Blue Moon

The much discussed blue moon - the second full moon in a month.

Chapel Snow

Yes, it's pretty but how much is enough?

Ice Sculpture

Just some of the lovely ice sculptures outside my window at work.  The temperature in my office was a brisk 55 degrees when I arrived after a long weekend yesterday.

Snowman Greeter

Although barely visible above the mountains of shoveled show, my snowman waves to passers by.

Performing Arts Center

The shells of the performance centers in the new Kaufman Center for the Performing Arts are above ground now.

Santa Trio

Howard made this cool set of Santas for me. The tiny one was for Stacy.

White Christmas

For all those dreaming of a white Christmas, we certainly got it.

Live Nativity

Santa Pants

A unique gift bag I found. The challenge was to find things that would make it stand up.

Tiny Tree

Hayden brought me a new tiny tree for my office with the first ornament - a Santa! So perfect.

Penguin Explosion

I can't really do it justice with only one photo, not even with two. But this yard in Olathe must have 100 inflatable penguins of all shapes and sizes. The movie Happy Feet is playing as you walk through this penguin habitat, complete with tunnels. I can't imagine the energy use.

Geneva Santa

My newest Santa, brought from Geneva by my niece, Frances.

Hidden in the Tree

Can you see what is hidden in the tree? Tas likes to lay underneath it.

Nutcrackers

 

The boutique at the Kansas City Ballet's The Nutcracker is overflowing with them.

Small Santas

Preschool class ready for its program. I didn't know they made Santa hats in a small size.

Gingerbread Village

Part of the elaborate village the chefs from the Kansas City Hyatt and Westin hotels made from gingerbread.

Mr. & Mrs. Claus

Vintage Sleigh and Santa

My grandfather made this sleigh for my Mom many years ago. My sister and I found this great old Santa Claus to put in it. We bought him together and he travels between our houses, each of us getting him every other year.

Ditto

The neighbor to the left decided to confirm, or "Ditto," the decorative style of the other home at 95th & Lamar.

Waterford Lights

My collection of Waterford crystal that Howard started for me four years ago. It is so pretty and this year I illuminated it with a lighted glass block. Seen in person, it is really pretty.

Eddie Walker

A highlight of my Santas is this Eddie Walker version that Hayden gave me many years ago. I love it!

A Great Gift

One of my four new tires (note the turquoise mark designating new) that made traveling in Tuesday's winter storm sooooooo much nicer.

Sock Monkey

This sock monkey marionette was part of a puppet show for the preschool. One little boy wanted to know what was with the monkey. But he also wanted to know why there was a mouse in the Night Before Christmas part.

First Snow

The first snowfall, thankfully light, although bringing a deep freeze along.

International Santas

This collection of Santas depicting Father Christmas in many lands was prompted by my Dad and partially bought by him. One I didn't purchase because I thought it looked stupid had Santa in a bathing suit. Then when Stacy was in Australia and I learned about Christmas there in the summer, I wished I had bought it. Teach me to prejudge. Stacy was able to find one so I now have one. He's the one on the far right.

Antique Snowmen

Not really. But these have adorned my parents' home since I was small. Hayden repainted them a few years back. My brother affectionately, or not so affectionately, referred to them as Herman's Follies. I believe we even pasted that over the Happy Holidays sign one year in our cleverness.

Not So Miniature

This bear stands guard outside the Kansas City Toy and Miniature Museum. You can't take any photos inside so I had to settle for this. We went to visit the 50 Years of Barbie exhibit, which was quite fun. Hayden said she could have contributed to fill out their display. I would concur. The girls enjoyed seeing their Barbie past.

EBT Santa

The Santa that graced the Emery Bird Thayer department store is welcoming visitors to Santa's wonderland at Crown Center.

New Best Friend

A new friend - the glass recycling bin at Hen House. Yeah! I don't have to keep my glass until it piles up enough to take to the Overland Park center.

Chrismon Tree

When they talked about the Chrismon tree at work, I thought I was misunderstanding what they said. But now I have learned that there is such a thing and it is decorated with traditional and modified ancient Christian symbols, called Chrismon. They are handmade by members of the congregation using beads, sequins, glitter and styrofoam in colors of white and gold. So a day not wasted - I learned something.

Huge Wreath

This wreath is about 5 feet tall and hangs in the sanctuary at work. You can see the workman through the center of it.

Merry Jayhawk