A day in the life of President Bush (12/24/05): photos, Christmas Eve edition

White House & Yahoo News Photos ^ | 12/14/05

[Wolfstar]

PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: The President and First Lady are spending Christmas at Camp David. Among those joining them at the wooded compound in Maryland's Catoctin Mountains are GWB's father and his mother, the First Lady's mother, Jenna Welch, and the first couple's twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna.

The President and his family, as well as military families, will attend a candlelight service on Christmas Eve at the Camp David chapel. The group also will watch an annual Christmas pageant put on by children of U.S. troops.

The first family's menu for a Christmas Day lunch includes herb-roasted free range turkey, corn bread dressing, mashed potatoes and giblet gravy, green beans, sweet potato souffle, pumpkin and pecan pies and red velvet cake.

Even on Christmas Eve, the work of the modern presidency continues:

WASHINGTON (AFP) - President George W. Bush discussed regional developments in a telephone call with Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, the White House said.

"The presidents wished each other a Merry Christmas and noted the progress made this year," spokesman Allen Abney said.

"They also briefly discussed developments in the region and the work ahead in 2006, including reaffirming their commitment to a free trade agreement," the spokesman said.

Uribe, 53, who enjoys strong public approval ratings, announced in November he would stand for a second term in May 2006 elections after the constitutional court ruled to permit his candidacy.

The US has provided billions of dollars worth of mostly military aid to the Colombian government, which is fighting a decades-old leftist insurgency and a booming trade in illegal drugs.

Former President GHW Bush, recently appointe UN envoy to Pakistan for earthquake relief, called President Pervez Musharraf:

MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan - Former President George H.W. Bush, recently appointed to lead the U.N. effort to help victims of the South Asian earthquake, promised to work to help millions of quake survivors, Pakistani state-run media said Saturday.

In a telephone call from [Camp David], Bush told Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf he would soon visit quake-hit areas to inspect relief work, Pakistan's television reported.

It said Musharraf thanked Bush for accepting the position of U.N. envoy and said he was grateful to the world community and the U.N. for helping Pakistan.

PRESIDENTIAL SCHEDULE: The President and Mrs. Bush fly to their ranch in Crawford, Texas, on Monday, returning to Washington on New Year's Day.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Sports promoter Don King appeared earlier this month on the "Larry King Live" show. During the interview, Mr. King had the following to say about our President:

DON KING; I love George Walker Bush because I think he's a revolutionary. He's a president that comes in with conclusiveness. What they're doing in tomorrow in Iraq is a demonstration of that for the vote for democracy. The fundamental process of democracy is freedom of speech, law and order, being able to have freedom, working with people and working and governing yourselves. George Bush is that. He included in...

BLITZER: Do you have any regrets supporting him? Take a look at that picture when you and I were there at the diner last year. Do you have any regrets supporting him as enthusiastically as you did?

KING: No, I don't. In fact, I want to support him more now because it seems like everybody is punching him. You know what I mean? But he's fighting back, and he's throwing great combinations. And I think he's the guy that is really a revolutionary president.

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A CHRISTMAS PRAYER REQUEST: On this Christmas Eve, our dear Snugs' beloved mum is hospitalized and critically ill. Perhaps not many people will visit the Dose today, but I'm putting out a prayer request to folks who do stop by. Please pray for Snugs, her mum and dad on what is turning out to be a very sad Christmas for them. Please also let Snugs know how much we on the Dose appreciate her, and her efforts on our behalf. Please let her know how much we are grateful for her devotion to our President and Vice President, and in her honor, please say a prayer for the British troops serving alongside our own in Iraq.

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name' sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.

[Wolfstar]

Pinging you to a Christmas Eve special Dose.

[Wolfstar]

Pinging you to a Christmas Eve special Dose.

[ozaukeemom]

Thank you! Merry Christmas!

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Sorry for the double posted ping -- temporary browser freeze.

[Wolfstar]

PHOTO OF THE DAY: President Bush speaks to members of the United States Armed Forces during Christmas Eve phone calls from Camp David, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2005.

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Images from this year's Christmas in the White House photo essays.

Topiaries of Barney and Miss Beazley on the ground floor of the White House residence.

[shrinkermd]

My best Christmas wishes and prayers for our President. He is under attack by the radical left and now the right. People are trying to destroy him but in the process they will destroy the country.

[Wolfstar]

Boxwood garland adorns the mantel of the Diplomatic Reception Room during the 2005 Holiday season.

White poinsettias with a model of the White House underneath a portrait of Lady Liberty in the Palm Room located near the Rose Garden.

Decorated with white tulips and boxwood garland, the Vermeil Room is home to several portraits of First Ladies, including the Lady Bird Johnson.

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Amaryllis flowers take center stage and boxwood garland are draped over the mantel in the Library that is home to Georgia O’Keefe’s painting, 'Bear Lake'.

Topiaries line the hallway of the ground floor of the White House residence.

Hot pink tulips and green pears stand in line on the center table of the East Room. It's interesting that spring flowers were used this year to decorate the White House for Christmas.

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Boxwood garland and tulips frame the Cross Hall mirrors for the 2005 Holiday season.

In the State Dining Room, President Lincoln’s portrait is framed by tulips and boxwood garland.

Inside the North Portico entrance of the White House.

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Christmas Trees in the East Room are decorated with roses as the traditional scene of the creche is featured prominently.

Two topiaries of lemon leaves and tangerines stand tall in the State Dining Room.

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The First Lady welcomes the arrival of the official White House Christmas tree delivered Monday, Nov. 28, 2005 on a horse drawn wagon. This year's tree,displayed in the Blue Room of the White House, was donated by the Deal Family of Laurel Springs, N.C.

Mike Lawn, head groundskeeper of the National Park Service at the White House, steadies the White House Christmas Tree in the Blue Room prior its being decorated for the holiday season.

Decorators place holiday trimmings on the White House Christmas Tree.

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A shimmering glass decoration is seen on the White House Christmas Tree.

A lily flower decoration on the White House Christmas Tree.

The 2005 White House Christmas ornament.

The tree fully decorated.

[Wolfstar]

The a gingerbread rendition of the White House is a Christmas tradition. In this sequence of photos, you can see the 2005 gingerbread White House under construction.

Head Pastry Chef Thaddeus DuBois and assistant Suzie Morrison glue together the foundation of the official White House gingerbread house using chocolate as the glue.

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The Head Pastry Chef places the roof on top of the gingerbread house.

Adding finishing touches of snow (sugar) to the windows.

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Final touch...the American flag after the gingerbread house is delivered to its place of honor in the State Dining Room.

The First Lady admires the 2005 gingerbread White House.

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A culinary work of art.

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A wintery White House. Snow settles softly on every branch and berry in the Rose Garden during the first snowfall of the season Monday, Dec. 5, 2005.

The toys of a certain pair of dogs left out in the snow.

The glow of Christmas Trees guides the way to the West Wing Lobby during the season's first snow fall Monday, Dec. 5, 2005.

[Wolfstar]

The proper place for the annoying White House press corps -- out in the wet and cold.