ONLY in Texas...

will you ever say "See you at the Honky Tonk Hanukkah". (AND then arrive to find the rabbi from your morning service leading out!!!)

will you receive a box of candy larger than your work tote.

The long awaited (what? you weren't?) Lessons & Carols

Some of the sweet bell ringers (the child on the right has dressed like a mini GQ model since his Pre-K days, they tell me.)

Pretty sure you're not allowed to have any kind of concert in Austin without a few guitars!

A gifted 5th grader (his 8th grade sister is also quite the musician.)

5th graders, hamming it up.

Oh!  The bow ties that my 5th grade guys showed up are still making my heart happy.  They also sounded good on their descant and their Spanish lullaby.

 One of the sweetest and brightest kids I've taught.

Was surprised that my 8th graders were SO excited to carry candles during their procession of Medieval Gloria.

I have 397 photos and these are just a sampling.  I know looking at other people's kids' photos isn't that enthralling, but I also wanted y'all to see a bit of what I'm creating right now.

for the goodness in our lives

We lit a menorah in Chapel this morning and as I type this evening, several friends and colleagues are lighting theirs at home and singing ancient blessings of miracles and goodness in our lives.

Although, in my bit of the world, it feels as though there is a bit less sparkle in the world as I learned that a long-time family friend/mentor/colleague (and shall we add fabulous cook and party giver?) passed away this morning.  His is a life and an ending to emulate.  Rest in peace, Robert Tan.

Oh yeah baby, the VIP lane for me

One of our Trustees gifted the entire faculty with shuttle service AND 'backstage' access to the lovely annual Trail of Lights. 

 Kicked off our walk with some hot chocolate AND marshmallows...if one is going to have sugar, may as well go whole hog.

VIP bracelet~tres cool am I?  And the adults who were there early, shamelessly helped ourselves to the table of glowsticks~supposedly for the children.   They turned out to be genius at finding colleagues at the end of the evening.

Another extremely gorgeous perk was the ability to use those FANCY A/C porta potties~the kind you see on movie sets.  Trust me, in Austin the festival capital of the world, you spend plenty of time queuing up for those plastic strawberry-scented toilets (and shall I remind you of our average temperature?)

So, it may sound weird to the rest of you, but we were excited by the use of these!

 

And finally~the entrance tunnel.  We had the park to ourselves for the first hour.  Bliss.

 As I have a nephew in love with Pooh, thought I'd take a photo for him.  Thought it was me or the angle, but this just looks sinister.

 So, I tried another angle.  And took a poll of the colleagues standing around.  We decided the under lighting is what gives him a creepy aspect.

The Zilker Tree~the ultimate destination of the Trail.

The final tunnel.

The tradition is that you go inside to the middle and spin.

Dizzy yet?

 Ended back at the hospitality tent for warm cinnamon doughnuts.  Bliss.

some times,

Happiness is as simple as a pan of warm gingermen/trees/snowmen.

Especially if you opt out of the tedious frosting bit and simply snow powdered sugar upon them!

 

Happy little tree while waiting to hear some live Austin music.

scene seen

 One way of transforming utilitarian wires~beautiful living archway.

Christmas cacti.

Some of the Russian icons created by the art students~setting the tone in the Narthex.  (Photos of my concert to come~a parent did professional shots throughout and I'll be getting the CD of her work on Monday!)

seasonal sparkles

The still prior to the hordes for dress rehearsal this morning.

Tech notes, bobby pins and a pitch pipe~the glamour of behind-the-scenes.

There are many trees on campus right now, but this Seussy one makes me happiest.

Got tea lights for my shiny new candles~lovely afternoon light.

purdy

Outside the neighborhood vet's.

Belated bday baubles!!  Can't wait to fill them with Christmas twinkles.

And I know that I'm late to the party, but these little treats carried me through this afternoon.

Simon's Cat, always good for a giggle.

stickin' with the choco theme

It's 75 degrees (after the sun sets), but the merchants are Determined to create festal scenes.  Methinks the outdoor fireplace and wreath would be a smidge more noel-ly if there were the slightest nip in the air.

Chocolate-mint bread pudding to celebrate a long week of rehearsals~pleasantly run, might I add?

are you sensing a theme here?

Because one is NEVER too old to experience the fun of an Advent calendar.

 

How my potlucks will be organized from now on.