HM The Queen's Christmas Broadcast

The Queen's Christmas Broadcast. Nicely done, Ma'am.

Swags of Christmas

The Christmas spirit has now reached the very perimeter of the property at home. Festive swags of garland now line the walls that enclose the courtyard. This year it seems everyone has festive Christmas lights up, so I felt the house needed something. Just a little touch of Christmas was all it took. I think we are now ready for Old Saint Nick to visit. Christmas in Palm Springs. Home Sweet Home.

Bringing in A Little Christmas Mood

For some reason I've been taken with the Christmas spirit this year a bit more than previous years. So much so that after the inside of the house was decorated, my eye turned to outside. The easiest change was to convert the underwater pool lights to green. Just beyond the pool you can see some tiny white lights in the distance. Those are the 'net lights' draped rather carelessly on our pencil tree, but it works.

Then it was onto the cactus plants in the west garden. Other than a few oleander bushes, there really aren't any shrubs in the garden, so that meant it was up to the cactus plants to carry the lights! This one is adjacent to the patio fireplace and looked kind of fun with lights on it. I was worried it might look tacky, but I think its OK.

Needless to say once I was finished stringing the Christmas lights everywhere, it brought an elegant and festive Christmas mood to the grounds. I wanted a little Christmas, and here it is, Palm Springs Style. I hope your holiday decorating brings as much joy to you this season.

Feeling Festive and Cozy...

I'm not entirely sure where this year has gone, but the Christmas season has arrived...and i couldn't be happier about it. I've been feeling especially festive this year, embracing the holiday spirit immediately after Thanksgiving. Garland adorns the mantle of the great room, with the glow of tiny white lights adding a special ambiance to the sitting area. 
Even our kitty Owen found a cozy spot on the hearth to curl up in front of the fireplace.

The Christmas tree is decorated and now holds the fascination of the cat and both dogs. I'm especially happy with the tree this year, perhaps it is just my overall mood that is more festive, but regardless of why, I am feeling festive and cozy.

How is your holiday decorating going so far? 

Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade 2012

This past Saturday evening was the 21st Annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade, held downtown along Palm Canyon Drive. The event is hugely popular for our tiny desert community; this year it attracted well over 90,000 spectators to enjoy the festive lights to kick off the holiday season. The event organizers report on their website that during the past 21 years, the parade "has featured a host of marching bands, performing groups as well as the Budweiser Clydesdales, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Snoopy and the Gang – and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus". Here are a just a few photos of some of my favorite parts of the parade. I hope it puts you in the holiday spirit.

 Happy Holidays, from the Palm Springs Savant!

A Palm Springs Gingerbread House

Christmas Dinner at my house is a nice long relaxing day. I decided to plan an activity with my guests to kill time while dinner was cooking! I decided on a Gingerbread House project. This photo is the finished result--looks pretty good, huh? I've never done one before, so it was all new to me. I had all the goodies ready in bowls for us to pick and choose:

• Gum drops in two sizes
• Spearmint gumdrop leaves
• Sprinkles
• Christmas cookies
• Assorted hard candies
• Candy Canes
• Colored sugar sprinkles (red and green)

After mixing up a batch of confectioner's sugar for the icing/adhesive, we went to work:

Here is the basic structure of the Gingerbread House, sitting on a cake pedestal for ease of decorating and access. I actually like the simplicity of this as it is, but that would have defeated the purpose of this being a time-filler activity!

We started using a pastry bag to squeeze the confectioner's sugar icing. But soon we realized it was easier to just use a spatula to just smear it on! One trick I learned "on-the-go" was that the confectioner's sugar needs to set up a bit or it slides off, or doesn't work well as an adhesive. When it is a little crusty in the bowl, you know its ready to use.

Here is the finished Gingerbread House, from the other side. Check out the awesome Santa sugar cookie we put on the back, I think it rocks! Surprisingly, neither Sheldon or Duncan (pictured) showed much interest in it. I thought for sure the gumdrops would go missing. It turned out to be a really fun way to spend some time waiting for dinner. Maybe it will be a new Christmas Day tradition for us in Palm Springs!

Queen Elizabeth II Christmas Broadcast 2011

Merry Christmas to all:

Really Cute Christmas Dog Video

One of my Twitter friends, @MyFavPupJasmine posted this really cool Christmas video today. Its GREAT training, and fun too! Merry Christmas! 

If you like it, send her a tweet and say so.

Adventures of Sheldon: The Demise of Reindeer Antlers & Snacks

Today I stopped by the Petco store in Palm Springs to pick up a few snacks for the kids. Sheldon and Duncan like Roll-A-Rounds because they are crunchy slices and Tillman's Treats because they are soft and smell delicious. No matter which one I bring out, they promptly sit up straight and wag their tails. It is so cute to see how much happiness a little treat brings them. In my travels today I bought a pair of reindeer antlers and had Mr Sheldon try them on before giving him a snack. Once the photo session was over, I rewarded Sheldon, and his brother Duncan with a few Roll-A-Rounds. He took the slices from my hand, brought them to his favorite sofa cushion and proceeded to devour every morsel. Five minutes after this photo, however Sheldon decided to play with his antlers...

Needless to say, they didn't last long. The plastic part that sits on top of his head had broken and was all just floppy, no longer identifiable as antlers. Oh well, at least they lasted for the one photo. So it was the end of the treats and antlers, all in less than 7 minutes. That's OK, he's worth it. I can always get more plenty treats for him anytime.

The Adventures of Sheldon: Help Pets in Need this Season

Sheldon Gryffindor took some time to relax by the Christmas tree this morning, to reflect on the season a bit. Sitting n his favorite side chair in front of a roaring fireplace Sheldon contemplated the fate of millions of homeless pets in the world. Being just one poodle living in Palm Springs, he understands that he alone can't change the world. But he also knows that one poodle can make a difference for another pet in need. That's why Sheldon wants to help homeless pets in shelters, and is asking for your help too. There is so much you can do: consider adopting a pet at your local shelter. Visit your local shelter and donate some food, or perhaps donate a few dollars.
Sheldon knows about the Tree of Hope fundraiser to benefit the Petco Foundation. He made a donation while visiting a Petco store yesterday in fact. 

Sheldon also wants you to know that you can make a donation to help homeless pets in shelters easily without spending a penny. All you need to do go to the Natural Balance facebook page and "like" them. For every new "like" they get by December 24th they will donate $1 to the "Tree of Hope" fundraiser, which helps local shelters all across the country. Tell your friends too. 

Make a difference for a pet in need this season. Sheldon thanks you for your help.
PS- you can follow Sheldon on Twitter @SheldonGryffin

The Adventures of Sheldon & Duncan: Photos with Santa

Our Photo with Santa at Petco

Today I brought Duncan and Sheldon to the Petco store in Palm Springs to have their photo taken with Santa. From the moment they saw the front door of Petco, they were excited...they know that means good stuff for them! We made our way to the area where Santa was, conveniently in the Natural Balance food section, which is what they eat, of course :-) Duncan was eyeing the Duck and Potato dog food rolls, which he **loves** as a snack in between meals. Fortunately I got them both to sit like good boys, long enough to snap a few photos. 

Sheldon Gryffindor drives to Petco

After the photos, Sheldon used his own Twitter account 'SheldonGryffin' to upload and share his photo with Santa. He has been building a nice base of followers. We also posted the photo on Petco's Facebook page, as they were running a photo contest. As you might imagine, Sheldon is quite the social poodle, and loves to go for rides around Palm Springs. You can tell how much fun he was having by the smile on his face in this photo above. It was a great way to get into the Christmas spirit, so "thanks" Petco, for hosting the "Photos with Santa" event today!

Queen Elizabeth's Christmas Broadcast 2010

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However You Say It....

Mele Kalikimaka! 
Joyeux Noël! 
Nadolig Llawen!
Buon Natale!
Feliz Navid!
Froehliche Weinachten!
Nollaig Shona Duit! 
Feliz Natal!
Vrolijke Kerstmis!
Happy Christmas! 
Merry Christmas!



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The Adventures of Sheldon and Duncan: The Christmas Portrait

For those of you with pets in your home, no doubt you will appreciate this post. As we're in the final stretch of the Christmas holiday week, I felt it was time to post this holiday photo. It was supposed to be better than it turned out, but the challenge is the subjects of the photo. This brings me to another installment of The Adventures of Sheldon and Duncan: The Christmas Portrait. I am a bit of a traditionalist with things like holiday photos and like everything just so. Both poodles went to the grooming salon for a bath, brush and fluff. Even Owen was clean, fluffy and ready for his close-up. I set the stage with a roaring fire, switched on the Christmas tree lights, and had the lighting just so. I positioned the kids in front of the tree, and on cue, Owen sauntered over to the fireplace and sat on the hearth next to his brothers. 

Sheldon sat up especially straight- he always tries very hard to please- so much so that he had a serious expression on his face. Duncan, on the other hand was smiling non-stop, and looking around. There I stood, giving all sorts of instructions and commands to the three of them, as if they actually understood my direction. They looked left. They looked right. They switched places. I kept clicking away, hoping for the one perfect photo. After a few minutes they became impatient, and just wanted a break. I insisted we try a few more shots. I could see tails wagging excessively, as if they had all they could do to hold back their excitement. 

Then the damn burst. Duncan couldn't hold it in any longer; he darted toward me, tail wagging, smiling broadly. "No-no, Duncan, SIT, SIT" I shouted. He looked at me bewildered. Sheldon remained sitting, but noticeably perturbed by his brothers outburst of emotion. Owen became squirmy and began grooming himself. I fetched some semi-moist dog treats to tempt them into submission. Both dogs were repositioned yet again, and while holding a treat in one hand I began snapping photos. Then the clock chimed- Duncan turned his head. Then an airplane flew overhead- Sheldon looked out the window. It was hopeless. I reviewed the photos captured thus far. Several were blurry. Several were just plain awful. One good one didn't have the kitty in it. One had all three of them, but no one was looking at the camera. ::sigh::

I looked back at my three children and realized they are the best pets for which a guy could ever ask. I smiled at them and called them to me. They were overjoyed with the calling and bounded toward me, licking my face in appreciation. It was then, at that moment I felt the Christmas Spirit. All was well, regardless of who was looking at the camera. We are a family, sharing our own Christmas joy.
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It Was A Very Merry Christmas

Another Christmas has come and gone; with a heap of fond memories and a list of things for which I am grateful. I often remind myself in life to savor the good times, appreciate all the little things and live in the moment. I consider myself especially fortunate to have learned some important life lessons earlier than most. Having lost my dad at a young age I learned to appreciate each day and take time to smell the roses. I was reminded of this again yesterday when I saw one of the floral Christmas centerpieces at my friend Amanda's home yesterday. It had roses, orchids, holly and evergreens. Indeed I did smell the roses, they were beautiful. But the roses were a life metaphor and caused me to pause for a moment and reflect on the year. I was at a Christmas day gathering, sitting outside admiring a beautiful vista of the desert floor below. Yet for a few moments I was alone with my thoughts, pondering the past twelve months and placing it all in perspective. I hadn't planned to be so introspective at this particular moment, maybe it was the rush of sugar from the eclairs I had consumed sending me into a blissful zen-like state. I smiled to myself as I realized how fortunate I am at this point in life. So I quietly gave thanks, especially for these deserts below:

above: Check out these incredible deserts. There were loads of others too, but these caught my eye the moment I walked into my friend Amanda and Gordan's home!

above: A few hummingbirds actually flew into the house earlier. One eventually made his way to the feeder hanging just outside the door. I managed to get this photo- they are so quick!

above: During a white elephant gift exchange I received a snuggie in leopard print. I have to say, it is really pretty neat. I love things like this.

above: later we found young Duncan was all snuggled up asleep with his Christmas Penguin toy. It was such a cute photo.
We did a bit of house-hopping, visiting friends on Christmas day, and then returned home for our own holiday dinner with friends. We sat by the fireplace and the Christmas tree, enjoying holiday music as we exchanged presents with our friends. I put out my spread of food so we could enjoy our wine. After dinner we watched Julie & Julia- which I enjoyed thoroughly! When our friends left to go home, and I sat by the fire with John to unwind, I decided it had been a very Merry Christmas.
-Rick Rockhill

Merry Christmas

Wishing you a very
Merry Christmas!
Rick, Duncan and Sheldon. (and Owen too, although he ran out of the picture)

Queen Elizabeth II Annual Christmas Message

A Wacky Christmas Eve

There are lots of ways to spend Christmas Eve in Palm Springs. Our friends Ben and Natalie are in the desert for the holidays, so we spent some time together making merry and sharing a few laughs. We always have fun when we get together; some of you may recall the post I wrote from their last visit in March. I've known Ben for ages, back when we worked together in San Diego. His wife Natalie is a super sweet gal too. Anyway, we stopped for lunch at Kaiser Grill on Palm Canyon Drive. It was nice enough to dine on the patio and watch all the action walk past the restaurant. By the looks of it, it seems as though there are a lot of tourists in Palm Springs for Christmas. We love to see tourists. And snow birds too. They spend money and keep the shops happy. Speaking of shops, after lunch we did a bit of shopping. Natalie was on a mission for a few things, and any sensible man knows never to get between woman on a shopping mission and her stores. We stopped into Desert Hatter, a cool store that sells- you guessed it, hats. They sell just about every sort of hat you could want. Even those you never knew you wanted. Or needed. Take, for instance the hats in this photo above. We all picked out crazy Christmas themed hats. I thought it made a fun photo, don't you think? Wishing you a Merry Christmas Eve....
-Rick Rockhill

A Little Christmas Video Ditty

Santa Comes to Palm Springs

Santa Claus made a special visit to Palm Springs yesterday. Our local newspaper The Desert Sun reported on the event and took these photos. It was the fifth year in a row that Santa made the trip to our desert to hand out gifts to kids at the Palm Springs Air Museum. With the dramatic backdrop of our beautiful San Jacinto mountains, Santa's helicopter touched down amid excitement and buzz of the locals. His presence has gotten everyone in the Christmas spirit here in the desert, especially the kids!

above: another photo from The Desert Sun, showing Santa greeting a little boy during his visit. Its great when the magic of Christmas affects people so positively. Of course the religious aspect of Christmas is most important, but for little kids, this sure brings it all to life.
Happy Holidays!
-Rick Rockhill