"The weather outside is Frightful..."

But our little home is warm and delightful.
A storm is moving over California today bringing lots of rain and wind. It's a day that make you want to stay inside.

Everything was rattling and making noise out there.

The wind shook the house. "What was that?, Cutter said, as he got up and ran into the bedroom.
" I don't know.", said Carl, He looked a little insecure about the situation.

He wanted to be brave but he looked at me to be reassured that everything was all right.
Such spoiled babies. They each have a blanket to keep them warm now that the cold has set in. They've also requested a covered patio, next winter, so they don't have to get wet when they need to do their doody (duty) outside. Yea... they are a little over the top, these Corgis and it's our fault. We enable their lifestyle... but a covered patio? I don't think so. Sorry boys.

I have pumpkin breads in the oven and there is some Christmas wrapping to do.
The weather is fierce out there but the Christmas tree near the window seems to buffer the storm's intensity. This is the "other" tree. My little "German" Christmas tree is over on the dining room buffet. This one is filled with family ornaments.

The piano always holds most of the Christmas decorations in this small living room of ours.

The piano takes up a large amount of space in this room but I love this old "friend" of mine. I really don't play much anymore but I don't want to give it up. Beside, my oldest grandson just started piano lessons. It's a long tradition in this family. He is sooo talented (says his Noni) and I want him to be able to play when he is here. So that piano is staying right where it is.

 There are charming felted Christmas trees hanging from the candlesticks that a blogging friend felted for me.

This one is my favorite.

And a paper star that I brought back from Germany.

Another one tops the tree next to the piano. These are very traditional in Germany and were at all the Christmas Markets.

Across the piano front are the cards that have been sent to us and some of my mother's old Christmas sheet music.  It's wonderful that some friends still send real Christmas cards.
Even a very creative one from my friend "C" and her daughter.

She had this made with a photo I took of her dog, Max, this summer when we took a ride into the Delta and she found the home of her dreams. She is now the proud owner of that beautiful old two story home in the small river town of Isleton. She was handed the keys last Friday. Oh Joy!! What a Christmas present this is! I'm sure that Max is happy about it too. He will have a backyard and lots of room to run. Go Max!!
I opened the door for a minute.

So I could step outside onto the porch and take a picture of the storm from one of the "garden ladies" point of view.

She is soaked and not talking, but her Ivy "hair" is looking really good. I wanted to show you how the autumn leaves are still holding on to the Flowering Pear Tree, even in this wind. See them in the distance, on the right, flashing orange and red? Amazing that they still cling to the tree branches.
Back inside I sat down to write a short post.
Cutter is right here next to me on the guest room floor. He's not sure about all the commotion of Christmas... but he will be happy about bringing one of the grandsons home with us. He and Carl will have someone to play with.
Oh no, what was that? The lights just flickered. Got to go.