Short Cut to Merry

 I'm not putting up my Christmas tree this year due to my kittens; they would be in the tree top in a nano-second.  I love my kittens, so this doesn't feel like a sacrifice.  However, it does NOT look like Christmas around here. I have taken a risk and hung wee glass balls on my table top tinsel tree.  There is a can of compressed air lurking behind should a kitten even eyeball the tree.   I added a string of battery operated lights on this tree, so it does add a bit of festivity to the kitchen. 

 On my kitchen table I grouped some of my old glassware, tucking in vintage glass balls.  So far the cats have no interest in this, I guess because nothing moves. 

I also filled up my 3 glass hurricane jars that sit on the shelf over the TV in our family room.  Most of these ornaments are old, too.  Oh, that ornament tree?  That was a purchase last year from Mrs. Bingle, who sells on eBay.  It is a wonderful piece, as are all of her trees.  So, that's it.  No wreath.  No poinsettia. Even my baking is a short cut.  With all the great recipes for holiday baking out there? HA!  Today I used 1/2 of a spice cake mix to make a 1 layer cake, with some cream cheese/apricot jam glaze. It is too homely to show to you, my friends.  For me, this year, it's all about a very quick short cut to Merry.