Christmas Countdown - 2011

[MerryBells]

Maybe I can book a quick trip to the Pines until this hurricane blows over!

 

[lauriebear]

Here's a copy of something Crown posted earlier in the year to help explain that!

OK.
I'll try to review the history of some of the more -- well -- interesting characters and places mentioned here in our countdown thread.

First, of course, there is Carl.
Ah, Carl! Our 3-humped Coffee Camel.
Born about 5 years ago over at Christmas.com, he came about as part of the long-running interplay between Binger and myself in regards to coffee vs sleep.
(Carl's third hump stored the finest blend of coffee which der Bingster coveted.)

Originally, Carl lived with me and was a frequent over-the-shoulder commentator when I posted the daily count.
After a time, he began staying with willing thread contributors who agreed to be his host for short visits. After each visit, his antics were duly reported by the host for all to read and enjoy.

Over time, the humor wore a bit thin so Carl was mentioned less frequently. Eventually, he was dropped from the thread for several months until one of our members (Auntie perhaps?) inquired as to his whereabouts. At that point, it was revealed that Carl, owing to his unique ability to talk, had been offered an undercover position with the military on a secret spy mission in Saudi Arabia.
On his release and return, he accepted the position of activities director at the Shispering Pines where he remains to this day.

Carl's personality traits: He's fun-loving, talkative, experimental (primarily with coffee blends of a questionable nature) and -- yes -- a bit vain to the point of narcissism.
But under it all, he has a heart of gold and a guaranteed position at the 'Pines owing to his unique talents (and the fact the resort's business has tripled ever since his arrival).


That, of course, brings us to the 'Pines. The Shispering Pines, that is.
Name-christened by our own Jayish after a typo which was supposed to read "Whispering Pines", our thread-resident resort eventually took on a "Holiday Inn" (meaning the 1942 movie) like flavor, especially after Carl's arrival and his tremendous love for Christmas in general and that movie in particular.
Each Wednesday is open house day, where the first glass of sweet southern iced tea is complimentary along with the first Fired Twinkie (and now the newly-introduced Fired Twinkling derived from crossing Merry Carey's Kinklings with Carl's own Fired Twinkies).

Which in turn brings us to Fired Twinkies. That's right - FIRED Twinkes as (opposed to "fried").
Again, a typo was to blame. (Believe it was Binger this time.)
But our unique thread treat has endured, especially after becoming the official confection at the Shispering Pines.


Well, there you have it. A thumbnail sketch of an explanation as to what is going on here.

Hope that helps! Come join in the fun next Wednesday!

:!!Wow too cool!!! I love the history too!!! Awesome... I think I might have to pop in over there and meet Carl myself!

Thank you so much for this :nice:

 

[lauriebear]

I've seen a lot of stuff that I like but I haven't bought anything yet. That may change next hour when jim shore is on.

I watched a little thing morning before going to work. I might check some stuff out on line but I am not a big fan of buying on line (had some issues not too long ago) But I get some great ideas and can usually find something in the stores around me. But, it is sure nice to watch.

 

[caninemom3]

Good afternoon, Christmas family !!

What a WICKED storm last night !! Lost power for about an hour and a half. All kinds of branches and wind damage in our town (not at our house, thankfully !)

Just bought a 2 foot tree from QVC !!!!! I figured I will keep it in my room and have a decorated tree ALL YEAR !!!!!!:-x

Today is my Friday. Thank goodness. Now it's on to Jim Shore !!!

Oh.........I love that Jim Shore Santa and Baby Jesus that they have on as a preview !!!!! xo

 

[caninemom3]

PS: Did anyone notice ?? My polar bear is now going the OPPOSITE direction than he was before !!!!!!!:!!

 

[Laney]

Hey guys! I've been a little tied up this week, but you better believe that I'd be here for Rudy Day/Milestone day!

I've been pretty productive today! I made up meal pans for the next two weeks, made the grocery list up so that either DH or I can go, did the dishes, found DD's missing fairy doll, wrote thank you notes from DD's birthday party and now its lunch, a quick rest and then unfortunately I have to go off to work. Boo! Hopefully we'll have a good, but easy night at work. I am ready for bed already LOL!

I'll be praying for each one of you dear friends that may be in the path of hurricane Irene. Please stay safe!

Everyone enjoy your day!
~Laney

 

[made582]

I want all of it!!!! I wonder if jim shore would deliver them to me since he is going to be here on saturday.

 

[caninemom3]

LOVE that Jim Shore piece with Santa and the puppy !!!!! Go figure !

 

[made582]

I really want the 4ft Santa thats sitting there on the set!!!!! I don't have $2000 dollars though.

 

[made582]

Oh.........I love that Jim Shore Santa and Baby Jesus that they have on as a preview !!!!! xo

I just ordered the Real Meaning of Christmas Figurine. I tried to order it last year but they kept selling out. I also paid for express shipping so it should be here tomorrow and I can get it signed on saturday.

 

[Meceka]

I like the snowman

 

[Meceka]

I really want the 4ft Santa thats sitting there on the set!!!!! I don't have $2000 dollars though.

I haven't seen a close-up of it yet, but it looks quite nice!

 

[Christmas-A-Holic]

I just walked to the school to get my grandson. While all of us parents and grandparents are waiting outside for the kids, dripping sweat from the 100+ temps, I hear someone's phone ring and it was playing Christmas Canon! It gave me a smile to hear.

[youtube_browser]4cP26ndrmtg[/youtube_browser]

Enjoy! :!!(my grandson wanted this smiley posted)

 

[made582]

I haven't seen a close-up of it yet, but it looks quite nice!

I looked at it on their website and it is pretty cool. At least if you buy it they throw in the shipping.

 

[made582]

It's also handsigned and only 75 of them were made.

 

[made582]

I love this toy carving Santa. I didn't know that he made a whole set based on santa's workshop. I need to go checkout ebay.

 

[Meceka]

Made: I thought of you when I saw these Santas at Bronners a few weeks ago cheesy

 

[made582]

Made: I thought of you when I saw these Santas at Bronners a few weeks ago cheesy

I need to start buying some more of his ornaments. I only have a couple and I would love to do my small tree in just Jim Shore Santa ornaments.

 

[Meceka]

I need to start buying some more of his ornaments. I only have a couple and I would love to do my small tree in just Jim Shore Santa ornaments.

That would be a nice tree!

 

[Meceka]

LOVE that Jim Shore piece with Santa and the puppy !!!!! Go figure !

I like that one, too!