The Gift of Animals

What a beautiful face ! At Christmas, when we think of the Three Wise Men, camels are traditionally depicted in the scene.

I've been following the holiday activities closely through the newspapers from the two communities that are close to my home. The bi-weekly paper had a rather large ad from the Lutheran Church, inviting the community to come on Sunday and "meet the animals of the nativity".

So, off I went on Sunday afternoon, with camera in hand.

It was set up on the front lawn of the church.

There was a bucket hanging on the fence, for a free-will offering, sponsoring the ELCA program of gifting a needy family with an animal. Please check out the link. This is a gift that can change a family's way of life.



 

The camel is a magnificent animal to photograph.

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Although the animal keeper assured me he would not spit on me...I still kept a watchful eye out for any signs of lip movement.

Not exactly his best side....

What a great opportunity, for the children of my community, to walk in the pens with the smaller animals. It was obvious these little fellas were very tame.

As soon as I walked in, this little guy nuzzled up to me for attention.

Isn't he adorable ?

As I photographed, I became aware of all the spots.

Spots...

And more spots.

Fluffy.... and looking so aloof.

Did someone suggest, to him, the grass taste better outside the fence ?

Meggie Mac

How Many Days Left Before Christmas ?

 

Somehow I have convinced myself if I hang one single tree ornament, I can say, "I'm in the process of decorating the Christmas Tree".

As you know, this will be my first Christmas in Das Kleine Haus. I am still working to get some kind of order to the haus before my family arrives for the holidays.

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Because my home has 12 foot ceilings, I opted for my very first tall tree....

With the tall tree comes a new problem. I need to bring an equally very tall ladder in the living room, so I might  place the star on.

Taken at Night

I have managed to place a LED candle, with greenery, in each of the 25 windows. The decorations for this year will be simple, accenting the beauty of the century year old haus.

Before the Christmas Stockings can be hung, the tile on the new hearth must be finished.

Looks like it will be another busy Friday Project Day.

Meggie Mac

Friday's Fences...Small Texas Town

A beautiful black iron fence, behind the Christmas garland, surrounds another small Texas town courthouse.

The 170' tall Courthouse, built in 1897, is constructed of brown sandstone and grey stone from Texas. It is written in a brochure, that the stone was shipped in by rail car as large boulders. They were cut on site by the local farmers and other laborers.

Beautiful Romanesque arches frame the entrance doors on all four sides of the building.

The clock tower, with 2-story high windows, can be seen for miles away.

It is easy to see the community, population around 2,300, takes the decorating of the Town Square very seriously.....

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While not forgetting the real meaning of Christmas.

Meggie Mac


I'm joining in with Jan and Jer's Friday Fences.

Christmas Pet Parade...In the Country

Historical Courthouse on the Square

During the Christmas Season there is no shortage of events to attend. It seems every community has its celebration with parades, vintage costumes, carolers, and sometimes a "Pet Parade"

Of all the Saturday's events to choose from, I decided it would be a fun drive to a very historic town and photograph their pet parade.

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It looks like Rudolph the Reindeer has arrived...no, it must be  Rudolph the Goat, looking for Santa.

And here he is....

And what do I see....another Santa!

The variety of pets also included one pony, all decked out in his Santa's helper hat.

Now this little guy came prepared. It was a very warm 80 degree day in December, with the sun beaming down on the parade.

Of all the pets parading around, on a leash, this one was quite the "ham" when it came to the camera.

Are you talking about me ??

If there was one dog I could pick to take home...it would be this Border Collie.

His uniqueness,

And, sweet nature...pulled my heart strings !

Meggie Mac

There will be more on the festival later this week...

Country Business Has Open House

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas"..... was recorded in 1951 by Bing Crosby.

So, follow my story, and I will tell you why the lyrics ring true today.

Saturday begins with another country back road.

 

Just as the sign reads, it is always held the first Saturday after Thanksgiving.

It appears to be a simple country event....with no frills or fanfare. It is a third generation family farm.

I am greeted by one of the farm's family members, offering "free" homemade cookies, coffee and punch.

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Although I have been here on previous open houses, it is simply breathtaking when you first walk into the greenhouse....

Thousands of beautiful poinsettias, just waiting to be taken home for Christmas.

I decided to buy two of the smaller red ones....

And one larger, creamy-white, plant for my dining room table.

To make this Saturday event complete, at the exit door was a sale table of fresh vegetables, grown on the farm.

Fresh picked and sold the same day.

Adding a basket, fruit, and a few pine cones, and it's beginning to look like Christmas.....

Meggie Mac

Another Saturday...Another Church Bazaar

The last few weeks of November are a wonderful time for church bazaars. The weather is slightly cooler and the excitement of another Christmas is in the air.

There were so many booths inside that it was necessary to spill over on the church lawn.

Part of the fun of attending a local craft fair, is becoming acquainted with new people and new ideas. Inside, the meeting room was packed with craft booths, displaying a wide variety of the local talents.

These brightly colored handbags caught my eye....

How To Felt

They were first knitted... then, "felted". Aren't they gorgeous?

My next stop was to visit with a lady who designs and makes note cards. I was simply fascinated with her techniques. She introduced me to Iris Folding. If you are not familiar with this art of paper folding, check out the link.

 On this card, she did the iris folding with fabric.














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Another card had a photo of a precious cat, sleeping. At the lower half, the card-maker has knitted the beginning of a project. How sweet is this?

After talking with her for quite awhile, I bought several cards. I also bought these lovely hand knitted dish cloths that I have already placed in my kitchen.

And, I couldn't resist buying this pillow for my bedroom. An old embroidered dresser scarf has been used to decorate the pillow top.

Of course, no bazaar or craft fair is complete without food, especially brownies.

So I lunched on a home-made chicken salad wrap....

And, a brownie. How could I resist?

Meggie Mac