Happy New Year

I wish you a happy, healthy, and creative New Year
with lots of magical moments!

Frosty weather

Actually, the winter in November and December was very mild with only a bit of frost in November when I took these photos and some snow in December.

The frozen spiderweb was simply beautiful.

I love that first frost on the colorful late autumn leaves.

Fall blending into winter.

A feast of color in an often dull season.

Hanging on -- hanging in there.

The beauty of the last flowers.

Christmas in Munich

On December 21, I met my friend Martina who lives in Sweden in Munich's city center. We strolled over the Christkindlmarkt (Christmas market) on the Marienplatz (Mary's Square).

We had much fun despite the rainy weather.

Wooden Christmas ornaments.

Frohe Weihnachten = Merry Christmas.

A typical Bavarian scene.

A large variety of Christmas decorations.

Even some odd ones like this devil here.

Many of the booths were decorated nicely with an old-fashioned touch.

Taking our time checking out the treasures.

Shiny stars.

Colorful candles.

A box full of angels.

Dozens of glass birds -- they are among my favorite Christmas decorations.

Gingerbread.

Zwetschenmanderl -- Figures made from dried plums.

Each one has his or her own personality.

These sweet guys were made from nuts and raisins.

A big nutcracker.

Most likely an outing with a Kindergarten group.

Tourists listening to their guide.

Cookie cutters.

Children admiring the window display.

It was a winter wonderland with moving toys -- simply beautiful!

A nativity scene.

So much to see!

One of the many Glühwein (mulled wine) booths.

A booth roof decoration.

Lots of red.

A festively decorated house facade.

A close-up of one of the windows.

A happy accident photo -- I love the feel of motion in that photo!

And here's the proper photo -- glass art.

Ice-skating at Karlsplatz (Charles' Square).

Advent & Christmas

It's time to look back at Advent and Christmas 2011! Here's where we bought my mother's Christmas tree.

A colorful tree in a mall.

A winter landscape with stuffed animals which moved.

A sweet dog going wild about those moving animals.

The Advent calendar my mother made many years ago. Please note that Pascal and Flynn from Tangled are the treats on day 18 and 24.

A new Christmas ornament -- a cute snowman.

A bit of fairy-tale magic -- Sleeping Beauty (Dornröschen).

Drama bird -- a purple peacock!

A cute little mouse.

I found a Rapunzel Christmas ball!

My checkered moose.

A sweet angel which I love.

Snow White (Schneewittchen).

Little Red Riding Hood (Rotkäppchen).

Me!

Yummy Santa -- a Nikolaus treat.

Three candles burning -- not far until Christmas Eve.

The cutest reindeer ever!

Just a wee bit of snow.

My silver snowman.

A Christmas decoration from Japan.

My Advent calendar treat from day 12 -- Rapunzel and Pascal.

Day 6 treat made into a Christmas ornament -- now I have Rapunzel on the tree, too.

Four candles are burning on the Advent wreath.

Arc of light with a deer family.

A beautiful poinsettia.

Beautifully wrapped gifts.

A silver bird guarding a treasure.

Festive presents.

A bit more Tangled for me.

My new collection of gemstones -- 23 stones and 1 heart.

Blooming Christmas cactus.

Elegant decoration.

My Christmas tree with chili lights.

My mother's Christmas tree.

The beautiful sunset on Christmas.