San Antonio Day 1

I am still in shock that my sweet man has managed to snag some vacation days this late into December.  It's just so unusual but we are going to run with it.  Literally.  If we go fast enough, they can't change their minds.  San Antonio, here we come.

The drive down goes surprisingly quick and we are past our exit before we know it.  Honest.  I think we are about 45 minutes to an hour earlier than we expected.  Mister takes a random exit so that we can get our bearings and try to find some lunch.  I'm hungry and when I get hungry while traveling, things just don't go well.  I get a phone call from my daughter while Mister looks at the map so I'm surprised when I hang up and he has a destination in mind.  Just a wee bit away is the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center and the largest Virgin Mary mosaic in the world.  It was built in 2004 and 4 story's tall, symbolizing a 40' tall votive candle.  The original candle can be see at the base.

The Artistry of the Nativity at The Dallas Arboretum

Vacation has begun so Mister and I are out and about today.  We have tried to buy a sewing machine bright and early at an estate sale (no go), then visited mom at rehab,  went to her house to water plants and collect mail, had pho for lunch, got the car washed at Subaru and scheduled the maintenance for January, stopped off for a beer, shopped at Tuesday Morning - found a candle and a pane-tone. 

Now we are at the Arboretum for The Artistry of the Nativity.  There are 500 nativities in the DeGolyer House.  The come from over 50 countries and represent so many cultures from around the world.  Each of the 500 creches are made out of unique materials, including cork, Waterford crystal, horns, seeds, corn husk, glass, adobe, paper-mache, wood and coconut shells.  It is absolutely wonderful and in addition to all that, every room in the house is elaborately decorated. Come along on a photo blog and see through my eyes just a small sample of the wonder.

Red Hat Holiday Spirit

 December is here and that means a Red Hat Christmas is right around the corner.

I was so hoping to be finished with all the dental issues I am having this year, but it just didn't happen.  Thus, here is my picture as I dress for the event.  Ugh --- My biggest hope is that next year, I will once again be able to smile huge and strut that happy person big and bold.

I want to be THIS Red Hatter:

Out The Kitchen Window

We have a visitor this morning.  Watch along with me.  It's so hard to get a decent picture out the kitchen window, but it's all we had for if we had opened the door, he would have departed rapidly.

Year 2 of The Girlfriend's Christmas Party

This is the second year of being invited to "The Girlfriend's Christmas Party" and I am meeting Stephannie there for a bit of fun.  We are not the first ones to arrive and groups are already reacquainting and catching up on each other's lives.

2nd Annual Ornament and Cookie Exchange

December has arrived once again and that means the Ornament and Cookie Exchange is right around the corner.  I think that means I should start the preparations.  I spotted a really cute snowman ornament in Quiltmaker magazine this year and decided to make that our little project.  It doesn't require a sewing machine and the supplies are pretty easy to gather.  (I picked up the scarf fabric while in Houston at the International Quilt Festival last month but everything else was in the studio waiting for a place to be used.)

Now to make the sample.  Oh, he's just so dang cute and since I have the decorations up, onto his little tree he goes.  Perfect.

A House Full of Christmas Spirit

Christmas is running throughout the house once again.  I do so love this time of year and with a party the first Saturday this month, I really needed to kick it in gear and get started.

Mister obliges and hauls all the totes down from the attic and now the unpacking begins.