sweasel.com

The short version, Mr Matamoros, is that stoats are what Brits call weasels (or ermine), and what they call weasels we call least weasels — teeny dudes without the black tip on their tails. They are very closely related but can’t interbreed.

Ferrets are cousins of weasels — a domesticated version of the black footed ferret, which still exists in the wild in Wyoming, albeit endangered. They’re much bigger than weasels and their coloring is different.

But follow JuliaM’s links anyway. There really is no such thing as ‘enough’ mustelid information.

Oh, and thanks for the update, Scuba. Charlotte batted a couple of ornaments off the tree overnight and Uncle B is giving her the hairy eyeball.

Me, I’m delighted she didn’t scale the mizzenmast like Whiskers the Lady Pirate and bring the whole thing down in a heap.

Who’d have thought her Ladyship was a prophetess, as well?

Here it is, just past That Time and we’re well on the way to merry oblivion. The Weasel has her snout in a book called Illustrated True Crime (apparently it’s how weasels get in the festive mood). I’m Officer Commanding woodstove, while opening bottles, tinkering with my computer and keeping a weather eye open for that damned cat… there is stuff beneath that tree, and it does not need watering. Or chewing.

Merry Christmas, one and all!

A gift of three bottles of Elvis wine and a separate bottle of Elvis Champagne has graced my home. “The King” would approve heartily. Keep the cat away from the tree. Merry Christmas to all.

…Elvis wine…?

No, please, don’t tell me. It seems like bloody Blue Christmas is the only thing they play on the radio here at Christmas time. I’m left thinking (as a Tennessean would), how far do I have to go to escape Elvis?!?

Elvis champagne?!

I suppose it mustn’t ever be All Shook Up ?

I’m making glühwein from a recipe I found on the internet. It’s simpler than the glögg I used to make (it doesn’t have the raisins and almonds, and you don’t have to set it on fire, though that would be fun — but I don’t trust the smoke alarm in my tiny studio). I will fortify it with a shot of brandy.

Okay, that’s twice I had to use Character Map.

The Elvis Party Pack contains a bottle of “Jailhouse Rock” Merlot, “Blue Suede” Chardonnay and “The King” Cabernet Sauvignon from Graceland Cellars (in California). I kid you not. I rarely indulge but will supply a critique of some Austrian imbibers as soon as they arrive following Christmas..

“…A gift of three bottles of Elvis wine…”

We Three Kings?

Sorry.
Time for less egg nog, and more Captain Morgan…

Well Stoatie, Genghis Cat decided to finish off the tree when I brought it out again. It didn’t take more than 2 minutes before he was happily carrying one of my partriges toward the dog door. Pic en-route (and nothing wierd this time, I promise) 🙂

Hee! We had “Vegas Vino” sparkling wine with dinner tonight. I’m sure it could hold its own with the Elvis version.

Merry Christmas everyone!

UB, I can go to the local liquor store and come out with several bottles of Fat Bastard chardonay, and Marilyn Merlot in my cart. They are actually supposed to be rather tasty….

Merry Christmas, y’all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Tg2rvu1dt4

Turn it up, and be sure to watch several times for all of the little details (like the reindeer snapping their hooves, Santa throwing the mic from one hand to another, his toe keeping time throughout, etc…)

Hey, I’m a bit late with this, but I’ve just dug out of my archives a nifty vintage recording of a Christmas medley that I think everyone might enjoy. It’s a feeble attempt to say Merry Christmas and thank you to Lady Weasel, Uncle Badger and all the minions here who make this blog an exceptional place…

(ooops, here’s the link)

http://2multiples.com/hotdance/merrychristmas.htm

Glen

Ho Ho Ho, etc.

Merry Christmas to all.

Merry Christmas mustelids and assorted fellow minions!

Oh, and the price of your turkeys is insane. We’re going with a lean ham for Christmas…price tag $21.00 at 2.29 per pound (or was it 2.59?). You do the math, I’m way past my bedtime.

Merry Christmas, Stoataphiles!! My family has given up on the massive Xmas dinner, and gone with the slightly-less-massive breakfast/brunch instead.

Leaves more room for champagne, and we can nap much earlier.

Well, Uncle B’s happy. I toddled down to the greenhouse this afternoon and dug around in one of the pots. Hurrah! Just enough new potatoes to add a little ‘all my own work’ touch to the festive feast!

Never tried that before and I am most decidedly chuffed.

As for the rest… later 🙂

Merry Christmas to my pals across the pond and all their pals over here on my side.

Jill, if the Elvis Party Pack had bottles smaller than a magnum, I’d think it was Wee 3 Kings.

I wonder if the bird in the picture was still available after Christmas, and how much it might’ve been marked down?

Funny you should axe, lurk. We saw it in the store again last night, and it wasn’t discounted a penny.

I’m thinking some lucky employee is going to take that boy home — a little riper than his best, perhaps.