Sunday 22 December 2013

Wonderful Life



I have somehow made it to 300 blog posts!

My lovely friend Shelley recently made it to 800, and noted that she still enjoys blogging and feels inspired to continue.

So do I, due in no small part to all of you, the friends who bother to read and comment and support and amuse and entertain and inform. I've spent a bit of time this year mourning the people who have disappeared from my blogging world, but I decided that to focus on those who are no longer around does a disservice to those who are. 

And I want to say a big thank you to all of you, you are brilliant!



Yes, I mean you, Patti, Lynne, Tania, Fiona and Shelley.






and Jan.



Thank you to Mel and Krista




Jean
 
 






and Em.


Such lovely friends - and of course there are many more, and I would have loved to create photos for all of you. But alas, the kids needed feeding and the Christmas presents needed wrapping and there was work to go to...


Without you, I'd feel like this;




But with you, it's a wonderful life.






An inappropriately summery video, I know, but the sentiment is fitting.

xxxx
 
   
                                                                         



So Merry Christmas to all...
 



xxxxxxx

57 comments:

Amber of Butane Anvil said...

Oh, "deerest" Curtise, YOU are a wonder!!! Congrats on 300 posts, and on still feeling inspired. I am so glad to hear it!

A few folks I miss too, and thanks for the reminder and celebration of us persister sisters! (You are so sweet to add me cradling a tree, that was indeed me this morning, bawling my eyes out over the dear thing that toppled in the ice storm.) Your concluding illustrative expressions are priceless!!!

Warmest best to you & yours this holiday, xoxo

Amber of Butane Anvil said...

Ha, FIRST with the big love. :D

Angels have Red Hair said...

Oh the joys of photo editing ... I love it!!!
Congratulations on 300 posts ... can't wait for the next 300 :0)
xx

Connie said...

You are such a star!!!!! So glad you love blogging cuz I honestly don't know what I'd do without you. This is the greatest post. Fabulous way to end the year. You and Jimmy make the perfect couple!!! LOVE YOU!!!!!

Autumn said...

You have top notch photoshop skills!
Thank you for blogging :)

Patti said...

Thank you dearest Curtise, for including me in your glorious holiday line-up! And next to Lynne, one of my coziest elf-friends. All the photos are grand, and I am saving this post 4-ever. I am a wee bit jealous of you snuggled next to handsome young Jimmy Stewart. But it *is* your 300th post, and you deserve it. xoxo

Kylie said...

You are so clever Curtise. These pics/collages of your bloggy friends are really wonderful. All I've ever managed is an Elf-Yourself thingy. My favourite's are Helga whizzing around with such style and aplomb on the ice, and V, looking like she belongs on a Christmas card.
Wishing you and your family a really lovely Christmas and a wonderful 2014. Please give littlest a big kiss for me. Love, Kylie x

Melanie said...

Bwa-ha-ha!! These photos are brilliant and they epitomize what I love about blogging - letting it all out. (I love being a sista with Krista.) I'm so happy you're here and going strong at 300. Your style, writing, and WIT are such a treat. Thank you, darling Clementine. Hugs!!!

thorne garnet said...

Cool! I've got to learn how to do that.

Merry Christmas to you and the family!

Unknown said...

Woohoo on your 300 posts! What a great milestone. XXX

Olga Rani said...

These photos are so funny and your words are so touchy. Congratulations on your 300 post. Merrry Christmas to you and your family!

Trees said...

Happy 300 posts! what a lovely homage to bloggy friends - yah for our wee community xoxox

Sue @ A Colourful Canvas said...

This is so brilliant Curtise!!! I have to say that Jean is my favourite, but close behind is Vix! Hey, you have a Happy Christmas my friend.

two squirrels said...

Oh oh Curtise.......you are truly brilliant, amazing and one of my favourite friends.........wow the big 300.....well done!!!!
Squeals of joy at all the lovely blog ladies.....who are all just fabulous........oh I do love the jumper and hat I am wearing.......look out Christmas cards here I come!!!!!
Thank you for all your gorgeous comments and posts that are always entertaining, intelligent, fun and well just beautiful you......yay yay yay.......
Merry Xmas and a big old bundle of happiness to you.....love v

CityScape Skybaby said...

These pictures are brilliant Curtise, love you jiving in the background in Jan's one, and Helga could print hers out next year as her own Christmas card, it looks so good. Well done on reaching 300 posts! I'll look forward to all your future blogs and I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas. xx

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas! xx

Pull Your Socks Up! said...

Wow 300 already? That's fantastic! Your blog is a joy to so many, I'm so happy you decided to take the plunge and get sharing your fabbo-ness here. You feed my soul and although we have never met, I think of you often as a result of your marvellous posts. Bloody fantastic pics darling!! Big hugs, xoxoxoxoxo

Peaches McGinty said...

Happy 300th! ah, blogging is the best and so are you!! bloody fantastic woman you are (I felt it right to swear!)I LOVE all these pics, I swear I need to learn photo-shop pronto, I want to play too - Merry Christmas dear Curtise and also to your lovely family, have a good'un, Bombay Sapphire at noon, yes please! x x x

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

How clever are you! Fabulous pics and fabulous you. Congrats on 300 posts. Have a good'un. xx

Vintage Bird Girl said...

I'm so glad you are still blogging...yours is a blog I love to read & I never miss a post. I love your style & your humour, & of course "the bod". Much love & Merry Christmas to you & your special family. Xx

Unknown said...

I do love you and your blogg !
Hope your holliday will be glourious !
Xxxx

Fiona said...

Curtise, this post is a joy. It must have taken you forever and now I feel such a slack blogger for posting a 'quickie'. Thank you for including me in your bevy of blogger beauties, it was brilliant to meet up this year and I hope we can repeat the experience in 2014. I love to read your intelligent, witty, thought provoking posts so here's to 300 more. Wishing you all a fabularse Christmas. xxxxxxx

Diane said...

You brighten my life. Have a very merry Christmas and let me know when you are free for a Harland Cafe meet up xxxx

mondoagogo said...

Oh these are BRILLS. I can't decide which one is my favourite, but I cracked up giggling at the last one of you.

Congrats on 300 posts, I sometimes wonder how many posts I would have now if I hadn't gone and deleted my earliest blogs (I started blogging in December 2000! but I feel like a n00b again these days)

Hope you have a happy peaceful christmas and not too much mayhem when you go back to work. xx

The Style Crone said...

Dearest Curtise! Congratulations on 300 posts! I am with you. Blogging is about the community that greets us daily, making it all worthwhile. A lifeline and a gift.

Happy Holidays to you and your family, who I feel that I know at some sweet level.

Miss Magpie said...

Bloody brilliant! I for one am very glad you keep on blogging and look forward to meeting you again in the new year. x

Vix said...

Hahahahahaha! That is absolutely brilliant! I love that one of you dragging the Xmas tree behind Jan and me outdancing Bing and Danny - I have a horrible feeling I'll be replicating that later!
Well done on reaching an epic 300 posts and for being fabulous, entertaining and yourself throughout. Blogland would be a hell of a lot duller without you.
Now, go and feed those poor kids and crack open the booze you've slogged yourself to death for in Debenhams!
Love you! xxxxxxxxxxx

Forest City Fashionista said...

I had to wait until I stopped snorting with laughter at these collages before I could comment...Oh Curtise, it is posts like this that remind me why I consider us kindred spirits! Thank you for giving me such killer legs ;) Helga is a spectacular skater, and your face in the "this is what I'd look like without us" photo is too damn priceless. I will have to link to this post on my blog.

Congrats on your 300th, here's to many more, full of snark, maxis, swearing and chuzpah!

Allison said...

yay!...bring on 301!...merry Christmas my sweet. x

Ivy Black said...

You're brilliant! Congrats on 300 and here's to 300 more. It's a bloody pleasure to know you. You always put a grin on my face.
Thank you for making me so shimmery and not putting me with Jimmy Stewart 'cos I'd only have disgraced myself. Give him a kiss from me!
Have a fab Christmas and see you soon.
xxxxxxxxx

Sheila said...

Congrats on your milestone! 300 is impressive! I love the fun photoshopping! You've done a wonderful job.

Here's to friend who've come and gone, and to those who've thankfully stuck around!

Sarah Jane said...

Wow 300 posts. You have been busy! This is a blast and a lovely tribute to your bloggy friends. There are a couple of bloggers whom I really miss and it does feel strange without them around but things change and sometimes peple just need to move on. Glad you're still around to cheer us up with your tongue in cheek humour xxx

Anonymous said...

Congrats on 300th post and what a lovely, hilarious way to commemorate it. Vic's head on Mitzi Gaynor (who could mistake her gams?) and you with your tongue out, and then looking all serene with Jimmy Stewart, well they're all just perfect. You've reminded me that White Christmas is all ready to go on my Apple T.V. for Christmas Eve. The merriest to you and yours, Curtise! Xoxo

Fran said...

How adorable. Those photo combinations are priceless. Congrats for attaining 300, your posts are always so entertaining. Best wishes in the New Year.

freckleface said...

300 posts? You're a legend! :) Here's to the next 300!

This is a top Xmas post! I LOVE all these pictures and was thrilled to be included in the first one. Look what fine pins I have! Mind you, I can't compare to Vix and Helga who are looking in the shape of their lives. Vix has pulled. As have Krista and Mel. Looks like they will be having all sorts of fun under the mistletoe. Em looks VERY pleased to be getting all the pressies.

All in all, really, as you say, quite wonderful. Happy Christmas my dear! xxxxxx

freckleface said...

300 posts? You're a legend! :) Here's to the next 300!

This is a top Xmas post! I LOVE all these pictures and was thrilled to be included in the first one. Look what fine pins I have! Mind you, I can't compare to Vix and Helga who are looking in the shape of their lives. Vix has pulled. As have Krista and Mel. Looks like they will be having all sorts of fun under the mistletoe. Em looks VERY pleased to be getting all the pressies.

All in all, really, as you say, quite wonderful. Happy Christmas my dear! xxxxxx

freckleface said...

300 posts? You're a legend! :) Here's to the next 300!

This is a top Xmas post! I LOVE all these pictures and was thrilled to be included in the first one. Look what fine pins I have! Mind you, I can't compare to Vix and Helga who are looking in the shape of their lives. Vix has pulled. As have Krista and Mel. Looks like they will be having all sorts of fun under the mistletoe. Em looks VERY pleased to be getting all the pressies.

All in all, really, as you say, quite wonderful. Happy Christmas my dear! xxxxxx

Tamera's Craft Palace said...

I am totally stealing my Curtisefied photo as my new avatar!!!!

This post brought a guarded guffaw and a huge smile to my face whilst I desperately needed it!

Merry Christmas!!!!

Pam in Texas said...

What a great post Curtise, congrats on 300.
You certainly make my day each time you post, thanks for everything.
Merry Christmas.
Pam in Texas, xxx

Indigo Violet said...

I'm so happy I found your blog last year! Now I can't imagine how I coped without all my blogging sisterhood.
XXX

Becky said...

This is so cute!!! I love all the pics! Blogging has been way more awesome than I ever thought it could be because of all the amazing people I've met. CHEERS!

silvergirl said...

Ha Ha, Love the photo shopping you did
Just so cute
Enjoy your family and
Have a Merry Christmas!
Brett

Ulla-Marie said...

Great christmas-cards!

Unknown said...

Hello Curtise!
Love the photo editing! Congrats for the 300 post and plus still feeling inspired that is a plus! All that snow and artic cold is not the best place for inspiration these days for me but blogging is fun -
A merry christmas to you and your lovely family

Hugs

Arianexo

Emma Kate at Paint and Style said...

Have a splendid Christmas and congratulations on 300 posts! Hava a super time with the kids. xxxx

bonsaimum said...

Merry Xmas to you and your family. :)

Unknown said...

Daaaahhhhling! Happy 300 Posts! Wow! And every one a jewel.
(I have hopes that some of the missing will return, but know what you mean!)
I'm so thrilled to be in such great company! We all look FABULOUS, and that was kind of you! Love this, and like Patty, am saving it forever. Dan's response was: "You have that dress!" I DO! Not precisely but really close! I'll put it on and show you come spring. So happy to be in your company ... and this truly was a happy, happy addition to my holiday. Thank you. Hope you and all yours had a lovely day! You know we all just love you, our Curtise!

India said...

Love it!!!

Jean at www.drossintogold.com said...

I might be last but so what?!! I LOVE YOU!! I laughed so hard at the pictures. (OOOH LA LA, those boots you put me in!!) Each one was a gem and I'm so impressed with your skills. I hope you had a lovely Christmas with your family et al. Congrats on your 300 mark. Here's to many, many more. XXXOOO

Helga said...

O, bless, my darling!!!!
My life has indeed been richer for all you gloriarse blog wenches!!!
You especially rock and frock my WORLD!
Love you madly. Truly!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

joyatri said...

Congratulations on reaching 300 posts and what a lovely tribute to your blogger friends. I've enjoyed your sense of humor and down-to-earthness and look forward to the next 300 posts.

mispapelicos said...

Wonderful post, dear curtise.
Slowly back to normal in our new home. Still so much to do.
Merry Christmas, and the best New year everrrrrrr
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Señora Allnut said...

dear lady, wish you're having a Fabulous Holiday!
and wish you a Delightful and Amazing New Year!
Felices Fiestas!
besos

Tamera Beardsley said...

My dear this had me chuckling in happy amusement! Thank you, thank you! I always love so coming for a visit to your space!!

xoxo
Tamera

Unknown said...

Well, I guess I've been told.

Happy xmas.

xxx

Anonymous said...

I missed this the first time around. I'm so glad Amber included a link to it - this post is brilliant! I want to print all these pictures and hang them on the wall!

Congratulations on 300 posts! I'm getting close to 100 - I guess I should do something special, too. I don't have children to feed, but I know I don't have the patience to sit and fiddle with Photoshop and be as creative as you.

Here's to the next 300!

The Goodwill Fangirl said...

OMG, Curtise! Of course I just saw this and was bowled over by your talent and wit and well, shit, by seeing ME! I am picking myself up from the very bottom of a well right now, and I cannot tell you how delighted I am to be counted as your friend - and how delighted I am to be delighted after a rather dark period.

Did I say THANK YOU? and LOVE YOU?