Day 10

Festival of Trees report:

Besides the trees, gingerbread houses and quilts, they also have several aisles of doors with beautiful wreaths decorated and hung up for all to see.  Some are stunning and others--well, they make my sad simple little front door look like it belongs on a playhouse out back.

A stunning, ornamented nativity wreath.

A patriotic explosion of a wreath.

A delicate, angel inspired wreath of hope and faith.



See what I mean?  These aren't the regular little fake pine circle hanging on a door.  These are pieces of art.

Day 9

Festival of Trees report:

This is an advent tree QUILT.  Yes, the Festival of Trees includes a large selection of quilts on display.  I liked this one a lot becasue of the whimsical tilt of the tree and those curled up branches.  Very Whoville-like, don't you think?  Each of the numbers along the side are little pockets that hold an ornament. The ornaments on the tree are from the pockets that were already emptied...to show how to use it as an advent calendar.  Super cute, don't you think?  An impressive amount of work, too.

Day 8

We interrupt the on-going Festival of Trees reports to bring you some late-breaking news:

Today I have to update you on the happenings around here.  I should have done it by now, but I haven't sat at the computer long enough to do it yet. So, here goes. The Boy brought home a mechanical baby last weekend, and I am finally going to tell you all about it.  This is what she looked like:

The Boy had "custody" of a regular, life-sized, newborn-baby doll, but this baby has a computer chip system in her back that randomly makes her cry--day or night. He has a set of keys that fit into slots in her back that will make her stop--each key say DIAPER, CHANGE, FEEDING, BURP, or ATTENTION, so he has to try each one to see what the baby needs.

After he "calms" the baby he has to log the solution and the time, on his baby care assignment sheet. It is for his Teen Living class at school, and is supposed to show the kids just how much work a baby really is--meanwhile showing them that teen pregnancy/parenthood would definitely not be fun. At least not now.  The Boy did say at some poin tthis weekend, that he could see why it was better to be married before having kids. Then at least "you would have two people to gang up on the kid".

He was a good little "dad". But since he can't have leace this baby with a babysitter he already sees how much work a real baby would be. Good for him to recognize.  Since he is the youngest here, he never saw a real baby in action. He was the action baby.

I have to hand it to the baby too.  She went along with The Boy and Genius Golfer Friday to Saturday on their scout campout/rifle shooting expedition.  I had to give her clothes a good wash--and I made The Boy give the baby a bath--when they got home.  She smelled like campfire.  Like "father like daughter, I guess.

Festival of Trees reports will resume tomorrow.

Day 7

Festival of Trees report:

Yes, you are seeing correctly.  That is a gingerbread Beehive.  I thought this was refreshing and, frankly, surprising to see something like this in a gingerbread display.  But it reminded me of this article that I recently read involving beehives and our Young Women at church. Click here for the article.

I like the delicate little "honey" bits drizzled over the rolls in the hive.  And the little flowers, butterfly and bee are pretty cute too.

Day 6

Report from the Festival of Trees:

Yep.  That is a dirt bike tire tree.  The Santas under the tree are riding motorcycles.  Who knew tinsle and tires would look so cute together?!

Day 5

Report from the Festival:

This is a tree loaded with red ornaments and then wrapped in red tulle fabric netting.  Then the whole thing is dressed as the Jolly Old Elf himself.  So clever.  Who thinks of things like this? 

Have you got your Santa work done yet?  Just curious...as this tree reminds me of someone we all know.

Day 4 & Sunday Video

Report from the Festival of Trees:

Here is a gorgeous Gingerbread house, or more like a Gingerbread Lodge!  I love this one.

Just lovely.  The icing icicles are perfect and I love the red trimmed shutters.  Absolutely gorgeous.


And now for something completely different: