Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Presepio by Paolo!

When I went to get the Christmas tree, Jeremy and I saw the most marvelous piece of wood. Ever. It's a natural arch, and was just what we needed for our presepe.

Slight problem: it wouldn't fit in the car. No way, no how. I slipped the fellow a little extra money to have the wood AND the tree delivered directly to the house. Problem solved!

Not able to wait, I set it up to the best of my ability with the materials I had. But then, one misty morning, Paolo took me aside and whispered that he hadn't forgotten about us, and WAS planning to come to fix up our presepio (I had asked him in late November, and hadn't wanted to nag). Hurray!

Yesterday was the appointed day, and Kris Kringle showed up with his ape full of wood and leaves and moss.

The result is (in my opinion) magical. Every time I see it, it fills me with absolute joy. Paolo's attention to detail is outstanding.
There are lighted snowflakes above the stable

Hope you enjoy the photos!

Love,

Alexandra
The woodcutter with real logs

Going to the well...

The shepherd in the hills

The cheesemaker



Lamb! Sweetness!



Overall effect without baby Jesus (not born yet!)

The artist!


Closer shot showing lights...without baby Jesus

Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire

When I first had roasted chestnuts here, my reaction was "meh" at best...the texture is pasty and the flavor is not terribly inspiring. That was in October 2012.

By November 2013, I had developed a taste for them. They're still pasty, but that sweet flavor...mmmmm!

Tonight, we had our first-ever home-roasted chestnuts!

My darling pyromaniacs clustered around the fire to make sure we had a good blaze going, and then I placed the pan into the flames, shaking it periodically.

And then, snack was ready!

Love,

Alexandra
Lunch last week

The fish was outstanding,
and the pork (although looking toasted) was also very tasty!

Bragging Rights

After much collaboration and many dead ends, we have at least partially solved the following puzzles:

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Christmas Continues to Come

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Saturday, December 20, 2014

Christmas Scene?

The headstrong cygnet photographs erroneous keys. "You're foiled!" Raucous cheering risks stacked macadamias. Someone dares yippee. Special xmas assembly puzzles Zeros. Laughing ideally.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Balance at Christmas



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