Happy New Year!

"Ajdin, what are you doing for New Year's Eve tonight?" Uncle Tibbs asked.

"Hmm... I don't know.  What do people in the United States do on New Year's Eve?"

"Usually they have a party and watch the ball drop in Times Square on TV.  Let's have a party, Ajdin."

"Okay, I'll get some snacks."  I brought some of the snacks that Santa left me.  I also found a box of Teddy Grahams crackers and I coincidentally look beary similar to the bear on the box (he's wearing a blue shirt and does not have pants).

"And I'll make some party hats for us to wear, Ajdin," Uncle Tibbs said as he began to cut and glue some paper together.  In a couple of minutes, he had made us 2014 party hats.

"But we are still missing something, Ajdin."  Uncle Tibbs thought for a moment.  "Aha!  I know what it is.  I'll be right back."  He soon came back with a bottle of champagne and a couple of glasses.

"Oh no, Uncle Tibbs!  I'm afraid I can't drink that since I'm underage."  He laughed a big bear laugh.

"This is sparkling apple cider so you can have some Ajdin, don't worry."  Then we raised our glasses for a toast.

"To all our friends, bears and non-bears alike, may 2014 bring you lots of joy and new adventures!  Best wishes for 2014!  Happy New Year!"

Coffee shop

I haven't been on an outing in a while, so today I got to go to the coffee shop.  It was very busy in the shop but I was able to find a quiet, empty table in the corner.  I brought my book with me and got some reading done.

Then I sipped on some coffee as I did some people watching.  People are very interesting creatures.  No sign of any bears, though I hear Sandy & Sebastian and Jerry & Ben hang out here often...?

Christmas gift exchange

(I am a few days late in posting this but I thought you might like to read it anyways.)

"Uncle Tibbs, you will not believe what happened!" I said excitedly.

"Oh really?  What happened?" he asked.

"I met Santa Claus!"

"You did?"  Uncle Tibbs raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, he came down the chimney on Christmas Eve."

"He did?  What did he look like?"

"Hmm," I thought for a moment.  "Well, he was about your height and your weight -- "

"Are you saying that I'm fat, Ajdin?" Uncle Tibbs said, smiling.

"No no no, it's just that he kind of looked like you and also had a similar voice and -- "

"Well I'm very glad you got to meet him!" Uncle Tibbs interjected.  "I have a Christmas present for you, Ajdin."

"Wow, thank you!  It's a ukulele.  And I have something for you, Uncle Tibbs.  I'll be right back."

"ERGHHHH...UNGHHHHH...Phew!  This is heavy," I said, pushing his present towards him.

"Need a paw there, Ajdin?" Uncle Tibbs asked.  "Oh wow, it's a guitar!  How beary cool!"  (Uncle Tibbs rarely says "beary" so I know that he was beary excited about the guitar.)

"Hey Ajdin, I have an idea.  I think we should start a band, what do ya say?"

"That's a great idea, but I will need some music lessons first!"

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!

Mailbag

I got some mail a couple of days ago!  This time, it's from Little Fox.

Ooooh, this is a beary nice outdoor winter scene.  Little Fox seems to be a very outdoorsy fox.  This picture on the card looks a lot like his pictures from his hikes outdoors with his roommates.  Thanks Little Fox!

Santa Claus

So today is the day when the big guy comes down the chimney.  At least, that's what I've heard, but I've never met him before so I am just a little bit skeptical.  I'm not sure we have even used this fireplace before.  How could anyone possibly come down it?

But, just in case Santa Claus does come by, I'm going to leave some milk and cookies for him.  (I helped myself to a couple cookies also.)  :)

Then, I went to bed, but it wasn't before long when I was woken up by a loud WHOMP sound.

"Phew, this is harder than it looks," someone mumbled from the living room.

"Santa?" I asked, tiptoeing from the bedroom.  "Is it really you?"

"Hi there, Ajdin... uh, I mean... HO HO HO!  MERRY CHRISTMAS!" Santa said.

"How did you know my name?" I asked.

"I'm Santa.  I know everyone's name."

"Wow!  You're really real!"  I was beary excited now.

"And why not?  I'm just as real as you are," he said.

"I must get my Uncle Tibbs to come meet you.  I'll be right back -- "

"Uh, I don't think that's a good idea.  He's sleeping, isn't he?  You wouldn't want to wake him up, right?"

"Well, no, I guess not..."

"Here, I have some gifts for you.  I heard you were a good little bear this year.  Here's a new jar of honey, some smoked salmon, and some gummy bears.  Don't eat it all at once, Ajdin."

"Thank you beary much, Santa."  I gave him a hug before he turned to leave.

"And thank you for the milk and cookies," he said, finishing them off in a couple of bites.  Then, as quickly as he had arrived, he went up the chimney and was gone.

WOW!  I am so excited right now!  I have to tell Uncle Tibbs in the morning what happened.  Too bad he was not awake to see this!

Bagel joke

Question: What's the best way to protect your bagel?

Answer: Put some lox on it.

Today's breakfast was a real treat - an everything bagel with cream cheese and lox!

Yum!  That was really good.  Have a great day everyone.

Mailbag

"Ajdin, come here!" said Uncle Tibbs, as he came back from the mailbox.  He had his usual newspaper tucked under his arm.  "There is some mail for you today."

"But I never get any mail, Uncle Tibbs," I said.  "There must be some mistake."

"Well today, it looks like you have a letter."  He handed me an envelope.

It's from Jerry and Ben!  See the two little bears at the bottom left corner?  I am SO BEARY EXCITED!  This is the first piece of mail I have ever received.  I quickly opened the envelope.  It was a holiday card.  And inside was a nice holiday note!  How beary nice.  Thank you Jerry & Ben!  Merry Christmas to everyone!  :)

Oh fudge!

Today was just a lazy Sunday afternoon... until my mom brought home a fudge kit!  I've never made fudge before, but I'm determined to help out the best that I can (and perhaps get my paws on some gooey leftovers).  This box has everything we need.

Let's see what's inside.  Sugar, evaporated milk, marshmallows, and chocolate.  Oh, this should be easy.  No measuring required.

I poured the sugar into a saucepan and added the evaporated milk and some butter.

My mom did not let me get too close to the burner because I am highly flammable so I had to take the picture from here.  Trust me, it's boiling all nicely together and smells soooo beary good.

While my mom was stirring the pot, I helped out by getting the marshmallows and chocolate ready.  I ate some when she wasn't looking!  Shhh...don't tell.  :)

Then we added the chocolate and marshmallows and stirred it together until everything melted into a nice gooey concoction...

Then we poured it into a foil-lined pan and added some walnuts on top.

I think you need to see a closer picture, don't you?  Like this... *om nom nom nom*  This fudge will have to go in the refrigerator for two hours.

Actually, most of this fudge is going to be given away as a gift, so then I helped make the gift boxes to put them in.

Phew!  That was a lot of work, but I got a piece of fudge as a treat and got to lick the bowl.  Mmm, the holidays are such a delicious time of year.  I'm glad everyone is celebrating with their fun decorations and treats!

hiBEARnate

Around this time of year, I always find myself eating more and sleeping more.  I told my mom because I thought maybe I need to see a doctor, but she said this is normal for bears like me during winter months  She said it is because I am in hiBEARnation mode.  Does anyone else feel this way?  I don't mind eating more and sleeping more... who doesn't?

* First snow! *

I woke up this morning to a nice surprise - freshly fallen snow outside!  Yep, today is the first snow of the winter season.

I decided to go outside and see this snow for myself.  But first, I put on my hat that my aunt made for me.

Then I put on a scarf.  Oh.. I can't see anything...

There, that's better.  Now, despite the fact that I am not wearing any pants, I am now ready to go outside.

It was rather slushy by the time I ventured outside so I could not make a snowbear with this snow, but maybe next time!  Bundle up if you go outside!