You probably have pies in the oven, are up to your eyeballs in Christmas bows, or are running around getting those last minute stocking stuffers. The last place that I hope you will be is on the internet, but nonetheless, I wanted to take a few minutes to wish all of the HinesSightBlog readers and social media friends a very Merry Christmas.

I feel as if this month has flown by, and it makes me very sad. As parents, we are already busy then we must add holiday concerts, shopping, baking, and meal planning into the mix.  I've yet to visit my neighbors to take them holiday goodies. I've got ingredients sitting on my counter to make fudge. The fudge is not made. I've got holiday cards that still need to go in the mail. My house looks as if someone has ransacked it. Everything is unfinished.

I've run out of time. The holidays are here.



 I could not let this day pass without sending you a holiday greeting. I would prefer for it to be the old-fashioned way, a handwritten note in the mail, but this will have to do.

I'll soon be approaching  my 5th year of owning this website, and I've gotten to know many of you who stop by here frequently or talk to me on social media. I appreciate you.




May you hold the magic of the season close to your heart.
  
Merry Christmas, 
Leigh 

So grab some eggnog. Here's our little Christmas story.

The wreaths are all hung at my mansion.


Oh, I can't fool you. This is more realistic. So the lights are strung at the Hines House in Raleigh.  The poor little bear survived just one night by the door because I burned its little bottom. Christmas would not have been so merry if the bear caused our house to go up in flames.


The deer are apparently in our yard waiting to get hooked up to the sleigh. We have a neighbor who professionally moonlights as Santa each holiday. Oh, dear! He takes his role seriously.


As I mentioned in my News and Observer column this week, I'm trying to find my signature cookie or candy. I bought $79 worth of baking ingredients, and baked so long I could have heated the cookies with my own menopausal hot flash. I succeeded in bring back memories of my grandmother's Russian Tea Cakes. Seriously, powdered sugar can make anything taste good.



I was busy going to luxury hotels this month.  Did you expect anything less?  We lived at Disney's Yacht Club for a few days.


We decorated cookies at the Washington Duke Inn.


And enjoyed Christmas afternoon tea at the Umstead Hotel and Spa.



And someone had the honor of putting our first ornament on the tree.



I stalked all the Raleigh bakeries for the most perfect gingerbread people.  I think they are dressed quite festive for this holiday at YellowDog bakery. But, I waited too long to buy.  By the time I went back, all the gingerbread people had gone on their merry way. There was not a gingerbread in sight.



I filled Skimbaco Lifestyle's stocking with not only two, but three Christmas stories this month.  I had fun holiday shopping at North Hills, telling the story of the start of Vietri china, and seeing Disney sparkle at the holidays.



I made my family brace 70 degree temperatures to see the Christmas lights in downtown Raleigh.  It didn't feel like Christmas, but it sure looked like Christmas.


This fun little Hines holiday tale must come to an end.  We have presents to wrap, salads to make, and of course,we must take a Christmas eve nap.



 "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!"