—- and we’re all a big happy blend of faiths and beliefs (and non-beliefs).
Thanksgiving was celebrated at my home as the 2019 gathering spot. After the last Thanksgiving bite, my friend Ellen Campbell and my daughter Sarah Mirza set out to add cheerful Christmas décor to my living areas. All but the last two photos were shot by Brian Campbell and are uploaded here for passing on the cheer to all my readers, with bits of back stories…..
Full disclosure: Photographer Brian Campbell works out of Southern California. If you live in that area, look him up for professional portraits and much more.
Fuller disclosure: He is my son-in-law.
Merry Christmas, all! There’s a kitchen tip waiting for you at the end, so read through. (Insert angry emoji here.)







Here’s a Holiday Tip (really a warning): Do not EVER put a kitchen mandolin type slicer on your gift list. My mandolin caused such mayhem that my sewing activities have been temporarily halted. I mean, I can’t even bake Christmas cookies due to a sliced thumb. Yep, after two ER visits, it’s making some progress. Still, I’m a never-mandolin person now. No, I’m not using my right thumb while typing this.
My sweet friends, have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanza!
Samina
I just found this! https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07XZYXYK9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It looks a lot safer than a regular mandolin slicer.
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Thank you! I will check it out.
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Loved the post & especially loved being part of your holiday festivities. Having fun with Sarah ( who has your creativity ) to create the holiday scenes was my idea of much fun with family. Yes, the photographer is awesome too, might be a bit prejudiced!
But most of all, your opening statement is what we should all remember not just during the holidays but all year!…..a big happy family with many beliefs!
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Thank you for your sweet words, Ellen. I’m so glad that you have been part of our Thanksgiving reunions.
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Hello Samina – I’m so sorry to hear about your thumb! I hope it heals well and you’re back to sewing very soon. Can’t wait to see what you do in the new year!
All the best, Kasey
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Hi Kasey! Hope you had a good holiday. The thumb is coming along slowly but nicely. I tried my hand at the machine today and it went smoothly. But any hand sewing (basting, hand hemming and such) is out, it being the right thumb. Oh well….
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Happy Holidays Samina
Kathy White
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Hi Kathy!! So good to hear from you. Happy Holidays to you, too. I’ll try and catch up with you via email or something after the holidays.
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We don’t Christmas much, but I am devoted to the lights and will put up anything with a light bulb in it.
To the real topic here: your thumb. – Oh no! – My sister has tried to give me a Feemster Miracle Slicer (a inexpensive mandolin that is super sharp) and I keep giving them back to her, as I can’t manage a rotary cutter, much less a LIVE BLADE I”M SUPPOSED TO DRAG MY FINGERTIPS BY?????? Sorry for yelling, and I wish you and your fingers all the best for the new year. Yoinks.
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