On the Way Out

Before the new ball drops tonight, take a moment to reflect on 2013.

LED Lights

Have you made the switch to LED lights for Christmas? These over-sized beauties are LED. (Just a quick return to New York)

Not Enough

The Post Office "sincerely regrets the damage to our mail during handling by the Postal Service" and they hope that it did not inconvenience us. Delivering only the torn cover of Sports Illustrated this week is an inconvenience.

Until They Heard Him Holler Stop!

The snowman escapes his tether occasionally and tries to prevent me from getting into the garage.

Two Gifts

Which would you choose? A strange body-less doll head or a gnome? I picked the gnome in the white elephant gift exchange. The doll head creeped me out.

Christmas Eve 1960

Steve is the photographer for our annual Christmas eve candle-lighting service.

Merry Christmas!

The Baby Jesus arrived last night at Colonial.

It's Candy Land

Actually it's the gingerbread village created by the chefs at Crown Center but I like the candy tower. Below is Union Station made of gingerbread that is part of the Christmas train display.

Just a Dusting

Compared to others, we just got a light snow - a couple of inches. Didn't need the sleet that preceded it but at least it wasn't a foot. Merry White Christmas!

Giant Santa Finds a Home

Remember when I wondered if the inflatable Santa could be too big for a front yard? Well, these people found one that is even bigger.

Long and Lean

In anticipation of the forecasted snow and because it's the first day of winter, a little Christmas cheer.

The Train Is in the Station

The Kansas City Southern Holiday Express has arrived at Union Station. What's inside you ask? A myriad of things. Below is a display of Christmas fairies.

Who Is This Man?

If you guessed Steve, you are correct. In 1967 wearing the great Santa suit Mom made Dad many years ago.

On Eagles' Wings

Someone left a pumpkin atop the eagle statue on Ward Parkway, eerily illuminated by the spotlight. A leftover from Thanksgiving I suppose.

The Tree Is a Little Flat on One Side

This "tree" is actually flat against the wall, made of chicken wire with evergreens inserted. It's a space saver but apparently the down side is that there is no way to keep the greens fresh and it turns brown after a few weeks.

Christmas Village with a Twist

I have not seen a Christmas village before that had a fishing trawler in it.

Proportional

I feel these sheep are too large for Mary, Joseph and the baby. They might scare Jesus. And the one on the left just looks weird.

Which One Is Not Like the Others?

Tas tried to masquerade as a Santa. The age and absence of a beard gave her away.

Such a Strange Shape

The Mayor's Christmas Tree is always such an oddly shaped thing. As Howard said, it looks a bit like an upside down ice cream cone. I wonder when they decided it was more important to be really tall than look like a real tree.

Christmas Band

What a group! Stacy appears to be directing with a Santa. We have Frances on keyboard, Hayden on clarinet, Morgan on cello and Holly with a tambourine. 1996

 

Santa Drawers

I love this means of displaying these Santas.

Unintentional Ice Sculpture

The Concourse Fountain at Benton Boulevard and St. John Avenue in the northeast apparently didn't get turned off for the winter and made a delightful winter sculpture. photo courtesy of Cindy

Ugly Sweater Party Tonight

Even Santa has gotten into the ugly sweater party fad.

Journey to Bethlehem

I took the "Journey to Bethlehem" last night at Southminster Presbyterian Church. It takes 100 of their members, of all ages, and they really do a good job. Unfortunately the photo ops were few. This is the end of the journey - the birth. The angel is the head above.

The Fairy Princesses Have Arrived

Holly and Frances were part of the Fairy Princess court introduced last night at the Kansas City Museum. Below, in the middle, is a princess from the 1950s, and also the (unofficial) Furry Princess.

What's On Your Christmas List?

For the low-income people going through the Cross-Lines Christmas Store, these were. It's always sobering to work the store. The folks going through are very appreciative of what little we can provide. They also receive a household gift (such as a small appliance, bedding, dishes), toys, clothes, coats and food.

Christmas Came Early

in 1954 when Cindy was born in late November.

Winter Village at Bryant Park

Ice skating and an outdoor holiday market. It was a little bit city, a little bit north pole.

Grand Central Station

After hearing about the ceiling with constellations at Grand Central Station, I wanted to see it. Unfortunately I led us all to Penn Station first, forgetting that it was the one that was its twin but was torn down to build Madison Square Garden.

What Do You Really See?

At first glance, it looks like the front of the Plaza Hotel but in reality it is a scrim covering the renovation work on the exterior. You can see the edge of it at the top. Below, Hayden poses at the entrance.

Santa Arrives

Santa's arrival in New York. It's officially the Christmas season.

Inflating Spongebob

A little wet, a little cold but fabulous to see the balloon inflations.

Live! at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Happy Thanksgiving!

Cindy is concentrating hard on blowing out the candles.

Gobble, Gobble!

Pilgrim Gathering

In the front row are the pilgrim candles that graced our table when we were kids. The back row features the new model Susan found. They are very similar but just off. The women's faces are a bit odd.

Happy Birthday, Howard!

Looking dapper in his bow tie. What a cutie!

Deep Freeze

Even the bushes are cold. 14 degrees? Really!

Might Be Too Big

Is this too big for the front yard? I can't imagine trying to keep this guy inflated and stabilized standing in a yard.

Giant Sampler of Chocolate

I saw this and it immediately took me back to Christmas mornings when there would be a giant box of chocolates under the Christmas tree, which sounds great, but they were the worst chocolates ever. I doubt they were Whitman's. I'm sure the price was right but they were not good.

Jiving with the Band

On the occasion of Dad's 60th birthday, he had a band in the living room. Hayden got up close and personal to see. No wonder she ended up playing the clarinet, or maybe she just liked the beat of the drum.

Things You Don't Need

Most people likely don't need to spend $70 for one of these.