Ho, ho, ho, It's good to be in the Christmas season!

Even though we usually think of Christmas being over after Christmas day I like that in the church calendar the season of Christmas extends forward from Christmas day.

We had a wonderful family Christmas with lots of visiting and exchanging of presents.    This little Hazel Rose Sweetheart weaving loom is from my Christmas Elf:

There was also a loom knitting book, Knitting Board Basics, that I'm enjoying very much and the surprise of a purse from a friend.  

There's never enough time with family.  I feel like I could visit with them for weeks and not get weary of their company.   

A little Elf business-Minion Hats!

I happily knit two hats for a friend to give to her grandsons (she did pay me :D).  Here they are:

Gifts and Knitting

A dear knitting friend of mine sent me a little Christmas package that arrived today.   I'm so grateful for her friendship and love.   Can't wait for a little cocoa in my morning coffee!

How cute is this mug!

 

And here is one of my under construction knitting projects.   A close fitting cowl.

A bit of snow in southern California

I went to spend some time with Dad this weekend and we were treated to a winter storm.  I was hoping for a bit of snow on the ground but the snow stayed up in the mountains.

Here is a Saturday view from our afternoon drive just leaving the neighborhood:

And a rainbow from earlier in the day

By today's afternoon drive and drive home most of the snow had melted but here are a couple more photos.

Macademia Nut Shells, Sticky Notes, and Sprigs

Spontaneous Christmas Decorations......You just never know what is going to inspire creativity.   For the Thanksgiving table my sis, brother, niece and nephew took a walk around sis's yard for items for a table center piece.   They found many beautiful items for a cornucopia and a spray bouquet using redwood sprigs.

Later I was cracking open mac nuts with the special vice/cracker Sis has.  Brother started collecting the shell halves and very soon had created, along with his daughter, ornaments for the "tree".

Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus

The Wisemen and their gifts

 Angels, bearing good tidings of great joy

Animals in the stable

Baby Jesus in the manger

Shepherds, watching their flocks by night

Another angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the Highest"

The Star

a sheep and a shepherd

Choir Retreat

Our choir retreat was postponed this year from early October to this last weekend.  It was lovely to be in the mountains (3500-4000 ft) in autumn rather than late summer.  It was clear and cooler than we're used to with daytime temperatures about 55F and nighttime temperatures getting close to freezing. 

We sang, had Bible study, sang some more, ate, had music class, sang some more, ate, and enjoyed each others company.  It was lovely.

Here is some of the scenery:

The lower sprays of red are pyracantha berries.

Manzanita trunk

 

Mountain Scrub Jay

 

Disappointed geese and ducks as I had no treats for them.

 

 The chapel

My early morning companion, he belongs to someone

on staff at the retreat center.

 

My retreat buddy

 

Hmmmm

 

Autumn, Back Yard

I'll have to take this shot again in morning light.  Awfully bright afternoon.

A.M. pics are not so great, either.  But I do like the "every color" photo.

 

Autumn, Front Yard