Now We Are Six

Six years ago, on December 20, 2007, the first Marmelade Gypsy post went live and my life changed more than a little.

Before getting all long and sappy, I want to say "thank you" for being there. Some of you have been with me the whole ride, some are more recent. Some comment, some don't. You all matter to me and I consider you my friends. Real friends.

Blogging was like stepping into a new world where I could travel to exotic and romantic places and share the travels we have taken; learn new recipes, get ideas on home decorating, discover creative art techniques, learn about books and movies and make new friends.

I would meet these friends over lunch, on vacation and at art workshops.We would share stories of our families and when we met, it would be like connecting with old friends.

I have learned from you, traded with you and have been able to share the great joys, sadness, challenges and beauty of my life with you.

This blog was named for my dear Marmelade Gypsy, my sweet orange cat-boy whose photo you have seen for so many years at the top of these posts and in the sidebar. You walked with me through my grief when we said goodbye to Gypsy and the support and love you sent was overwhelming.

One of the things I realized when I started this post is that I haven't updated my blog sidebar for a very long time. So, my new year's plan is a new look -- beginning with the blog roll, so perhaps you will discover some of the wonderful bloggers I have.

Sometimes there are a thousand ideas running through my head to blog on; sometimes I feel at a loss. But then I just start writing or looking at my photos and the cloud lifts. I wish I could pull everything out of the hat so easily! Thanks for being along for the ride.

Angels We Have Heard on High

I can't help it. I have too many trees. I don't care!

The angel tree stays up all year in the guest room, where (when I can find the top of the bed) I sometimes go to meditate.

It's a peaceful place and it's filled with all that good angel energy!

I love the Margaret Furlong angels -- I have a few.

 

Wish I had a lot more!

This is one I made with my friend Richard eons ago. We had macaroni all over the place!

This, a gift from my friend Judy.

 

Not that there aren't angels on the other trees, but this one is just a little different.

 

There are those who might call some of these fairies.

 

I say it's more or less the same thing -- and it really doesn't matter.

 

I just love 'em!

O Tannenbaum (Farms!)

My holiday trees have gone artificial. But thank goodness I get the "tree experience" with Rick.

We decided to show our Japanese friends the Christmas decorating experience -- and that started with a visit to Tannenbaum Farms to get our tree!

It was a cold, windy day and snow was falling. It looked beautiful and it was a good thing we were bunded up!

A big red wagon pulled by a tractor took us out into the tree area and dropped us off at a little hut, pointing us toward the available trees.

We pulled our wagon behind us as we checked out numerous trees to see if they would do.

Finally, we found one. Finding the right tree is a big "aha" moment!

We let Rintaro start the cutting, with Rick showing him how to work the saw.

Then he was on his own!

That worked for awhile; then Sunny took a turn.

 Pretty soon Rick took over and it was down in a flash!

While we waited for our ride back, we warmed ourselves by the fire.

It was a very popular place!

Meanwhile Sunny checked out a hollowed tree tunnel...

...and I admired the reindeer!

Back at the main building we stopped into the Christmas store to warm up.

It was beautiful with many decorated trees that captivated us all.

No visit would be complete without checking in with Santa!

Back home, we made hot chocolate. The kids got their lesson in "real" hot chocolate (definitely not my 25 calorie packet of Diet Swiss Miss.)

We all got the lights untangled and tree in place.

Then Hiroko arrived and Rick started making pizza. I'm not sure he's ever cooked before a more attentive audience.

A VERY attentive audience!

Of course, then it was time to decorate the tree. We had plenty of holiday music and holiday cheer as minute by minute the tree became more beautiful.

For all of us, it was a wonderful experience, "topped" off with Rick's placing his grandmother's angel at the top of the tree.

Did I mention that many photos were taken?

 

And lots of love and joy was shared.

For our friends, a new experience. For us, one we'll never forget -- the joy of sharing traditions with friends.

On the Shelves

When you have a bunch of Christmas things, you don't stop at the tree!

You can create a fairy village, white with snow...

...or a scene magic and mysterious!

Sometimes overkill is really fun! (More to come!)

December Road Trip

And we're OFF! Off on a December Road Trip that took us to Nashville and Mississippi! While I hate to be away from home in December, we sure had fun! Our route took us through Indiana and Kentucky.

The spirit of the season was present!

Rick, of course had to ride...

...so I took a turn in the historic museum of Munfordville, KY.

I'm not sure the person working there has many visitors and she was delighted to have someone to talk with. So was I!

Here I learned that Kentucky was a divided state in the Civil War and that indeed, brothers did fight brothers.

Nashville was next. First the trade show...

Then a wonderful meet-up with blogger Rosemary and her husband. Rosemary was one of the first of about three or four from my original Google art group that encouraged me to blog! It was the best time!

Once the show wrapped, we enjoyed the honky-tons on Broadway in Nashville.

I loved the lights of the city -- even though it was pouring rain!

And the music was pretty good, too! We spent a lot of time listening to this great group.

No matter where you walked, what window you peered in, there was music. Non-stop!

The next day, with threats of ice storms imminent, we took off for Mississippi to see Rick's youngest, Kevin. We missed the ice but drove through torrential rain.

Kevin lives in Laurel, MS. The town has definitely seen better days, bringing an irony to their slogan.

But the Christmas parade was just what we needed!

I think everyone in the county was on a flat bed (all the queens were in the backs of convertibles.)

Of course there were elves. They had to be a little cold (but not as cold as the cheerleaders!)

It was bitter cold and windy. This guy may have been the warmest.

I especially loved the horse brigade. Here, a spectator hands his child up to ride on one of the horses.

Laurel had a great gift shop and some nice spots that had so much potential. If only the businesses hadn't moved out to strip malls on the highway.

It was fun seeing my guys together. Note, there are leaves on the trees! We haven't had those in Michigan for awhile.

After a great BBQ lunch, we headed back home where Kevin made us jalapeno poppers and other good snacks. (We ordered pizza, too, but we couldn't get a large because Domino's had run out of "large dough." I guess combining two mediums to make a large wasn't in the manual.)

Then we settled in for the MSU/Ohio State game! And it was "victory for MSU," just as the fight song says! (Although there were a few trying moments!)

On our last day we went to nearby Hattiesburg where we enjoyed a brew and great food at the Keg & Barrel. A fun time, despite the rain!

We're home now, up to our eyebrows in shopping, wrapping and finishing up the decorating. I just love this fa la la time of year!

Let the merriment continue!

And let the angels sing!