Merry LITTLE Christmas

It takes a village.



I love to set up my winter village. It takes up some prime real estate in the living room of my tiny little pink house for a few weeks and then it's gone, so I really enjoy it every day! The Barclay lead figures are constantly being re-arranged.

Let's see what's going on today, shall we?

Looks like the twins are bundled up and getting a ride through the snow drifts that have been building up over by the church.


On the frozen pond in the town square, I see the youth are practicing their moves. Looks like the perfect weather for a sleigh ride through the town for the young-at-heart, too.


That dapper young lad in blue is trying hard to impress his lass who watches from the sidelines!


Oh look! Someone built a snowman!


And there's the matching set to the twins we spied earlier, also heading into the town square via sled.


Let's see what's happening on the hill.


Great day for a ski run, but watch that drop, would ya?


A private rink is a favorite special place that warms the heart of these two love-birds as they skate circles around a decorated tree.


And overseeing it all are the birds in the branches who serenade us with a cheerful "Merry Christmas"!

Workbench Wednesday ~ Hand Made and Delivered

Just got back from Alexandria, LA.
I needed to go. It's not just the Sportsman's Paradise, it's MY paradise. It's gorgeous, the people are like no other and it is home to my oldest sister.






It was her birthday, too! So I was able to see her open her gift--my first attempt at a shadow box soldered pendant:





I love you, Mo!

What have YOU been working on? Please share with a comment!

You Must GO!

Here's your official invite:



Take it and GO, GO, GO





Open the door on a magical place


created by the fabulously talented and imaginative Wendy Addison


at her Theater Of Dreams!
























The magic continues Sunday, Nov. 27, Friday Dec. 2, Saturday, Nov. 3, Friday Dec. 9 and Saturday Nov. 10th.

GO!

Workbench Wednesday ~ Snow Day

Let's start our Wednesday with a walk, shall we? The sun hasn't shown up yet, but let's not let that stop us. Let's head out to see some fall color.



Down to the BART trail. This section is my favorite when it comes to watching the colors change.





Look overhead--there's my pigeons making their morning flight!









Hold on to your hair--here comes the train!



OK, back to the house



for some hot chocolate, and some soldering!

What have YOU been working on (besides cooking up a storm for tomorrow's feast?!?!). Please share with a comment!

Early Morning In Benicia

Welcome to Benicia, CA where the streets are lined with trees and quaint buildings (many from over 100 years ago!).



Where they don't tear down those old buildings, they convert them into stores, & businesses,
or move them into a dry dock until they can be placed or even recycled!



Welcome to a town where there are plenty of beautiful views in every direction.







This paradise is on "the other side of the bridge", so some folks in my area think it's too far of a drive to make, but (shhhhhh, don't tell) it's only 15 minutes from my front door. I worked in this town for seven years, and always enjoyed seeing the sun on the water in the early light as I made my way over the bridge.



At the end of First Street, the birds gather expectantly near the pier every morning and wait...



for a black van that pulls up at about 8:00 AM, driven by the Bird Lady Of Benicia.


She parks in the spot the birds loyally reserve for her, gets out and tosses food for 2 groups of birds.



Group One is pigeons (I love them), red-wing black birds (I love them too!) and ducks. She gives them rice from a big bag,



while Group Two is the gulls, who get a different grain, about 15 feet away from Group One.





She feeds them separately because the gulls would peck and trample Group One, she says. Not nice, but she loves them just the same.



Wings beat and flutter inches from my shoulders. They are so busy feasting during their daily ritual, they don't notice my feet next to theirs.

I love pigeons. They are misunderstood flying jewels. They are gorgeous, gentle birds. When I see the sun hitting the underside of their wings in a flock of them flying over-head, I can feel them soaring.

I love the blackbirds for their sleek & shiny black feathers and the cranky, chirping song patterns they utter. It's one of my favorite sounds on earth.



With the bridge toll of $5.00, it's worth the price of admission to occasionally head over the bridge for the show. The Bird Lady's got a really good gig if you ask me!