The assorted Christmas pics thread

[Penthesilea]

Hiya

Here's a thread for sharing whatever Christmas pics you come across and think they're worth sharing. They may be found on the internet, taken by yourself or whatever.
You can share funny pics, poingant ones, lovely Christmas cards, a photo of the lights on your tree, a picture of a not so successful/your most beloved present, of a beautiful decoration in a store, of your dog in snow at Christmas morning, of you as a kid under the tree - you get the picture.

Have fun and don't forget to comment on other's pictures!

[Penthesilea]

I'll go first with some pics to get the thread started:

[Penthesilea]

My Advent wreath this year




During Advent, all school classes, kindergarten groups, sports teams and so on have their Advent/Christmas festivities. Although I like tose acrivities in general, it does get tiresome when you have three kids and all of them are in school/kindergarten and practise sports. Anyway, last week the kindergarten my youngest attents did a little performance at the local Christmas market. The lil ones were all so cute.



See the packages at the front of the stage? Each of the kids got one after their performance.

[Penthesilea]

This pic may not be so funny for our Aussies and all living in hot climates. But for me it IS funny. It's from the webpage of a travel agency, promoting to celebrate Christmas in Australia.

[Artiste]

Wow, is she Santa's niece?

[Front-Ranger]

I love the colours!


It may be tiresome to go to all those performances now, but very soon your kids will be in high school and college, and they won't want you to attend their performances!! Then, you will miss them, believe me!

[Artiste]

Oui!

More please...
au revoir,
hugs!  Here is a lovely gift to give to someone for Christmas or any other holidays or times, even to a child, since it can be easily grown by anyone, and maybe by one at the hospital too, even to men, no matter what age or difficulties !

[Front-Ranger]

I agree, Artiste. Amaryllis is beautiful, easy to grow, and it cheers our hearts during the darkest part of the year. I try to grow at least one every holiday season. Thank you for the lovely pictures.

[Kerry]

This pic may not be so funny for our Aussies and all living in hot climates. But for me it IS funny. It's from the webpage of a travel agency, promoting to celebrate Christmas in Australia.

The pic you posted does, indeed, depict an excellent and perfectly realistic representation of an Australian Christmas, Chrissi. Here's another:

[Penthesilea]

but very soon your kids will be in high school and college, and they won't want you to attend their performances!! Then, you will miss them, believe me!

I do believe you. My oldest daughter, going on 13, already has reached the phase when parents are EMBARRASSING, when seen in public. 
I'm happy my kids are some years apart in age. So I still have a lil one at home .

The pic you posted does, indeed, depict an excellent and perfectly realistic representation of an Australian Christmas, Chrissi. Here's another:

Thanks for adding another pic the thread Kerry .
Beach and Christmas together - that's paradox to me. But of course I know it's all a matter of what you're used to.

[Penthesilea]

Hutschenreuther Schmucksterne (porcelain star ornaments by Hutschenreuther)



They're famous and expensive, made of porcelain by a well-known porcelain manufacture. They're about the size of the palm of a hand. I have exactly one of them, and I cherish it.
Hutschenreuther releases a new collection every year. The editions are always limited and many people collect them.
Maybe I'll treat myself to a second one this year.

[Penthesilea]

Just because I think it's cute

[Meryl]

Nice thread, Chrissi! 

Here's a moose family in Anchorage, Alaska:

[Artiste]

Merci Front-Ranger !

Bienvenue! Welcome !

In advance, may I wish you and to all Joyeux Noel - Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and all other celebrations religious and/or non-religious !!

As an amarylis comes with soil and pot... and purchased for 10$ or less (even 5$), you are right: what a gift for others and oneself in the dark time of Winter with no flowers outside ! And inside your appartment or house, so easy to grow no matter how old you are ! It makes one (and others) happy too !!

Au revoir,
hugs!

[LauraGigs]

Hutschenreuther Schmucksterne (porcelain star ornaments by Hutschenreuther)



They're famous and expensive, made of porcelain by a well-known porcelain manufacture. They're about the size of the palm of a hand. I have exactly one of them, and I cherish it.
Hutschenreuther releases a new collection every year. The editions are always limited and many people collect them.
Maybe I'll treat myself to a second one this year.

You should post that on Jack's Nervous Breakdown thread.  He loves fine European ornaments, and just posted a bunch about them.

In the church + home customs I grew up in, the Advent wreath had 3 purple candles, and a pink "Christ child candle" to be lit in the last week of Advent.

[Kelda]

must get out and take some photos to post here,

[Aloysius J. Gleek]

Saturday, December 6, 2008
9:30PM

New York

(Walking North on 1st Avenue
near Houston Street,
after seeing the movie "Ciao" )

"It's Snowing!"

[Brokeback_Dev]

Our Christmas Tree this year.  Poco and Boomer too!

[Penthesilea]

Thanks John, Meryl and Dev for contributing pics.
They're all great .

[opinionista]

This pic may not be so funny for our Aussies and all living in hot climates. But for me it IS funny. It's from the webpage of a travel agency, promoting to celebrate Christmas in Australia.

In Puerto Rico is the same. Christmas at the beach! Last time I went I celebrated New Year at the beach. It was awsome!

[Brokeback_Dev]

In Puerto Rico is the same. Christmas at the beach! Last time I went I celebrated New Year at the beach. It was awsome!

When we first moved to Fla we celebrated Christmas on the beach.
Yesterday it was warm.  Someone could probablly get a nice tan if they laid in the sun. 
 

[Kerry]

[Penthesilea]

This is truly a beautiful one.

[Penthesilea]

My father came from a region of Germany which is famous for its wooden Christmas decorations, the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains). One typical thing are displays with bands of angels. At home we had one and it grew every year because my grandparents sent some additional angels every year. They're small, maybe one and a half inch in height.

This is how they look




On our family vacation in Austria this fall, we saw a store in Salzburg which sells them, and it has a huge exemplar of an angel in front of the store as a marker. I was surprised to see it in Salzburg; in October when I don't spend one thought on Christmas.

[Kerry]

A traditional Christmas image . . . . .

[Meryl]

Ah, I'll just put my feet up and relax in front of that picture whenever I need a break, Kerry.  Thanks!

Here's a cute pic.  I can't copy it because it's copyrighted, but the story is cute, too.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2039665.ece

[Penthesilea]

LOL at Mery's pic. Too bad we can't post the pic here.
Yours is sweet Kerry.


I bought a Christmas Star plant today.

[ifyoucantfixit]

A traditional Christmas image . . . . .

      That is worth a redux, Kerry.  Just all the warmth of Christmas.... Thank you very much...


        That would be great on the forum heading, if it could be done....

[ifyoucantfixit]

         That was awesome Kerry, you should try and get that on the heading of the forum, if it
can be done...its perfect.

[Kelda]

My tree in dining room area and a few folks taen from the outside.

Pretty plain but I like it.

[Brokeback_Dev]

My tree in dining room area and a few folks taen from the outside.

Pretty plain but I like it.

I like it too!  I love it when people put their Christmas trees in front of a window.  it looks so beautiful from the outside.  Thanks Kelda!

[Katie77]

Great pics everyone.....

Hey Kerry.....as I sit here in Oz, where its dam bloody hot and humid, trying to catch a cool breeze, and I see your beautiful Chirstmas pic.........it makes me feel even hotter....lol

What a difference it would be, to want to feel cozy and warm at Christmas time, instead of trying to decide whether to just have a cool shower or jump in the pool.....

[Kerry]

Great pics everyone.....

Hey Kerry.....as I sit here in Oz, where its dam bloody hot and humid, trying to catch a cool breeze, and I see your beautiful Chirstmas pic.........it makes me feel even hotter....lol

What a difference it would be, to want to feel cozy and warm at Christmas time, instead of trying to decide whether to just have a cool shower or jump in the pool.....

It's a beautiful, bright, sunny day here in Sydney, Sue, but not what I'd exactly call hot. Certainly, it's not humid. February is the killer month for humidity in Sydney and also the best month for the beach IMO. There's a brisk, refreshing breeze blowing, which is making it just perfect today. 

[Kerry]

         That was awesome Kerry, you should try and get that on the heading of the forum, if it
can be done...its perfect.

I'll have a word with Clarissa, Janice. See what can be done. 

[Ellemeno]

I'll have a word with Clarissa, Janice. See what can be done. 

Sure!  I know there are already some plans for the next few days, but we'll get it up.  It is lovely.

[Ellemeno]

Kelda, I love your dining chairs. 

[Kerry]

Your tree is absolutely stunning, Kelda. I especially love the pics from outside, looking in. I felt like I was the little match girl    standing outside in the cold winter snow,  peering through the window into your lovely, warm, inviting home. 

[southendmd]

[Kerry]

Aww, thank you, Paul. That's lovely. 

[Kerry]

[brokebackjack]

hey, is there a thread where addicts can come clean about their mania for Christmas ornaments??

lol

[Penthesilea]

hey, is there a thread where addicts can come clean about their mania for Christmas ornaments??

lol

I just PMed you. Go on an open a thread for ornaments!

[Front-Ranger]

The moose at Goff Creek Ranch is ready for the holidays!

[Kelda]

I like it too!  I love it when people put their Christmas trees in front of a window.  it looks so beautiful from the outside.  Thanks Kelda!

Your tree is absolutely stunning, Kelda. I especially love the pics from outside, looking in. I felt like I was the little match girl    standing outside in the cold winter snow,  peering through the window into your lovely, warm, inviting home. 

Thankyou guys! 

Kelda, I love your dining chairs. 

And Clarissa - the chairs (& table) are from Ikea!

[Ellemeno]

Thankyou guys! 

And Clarissa - the chairs (& table) are from Ikea!

That's amazing, that's what I wondered.  IKEA is really universal.  I could go buy the same chairs here probably.  That would be a fun Brokie connection.

[Kelda]

That's amazing, that's what I wondered.  IKEA is really universal.  I could go buy the same chairs here probably.  That would be a fun Brokie connection.

  It would!

[Kerry]

There's a big Ikea Superstore not far from me, here in Sydney. They have lots of lovely stuff, little and large, to tempt the dollars out of your wallet. Last time I was there, I found some really nice bookends.   

Tell me, do the Ikea stores overseas have the same layout as those in Oz? That is, you enter via one door and follow a meandering, on-way traffic flow that takes you through all the various departments, until you come to the cash registers near the exit door, where there's a strategically place coffee shop, to sit and unwind following your shopping expedition.

[David In Indy]

There's a big Ikea Superstore not far from me, here in Sydney. They have lots of lovely stuff, little and large, to tempt the dollars out of your wallet. Last time I was there, I found some really nice bookends.  

Tell me, do the Ikea stores overseas have the same layout as those in Oz? That is, you enter via one door and follow a meandering, on-way traffic flow that takes you through all the various departments, until you come to the cash registers near the exit door, where there's a strategically place coffee shop, to sit and unwind following your shopping expedition.

The closest IKEA to me is in Chicago, Kerry. They've been talking about building some here, but so far we only have a bunch of Wal-Marts and Meijers. Oh, and K-Mart and Target.

[serious crayons]

There's a big Ikea Superstore not far from me, here in Sydney. They have lots of lovely stuff, little and large, to tempt the dollars out of your wallet. Last time I was there, I found some really nice bookends.   

Tell me, do the Ikea stores overseas have the same layout as those in Oz? That is, you enter via one door and follow a meandering, on-way traffic flow that takes you through all the various departments, until you come to the cash registers near the exit door, where there's a strategically place coffee shop, to sit and unwind following your shopping expedition.

Exactly. I find it kind of confusing and disorienting. I've gotten a few good buys there, and a few that didn't work out so well. But it's worth a gamble when they're that cheap. The coffee shop has good food, too!

[Kerry]

The closest IKEA to me is in Chicago, Kerry. They've been talking about building some here, but so far we only have a bunch of Wal-Marts and Meijers. Oh, and K-Mart and Target.

We have K-Mart, Target and Big W, but not Wal-Mart and Meijers. At the more elite, top end of the market, we have David Jones and Myer. I hope you get an Ikea store in Indianapolis soon, David. Chicago is a loooong way to drive, even when you red-line it! 

[Kerry]

Another Aussie Chrissy pic . . . .

[Penthesilea]

Another Aussie Chrissy pic . . . .

OK. Now I know what I'll become in my next life: Santa Clause in OZ . Greatest job of all!

[Penthesilea]

My tree in dining room area and a few folks taen from the outside.

Pretty plain but I like it.

Love your tree in the window. It looks great from the outside (from the inside, too of course).

[Kelda]

There's a big Ikea Superstore not far from me, here in Sydney. They have lots of lovely stuff, little and large, to tempt the dollars out of your wallet. Last time I was there, I found some really nice bookends.   

Tell me, do the Ikea stores overseas have the same layout as those in Oz? That is, you enter via one door and follow a meandering, on-way traffic flow that takes you through all the various departments, until you come to the cash registers near the exit door, where there's a strategically place coffee shop, to sit and unwind following your shopping expedition.

Yup! Same!

Love your tree in the window. It looks great from the outside (from the inside, too of course).

Thanks!!

[Kerry]

[ifyoucantfixit]

     Great job getting that picture on the heading Kerry.  It is perfect.....    

[Kerry]

     Great job getting that picture on the heading Kerry.  It is perfect.....    

And a big thank you to Clarissa, too! 

{{{ CLARISSA }}}

[Ellemeno]

And a big thank you to Clarissa, too! 

{{{ CLARISSA }}}

You're welcome for my small part in passing on the info.  I'm not sure which mod actually put it on the banner, but it does look beautiful. 

[Kerry]

[Penthesilea]

I went to a Christmas market yesterday and took some pictures. But my photo programme (Picasa) is acting up, I can't open it without freezing my computer). I'll post them at another day.

Meanwhile I have this one:

[southendmd]

You're welcome for my small part in passing on the info.  I'm not sure which mod actually put it on the banner, but it does look beautiful. 

Actually, Amanda did it, and I helped with the "sparkle". 

Thanks, Kerry!

[Brokeback_Dev]

I like this pic Kerry.  Why not have this one up there.  It is beautiful and very much in the Christmas Spirit.

[Kerry]

Actually, Amanda did it, and I helped with the "sparkle". 

Thanks, Kerry!

Big thank you to Paul & Amanda. 

[Kerry]

I like this pic Kerry.  Why not have this one up there.  It is beautiful and very much in the Christmas Spirit.

Clarissa . . . . or Paul . . . . or Amanda???     

. . . . maybe closer to Christmas Day, after Hanukkah and Jake's birthday? 

[southendmd]

Clarissa . . . . or Paul . . . . or Amanda???     

. . . . maybe closer to Christmas Day, after Hanukkah and Jake's birthday? 

Certainly!  A tribute to our Southern (e.g. Florida) and antipodean friends.

[Kerry]

Certainly!  A tribute to our Southern (e.g. Florida) and antipodean friends.

Ta muchly, kind sir. 

[brokebackjack]

http://bettermost.net/forum/index.php/topic,30976.msg453227.html#msg453227

A new thread for brokies addicted to Christmas Ornaments...

[Kerry]

[Penthesilea]

Two days ago I was on the Christmas market in a town near me. I forgot my camera, so I took some pics with my cell-phone. Alas, the quality is not the best, but it gives you an impression:


Wooden Christmas decorations for sale:




This one is better:


The wooden figures on the lower shelf in the second pic are Räuchermänner ("incense smokers"). You put those little incense pyramids into the figures, then the smoke comes out of their mouths. There are many different scents to choose from.

This is how the incense pyramids look like (pic from the internet, not by me)

[Penthesilea]

The different shops are all in small huts:




The old fashioned, nostalgic carousel:

[Artiste]

Wow what a moose and autres belles images!

I envy you all !

[Kerry]

[Aloysius J. Gleek]

This is where I live--and today, we had snow!

Beekman Place
Manhattan
Friday, December 19, 2008

Four images:

From the front door of my apartment building, looking north (the East River is right around the corner). Very New York, no?


Looking Southwest; my (dull, utterly nondescript 1950's) building is on the left, through the trees. Very quiet, great views!


Looking South; straight on, United Nations Plaza, a well-known residential building. Some former residents: Truman Capote,
Robert Kennedy, Johnny Carson. Current residents include Walter Cronkite and SI Newhouse (owns Vogue and Vanity Fair).


The corner building on the right (diagonally across where I live) was the former residence of Irving Berlin, who wrote the
song 'White Christmas'--now the Luxembourg Consulate (the East River in the back). I have seen 18 Christmas Trees since
I moved into Beekman Place, and I love it. (Bad photo, but you can see a father throwing snowballs with his two children.)


That's it!

More snow expected through the weekend--I can't wait!

[serious crayons]

Pretty photos, John. Is that tall swervy thing a really eccentric tree, or a bit of Christmas holiday decor?

[Kerry]

This is where I live--and today, we had snow!

Absolutely beautiful pics, John. Thanks so much for posting them. Stunning! 

[Meryl]

Love the pics, John!  I was out today and took some pics on my cellphone, but I don't have a clue how to transfer them to the computer.  I knew you'd be taking some, too, though. 

[Kelda]

gorgeous pics... yup very NY

[Kerry]

[Kerry]

[Brokeback_Dev]

Beautiful pics!  All of them. 

[Kerry]

Maybe not Christmassy, but it does depict snow AND it has an Australian theme - SHARKS!    That doesn't happen often. Exciting! 

(Thanks, Lynne) 

[Ellemeno]

Love the pics, John!  I was out today and took some pics on my cellphone, but I don't have a clue how to transfer them to the computer.  I knew you'd be taking some, too, though. 

Me too, John, gorgeous. 

Meryl, when I take photos with my cell phone, I then send them as messages (like text messages) to my email address.  That gets em in my computer, then I handle them the way I choose.

[Meryl]

Me too, John, gorgeous. 

Meryl, when I take photos with my cell phone, I then send them as messages (like text messages) to my email address.  That gets em in my computer, then I handle them the way I choose.

Sounds good, but I haven't a clue how to do that either! 

[serious crayons]

Lovely picture, Kerry!

It reminds me of one of my all-time favorite Christmas gifts. I was going to mention it in the "Christmas poll," but it was harder to explain and no better than the one I did mention (a typewriter). But ...

... one year I got a pencil can, note-paper case and -- this part was the most exciting -- pencils covered in a floral print very much like the one in the background of your card. Not all that expensive, probably. But all these years later, it's right up there with my cherry-red Olivetti typewriter as among my most exciting Christmas gifts ever.

It sounds silly now, maybe. But for me, it's a reminder how much Christmas magic is about ... well, unexpectedness, for lack of a better word, but there must be more to it ... no, really it's just that: unexpectedness.

[Kerry]

Lovely picture, Kerry!

It reminds me of one of my all-time favorite Christmas gifts. I was going to mention it in the "Christmas poll," but it was harder to explain and no better than the one I did mention (a typewriter). But ...

... one year I got a pencil can, note-paper case and -- this part was the most exciting -- pencils covered in a floral print very much like the one in the background of your card. Not all that expensive, probably. But all these years later, it's right up there with my cherry-red Olivetti typewriter as among my most exciting Christmas gifts ever.

It sounds silly now, maybe. But for me, it's a reminder how much Christmas magic is about ... well, unexpectedness, for lack of a better word, but there must be more to it ... no, really it's just that: unexpectedness.

I'm very much empathizing with what you're saying there, Katherine. I was recently responding to an end-of-year poll, over at the Polling Place. One of the questions asked something about, What was your most exciting purchase in 2008? (I forget the exact wording). Most of the questions in the poll were quite straightforward and I had no trouble answering them, but this question had me stumped. There are a number of things I could have named, but what I chose was a set of colour pencils.

I really love those pencils. I spent a lot of time in an art supply store choosing them. I picked each one individually. It wasn't just a standard box of pencils. I chose some exotic colours like plum and tangerine and lilac, purple, lime green, azure blue and flesh tint. But the most important thing of all is the smell of them. The smell reminds me of my childhood. Guess I must have spent a lot of time colouring-in, when I was a child. 

[serious crayons]

I really love those pencils. I spent a lot of time in an art supply store choosing them. I picked each one individually. It wasn't just a standard box of pencils. I chose some exotic colours like plum and tangerine and lilac, purple, lime green, azure blue and flesh tint. But the most important thing of all is the smell of them. The smell reminds me of my childhood. Guess I must have spent a lot of time colouring-in, when I was a child. 

Kerry, this makes me want to run to an art-supply store right now! 

For me, it was felt-tip markers. When I was a kid, I loved acquiring these fine-pointed felt tips -- the brand name was Flair -- in all sorts of magical colors, not just the standard red, blue, green and so on. Lavender! Lime green! A buttery yellow! Periwinkle!

Inspired by the movie The Yellow Submarine, I used to draw really elaborate pictures with my Flair pens.

[Kerry]

[Kerry]

[Kerry]

[Kerry]

[CellarDweller]

Here are some images of Christmas at my house this year.

[CellarDweller]

[CellarDweller]

[CellarDweller]

Stockings aren't hung on the fireplace......they're on the staircase.

[CellarDweller]

[CellarDweller]

[CellarDweller]

the Christmas Tree, complete with Blaze in the corner at the bottom. 

[CellarDweller]

Lights out!

[CellarDweller]

Now, on to some special ornaments I have on the tree.

My parents gave me these some time ago, when I was much younger, and into the smurfs.

[CellarDweller]

[CellarDweller]

A minature replica of a lunchbox with my favorite cartoon characters, The Super Friends, given to me by my brother.





Front view with Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman & Robin

[CellarDweller]

back view with Flash, BatGirl, and Green Arrow

[CellarDweller]

One I gave myself last year.

 

[CellarDweller]

a gift from a friend a few years ago.  I've always liked Betty Boop!

[CellarDweller]

A coworker and I used to spend a lot of time talking about the cartoon "The Simpsons", so he gave me this one year.

[CellarDweller]

One of my friends and his wife (I've known them the longest of all my friends) gave me this a few years ago.

Two gay snowmen in love, sharing a scarf.

[CellarDweller]

I also have 3 ornaments that came from Brokies.

 


Here is an ornament that looks very much like Ennis' truck.

[CellarDweller]

A cowboy boot.

[CellarDweller]

And one more ornament that I have on my cubicle wall, and not on my tree.




Under the rose it says "Ennis", under the boot, "Chuckie" and under the heart "Jack".  Under the horse it's an abbreviation of my screen name, "CellrDwellr".

The reason it's not on my tree is funny!

When Blaze walks under the tree, he brushes the branches.  that makes the tree shake, which makes this ornament shake, which makes the bells ring, which makes Blaze climb the tree to find the bells.

 

So, in an effort to make the tree stay standing, the ornament had to come off.  It will be back on the tree next year, when Blaze is older, and perhaps not so playful.

[twistedude]

Merry Christmas!
Happy Chanukah!
Etc!

[Kerry]

Some cowboy Christmas images found via Google . . . . .

Scroll over  --------->

[Kerry]

[Kerry]

[Kerry]

[Kerry]

[Kerry]

[Kerry]

[Kerry]

[Kerry]

[Kerry]

[Kerry]

[Penthesilea]

Ohhhh, I LOVE the cowboy Christmas pics Kerry! Thanks so much for posting, they're great

[serious crayons]

Really nice cowboy Christmas images, Kerry! Makes me feel like I'm in Wyoming. Thanks!

[Aloysius J. Gleek]

New York

December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve
10:45 - 11:50 PM

56 degrees F
(only three days after it had been 12 degrees F!)

12 images



1
NoHo; Broadway at 4th Street, looking South




2
NoHo; Broadway at Bond Street, looking South




3
NoHo; Broadway between Bleecker and Houston Streets, looking West
(Gonzalez y Gonzalez Restaurant, where Heath spent Thanksgiving 2007)




4
SoHo; SE corner of Broome and Mercer Streets




5
SoHo; SE corner of Broome and Mercer Streets--detail




6
SoHo; Broome Street between Mercer and Broadway, looking East




7
The border of NoLiTa and Little Italy; Mulberry Street at Broome, looking South
(Grotta Azzurra Restaurant to the right)




8
The border of NoLiTa and Little Italy; Mulberry Street at Broome, looking South




9
The border of NoLiTa and Little Italy; Broome Street at Mulberry, looking Northwest




10
The border of NoLiTa and SoHo; Lafayette Street at Spring
(Spring Street Natural Restaurant)




11
SoHo; West Houston between Thompson and Sullivan Streets
The Crèche at the Church of St. Anthony of Padua, looking South




12
The border between the East and West (Greenwich) Villages
Washington Square Arch and Tree, at the end of Fifth Avenue, looking South
(Heath played chess at the South end of Washington Square Park)

[Meryl]

Those are lovely shots, John, thanks! 

[Ellemeno]

John, you are a wonderful photographer, and I love your series-es.  Big hug to you, my friend.

[Penthesilea]

Chuckie, I forgot to comment on your extravagant ornaments the first time round. They're fun and creative, just like you. Of course I liked the Brokie related ornaments best, and I love, love, love the Ennis truck.
Thanks for sharing, Bud!

[Penthesilea]

I stumbled over this when I was googling for something entirely else. Just in time before the forum closes til next holiday season.

[Meryl]

That's really cute, Chrissi! 

[Penthesilea]

Time to revive this thread .


I'm sitting here, listening to Christmas songs. Chris Rea is on right now, Driving home for Christmas - I looooove that song!

Listening to Christmas songs, having baked the first round of Christmas cookies last weekend, going shopping for a warm winter jacket later, having been on the Christmas market already this year, Advent festivity at my son's school yesterday - yep, I'm definitively in Christmas mood .


Here are my cookies from alst week. They're almost gone now, we'll bake more tomorrow .

[Sheriff Roland]

Here's my contribution to this thread.

I took this picture of downtown Timmins as I was waiting to leave the North 2 years ago. It's practically postcard worthy, even with the burnt out street light.

It's about to go on my desktop, 10 days before I leave for Timmins this year.

07-12-28

[Ellemeno]

Those are great pics, Chrissi and Roland!

[delalluvia]

I tried to flip through this thread, so if these have been posted before, I apologize in advance.

This I loved because I could all but feel and hear the crunch of snow beneath my feet, see my breath fog in front of my face, feel myself sniffing from the cold and have my entire being feel at peace in the utter stillness around me.



And this at Arlington because we shouldn't forget and it had a nice story attached:



Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington,Maine. The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.

[Front-Ranger]

Time to revive this thread ....

Listening to Christmas songs, having baked the first round of Christmas cookies last weekend, going shopping for a warm winter jacket later, having been on the Christmas market already this year, Advent festivity at my son's school yesterday - yep, I'm definitively in Christmas mood .


Here are my cookies from alst week. They're almost gone now, we'll bake more tomorrow .

Hey, I think I see a cowboy boot cookie there!! Great post, friend!

[belbbmfan]

Those cookies look delicious Chrissi.

How about a recipe? 

We put up our christmas tree this weekend. I'm very please with the result. I love the smell of the tree.

[Penthesilea]

Hey, I think I see a cowboy boot cookie there!! Great post, friend!

Well, I do have a boot shaped cookie cutter. It's supposed to be a Nikolaus boot, but I guess it can pass as cowboy boot . But I can't see a single boot cookie in the pic; your eyes must be better than mine.

[Penthesilea]

Those cookies look delicious Chrissi.

How about a recipe? 

We put up our christmas tree this weekend. I'm very please with the result. I love the smell of the tree.

Ohhhh, your tree is beautiful. Very elegant and tasteful!

About the recipe: I already posted it - more than three years ago, in Nov. 2006!
And out of 8500 posts, I remembered that one (is this a good thing or am I totally nuts? ). Here it is: http://bettermost.net/forum/index.php/topic,6108.msg118349.html#msg118349

[Monika]

Those cookies look delicious Chrissi.

How about a recipe? 

We put up our christmas tree this weekend. I'm very please with the result. I love the smell of the tree.

love your tree. The lighs and the colors makes it look so cozy

[Penthesilea]

A Schwibbogen (light arch):





I inherited one from my father. I never was too keen on Schwibbögen in general, but I put mine up every year anyway. The kids loved it. Now it's broken and I miss it. Maybe I'll buy myself one.

[Jeff Wrangler]

We put up our christmas tree this weekend. I'm very please with the result. I love the smell of the tree.

It's lovely!    I like that you have lots of red and gold decorations. I use red and gold on my tree, too. 

[Kelda]

lovely tree Fabienne!

[Penthesilea]

Not mine, I found the pic on the net somewhere.

[Front-Ranger]

A Schwibbogen (light arch):



I inherited one from my father. I never was too keen on Schwibbögen in general, but I put mine up every year anyway. The kids loved it. Now it's broken and I miss it. Maybe I'll buy myself one.

How interesting! We have a whirligig from Norway. It's wood and has three deer in different positions so when it goes around, it looks like one deer moving. There are candles on the corners, and the rising hot air makes it go around. The propeller blades on top are awfully scorched but I set it up every year enniway.

[Kelda]

Not mine, I found the pic on the net somewhere.

 

[Penthesilea]

How interesting! We have a whirligig from Norway. It's wood and has three deer in different positions so when it goes around, it looks like one deer moving. There are candles on the corners, and the rising hot air makes it go around. The propeller blades on top are awfully scorched but I set it up every year enniway.

That's what we call a Christmas-Pyramid. I have two or three of them. They come in many different sizes and shapes; small, big, with only one story or two, three or four, with different themes, etc.




See the tree in the middle of the middle photo? This is a very typical work from the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains). The tree is made from one piece, which is worked on as if it were a lemon and you want to make lemon zests. Or butter reels. Only you don't cut them off, but leave the rolled-up end on the pice. Then the next one, and so forth.
My father came from that area, so my grandparents used to send such stuff.

[Aloysius J. Gleek]

Christmastime is Here (in New York)



NEW YORK CITY—1977.
© Susan Meiselas / Magnum Photos



NEW YORK CITY—Santa Claus consults a subway map, 1990.
© Erich Hartmann / Magnum Photos



NEW YORK CITY—Dancers’ legs at Radio City Music Hall, 1959.
© Dennis Stock / Magnum Photos


Wherever you are--Merry Christmas!!


xxx
John

[Meryl]

Thanks, John!  Merry Christmas to you, too! 

[Penthesilea]

[Penthesilea]

Something good must have happened in Ennis's life ......

 

[Meryl]

     

Saw this on Facebook today and had to share:

[Jeff Wrangler]

That is exactly the kind of trailer I envision Ennis living in, in the prologue to the short story. 

[Front-Ranger]

Happy St. Nicholas' Day! Did you leave your shoes out, anyone?

[Penthesilea]

Happy St. Nicholas' Day! Did you leave your shoes out, anyone?

My son did! The girls are too old for it, but of course not too old to open the door expectantly on the morning of Dec 6th. They were lucky, St. Nicholas left them something, even without the boots out.

The oldest got earpods, middle child a calendar and my youngest a fairy figurine.




On Nikolaus, hubby always get a sweet greeting at his company, a small chocolate Nikolaus. Since he doesn't want it, it's always mine.

[Penthesilea]

That is exactly the kind of trailer I envision Ennis living in, in the prologue to the short story. 

Me too .
"the aluminum door" and "the curved length of the trailer" - I think Mrs. Proulx must have had this kind of trailer in her mind when she wrote it.

[Sheriff Roland]

Happy St. Nicholas' Day! Did you leave your shoes out, anyone?

We had a similar tradition in french Canada, but (as I remember it,) it was part of the New Year's Day shoe-under-the-tree variety. Sounds really wimpy and on the cheap compared to today's Christmases but your picture Chrissi brought back the memory of a mandarine orange, candy cane and a bottle of chocolate milk in the shoe.

Thanks for that, both of you.

I'm thinking, 50 years from now, if the tradition has been way layed, your kids will fondly remember these small special gestures.

[serious crayons]

That is exactly the kind of trailer I envision Ennis living in, in the prologue to the short story. 

Me too .
"the aluminum door" and "the curved length of the trailer" - I think Mrs. Proulx must have had this kind of trailer in her mind when she wrote it.

Yes, though sans cheery lights, wreathe and tree.

[Penthesilea]

Yes, though sans cheery lights, wreathe and tree.

 
That's why I dubbed it: "Something good must have happened in Ennis' life"


Yes, she's not exactly the cheery type, our Mrs. Proulx. Years ago, after reading the whole collection of Wyoming stories I said something to the effect of 'Even if you had never heard of BBM, by the time you get to the last story of the book, you already know that this can't end well and would so even without the prologue.'

[Penthesilea]

We had a similar tradition in french Canada, but (as I remember it,) it was part of the New Year's Day shoe-under-the-tree variety. Sounds really wimpy and on the cheap compared to today's Christmases but your picture Chrissi brought back the memory of a mandarine orange, candy cane and a bottle of chocolate milk in the shoe.

Thanks for that, both of you.

I'm thinking, 50 years from now, if the tradition has been way layed, your kids will fondly remember these small special gestures.

Thanks. When I was a kid, some neighbours used to hang a small bag with Chritmas cookies, nuts and tangerines on our door handle, ring the bell and rush back into their apartments, so they wouldn't been seen. Since I was the only child in our part of the apartment complex, I was lucky on Nikolaus Day.
And of course I always knew who the bag was from, I knew my neighbours by their cookies.

[southendmd]

[Front-Ranger]

 

If it was Ennis's trailer, it would have been decorated by a large trash can to the side of the door and a scythe on the other side; also a 17 on the mail box.

[delalluvia]

We had a similar tradition in french Canada, but (as I remember it,) it was part of the New Year's Day shoe-under-the-tree variety. Sounds really wimpy and on the cheap compared to today's Christmases but your picture Chrissi brought back the memory of a mandarine orange, candy cane and a bottle of chocolate milk in the shoe.

Thanks for that, both of you.

I'm thinking, 50 years from now, if the tradition has been way layed, your kids will fondly remember these small special gestures.

Wow, a few weeks ago, I was wondering whether to buy a seasonal perfume oil which happened to be called "Orange in her Slipper" and it detailed a tradition of people finding oranges in their shoes for Xmas back in the days when such fruit were rare.  I had never heard of such a thing.  I'm glad to read that such a tradition does truly exist!