Our Christmas altar
Photo by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta
This statue was massive! It was in the back of someone’s yard, larger than an evergreen tree!
We found it along the way, driving home from Princeton on Sunday.
Our adorable singing bear that we found at Cracker Barrel. Too cute to leave behind!
Us on New Year’s Eve, at brother-in-law Joe’s house — Pop took the picture 
Me and Pop enjoying some holiday spirit!
My husband Dennis and my nephew Matthew — two cool guys!
My sister Kim’s Chihuahua, Ally Marie Paige — doesn’t she make a cute reindeer?
◉✄♥☞♬✏✱❋❣sOooo beAutiful… You are more beAutiful all the time.. I loVe the altAr and the reindeer chihuahua !!!i cAn feel the mAjik!!!!xxxox◉✄♥☞♬✏✱❋❣
Sent from my iPhone !!!~(*v*)~>^:^<!!! ƸӜƷ*~* ☾~✼* ✼~☀✼♩ ♫_❤*★
Aww, thanks so much! xoxox
I love all the photos! Thanks for sharing them. You all look like you are having so much fun.
Is there any way you know the address of the buddha house? Steve loves it so much and wants to see it!
Traveling out of Princeton on Route 27 westbound — go at night, it’s magical! And go now while it’s still Christmas-y
Thanks! We have so many buddhas in our home, I’ve lost count! I just got Steve a huge buddha on canvas….it’s so beautiful. Hopefully we will make it to Princeton to see it.
I love that Buddha statue. I have 4 small ones in my home.
Ivonne, that statue was lifesize! It was taller than an evergreen tree. We spotted it from the road and turned around to take photos … definitely breath taking. I have little Buddhas at home too, on my altar. Of all the philosophers I love Jesus, Buddha and Gurdjieff as favorites
I have not heard of Gurdjieff, I will have to check him out. Yes, Jesus and Budhha very similar in their teachings. Both are my guides along with Virgin Mary and Yemaya.
Awesome! And I will check out Yemaya
Yemaya, is the Yoruba goddess. She is the mother of the gods/goddess and is often depicted as a mermaid. She became sycretized with various aspects of Virgen Mary in the Santeria Religion. She is a love goddess and fertility goddess.
Thank you so much for the information. I will definitely seek some books next time I’m in a bookstore. I love learning new things and I love mermaids too (one of my favorite Halloween costumes was when I was a mermaid and I had a beautiful mermaid necklace of a mermaid holding a pearl that I wore for many years until I lost it while hiking).
Before Christmas you told us about the great vintage dress for Christmas you found. We have not seen a picture of it yet. Please share!
Ahh, that’s right!!! I do have several pictures of that dress, but unfortunately they are all taken in my home and my husband thinks sharing home photos is too personal for the internet, so I have to respect that. But you can email me and I’ll send one to you and I trust you won’t share it with others (aside from your Mommy and Daddy)
I’m at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com
Why not put on the dress and do a special photo shoot for your upcoming big 50 b-day that you can share with all of us?
ivonne
LOL, it’s a Christmas dress and my 50th will be in August. Maybe next year I’ll do something with my photographer friend Darlene prior to Christmas
Great idea, Ivonne. My humans and I completely, respect your husband’s wishes, Maryanne. Trust me, I have “blog rules” too. My humans are absolutely not allowed in my blog (well, maybe a hand or a leg or a foot every once in a while). My blog is all about me, and if the humans want to be in a blog, they can do their own work
LOL! You’re too darn funny Miss Harper Lee! And I think I saw a hand or a leg in your blog