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On New Year’s eve morning I went outside for our newspaper and was greeted by this view of snow on Saddleback Mountain.
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A Very Special Christmas
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Our Christmas morning started with what has become a tradition, breakfast at the home of very close friends. These luscious homemade cinnamon rolls are part of the menu and a delicious annual treat.
This photo shows a lighted decoration that sits on our friends’ kitchen counter. It’s one of my favorites and I enjoy seeing it every year. I always plan to make one for myself, but so far haven’t. Maybe next year I’ll finally get around to that project!
Later in the day we went to Mom’s in Seal Beach. She loves to cook and entertain, and Christmas dinner at Mom and Dad’s house has long been a tradition. I mentioned in a previous post that we lost Dad earlier this year. This was our first Christmas without him, although I’m sure he was watching over us and smiling. Mom’s table was beautiful and this gorgeous centerpiece was a Christmas gift to her from our son and daughter-in-law who live in Austin, Texas. The ham dinner and accompanying side dishes were delicious. Everyone had a wonderful time and left for home thankful for this very special day.
Christmas Lights in Dana Point, California
Last night we drove to Dana Point to see the Holiday Light Show we have been hearing about. It was beautiful. There were lights everywhere and everyone seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves.The colors really were spectacular.
Local merchants were giving away special 3D glasses that enabled you to see dolphins when you looked at distant lights. Unfortunately they ran out of the glasses by the time we got there, but someone had kindly left a pair on a post in the marina and we were the lucky ones who found them. That meant we were able to enjoy seeing the dancing dolphins. It certainly was an amazing night in Dana Point, and the weather was perfect for walking all around the harbor.
As we drove home to Mission Viejo, we spotted this beautifully lighted tree and it was a lovely finish to a fun night. We understand that the Holiday Light Show is to be an annual event, and we plan to make it a family tradition.
Blue Birds and Christmas
I thought the blue birds were gone for the winter, but when I looked out the back patio door they were back. I grabbed my camera and got this photo of one taking his bath. It always makes me happy to see them.
Last Night we saw “Deck the Hall”, a wonderful concert presented by the California State University, Fullerton School of Music. I could have sat there all night listening to the three different choirs and the University Symphony Orchestra. I tend to get a bit stressed at Christmas time, as do many people, but listening to the music certainly put me in the holiday spirit.
As we drove up our street we were greeted by our brightly lit house, a perfect end to a very special day. Tomorrow, Christmas cards!
Maine Snow Scene
It’s snowing in Maine. Our daughter Ruth lives there, and yesterday she sent me the above photo. She’s been encouraging me to come visit, and had promised they were not going to have snow this year. Guess that isn’t so! I usually travel to Maine in summer, but maybe this winter I’ll get brave and try a snow visit. I lived in Ontario, Canada until I was fourteen, and the first snow was always exciting, but now, having lived most of my life in California, I’m out of practice. We do get snow here, but only at higher elevations.
Ruth’s farm house in Maine (above) is beautiful and cozy. Lots of trees and open space.
Living where they do allows Ruth and our son-in-law and grandson the joy of keeping horses. Ruth and I share a love for horses, and we love to ride when I visit.
In August I wrote about our younger daughter Nicole, who lives in New Zealand, in my post New Zealand, a Wonderful Place to Visit. I wrote that we have wonderful places to travel and visit our children. Now you know where two of our three children live, and in a future post I’ll share the wonderful city where our son and daughter-in-law live. If we schedule visits to our three children right, we can live an endless summer. As we head into winter here, New Zealand is starting spring, its seasons being opposite to ours. But for now, I’ll think hard about a winter visit to Maine: It would mean snow boots and winter coat, but Ruth’s farm sure does look beautiful in winter.