Wyoming Breezes

ceramic Nativity set November 2018 Gradually, I'm finding places for some Christmas decorations. The big tree will probably stay in the garage this year because I don't want to deal with the mess of sorting through the boxes for Christmas ornaments. I set up a few ceramic pieces (small lighted tree and two Nativity sets) around the apartment. The Advent wreath is on the kitchen table ready for morning devotions. I've hung holiday cross-stitch pictures around the apartment, filled the Christmas countdown tree with treats, and hung the greeting card holder. The front door has a new festive wreath, and a snowman flag is flying. Christmas carols have been playing all day, and the virtual fireplace was flickering and popping on the television screen. I'm ready to enjoy the holiday season.

sign made from old fence pickets July 2017 Two summers ago, I had the privacy fence around my yard replaced. I saved some of the better pickets and took them to Brenda (my niece) for her painting projects. I thought she might want to turn the weathered pickets into snowmen or some other decoration. When Brenda came to visit recently, she gave the "Freedom" sign, painted using two fence pickets, to me. I think it's fantastic that the pickets that served me well for over 20 years and that I took to Denver have come back home. They were here, there, and back. Thanks Brenda - I love the sign!

Elf ornament painted by Brenda M. 2015 This cute little guy arrived in the mail on Saturday, a gift from my niece Brenda. Brenda and Marilyn (my sister) have hosted a Cookie Exchange every December for 25 years, and every year, they create unique holiday items for each of their 25+ guests. gifts for the Cookie Exchange guests 2015 Brenda's 2015 collection for the Cookie Exchange included elves, Santas, and reindeer.  a variety of items painted by Brenda over the years These are just a few of the ornaments and decorations that Brenda has painted over the years. I think she has an amazing talent.

spotted on my neighborhood walk October 2014 It's that time of year for Tricks and Treats, so keep your eyes open and be careful out there!

A surprise package arrived in the mail last week. Isn't this fabric pumpkin cute? I don't have a lot of Fall decorations, so this cute pumpkin helps to bring some seasonal cheer into my house. Thanks, Doniene !

Holiday Decorations Lapeyre Restaurant Riverton, WY December 2012 Isn't this a great way to decorate a large wall and to add some holiday cheer?

Jen , a PH friend, sent me the cute ornament with the red bird as part of an ornament exchange with individuals on the PHA Message Board. It fits comfortably with all of the other ornaments. My tree is filled with memories of my childhood (see the doll-sized mirror) and of my friends (the snowflake on the left) and of trips that I've taken (the snowflake on the right). It is also covered with glass icicles which seem to twinkle when the colored light hits them just right. One of the "ornaments" on my tree is a wishbone from the 1977 Christmas turkey. What is the oddest ornament on your tree?

Monday, I prepared the holiday door for the hospital gift shop. It still needs lights, ribbon, and bows attached to the door frame, but it greets those who enter the hospital to visit patients and to have tests.

Something about being in the city amid the pre-holiday bustle motivated me to drag my Christmas tree out of the garage. Yep, it is no longer the Lonesome Pine. The tree used to stand proudly in the front room so it could be seen from the street; however, I placed it in the room closest to the garage so I would not have to handle it more than necessary. Actually, I spend more time in this room anyway so I will be able to enjoy it more. I love to sit in the darkened room with only the tree lights lit. It is very calming to look at the tree and remember past holidays and traditions. A lot of my other holiday house decorations have come out of hibernation, too. I have slowly emptied the storage tubs and placed the cheery displays around the house. I am thankful for the burst of energy that allowed me to bring these old friends back into my home. They will remain on display until the middle of January when they will be returned to storage. Hopefully in the years to come, my Christmas tree w...