Brian registered AnthonyTyler.com for me yesterday. Adventures of, soon to come. Tony T. is my ‘not so wee monster’ who, according to his adoption papers, loves to travel. Well, Lord knows I am not the kind to disappoint a ‘wee monster’ (or his creator Christie). Check out her monster’s at Girl Goth
While I have some spare time this Christmas vaca I will be putting together Tony T.’s page. Check back I guarantee to have something soon.

I am OUTTA HERE!!!! YEAH. I couldn’t be more excited about my soon distant status from all that’s Seattle. I love it here, of course I do, but I admit I miss Montana and the family . . . oh so much. Can’t WAIT for Christmas. In fact I don’t think I will wait. Dan and I are celebrating Christmas togther tonight and exchanging gifts. I am crossing my fingers that his allergy to the feline species hasn’t stopped him from checking that off my wish list this year. hee hee. Don’t believe me? Check out My Wishlist. Don’t sweat it if you missed out, I accept presents all year round. :)

Speaking of presents . . . my present to myself this year just so happens to also be my first ever purchase on Ebay . . . I am totally addicted now. I didn’t realize just how simple it is, and how great the deals really are! So I am now a member of the ebay nation. For $30.00 I bought a 100% Silk, Ann Taylor. No girl can survive with out a perfect fitting LBD. Am I right? Girls you know what I am talking about. This is Mine

Well, Merry Christmas Everyone! Love you all and miss you. :)

Don’t forget . . . Danielle like presents.

I have been holding this one for days hoping to find time to research and expand on it more . . . well, no such luck. Between Christmas parties, and work and Christmas shopping . . . I have been a bit busy. :) If it makes you feel any better I may have been shopping for you. So, I am going to put this post up, even though it is a bit slap-dash and short. It’s still moderatly interesting though, you have to admit.

Christmas was first celebrated in the 4th centry . . . in Germany. It was once outlawed in Massachusetts.

The 25th of December was chosen not because that is Jesus Christ’s actual birthdate (possibly closer to September 29th) but to compete with the Pagan Winter Solstice celebration. Christian leaders wanted there to be an alternative celebration so naturally began celebrating Christ’s birth this day.

Ta Da!

Grown by the Aztecas and used medicinally to reduce fever, this Christmas plant know as the Poinsettia grows wildly at sometimes ten feet tall in Mexico and Central America.

During the Spanish invasion and introduction to Catholicism many Indian traditions and new traditions were merged together and molded into one. The green leaf plant with it’s large red blossoms, the ‘flower of Christmas Eve’, was used for the Fiesta da Santa Pesebre (a nativity procession) as ordered by the Franciscans near Taxco.

Following Mexico’s war of independence from Spain, the United States sent Joel Roberts Poinsett to Mexico as the first US ambassador. Upon arriving in Mexica Joel apparently took a liking to the plant, only to ship many home to South Carolina to a greenhouse to be grown and distributed to his loved ones. He died on December 12th (which just so happends to be National Poinsettia Day). The plant already had a botanical name, given to it by a German taxonomist, but in the US because of it’s introduction by Joel the plant was known as the Poinsettia.

In the beginning of distribution, the plant then a bit of a mystery and a tad quirky was ony distributed a week before Christmas and was sold as a floral arrangment; Poinsetta flowers on bare stems with evergreen branches.

It is considered the countries best selling potted plant, is not posionous or deadly as myth has suggested, more than 67 million sell a year, and 70% of the world’s Poinsettas are still grown in the US.

So get out there and keep the Poinsettia tradition alive! I know I am with my proud, vibrant, $5 QFC version of the Christmas flower.

Tis the season . . . Christmas Joy, Bells Ringing, Wrapping of Presents, Children Laughing, ‘An Angel Just Got It’s Wings!’

Some fun things I learned about Christmas Traditions . . .

Once the plant of peace in Scandinavian antiquity, if during battle enemies found themselves caught under it’s delicate berries they would lay down their arms, calling a truce until the following sunrise.

Kissing under the Mistletoe may be more than just a good opportunity to cop-a-feel.

The Norse goddess Frigga, goddess of love and beauty, loved her son, Balder, very much. Balder, loved most by gods and men was considered the best god. He was the god of light, joy, purity, beauty, innocence and reconciliation. All favored him.

Frigga in hopes to protect her son made an oath with all creatures, objects and forces of nature to never harm Balder.

Loki, a son of a cruel giant and giantess, a crafty, malicious spirit had a strong jealously for Balder which drove him to disguise himself and trick Frigga into telling him Balder’s one weakness. His weakness . . . Mistletoe, a plant Frigga considered too small and unconsidered to make oath with.

Loki searched and returned; poison in hand, his jealousy and hatred for Balder driving him. He crafted an arrow from the wood of the mistletoe and tricked Hod, Balder’s brother, the blind god of darkness and winter to shoot the arrow of mistletoe, striking Balder’s heart, killing him immediately.

In morning, Frigga’s tears become the mistletoe’s white berries,

Balder’s family plead to Hel, goddess of death for their beloved son’s life back. She granted. Frigga reserves the reputation of the mistletoe making it a symbol of love and in thanksgiving promises to bestow a kiss upon anyone who passes under it.

Now, thanks to Norse mythology no mistletoe goes unnoticed.

All week I will share more trivia so stay tuned.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!