Deck the Halls

My favorite time of year.....

On Saturday we went to Pine Hill tree farm near Freeport, IL and cut down our Christmas tree. She is a beauty. My niece Ella helped us choose the lucky tree this year. We decorated the house Saturday afternoon.

I just love ornaments! They all have a story. I have collected them for many years. My oldest is a glass horse given to me by my Auntie Gene (Hey Gene). This has always been my favorite. When I was little I would get excited to see it again and place it in a nice location on the tree - so the lights would hit it just right. When Christmas was over I would carefully wrap it up in paper so it would be safe all year long.

Then there is my App State ornament. I bought this one my junior year in college and was so excited about it! I think of my friends and the fun times we had every time I place it on the tree.

My oyster angel from Emerald Isle. My mom made this one out of white oyster shells. What a pretty little angel!

When Jimmy and I got married we started a ornament tradition. We choose a special ornament for each other each year. Our first year - I got a fairy ornament and I gave Jimmy a golf cart ornament -for his love of golf and for the infamous golf cart birthday fiasco.

Then there are ornaments from trips. The NYC ornament when Sara, Keith, Jimmy and I went to New York a few Octobers ago and then there is the thistle ornament from Scotland from our trip this summer.

I love the ones that have stories and I remember them each year.

I made cookies and Russian Tea for our decorating extravaganza. Then Jimmy and I snuggled up and watched Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. I do believe I have finally caught the Harry Potter bug - it only took me 13 years. I am buying the box set this week and will start reading.

It’s beginning to look a lot like winter.......

As I look out of my office window the traces of bright orange and red leaves are disappearing and giving way to bare trees. Today is gloomy and cold and you can feel the air changing. That cold arctic air is returning.

I can't complain though. This fall has been wonderful. November is normally rainy and cold but at least the first half of Novemeber has been warm and sunny. Especially last week when we had sunshine and highs near 70. Next week looks quite different on the other hand, with highs around 40 and lows in the 20s...boohooo.

I can't believe Thanksgiving is next week, which means Christmas is just around the corner.
Anyone have fun holiday plans?
We are headed up to the Wilderness for Thanksgiving with Ginger's family and then to dear ole' NC for Christmas.

I love the holidays. Decorating the tree, putting up lights and wrapping presents. fa la la la

The absent minded professor...

Just a little jab at Jimmy, who has lost the 2nd pair of sunglasses in less than a month. He keeps leaving them places. I think he needs a purse. I wonder what Santa will bring......hmmm

Seasons are changing....

The weather has been wonderful for the past several weeks. Over the weekend we decided to take full advantage of it. Here are some pictures of our day at Devil's Lake State Park.

Daily Dash

Dash at Viking Park over the weekend. A fenced-in dog park so he can run.

Picture of the Day

The Capitol ceiling.

Just saying hello!

Thought these pics were cute. Hope everyone is having a nice week.
These were taken at a wedding over the weekend for one of my co-workers.