Happy Boxing Day!

. . . to everyone celebrating today.

[Linking back to Our World Tuesday.]

trimming the tree

Finally got the tree up (thanks, Katie!) and
decorated with all my favorite ornaments.

{Also finally got this post up after
the Internet decided to disappear yesterday.
Too many people shopping online?
The end of net neutrality?
Who knows?}

[Linking back to Ruby Tuesday
and Our World Tuesday.]

Holiday fun

I have some of those glasses that let you
see your Christmas lights in various
shapes, including reindeer, Santas, wreaths,
gingerbread men—and these stars. 

[Linking back to Ruby Tuesday
and Our World Tuesday.]

Weekend Reflections

A very Merry Christmas &/or Happy Hanukkah
to all my fellow reflection addicts
and blog pals wherever you are and however
you celebrate at this time of year.
Are you all ready for the festivities?  I'm not!

[To see more Weekend Reflections,
visit James's meme.]

ABC Wednesday—Z is for "Zamboni"

Here's the guy who keeps the ice nice and smooth
for the skaters at the Rockefeller Center Rink.

And btw, if you haven't seen that 
tree, you have until 8 o'clock
 tomorrow night before they turn
it off and take it down.

[To see more ABC posts, go here.]

Cheers!

Wherever you're toasting the New Year tonight,
  I hope you'll be with the ones you love
      and have a wonderful time.
          
                       [Linking back to the Thursday Photo Challenge (beverage) 
and to Weekend Reflections.]

And one last look at this . . .

Because on Wednesday, they'll be turning
off the lights on this beautiful tree.
Then they take it down and eventually about
3 tons of mulch will be donated to the Boy Scouts.
(Not sure I get the connection, but
I'm glad they recycle the tree.)

[It's Shadow Shot Sunday. To see more, go here.]

Weekend Reflections

Last night, the aftermath of Christmas Day—presents
have been opened and a yummy dinner enjoyed.
Time to put my feet up, have a moment of
solitude—and reflect on a  great holiday.
Wishing a Happy Boxing Day to all my friends
who are celebrating it today!

[To see more Weekend Reflections, visit James's meme.]

Thursday Challenge: "my favorite photo"

I stood under the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree
(an 85-foot-tall Norway spruce from Pennsylvania)
to take this shot of the angels in the Channel Gardens
and the well-lit façade of Saks Fifth Avenue.

That's the glow of 45,000 (!) LED lights.

[To see more of the Thursday Photo
Challenge, visit Dale's meme.]

Christmas is coming

Here's a little reminder (though you probably
didn't need one) that the holidays will
be here before you know it.  This huge tree
was the centerpiece of the Christmas décor at the
Galeries Lafayette, in Paris, last year.
The dome is gorgeous year-round, but especially
when it's washed with color for the season.

[It's Blue Monday. To see more, go here.] 

not a creature was stirring . . .

. . . not even my good old (15 years old!) mouser,

Buddy (we only ever had one, but Buddy dealt

with it brilliantly). And even if everything 

that needed to get done didn't quite—at 

least the tree is up!

'tis the season

Went with friends David and Michael to get 

a Christmas tree. Included in the deal

was a big bag of birdseed (?).  We browsed 

a bit—and we were definitely enchanted.  

So is your tree real or fake?