This is my favorite time of year with my girls. We tromp around hither and yon going to plays and antique stores and parades and Nutcrackers and all manner of Christmas-y field trips.
We also quietly and deliberately celebrate Advent in the evenings after dinner with Dad.
I love the contrast. The quiet reverence. The raucous joy. All neatly wrapped up in one chilly December day.
Oh if all days could sit at Decembers’ feet and learn to submit to the strain of this paradox.
And yet still, I haven’t shopped or decorated very much or even so much as made a December pan of fudge.
So far, it’s all basking in the Bright Light that has made their faces shine with salvation.
I know. Pretty soon I’m gonna have to do more than bask.
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Speaking of bright shiny faces…….
Are you familiar with the awesomeness which is foo dogs?
Well, these ancient relics of Chinese (Buddhist) legend have made their way into the hearts of eclectic home decorators everywhere.
They look like a mix between a lion and a dog and they’re so hideous they’re cute.
I’ve adopted an adorable very large pair from Greenville’s Antique Marketand and they have willingly converted to Christianity and agreed to celebrate Advent with us.
They are guarding my screen porch Christmas tree as we speak.
Did I mention large? And nearly the cutest things I’ve ever seen? In a hideous/cute sort of a way. May I add quite large? The size of an average toddler?
Okay okay, here they are! (I’m trying to give my sister a little time to *study* ( *see* them) in advance so she doesn’t totally lose it when she sees their glory in person.
I’m not gonna lie. They’re outrageous—– in the most wonderful sort of way.
See, you can’t take your eyes off them. You’re stunned. You’re not sure we can be friends.
Just don’t make any rash decisions today. You know you wanna like them. You know you do.
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AND NOW, you must concentrate because we have one item of business left.
I’m having a party next week and you’re invited. Make that 3 parties. 3 linky parties full of Christmas food.
I wanna wow the home crowd with goodies, new and old. I do.
So I thought next week, we’d link up some of our favorite December recipes. You can post a link or go all Pioneer Woman on me and post every last jot and tittle.
I’m giving you the weekend to cook something up and meet us here next week to swap ideas.
You can find last years’ cookie exchange here.
{I’ll try to make a cute party button like that soon!}
Monday–Appetizers
Wednesday–Sweets
Friday–Breads and Breakfast
I’ll try to get the linky working over the weekend and if all goes right, I won’t blow up the internet.
If you don’t have a blog, link to your Facebook page. Or better yet, start a blog over the weekend (it’s really easy as pie) and we’ll be internet neighbors.
Are you in? Or have the life sized foo dogs scarred you for life?
Do tell.
I’m in. I love advanced notice and planned to do done cooking do it’s the perfect fit. Have a wonderful weekend.
Honestly, Edie, my heart skipped a beat when I thought for just a moment we were going to be real life friends! Then I read the qualifier -linky parties-! Oh well, maybe one day you will swing by my house in JC, TN and you can look at my “dogs”. I have no foos yet but I do have cavaliers and precious pair of poodles (the Staffordshire kind) I have been eyeing the foos lately but have never seen a pair quite as large (and gorgeous) as yours! Wow! I love. I found your blog last January and have shared your joys and pains through the last year. Thank you for being brave enough to open your heart to strangers. You leave me with something in each post. I have had a blank blog for about 9 months deciding whether or not I have something to say … I finally contacted a designer this week so, hopefully, I will be out there soon, too. Thank you, thank you!
I bought a bright pink foo dog years ago in a boutique. Today it’s still one of my favorite home decor items! Yours are lovely 🙂
Heather @ Lark & Lola
I want to like them….because I love everything about you (I’m bordering on being a stalker!)….but I can’t like those dogs! Sorry.
I love best how you converted them to Christianity!
I’ve never joined a linky party, but I do have a couple of blogs – one for cooking… thinking about joining you next week with some favorite recipes!!! I love the “foo dogs” but I think they might scare (some) small children. My small child however, would probably be riding them with his cowboy boots on. Wouldn’t it be something if someone was searching “foo dogs” and found your blog and heard the gospel???
My Christmas party is next weekend so I am glad that you are holding a linky party to help me out! Your foo dogs are amazing. They wouldn’t work in my house (smaller ones would though) but they are perfect next to your tree! And converting them to Christianity made me smile 🙂
I had no idea they were called Foo Dogs! But I know all about them. I grew up with a pair that hung out at my grandparent’s house. After they passed away I inherited them and I LOVE THEM! They are creepy looking but they remind me of fun times at my grandparent’s! 🙂
I adore your dog-dragon-thingies!!!! I so want a pair of my own now! 🙂
Edie, I love your blog to pieces, but those dogs are something serious! Like not in a good way:(
I’m sure you’ll make them work (right?). But right now, I don’t see it. Still love ya, though! And a linky party? Yep, I can do that! I’m glad you included breakfast!
Bwahahaha! I’m so glad they agreed to the conversion. Hysterical. Those puppies have some lips on ’em. They remind me of Angelina Jolie.
Now Edie, have you gone, uh, well, ???? Those are the ugliest things I have ever seen. BUT, I must say I love the colors! Then, on the other hand, they are kind of like pugs, they are so ugly they are cute. We had a pug. He was the best dog ever! See, I can like ugly!
You go, girl. If YOU like them, that is all that matters. I bet half of your blog followers will be looking for them. I challenge them to send pics!
🙂
Good colors. Ugly dogs. Although there is a sort of Santa-ish look around their chins and an angelic wing-ish look to their tails!
Are they beautiful inside or just a hollow mockery?
Love them…they remind me of my Shih-Tzu.
I do believe my comment will be standing in the corner while everyone else talks of dogs and cookies, but I just couldn’t even get past that lovely little bit at the beginning. Oh, the paradox of Advent. How you’ve put flesh to this tension I’ve been feeling in such a lovely way. And, yes, ” if all days could sit at Decembers’ feet and learn to submit to the strain of this paradox.”
I LOVE your foo dogs! Did you get them at the Greeneville, TN Antique Market? If so I will definitely need to go check it out (I’m in Kingsport).
I adore…love…..those foo dogs and since I have a little asian wonder daughter, I think I HAVE to get them….in her honor of course. 🙂 Your porch couldn’t be more perfect.
you know I bought a pair of “walking foo dogs” that are bright turquoise when we were in China….they are in Lydia’s room…but I’m gonna HAVE to have the extra large, toddler sized ones. :))))))
i know tara! aren’t they just unbelievable?! i’ll be on the lookout too, you definitely need some!
and the fact that you LOVE them confirms our kindredness.
xo,
edie
Seriously Edie, I am sure I am not the first to say you are hilarious. Reading this was like medicine for my soul after a long week, I laughed so hard I cried. Your sense of humor is completely welcomed in my home. I didn’t think anything could top your “don’t ask don’t tell” comment about embracing the poncho, until I read the part of this post about your giant Foo dogs converting to Christianity. The pictures of your precious daughters are so lovely, it looks like you had a wonderful day making memories!
Edie, love them!! Love your blog, home and you!! Where did you find the red quatrefoil plates you had on your Bohemian table? Love them!! Blessings, Glo,
Oh Edie, I love your blog, writing, decorating style, and sense of humor. But you’ve gone too far with these dogs. Throw them out! They are too creepy. 😉
i am a big fan of your blog. i love the dogs, where can we find these in california? I especially like the colors.
I have to say the dogs do scar/scare me. But I’m glad you are brave enough to use them if you love them. I wouldn’t be able to sleep with them in my house. My boys would probably take them outside for target practice. It’s a good thing you’re posting them so your sister can get used to them. OK. That’s enough. I’m just teasing you.
I participated in the cookie exchange last year. It was much fun, so I’m going to TRY to get one or two recipes up for your linky parties.
I love the lion dogs—very jealous of the size. 🙂 I don’t have a blog, but I will gladly be reading next week for the recipes…can’t wait!
You are an amazing decorator. WOW! : )
I don’t know how I feel about your foo creatures. I am super glad they love Jesus though. That makes them ten times better! ; )
I LOVE your foo dogs!! They actually look like they’re laughing knowing we can’t believe you actually have them guarding your tree..ha ha ha But it works in some twisted way 🙂
I am cracking up at your readers’ comments…I especially love that someone thinks they resemble Angelina Jolie! Ha! People are just so …honest. So on that note, I can’t take them serious, I mean they are a beautiful color but I feel like they belong somewhere more appropriate…like in the bottom of the pacific 😉 However, if you insist on keeping them, I think you should call them Angie and Cher…well, they do need names ya know 😉 xoxo
see my latest post julie! i’ve named them:)
Ok, so I’m not really feeling the dog / lion / dragon / confused creatures – but I’m absolutely thrilled that your family were able to celebrate Thanksgiving and soon Christmas in your new home 🙂
Love from NZ!
Okay, I personally love the dogs…cute as can be….and they SO fit in with your decorating style….I am so in awe of what you do decorating wise…..wish I had the same fun, whimsical style….working on it little by little………..but my real question is??????…..what is the story with the Christmas tree with the numbers on it??….I think it is way cool….just wondering if there was a story there as to the why??…..I have read all the comments and no one else has remarked on this….????….but when I looked at that photo…my eye didn’t go to the dogs…it went to the tree decorated with numbers…????…ha, ha….would love to hear about that!!!!!
nothing profound cheryl. i saw a tree a few years back in cottage living that was decorated with big numbers and i liked it!
i bought them unpainted at hobby lobby and then sprayed them with white paint then glitter paint.
it’s a fun little tree 🙂
Your hilarious. I honestly think the dogs are a perfect touch, maybe they need a pretty Christmas bow. And they look so happy to be there! Count me in for recipe exchange! Im new to following you, but I’ve already added you to my blog list!
I love food exchanges although I’m not sure I have anything different or original, just our favorites that I make every year. As far as the Foo Dogs, WOW! They are unusual. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like them. Also, the pics of your girls are very cute. I know you’re proud of them.
I’m in! The Foo Dogs haven’t scared me! 🙂 My son takes Mandarin…I need to be on the look out for one of these dogs for his classroom! Thanks for giving me the heads up that they are “in”!
I’m in! The Foo Dogs haven’t scared me! 🙂 My son takes Mandarin…I need to be on the look out for one of these dogs for his classroom! Thanks for giving me the heads up that they are “in”!
so glad to ‘meet’ you!
PS…I think I have FINALLY figured out how to comment on here! YAY! I LOVE your blog and have followed you for over a year. Your rebuilding story was so inspirational to me. http://the1stofmay.blogspot.com/2011/11/grateful-day-8.html
I, too, love COLOR in decorating. Your way of incorporating so many colors and patterns together makes me giddy!
I want to be your best friend. You inspire me. You make me laugh and feel that everything is o.k. Seeing your example, shining in your circumstances (because I can’t help but think that you have had many private ‘this time last year’ thoughts). . .and encouraging others. . .you are a JOY. Blessings to you and your family this season!!!
your comment cut right through me (in a good way).
salve for the soul.
thank you friend.
xoxo
Ha! Those are wonderful foo dogs! I think they’ll be a perfect and much-loved addition to your gorgeous home! No buyer’s remorse on those, OK?
oh honey, no! see what a conversation piece they are already?!!!
haha! I think those ugly foos are pretty cool actually. Their upper lip though is pretty crazy… LOL! Thanks for making me laugh 😀
Mmmmm … love the photos & all the festivity here. Not so sure about the dogs 🙂
Edie-the pictures of your girls are so sweet. These are such precious times for you to enjoy and cherish. I think your foo dogs are awesome. I always love things that are so ugly that they’re cute. We saw a hairless dog at the pet store who was so ugly he was cute. I really wanted it but we already have two. He was just so cute!! Just like your foo dogs.
Looking forward to the linky parties. Now what to make?
Hugs,
Ruth
I thought they’d be awful to tell the truth! but look at their sweet little smiling faces!! And the fact that they’ve converted to Christianity – well, that’s the topper. Love the beautiful blue!
Merry Christmas Ms. Edie! Love u suggar,
Bev
I love your tree and I love the girl’s dresses-so very cute!!!!!!
sandy toe
The foo dogs have definitely scarred me for life. For some reason I’m willing to overlook it and still be your friend. That must mean you are pretty awesome 🙂
you’re a good friend 🙂
weirdy….but you are right, I can’t look away…..I’m in on some cookin girl!
Those dogs reveal a new perspective into your sense of humor. If you like ’em, I like ’em.
once, again. you are not right.
but clearly, you procreate well. your girls are breathtakingly precious.
Oh my heavens – I LOVE foo dogs! Especially the toddler-sized variety. SOOO CUTE! I’d be tempted to put Christmas wreaths around their necks, or at least a fancy bow … too much?! I think not. 🙂
I know, they need proper Christmas decorum. I LOVe that you love them 🙂
xoxo
The first thing I thought when I saw your charming foo dogs was Anne Shirley and those funny little china dogs she fell in love with in Anne of the Island! Gog and Magog, from Patty’s Place, the house she lived in with her friends from college? Anything that is good enough for Anne Shirley is more than good enough for me, so I think the dogs can stay. 🙂 Everybody needs a little something quirky to make their house a home… am I right?
You are brilliant Annie!!!!!! I just posted about your savvy recollection of Anne’s love of foo dogs. And yes, these are definitely quirky enough to qualify as a signature piece 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
I love stopping by your blog … and now I keep coming back to
sneak another look at the Foos … I can’t seem to look away … I think I love
them!
Hey, as long as they don’t foo “poo” on the carpet – they’re good!
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