Not a very sharp picture but I wanted to show you my Christmas tree and this is the only one that came out decent. I guess it's the window, or rather the light, behind us that's causing the problem.

Aren't we a cozy bunch? We're all gathered for 'coffee time', I just baked some speculaas and I'm knitting the socks that I'm already knitting for over a year now :)

The weather has gotten a little 'nippy' in the nights and mornings which helps a little to get in the Christmas spirit here in Arizona.
We went to the Avi Casino one evening to sing some carols and watch the 'tree lighting ceremony' there.

 

 

 

These local High School students sang a few funny songs at the entrance of the casino where the tree was lit and the whole choir sang (surprisingly well!)  in the ballroom a little later.

 

 

 

There were cookies, hot cider and hot chocolate but unfortunately not too many people although the casino was filled with a big gambling crowd. Weird.

On our way out James took a bite out of this beautiful gingerbread house (just kiddin'), made by the casino's pastry chef.

 

 

 

As I mentioned, I baked some 'speculaas' for St. Nicolas evening, the 5th of December. No presents this time, I know, it's slipping away I'm afraid...(keeping up the tradition, I mean)...

I was out of the typical spices you use for this type of cookie so I sort of made my own (a mix of 5-spice, allspice, cinnamon and ginger). They came out delicious if I say so myself!  Aahhhh, the smells........they bring back memories....
Off course there's no way I can ever reproduce them again, having used 'a little bit' of this and 'a pinch' of that :(

Here at the Moon River Resort we decorated the rec room and the office. There's a snow man at the front door. Makes me wish for snow....... just for a few days....!

 

 

 

 

 

Some people made ingenious use of the front stabilizer of their fifth wheel which off course as you know is a tripod. Turns out it makes the perfect Christmas Tree! What a fun idea!

 

 

 

 

 

Since we have a skirt that covers the tripod that wouldn't work for us but I attached a string of lights on the awning. Works for us!

Funny to have Christmas lights up, the door open and patio furniture out at the same time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

And another beautiful sunset for the end of this blog......