~~Linda~~

God Bless Us, Every One...

~~Linda~~

Wishing everyone a 

Very Merry Christmas!

~~Linda~~

May you have a blessed

Christmas,

&

a healthy & happy

New Year.

~~Linda~~

There are lots of light displays.

Santa here, in a covered wagon.

 The shops and restaurants around the square, get in on the action.

There is music, and you can get a ride in a wagon pulled by a tractor,

or the regular house and carriage.

A couple blocks south of the square, the

Pedernales Electric Co-op Headquarters,

puts on quite a light show.

I don't usually like just blue lights, but this is amazing.

Now THOSE are lights.

If you're in the area, it's worth the stop.

I gotta go finish up the decorations....and, wrap some gifts.

I get slower every year.

Hope you're enjoying the season.

Happy Gardening...

~~Linda~~

It's been busy around here.

 Getting ready for Christmas.

Every year, I say I'm going to start early.

Every year, I don't.

Hmmm....I'm sure some expert would have some answer

for why that happens.

 I've been spending a lot of time inside....getting the decorations put up.

January 6th.

The day many Christian people celebrate as the Epiphany.

The day the Three Kings reached the Christ Child.

Growing up, we didn't really celebrate this day.

The decorations would be down, long before now.

But, since ours are still up, 

I think I'll show you our little 

'Nativity Scene'.

May

Peace and Joy

go out to 

ALL.

Merry Christmas...

~~Linda~~

...to look a lot like

Christmas.

As you may know, I collect Santas.
I'm trying to control this, and only get ONE each year.

Here's this year's.
It's a Jim Shore design.  I like his whimsical figures.
The birds and birdhouses fit in with my other obsession of gardening.

 I like to find Santas when we're on trips.
This one was found in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, this fall.

Add to the collection...add to the memories of the find.

Hope your holiday preparations are coming along smoothly.

Happy Gardening...
~~Linda~~

Our daughter and her family, moved from North Dakota, to Kansas.

Much easier to drive down for the holiday.

She's had some health challenges this year.  But, things are looking much better.

We went to our local Trail of Lights.   It's small town fun.

Lots of lights...a yule log to roast marshmallows and a hot chocolate stand.

Even and big light tree....

...for twirling.

Santa was very good to all of us.

I did the table this year, in a sparkly winter theme.

A simple twig wreath and a sprig of rosemary, finished off the napkins.

For some reason, I didn't get photos of the kids' table.  It was more candy  & Santa themed.

A cold front blew in and dropped the temperature 40 degrees.....again.

That's not so easy on this old head of mine...

We had a really good time.

Hope you did, too.

~~Linda~~

~~Linda~~

Seems the predictors were wrong.....again.

Glad all the work of decorating for Christmas, was not in vain.

Hope things are going well, in your part of the world.

~~Linda~~

or..

This two-sided ornament, from Jim Shore, lets us show which way we're facing.

But, we better watch out.....Christmas will be here soon!

Have a great weekend...

~~Linda~~

The big problem with being an over-achiever with decorating for Christmas...

sooner or later you have to take it all down...

pack it all up...

and put it all away 'til next year.

OK...whining is over.  Back to it.

They turned out pretty good.

Everyone seemed pleased.

Nice warm throws to cuddle in.

I'd really like to get back to a hand-made Christmas.  It seems more personal.

And, the smiles they evoked, made all the work worthwhile.

We went to the Trail of Lights at Emily Ann Theater the other night.

It was cold and windy....just the right atmosphere, for a Christmas outing.

It's a small town event, but really pretty good.
We missed last year, and were surprised at how much it's grown.

It's a walk-through show, and a bit hilly.
Free to the public, but they appreciate a donation.
Emily Ann Theater survives with the help of donations and volunteers.


Each display is sponsored, designed and put together by a local business, community group, or family.






At the top of the hill, the wind was really brisk...whipping the flags around.
The Veterans Memorial Plaza is a permanent feature, with flags to honor each branch of the military.


There is a lighted 'tree' to spin under.  Not quite as big as the Zilker tree in Austin.
But, you can see it from miles around.


Down by the Yule Log, you'll find the hot cocoa stand.  You can also get a marshmallow to toast over the fire.  All free of charge.  If you want a hot dog, it'll be $1.00.

The Yule Log usually has some caroling going on.  There's a new stage for entertainers, as well.


It was a good time, on a cold night.

There's still time to go.  They're open through December 31.

Stay Warm...
~~Linda~~