Christmas Elves Pay A Vist To The Farm

 Meghan as a Christmas reindeer:

 Ruby, the wiggly nosed reindeer, here to help guide Santa's sleigh:

Jack with a mistletoe hat, hoping for a kiss - if he doesn't tip over first:

Fergus, knowing that he looks like a goofy elf in his "Happy Holidays" hat:

Seamus thinks he got the worst assignment, wearing a "Santa stuck in the chimney" hat:

Clover in her "Who Needs Mistletoe" shirt and a Christmas tree hat. Indeed, who needs mistletoe when you're a diva?:

Daphne as The Ghost Of Christmas Present:"

Georgette was pleased to wear a ribbon for the holiday. In her mind, any attention is good attention:

Look at Seamus' facial expression. It seemed that he was feeling put upon, having to wear red reindeer antlers:

Jack didn't mind his Santa hat except that it kept falling off and covering his face:

The best Christmas costume of the day came when Clover donned a pair of angel wings. They seemed appropriate:

Seamus as Yukon Cornelius, from "The Island Of Misfit Toys:"

The cats were more resistant to wearing goofy costumes, though Daisy did momentarily allow the mistletoe hat. Getting her to hold still was quite another story. But all of this was to wish you a Merry Christmas:

2017 Gingerbread House Contest - Part 2

Part 2 of the TAUNY (Traditional Arts In Upstate New York) gingerbread house contest. As I did yesterday, I'll present the information first, followed by a closeup of the gingerbread entry. The theme this year was "Where The Music Happens:"

Around The Campfire:

Christmastime At Morgan's:

A Family Christmas:

Anytown, NY:

Pickens Hall:

Snowmen At Christmas (this one got my vote for People's Choice Award:

I walked back to the sales and display space just as a country ensemble was tuning up. The chainsaw bear in the background looked like it was going to join in:

TAUNY was holding their yearly open house and refreshments were available:

It was a festive Christmas occasion, but time for me to drive home. I love this gingerbread contest each year and I try to take photos of it every December:

2017 Gingerbread House Contest - Part 1

I drove to Canton, NY for my annual visit to the TAUNY (Traditional Arts In Upstate New York) Gingerbread House contest. When I arrived, I saw that they had a busy sales floor with many exhibits:

I headed directly to the gingerbread house contest display. This year's theme was "Where The Music Happens" and they had entries from all age groups:

Instead of summarizing the information on their signs, I'll begin each entry with a photo of the sign which shows the creator(s), their inspiration and any awards they won. To enlarge the photo, simply click on it:

To Hear My Dad Sing:

 Just Add Human:




Cello Suite:

Inside Cello Suite, showing an edible cello and a cello photo on the wall:

Enchanted Home In The Woods. That little log building back in the trees was a faerie chicken coop, complete with hens on roosts:

Looking in through the front of Enchanted Home In The Woods:

Caroler's Dream:

I'll post Part 2 tomorrow!

A Christmas Wish

From Bill and all the animals at Windswept Farm, have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year.
The dogs are (left to right) Daphne, Fergus, Seamus, Jack and Clover.
Not shown:
The cats are Rocky, Daisy, Bramble, Georgette and Bugsy.
The guinea pig is Dixie.
The miniature horses are Blue and Remy.
The cattle are Jasmine, Amy, Gracie, Scarlett, Violet, Rosella, Tabitha and Maggie.
 The white fantail pigeons and bantam hens are unnamed and numerous.

Puppets, Animation And Music For Christmas Eve!

I happened on to these videos and thought they'd make a wonderful post for Christmas Eve. The first is the traditional Christmas story, told with puppets and a reworded version of "Bohemian Rhapsody." The resulting video was appropriately titled "Bethlehemian Rhapsody." I send it to you with my wish that you have a wonderful Christmas Eve:


And also there is this animated version of "Joy To The World." I found it charming, another perfect video for Christmas Eve:

A Canine Christmas Carol

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse:

When suddenly a reindeer named Fergus appeared:

And then Santa himself, with a curly black beard:

The gifts were all wrapped up with tinsel and bows:

And elves looked appealing with socks on their toes:

A reindeer named Seamus took Rudolph's old place:

But Jack messed up everything, with a smirk on his face: