Christmas Time!

I've been busy the last few days, 

so I am posting several photos here at once.

It will probably be like this through Christmas - crazy as always!

I hope everyone is doing fine and 

the holidays are wonderful for everyone.

 This is my new Mabef field easel. 

I think it's cool because it's not too heavy, 

it takes larger canvases out on location, and it tilts.

I can't wait to try it.

My favorite Christmas tree lot and the same one I've used for the last ten years.

Boy, trees went up this year! What was $40 last year is now $65.

But they were all beautiful.

This is one I chose.

This lot is at a home where the Christmas tree business 

was started by a man who will turn 100 years old this year.

His kids took over the business, now their kids are helping out.

I believe all of the trees are from Mora, New Mexico.

Aww, it's pretty.

I always like a tree that's kind of sparsy - I think the ornaments hang better.

 All loaded up.

I'm only going about eight blocks!

 Whew, I got it inside.

I forgot to saw off the bottom a little and drill a few holes in the bottom.

Oh well.

 I also took a little side trip yesterday to the local greenhouse to see the poinsettias.

They are GORGEOUS!

This is a varigated variety and it's really beautiful.

 Tons and tons of locally grown ponsettias.

Mind boggling.....

 Big hanging baskets.

I would love one of these in my house.

But it would die shortly thereafter.

I have no green thumb inside the house.

 We are making plates of goodies for some of our friends and family this year

and on Thursday, we had a day-long baking day.

The cookies you see above are my biscochitos.

I also made fudge and chocolate chip pumpkin cookies.

My daughter made truffles and mints. 

Yum.

 My biscochitos had a special ingredient this year.

Can anyone guess what it is?

My daughter and son-in-law Ben putting lights on the tree.

 My husband Mac showing off his ornament.

 Morgan adjusting the lights.

 Mac and Ben posing.

Well, Ben is posing.

 My tree with the movie "THE NUTCRACKER" in the background.

 The family Christmas tree, ready at last.

I think it's pretty.

 Close up of a few of my favorite ornaments.

Can you tell I have a thing for birds?

 Another bird ornament - I found this at a little antique store.

Speaking of birds, we have a million of these birds at our crabapple trees, eating the berries.

I think they might be called cedar waxwings, but I don't know. 

I've never seen one at my feeders until now.