Christmas preparations times many

Times many? How come? Well, it's a long story. First of all, Tim and I always have an urge to put up the outside lights once the days get shorter and dark. So we did that.
Christmas x1

We introduced the Charlie Brown Christmas tree last year. We liked it a lot, so put one up again, but this time with tiny red lights.

Christmas x2

In the meantime a colony of mice decided that Tim's car would make the perfect winter residence. They gathered acorns and put them under the hood. When he opened the hood, he couldn't believe his eyes. Every nook and cranny was filled with them. Instead of taking a picture of that and the nest, he removed it as fast as possible. He couldn't get all of the acorns out, so occasionally you can hear something rolling when going around corners. Tim caught 12 mice so far, and still trapping.

But also, your blogger is one of the directors on the Community Hall Board and as tradition has it, every year the Board of Silver Water organizes a turkey dinner for the community to celebrate Christmas. Originally it was put on for the seniors of the community, until the board realized that everybody in Silver Water is a senior. It then changed into a potluck. Now there is a new board, and 3 of the 7 members are under 65. We decided to change it again. This time the board will take care of all the main courses, with help from the Local Services Board, and some volunteers, desserts and appetizers are potluck. Your blogger is taking care of most of the groceries, and table stuff (napkins, centre pieces, etc.), and some of the sides. Tim, as chair of the Local Services Board volunteered to clean and cut 20 lbs of carrots. We expect 80 people. Hopefully I will remember to take pictures of the hall preparations, the food, and the clean-up. Cristmas X3

But before we forget, the house needs a bit more than a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. The garland has been put up, and now we will start working on the tree. Found a really good one, but may decide to put up the fake one that we bought in 2003. I wanted to bet rid of it when we moved here, since there are lots of potential trees here on the property, but I'm glad we didn't. Cutting a tree should be a joint venture, but my hip joints are not cooperating this year and waiting to be replaced in 3 months hopefully. A hike into the woods for the two of us is not happening this year, especially not since we have 15 cm of snow left in the woods, so the fake tree came out of hiding.

Gonzo is a must in our tree. Maaike, oldest daughter, gave it to Marjo one year for Christmas, since she likes everything off the beaten track, and ever since Gonzo has been hanging in the tree. Maaike regrets her gift dearly I think, but we enjoy it. Christmas x4