Getting Ready for Christmas Dinner

The table is set...

The flowers are arranged...

Over-done... isn't that part of the festivities?

Whoops... big flash.

The three reindeer... a new addition this year.

Very old ornaments; love the color.

My cypress tree forest... made by a Louisiana artisan.

He looks mischievous.

St. Nicholas & crystal cuties.

Ceremonial reindeer from Alaska.

Ready for the hor dourves

Funny little bubble-heads.

Gertie Girl, the Christmas dog.

Oh, I didn't get a photo of the cake that I made.

It is an Applesauce Cake made from the

recipe that my mother used every year

for over 50 years.

Can barely wait to test it.

I'll post a photo & the recipe tomorrow.

Merry Christmas Eve

Jolly ole St. Nicholas

As a child I always loved reading this

and I still love it.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas  (or A Visit from St. Nicholas) by Clement Clarke Moore (1823) 'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads. And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap, had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap. When out on the roof there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow gave the lustre of midday to objects below, when, what to my wondering eyes should appear, but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles, his courses they came, and he whistled and shouted and called them by name: "Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!" As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky so up to the house-top the courses they flew, with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof the prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head and was turning around, down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes--how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow. The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly. He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself. A wink of his eye and a twist of his head soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk. And laying his finger aside of his nose, and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

Just an interesting photo

Yucca with Quail Wall Sculpture

Just an interesting photo taken at the

Desert Museum in Tucson, AZ

last summer.

I think it has a bit of a desert

Christmas-y look to it.

It is back lit and also sun is shining

through wooden slats overhead.

Very pretty.

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace performed by the 

Soweto Gospel Choir.

In keeping with the last few weeks of Sunday posts

I am sharing this beautiful rendition found on YouTube.

St. James Episcopal Church ~ Celebrating 70 Years

We Are Marching in the Light of God/Siyahamba

and this is performed by
East Parade Malayalam CSI Church Choir
in Festival of Harmony 2009.

St. James Episcopal Church, Austin, TX

celebrated its 70 year of service.

The Church was formed by a small group of 

African Americans on December 7, 1941.

"We Are Marching in the Light of God/Siyahamba"

is a signature song of St. James and we

sang it today in celebration of the 70th anniversary.

Great for the Holiday Spirit!!!

Now this will make traveling easier!!!

Banish the travel woes... 

Holiday travelers at Denver International Airport (DIA) were surprised with an entertaining treat when a flash mob broke out in Jeppesen Terminal on November 22nd, 2011. Approximately 100 dancers from Community-Minded Dance (cmDance) performed a Lindy Hop to a medley of Swing classics in the airport's Great Hall in Denver, Colorado. Video by Rich Clarkson & Assoc.