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Well, this was FUN!

Within a few hours, THREE correct answers came. First Alan, then Morgan, then Vickie. Morgan and Vickie appeared to have analyzed the in excelsis deo clue to get there, whereas based on his wording I tend to think that Alan's approach was either whimsy, luck, zen mastery, or the Force. In any event, his answer came first and per my offer, he and Tina will receive the original painting.

Once all the cards are mailed with the usual letter insert pontificating nonsensically on matters having pretty much nothing to do with anything, I'll post the complete image.

However, please keep the guesses coming.  They make me laugh. Some so far:

North Korean missile falls short of target

Misty watercolor memories of the way we were (which is the one I laughed at out loud - so congratulations Mike, but no prize for you)

Neva under the Christmas tree - watching the Grinch steal Christmas

Santa and his reindeer flying through the sky...with Glitter! (poor Marcia has apparently been inundated with glittery Christmas cards. My brother Dennis will immediately throw any card with glitter directly into the trash. Did you know that there are people out there who DESPISE glitter on cards. Who knew?)

Lichens on a granite boulder in the Adirondacks (prompting the question of what should I have done if the painting was of lichens on a granite bolder in the Blue Ridge Mountains? Award the prize or be a jerk and deny it?)

Santa participating in the Iditarod, driving the sleigh and two huskies pulling it towards a Christmas tree

Microscopic view of frog eggs in pond on Christmas Eve (prompting the question of what should I have done if the painting was of a microscopic view of toad eggs in a pond on Christmas morning? Award the prize or be a jerk and deny it?)

A leopard chasing his fleeing spots

Chaos after Neo Nazi riot in Charlottesville (which would be a challenge to make Christmassy for sure)

My drop cloth

A fire pit scene or a remodeled bathroom

The most popular guess was Christmas tree, followed closely by carolers singing in places like town squares and neighborhoods.

My symbolic Laurel and Hearty Handshake to all of you who submitted guesses. Merry Christmas!

p.s., to all who submitted dog guesses based on my sadistic clue issuance. When you see the image you might be tempted to say "there's no dogs!" To which I answer, "Yeah, maybe not as the main characters, but you gotta figure there were some hanging around."