Last Days of November

It’s been all over the place in the weather so I thought I’d get out there and get some snow pictures before it was all gone…as it actually is today.  The day before the snow came along it was really fantastic out.  The sun had been so nice in the evening…kissing the top of the trees in such a beautiful wayand then it went all wintery where the sun is shiny but gives little heat.  Finally the snow began to fall heavilybut I didn’t mind because the usual awful bitter cold didn’t come with it…it was barely freezing in fact so it didn’t stick all that much but it looked delightful…it’s so nice maybe I’ll indulge in a little barbecue…or maybe not.  Our once delightfully golden tree is quite barren now but the sun provides a delightful shining Christmas ornament don’t you think?  I’ve grown really fond of this tree no matter what the season is.  The sun through this tree always brings me hope in a way I can’t quite explain.  A light snow and hard frost made things look like a scene cut from “A Christmas Story” though I didn’t have a Red Ryder B-B gun handy.  My mind was playing Dance of the Sugarplum fairies as I looked at the snow dusted rocks which reminded me of some kind of sugar plums themselves.  The field beyond had it’s winter best onthough now It’s back to its tired browns and golds.  Can anything beat the promise of a snow kissed evergreen?  I’m quite glad for our new fangled fence which can withstand just about anything nature can bring it. 

Time to turn our view to the inside don’t you think?  We’ve decorated the downstairs with a chalkboard having a countdown to Christmas for the kids to enjoy.  This tree has some unique ornaments on it like this little wooden duckand even some things we picked up in Ghana West Africa.  Other things I just like because I’ve not seen too many like it…like these little turtles for example.  Note:  yes, those are popcorn strands…my daughter makes a mean bowl of popcorn but many went to the tree this time.  We had an extra white tree so it’s near the dinning room table this year.  I thought I’d showcase some of the other nutcrackers that didn’t get any limelight last time.  Those three look down on the dinning room from on top of the cabinet for our better dishes.  This one is closest to the front door…his partner is on the other side of the hall mirror…yes he’s the rat king from “The Nutcracker”.  Some nutcrackers are not so serious…this one reminds me of my time in the tropics…he stands on top of the living room TV.  Now last but not least stands this classic next to one of the all time favorite carvings from Africa that we have.  There’s a slice of Christmas before December even begins.  The reasons for the season are so beautiful…they are priceless and eternal.  God Bless you all.