Dept56 village, but am contemplating a Game of Thrones Christmas tree this year. OR at least a ‘geek tree’ J What type of hobbies do you have? I love to knit, love yoga, just started playing pickleball, love trivia games. If you were going to theme Christmas with just one word... what would it be? Grown up me says Family! Little kid me says Presents! Big family Christmas with everyone down to 2nd cousins...or just immediate family in their jammies? I like the jammies one. Favorite Christmas movie and why? Christmas Story – ‘cause it’s awesome! Religious or non-religious Christmas/Chaunaka/ Non-religious, although I attend candlelight mass xmas eve. I love the music and I love the Christmas energy. If you could spend Christmas in any one of these places, which one would you choose and why: a. A beach on a tropical island just a few very close family or friends, be lazy and open presents and then have a non traditional dinner including Pina Coladas and BBQ shrimp, wearing swimsuits, Bermuda shorts and tank tops b. Tiny cabin in the woods, fire going, very rustic, warm and cozy with your close family and friends, wearing jeans and sweaters. Probably this one. I like to be with family (most of them, any way) and I also like the traditional cooking and being warm and cozy is so warm and cozy. c. Biltmore Estates, full regalia, all glitter and glitz, all your close family and friends, wearing black tie and velvet d. NYC Christmas, Park Avenue, last minute hustle and bustle, haute couture with a 4 course meal and champagne with 50 of your favorite people. Wearing, of course. the latest fashion favorites. Favorite Christmas music I like the classics, but I also like a new take on things – especially singer/songwriter stuff What is your Christmas morning like" a. chaotic b. slow and relaxed c. organized, but fast paced d. "Christmas is HOW SOON???!!!!" e. all of the above. This. I’m usually a bit harried getting ready for Christmas and getting all my shopping, deco rating, and baking in. Christmas day is nice and relaxed. It’s over too soon. And I haven’t bought a thing yet!!!! Name something you want but will never buy for yourself, just because you cannot see yourself being that flamboyant. Jewelry. I rarely buy any. What sizes do you wear (optional answer if you would prefer to not have clothing) XL womens t-shirts. What colors are in your home: Lots of green and tan, some blue-gray too What style is your home decorated in? (i.e. ethnic, country, southwestern...etc Our home is decorated mostly modern, clean lines, etc Anything else your SS should know about you? I’m recently engaged, late 50s woman. Oh, and I don’t drink any alcohol but am always looking for the best root beer and also the best balsamic vinegars. And did I mention bacon? And coffee? Do you have any wish lists? Amazon has my wish list, but I probably need to update that.

OMG - Can I still get in, pretty please?!?! I can't believe I missed the early sign-up.

So very sorry about this loss for you and your family. Take care.

We're having a costume contest and an 'archery' contest. The archery will consist of either a bb gun shooting at a target or a nerf bow and arrow shooting at a target. The targets will be Joffrey and Ramsay. So fun, except I hope my neighbors don't get too upset with us! Dinner is more potluck - so not too much stress on me, since there are so many coming.

I wish you lived closer so you could join us! For drinks, we'll have beer and wine and a special bottle of mead. I'm also making a non-alcoholic punch for the non-imbibers. Probably a sparkling lemonade type of drink/punch, although I"m not sure what I'll call it. Suggestions? One of Tom's friends is coming as Tormund and bring "Dragon Drums" - turkey legs he brined and smoked. My son is bringing "Robert's Revenge Ribs". My admin from work is bringing "Baratheon Pies" - I'm not sure yet what those are! A friend is making the Sansa Lemoncakes (I've made these several times already, so it's nice to let someone else do it). I'm making "Dornish Salad Boats" - chicken salad served up in whole romaine leaves. Cookies, cheese and fruit plates and loads of other things too. So far, I've got a Melissandre, a Yara/ Asha Greyjoy, Torumnd, and two Dany's, Most folks haven't told me yet what they're wearing. I decided on being a Sand Snake - since the weather has been quite warm lately and I want to be comfortable I figured the typical Catelyn Stark costume wouldn't work. For the prizes, I snagged several heavily discounted GoT items from HBO.com and amazon.