Here in the Hills

Thursday, February 20, 2014

the game - nye part 2

So we play 'The White Elephant' game after dinner and dessert.

People bring a wrapped gift---it can be something terrible that they want to get rid of, or, it can be something wonderful that everyone will hopefully fight over......
You don't know who brought what and that's as it should be.

We sit in a circle and roll the dice.

And there is a pile of Gifts sitting to the side on the floor.....And when you get a 7 or 11 you go pick out something from that big pile of gifts. (Sometimes people bring more than one thing, which makes it all the more fun.....)

So as I said, if you get a 7 or an 11, you can open a present, and then roll the dice again, and if you get another 7 or an 11, you can open another gift---and so on and so forth....We go around the circle and after everything is opened and visible.....well, that's when the fun really begins....

This was just one side of the room......and there were certainly a

variety of things---good, great, and silly and ugly, and wonderful!

Let me get in a little closer so you can see some of the things better.

Starting from right to left---a BIG Chocolate Bar (yum); some Teas and cookies, some books and a few DVD's; a couple of snow Globes that light up; a Great Cat Calendar for 2014, and a big Chicken Cookie Jar, and a piece of china known as

'The Creamer'.

'The Creamer' was making a re-appearance in The Game.

The last time we saw it was in 2006....

Here below, a picture of Betty G., Charley Berliner and

'The Creamer', New Years Eve, December 31st, 2006.

I don't remember who put it back in the game that year---it had been in and out of the game for about 8 or 9 years before that----But, I ended up with it that night back in 2006.

And I kept it where it could be seen by one and all and then, I forgot about it.....Till.....this year, when I decided to put it back in the game.

Oddly enough, it was the very first Gift that was opened. Odd because I had put it in the game and it was way over on the side on the bottom of a large pile of prettily wrapped packages.....

Seemah had rolled the first 7 and she went over to the pile of presents and picked this box.....In a way, it made it very special. I mean, that the first gift opened was this rather pornographic piece of China, with which most everyone there was familiar, and we all had a good laugh.....

Seemah did enjoy it, a lot!

It's too long a story to go into, but let's just say, I am acting as custodian of 'The Creamer' till the person who actually ended up with it decides to take it. So, for now, it is sitting right where it's been since January 1st, 2007!

Now on to some somewhat more High Brow items.....

There was this terrific book about the History of The Oscars, by the wonderful Bob Osborne of TCM. It's something I would have wanted myself, but I just don't have any place for any more books---especially such a gorgeous Coffee Table Book.......I hate that I have no room for books anymore. It hasn't stopped me buying some, but, there is no place to put them.....!
There were some other wonderful books---a terrific Time-Life book and a very beautiful book on John Kennedy in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of his assassination and The Diaries of Richard Burton, to name a few.

And there were some charming Cookie Jars....The already mentioned Chicken with Babies----it really is darling and if I had had the room....

Chickens seemed to be very popular this year.....Someone else put a Chicken Cookie Jar in the game---smaller than the above, but still----what are the chances of two Chicken Cookie Jars showing up on the same New Years Eve White Elephant Game?

Lee opened this one, but I think someone else ended up with it.....

You know what? I don't think it is a Cookie Jar---in fact, I don't know what it is---well, I know it's a Chicken but I have no idea what it is supposed to be used for....Funny.
Going back to that Beautiful White Elephant at the top of this post....A very dear friend of Earl's sent that to him last year so he could put it in the game-----which he did.
I never did post any of last years New Years Pictures, sorry to say.....
And this year, she sent another Elephant, made by the same company--Breyer.
Here are both of them, below.

The company that makes these is called Breyer.

And, the second one has the figure of Mikey Dolenz on it based on a TV show he did as a boy---"Circus Boy", where it was his job to take care of an Elephant named Bimbo.

I was not familiar with "Circus Boy" or Bimbo the Elephant. I only knew Mikey Dolenz from "The Monkees", and I really didn't know them very well either.

But, this is a collector's item!

It was lovely of Ronda to send these for the game---So, if you are reading this, my dear, Thank You So Very Very Much.....!

Below, another collector's item of sorts......

A 'Duck Dynasty' Cap......For those of you who have never seen this show, (And that includes me) it is about a family who makes Duck calling thingy's, and there was a lot of hoopla about some remarks that Daddy Duck Dynasty had to say about Homosexuals and Black people here in America.
It was, in my opinion, like The Dark Ages! OY!

Enough Said!

Here is another picture of the two Elephants below......

I like them a whole lot better than that Duck Cap!

So....that was our New Years. At Midnight we went on my Deck and heard the city bring in the New Year---and we all yelled, too----a very unifying feeling, and, we even saw some fireworks.

A lovely way to bring in 2014!

More To Come........

18 Comments:

kenju had this to say:: Naomi, you always have the best parties!! I love the creamer, although I might not have the nerve to display it....LOL I wonder who modeled for it?; Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 9:52:00 PM PST
Arkansas Patti had this to say:: What a fun idea and party. Some of those gifts I would have really enjoyed--especially the elephants.
Looks like the creamer is yours once again-- till the next party. Think by now I'd have named it.; Friday, February 21, 2014 at 6:28:00 AM PST
Pat had this to say:: Well the creamer has left me speechless. It reminded me of feeding cups with a spout that we used to feed patients with.
Perhaps it could be used as a feeding cup for invalids.
Those pottery chickens used to be used to store eggs.
I'm glad you had such a jolly new year. They can be a bit traumatic but I'm sure there was a lot of laughter round at yours; Friday, February 21, 2014 at 8:15:00 AM PST
Lynn had this to say:: I always enjoy that game - what fun. :) And you all had such great stuff (although I wouldn't want the Duck Dynasty cap either, due to that guy's remarks.) And the creamer - how funny! I've never heard it done that way, with the roll of the dice and certain numbers - I like that.

You have a great group of friends - it sounds like a wonderful evening!; Friday, February 21, 2014 at 9:52:00 AM PST
Jeanie had this to say:: Well, you have a far higher class of white elephants than most parties like that I've been to! I confess, most of those things I'd be happy to receive!

I'm glad you showed the MIckey Dolenz pic -- I just noticed Circus Boy making a TV reappearance. I hadn't seen it yet but knew there was SOMEONE famous as Circus Boy! It's Monkee Mickey!

Sounds like a glorious time. Perhaps I should throw something like that together to help us get through the tail end of winter -- although I confess, I doubt anyone would bring anything as remarkable as the creamer!; Friday, February 21, 2014 at 12:40:00 PM PST
Vagabonde had this to say:: What a fun party! There were some very beautiful gifts, such as the books and the elephants. I can tell that everyone had a wonderful time and that is the best part of your parties – you have great friends who know how to enjoy themselves and be happy. It was fun looking at what gifts were brought – I could almost hear the laughs.; Friday, February 21, 2014 at 7:27:00 PM PST
Riot Kitty had this to say:: OK I am laughing my ass off about the creamer!! Invite me next year!; Friday, February 21, 2014 at 9:44:00 PM PST
Dianne had this to say:: how have I gotten this far in life without a creamer like that one!!

wonderful pics; Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 4:13:00 AM PST
Ileana had this to say:: Your pictures are great and help tell a great story of what happened that night. I can't get over the creamer. Where do they sell that stuff?? lol My kids would die of laughter (and/or embarrassment if I put such a thing on the table!).

It looks like a wonderful time was had by all. I love the expression of Betty looking at the creamer.

Ringing in the New Year with the fireworks from your balcony sounds like a lot of fun. I would've loved to have been there! That Oscars' book would've been MINE!; Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 4:59:00 AM PST
LL Cool Joe had this to say:: Ha ha, I forgot about your party game. It's such a great idea and looks like loads of fun. I can understand why the creamer always ends up with you! Ha.

How sad that you have no more room for books. I feel that way about my caps and clothes!

My daughter was into Duck Dynasty but fortunately her interest in it seems to be fading a bit.

The books look like great gifts to receive.; Monday, February 24, 2014 at 2:36:00 PM PST
DesLily had this to say:: wow.. how did I miss all of this? I know all the meds I've been on lately have "calmed" me but it's also taken away things I enjoyed like your blog! I will get back to checking more often!

These photo's are great and I am glad for you that others help take photos for you :o)

but mostly I am glad to see so many of your friends around you and making you happy!

I've always liked Earl..my memory sucks but I think he is on the list that support Tippi Hedrens Shambala??

Anyway.. as always everything looks fantastic (Lee never ages! )and fun!!

The books sound good too. . I read one on JFK near the 50th anniversary called "Jack". I am reading an autobiography of Charlton Heston called In The Arena. Although I don't agree with stuff about "guns" that he liked this book is reading really well and very interesting.

Anyway.......... I will check in more often..xoxo; Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 12:03:00 PM PST
colleen had this to say:: The creamer is quite the pointer and a funny photo-op! I loved the smaller wooden chicken and would have loved the book on the Oscars. It looks like a full house and a good ole fun time for all!; Tuesday, February 25, 2014 at 7:13:00 PM PST
Lydia had this to say:: Fun.

My idea of appropriate language is more shaped by Richard Burton than Daddy Duck.; Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at 8:07:00 AM PST
Rain Trueax had this to say:: That looks like such fun. When I was a girl we spent holidays with the whole family on my dad's side and they had that kind of thing that went around and often the funny ones returned. I remember one was an antique chamber pot turned into a planter (hole in the bottom). I got it one year and kept it :); Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at 2:49:00 PM PST
sonia a. mascaro had this to say:: Wow! What a fun party and a great way to salute the 2014 with such a lovely friends! I never have heard about "The White Elephant" game before! It looks really great! There were some very beautiful gifts and the creamer is just very funny! LOL!
Seeing the amazing fireworks of the New Year from you balcony sounds fantastic! I would've loved to have been there!; Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at 4:41:00 PM PST
kenju had this to say:: Back again, Naomi, to answer your question. My 4th granddaughter turned 14 in December. She is tall and beautiful. Look for her between the two guys on the back row of the photo.; Thursday, February 27, 2014 at 3:57:00 PM PST
rashbre had this to say:: It looks a hoot and with some excellent items!

It's probably an idea I will unashamedly steal for a future event. The roll of the dice adds to the fun!

We have the expression 'White Elephant' but it hadn't occurred to me there could be a whole game around it!; Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 4:51:00 AM PST
Diane J Standiford had this to say:: FUN!; Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at 10:22:00 AM PST