Merry Christmas Eve!

Merry Christmas Eve, friends! I just realized that I yet again failed to actually push that little publish button for my post when I scheduled it. I'm great at this. So, anyway, here are some late Christmas Eve wishes from us to you! 

Now, let's get to this Christmas Eve edition of the Friendly Fill-Ins. Feel free to join in on the festive fun! My co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.


1. _________ is my Christmas wish for you.

2. I still need to _________ by Christmas.

3. 'Twas the night before Christmas and _________.

4. If I were Santa, I would want someone to leave me a plate full of _________ on Christmas Eve.

My answers are below in bold.

1. Peace is my Christmas wish for you.

(This is a cliché answer, but it's true. I wish you all peace, happiness, joy, and all the Christmas blessings.)

2. I still need to do some festive baking by Christmas.

(In my family, I'm always in charge of the Christmas desserts, which I quite enjoy. I still have a couple things to whip up, like peanut butter Rudolph cookies, so we'll be doing some Christmas Eve baking.)

3. 'Twas the night before Christmas and the kitties and pup were bouncing off the decked halls.

(You know, because the kitties got some new catnip toys and the pup got to feast on dog cookies to enjoy on Christmas Eve.)

4. If I were Santa, I would want someone to leave me a plate full of festive fruit on Christmas Eve.

(Not very festive, huh? But hear me out. I'm coming at this one from a logical standpoint here. If I were Santa and ate all those cookies, I'd be in a sugar coma by the time I hit Bangladesh. So, maybe someone could leave one of those fruit trays arranged to look festive, like you see in the Christmas tree fruit arrangements you see in magazines or on Pinterest. And I actually love fruit, so maybe that's also why I left this answer here. Maybe someone could leave an energy drink to go with it? It's going to be a long night.)

Now it's your turn!

To add your link to the Friendly Fill-Ins Linky list, just click HERE!

You can also click on the badge below to add your link.

You are also welcome to complete the fill-ins in the comments below,

or in the comments on Ellen's blog, 15andmeowing.

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Now what? How about our late but festive poem for Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge?

The photo prompt our host shared with us for this week was a fun and festive one. See here?

This image brought to my mind, well, a whole other image. Read about it in my poem here, if you'd like.

Merry Christmas

Do you know what I wanted for Christmas?
Cliché as it may be, I wanted a hippopotamus.
Do you think I got what I wanted?

With a festive little hippo was I confronted?

Want to know the answer to that?

Can you believe the answer involves my cat?
You see, a hippo friend I did not get.
Instead, I received something quite different from my feline friend

I flew downstairs on that Christmas morn,
Greeted by a smell that my nose did very much scorn.
That was because none other than my cat's litter box was under the tree,
And, boy oh boy, what a sight was that to see.

My cat didn't forget me that Christmas, no.
My feline friend got me something, ain't that so.
You see, there was a big ol' something in that litter box,
And my cat had even left it with a festive bow on top.

Should I label that as graphic content? Yes? No? Maybe so? I'm thinking a lot of you can relate, though.

***

And, of course, Eddy has a bit of blurry, bloopery festiveness to share. Today, she wants to remind you all to make sure that your stockings are hung. You know, from the mantle, or maybe from your abused Christmas tree like Eddy decided to do.

If you're lucky, you'll get some treats from that stocking. Like Eddy did. Because she demanded it.

Merry Christmas Eve from all of us to al of you!

***

Tip of the Day

We recently mentioned some ways to make Christmas special for both your own furbabies and those in shelters. Today, we want to remind you to remember those furbabies who are outdoors and in your neighborhood. Do you have stray or feral cats in your area? If so, for Christmas, or any day possible, try to give them any extra help you can. During this holiday season, or all year round, try to give strays and ferals extra food, treats, or even a toy. If possible, also try to offer them shelter in some way, even if it's something makeshift. This is something that can greatly benefit them during a cold and snowy winter. We'll soon be sharing some repeat yet also significant tips on offering assistance to outdoor strays and ferals, but for now we'll offer this simple reminder to remember outdoor furbabies during this holiday season.

Since we're talking about outdoor animals, perhaps also don't forget the squirrels and birds! For Christmas, you could throw some extra food out for wildlife, to allow them an extra festive day as well. Some places even make or sell especially festive suet cakes and other goodies for outdoor critters this time of year.

So, this Christmas season, don't forget to think outside of your own home and family. Of course Christmas is a time for family, but it's also a time to remember how lucky we are, and how others may not be so lucky. So, spread the love this Christmas season!