Christmas Traditions

I love looking at all the Christmas decorations that are around our town.  Some of these decorations/items have been around for as long as I can remember.  The two things that mean a lot to me from my hometown is the mini church that is now housed at the museum here in town. As a kid this was sitting outside the Otto Giese funeral home. I am not sure who but a member of the Giese family made this little church.  There was benches that you could stand on, on all sides of this so you could see inside.  I wish that the pictures would have turned out so I could share what it looked like inside.  There are pews full of people of all nationalities inside. There is a choir that comes from the back of the church up the middle aisle and sings many different Christmas carols. The inside is just beautiful.  It is a tradition to go see this church every year. When I was a kid my family would bundle up and head to town to look at all the lights and then before going home we would stop at this church and didn't matter how cold it was outside we would stand there for a long time and just gaze inside.  This happened every year growing up.  When I had children of my own we did the same thing. Then the funeral home closed and the church was removed.  I wasn't able to see it for many years but my understanding is it was being restored.  Well now I can continue this tradition and go see it during the Christmas season at the museum.  I still feel like a kid and I no longer have to stand on the benches but I do look through every single window and just smile.

The other decoration that has been around for a long long time is the huge Santa that stands on the courthouse lawn.  I think I was probably a teenager when this was put up for the first time. But it still brings smiles to my face when I see it go up.  This is something my children still love seeing and now my grandchildren and great granddaughter love seeing it. My great granddaughter Randi just beams when she sees Santa standing on the courthouse lawn as we drive downtown.  She is not keen on seeing the real Santa and won't go anywhere near him. But this Santa she loves seeing. 

My mother found this 10 1/2 ft Christmas tree at the pawn shop near our home.  It was pretty scraggly looking and only 1 set of lights worked, but my mother thought she could rescue it.  They wanted $10 for it but while talking to the sales lady and talking about how the lights didn't work, the lady offered to reduce the price to $5. My mother was happy with 10 but hey 5 works.  We got it home and my mother worked her magic.  Turns out the lights worked except for a very small area in the middle.  They just didn't have them plugged in right.  My mother fluffed this tree all up and WOW it is just beautiful and looks so grand in her living room.  She has always wanted a tall tree for the living room due to having the tall ceilings that could hold it.  The other 2 trees she puts up in the family room and back porch are 6ft trees but are just as beautiful. 

Last night I was able to get a new tote made for myself.  I can use it through January for the winter season.  I am happy with it.  I am already on the hunt for some placemats for Valentines Day, Easter, and anything else that looks cool to turn into totes. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas season. And spend lots of time with family and friends.  In light of the recent tragedy in CT  take the time as often as you can to tell your family and friends how much you love them. Give lots and lots of hugs especially to your children, grandchildren and family/friends because you never know when that will be the last time you have that opportunity.  I am still in shock and just don't understand but am keeping everyone involved in my prayers.