It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Q: What do you get when you mix CVS's finest "lighted porcelain angel tree top" with a sledgehammer, vintage dog head and a glue gun?

A: An updated version of a family classic -- but with a new, ultra-gaudy gown!

From this heinous masterpiece:


To this delightful little pooch who's ready to adorn our tree:


I rescued the dog's head, little black paws (which aren't shown in this photo) and the original, padded silver fabric wings as the CVS garden variety came with clear, plastic wings. We can finally ring in the season with, er, taste . . .

Fairytale of New York

Given that it was like pulling teeth to get the kids to pose for Christmas pictures this year, the hubby wanted to place this photo on our card. At least they're standing next to one another and, from this vantage point, no one can tell if they're beating each other up or not.

My favorite part of this picture is the fact that it showcases something very special about our tree. Unlike our neighbor's tree -- which is perfectly decorated with beautiful ornaments, every branch covered with beauty, the weight of each piece evenly distributed across branches and the sizes/colors painstakingly rendered for optimum viewing -- our ornaments (many of which are kid-made) are all hanging on the bottom 1/3 of the tree where the little guys could reach.

Martha Stewart may not be proud but I really like it.