Thursday, December 27, 2007

CHRISTMAS TREES AROUND THE WORLD

The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington, D.C., is decorated with 3,000 ornaments that are the handiwork of U.S. schoolchildren. Encircling evergreens in the 'Pathway of Peace' represent the 50 U.S. states.
A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo's nighttime neon display is projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka

The world's largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy's Umbria region. Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the 'tree' is a modern marvel for an ancient city


Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague's Old Town Square, and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous Christmas market, is a grand tree cut in the Sumava mountains in the southern Czech Republic.




Venice's Murano Islandrenowned throughout the world for its quality glassworkis home to the tallest glass tree in the world. Sculpted by master glass blower Simone Cenedese, the artistic Christmas tree is a modern reflection of the holiday season.




Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox calendar on Jan. 7. For weeks beforehand, the city is alive with festivities in anticipation of Father Frost's arrival on his magical troika with the Snow Maiden. He and his helper deliver gifts under the New Year tree, or yolka, which is traditionally a fir.





The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall) can be found in the Praca do Comercio in Lisbon, Portugal. Thousands of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special enchantment of the city during the holiday season.







'Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree': Even in its humblest attire, aglow beside a tiny chapel in Germany's Karwendel mountains, a Christmas tree is a wondrous sight.







Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette! In Paris, even the Christmas trees are chic. With its monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it's no surprise this show-stopping department store draws more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower








In addition to the Vatican's heavenly evergreen, St. Peter's Square in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the obelisk.








The Christmas tree that greets revelers at the Puerta del Sol is dressed for a party. Madrid's two-week celebration makes millionaires along with merrymakers. On Dec. 22, a lucky citizen will win El Gordo (the fat one), the world's biggest lottery.











A token of gratitude for Britain's aid during World War II, the Christmas tree in London's Trafalgar Square has been the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947.













Against a backdrop of tall, shadowy firs, a rainbow trio of Christmas trees lights up the night (location unknown).










Drink a glass of gluhwein from the holiday market at the RomerFrankfurt's city hall since 1405and enjoy a taste of Christmas past.


Whether you call him Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, Father Frost, or what. Whether you follow the teachings of Buddha, Judaism, Islam or Christianity. these are beautiful. I didn't know Christmas trees were so universally (well almost) used.








Sunday, December 23, 2007

CHRISTMAS BEARS

FOR MANY YEARS WE'VE GOTTEN CHRISTMAS TEDDY BEARS (FOR THE KIDS) . OKAY, SOME WERE'NT TEDDY .
SOME WHERE COUPLES,
SOME WERE JUST PRETTY
WHAT A LARGE FAMILY.
It is nice to have many expensive ornaments and decorations , but around our home the pretty and delicate ones have not survived . Even some of our durable teddys have disappeared or have been loved too much by our little ones . It continues .... We have grandkids ,..................and I smile once more .

Saturday, December 22, 2007

A GRANDPA' S JOY

IF I SEE THROUGH A CHILD'S EYES , CERTAINLY I SHOULD ACT UPON IT.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

NORMAND ROCKWELL'S SANTA'S

SUCH WARM SENTIMENT , NOTICE THE HALO ?

PLANNING THE INTRIGUING JOURNEY

NORMAN ROCKWELL WAS ABLE TO CAPTURE THE SPIRIT , THE MAGNIFICENT PRESENCE OF GOOD THAT PREVAILS WITHIN OUR CHRISTMAS SEASON .

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

ALL THINGS CHRISTMAS

THE SPECIAL BABY BORN SOME 2000 YEARS AGO ,

THE REINDEER , THE WREATH , THE FESTIVE SEASON ,
TEDDY BEARS , AND TOYS BRINGING A REMEMBERED WARMTH OF CHILDHOOD ,
AND TOY SOLDIERS THAT GIVE THIS TIME A REGAL QUALITY .

MANY GLORIOUS CHRISTMASES . ALL INCLUDED , I DON'T HAVE TO ASK MYSELF WHETHER I BELIEVE ....... I JUST DO !! I STRUGGLE WITH THIS ONE SADNESS ..... I FIND IT HARD TO CONVEY THAT WARMTH I FEEL DEEP IN MY BEING .

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

SANTA AROUND OUR HOME

HE REPRESENTS THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS ,
THE GLADNESS WE FEEL INSIDE ,
THE JOY OF GIVING ,
THE MEMORIES WE HAVE AND WILL HAVE ,
AND OUR SHARING THIS WITH THE WORLD , THE CHILD WITHIN ME MUST STAY ALIVE , LEST I MIGHT LOSE HOPE AND REALLY STOP LIVING OR BELIEVING !

Monday, December 17, 2007

TIS THE SEASON

VIBRANT COLORS
NATURES DECORATIONS
ANGELS FROM HEAVEN
CHRISTMAS IS COMING !!!

Sunday, December 16, 2007

CLUSTERED MUSHROOMS

AN ANGEL ENJOYS AND GUARDS OUR WOODLAND PATHS
TREE MUSHROOMS CLIMB HIGH TREE MUSHROOMS LAY LOW
NO MATTER WHERE WE GO THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ENOUGH ROOM !

Saturday, December 15, 2007

JOINING THE GROUP

PICTURED ROCKS
WATER FALLS
PLACES TO PRAY MUSIC TO SOOTH
WE THRIVE TO SEE AND EXPERIENCE WHAT OTHERS HAVE , OUR JOY SOMETIMES COMES WITH JUST JOINING THE GROUP . I'VE BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT TOO !

Friday, December 14, 2007

MOM + POPS

POPS ( ME ) TAKING IT EASY AS USUAL . MOM FROM THE LEFT
MOM....FROM THE RIGHT
MOM AND DAD ( US )
WE HAVE MANY TITLES WITHIN OUR FAMILY ; LITTLE OR BIG BROTHER , SISTER..... SON , DAUGHTER ..... AUNT , UNCLE ....MOTHER , FATHER .....GRAM MA , GRAM PA.... ETC . ALL HAVE NAMES , ALL ARE DIFFERENT , ALL NEED LOVE .

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

5 GIRLS + 4 BOYS = NINE ( OUR BABIES )

ALTOGETHER AT KIM'S WEDDING
OUR MARK

OUR PAUL



OUR CHRISTINE
OUR STEPHEN
OUR DAVID