Before Christmas

Mary and I headed north to once again visit Norton's Gallery for carved birds to use as Christmas gifts. Some people had already decorated for the season.

We wondered if this was going to be another no snow winter like last year.

Near the beginning of December we always get a phone call from Joe Squire, once again organizing the annual Christmas gathering of old Singles...

Once upon a time there was a Singles Club that met in the Congregational church in Rutland. It's where I met and got to know Mary.

Some of us still gather for this one dinner, catch up on what's happening in each other's lives, and have fun exchanging small gifts through a "Yankee Swap." Left to right in the first row is Sue, Ruth, Joe and Linda. In the back row is me, Mary, Susan and John and Susan's brother who wasn't a Singles Club member so I don't remember his name. 

And then some snow did arrive! I love it when the tree branches turn white. It seems like I'm living in a fairy land.

Decorating the tree took 2 ladders. Once that's done it is time to set up the cardboard boxes to create a foundation for the Christmas village. I added to it this year... I'm hoping Ursula, who has been taking riding lessons, will get a kick out of the stable with the pony and a little girl getting ready to go for a ride.