Advent & Christmas

December flew just by. Nearly not enough time to visit Christmas markets. Here you see the one at Sendlinger Tor (Sendling Gate).

The atmosphere at the Christmas market was magical.

Colorful stars.

Beautiful light decoration on a house facade.

Pretty Christmas gifts at The Body Shop.

I really liked this decoration at a shoe store.

Münchner Christkindlmarkt = Munich Christmas Market (or even more precise Munich Christ Child Market)

A scene right from a fairy tale.

Beautiful Christmas tree decorations.

View towards the Marienplatz (Mary's Square).

Adorable stuffed toy decoration at Kaufhof, a department store.

All plush animals were made by the Steiff company.

  

Nikolaus and Krampus.

Mid-December brought a lot of snow.

Evidence of a nightly visitor.

Even the parking place of a supermarket looked magical with a blanket of snow.

At my place there was wind ...

... and noise thanks to the machinery helping to get rid of moisture from a water damage. Thus I didn't have much time nor energy to put up Christmas decorations this year.

The beautiful Christmas tree at my mother's place.

My mother's nativity scene.

A sweet angel.

New light decorations from IKEA.

A golden pinecone candle for Christmas.

The Brave art book for me.

A cute owl hand cream for my mother.

On December 24, we enjoyed mild 20,7 °C (nearly 70 °F) in Munich. Actually, that set a new record for the temperature on the Christmas Eve since temperatures were recorded. The poinsettia on the window sill soaked up the rays of sunlight.

I hope you had a wonderful holiday season!

First Advent Sunday

The first candle is lit.

The last rose in the garden.

Advent Calendar

It's time for Advent calendars again!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! A special thanks for your friendship and also for leaving comments -- so very much appreciated.

Today is the perfect occasion to thank two lovely ladies for the goodies they recently sent my way. Theresa from Faerie Moon Creations certainly knows how to celebrate Halloween in style. I was the lucky winner of her Witchy Halloween Wristlets Giveaway. The wristlets are just wonderful and have already helped to keep my wrists warm quite a few times.

Theresa sent them in a sweet Fright Night bag along with a tiny broom and black feather.

A tiny black bird was watching over the treasures. He looked just great sitting in my Halloween tree.

I was thrilled to see that Theresa had included candy corn. I had never had the chance to try candy corn before. What can I say? I love it!

Those of you who know Theresa are surely aware that she is a talented artist. I was delighted to see that she included a bookmark showing one of her paintings. I have already put it to good use.

On top of the Fright Night bag I discovered a tiny ornament of a bird in a cage.

Just as the little black bird, it looked fabulous on my Halloween tree.

The goodies were stored in a paper bag with an October 31 seal -- just wonderful! Thanks for all these goodies, Theresa -- I love all and everything!

A couple of days later I found a surprise in my mailbox. Gigi from Sunshine, Lollipops & Butterflies had sent an envelope with two sweet cards. Both of them are now on display in my study.

She also included a few bits and pieces which make a mixed media artist's heart go pitter patter.

Back in March, Gigi showed some of her St. Patrick's Day ATCs on her blog. She offered an extra card for one lucky (not necessarily Irish) person, and lucky me was chosen. So now I was in for a green treat -- this sweet St. Patrick's Day ATC.

Gigi also included a great tag with lots of dimensional elements.

Finally, she also sent a Mardi Gras ATC which -- along with the St. Patrick's Day ATC and Phoenix tag -- now has a place of honor in my study. Thanks Gigi for that lovely surprise letter!

And now -- enjoy Turkey Day!

Halloween

What?! Halloween is already over again?

 

Shortly before Halloween we had the first snow of the season.

White fluffy snow which had fortunately melted until Halloween.

Then it was finally time to light the candles.

I found a special treat in the mailbox right on Halloween -- these sweet toffee earrings! Jackie from Kydo Jewellery who designs jewelry together with her daughter Lara had kindly offered the earrings as prize in a giveaway. I was so excited to be the lucky winner -- and the earrings even arrived in time for Halloween. What perfect timing -- thanks Jackie!

Then it was time for carving my two pumpkins.

One smiling, one growling.

I also baked these cookies.

A treat for the brave.

Roasted pumpkin seeds.

Yours truly with her new purple witch hat.

I hope you had magical Halloween!