Despite trying with all my might to hold back the days from racing forward as they do and enjoy the anticipation for just a little bit longer, Thanksgiving was here again .. I just can't believe how another year has gone by again.
I say it every year but really .. Fall-season, my favorite, is just too short and before you know it it's all about Christmas already!

Any-who, there's nothing to do about it, I guess you should just try to enjoy it as best as you can when it's there ... so, a pie was baked:

James had requested a 'real' dutch apple-pie this year, which is a lot more work than an American pie, but it's definitely worth it! 
I added a few cranberries to the raisins to Americanize it some which worked out very well. 

                                             

Of course we watched the Macy Parade:

And of course Santa showed up in the end ..

They always use a snow machine to enhance the fun when the sled arrives but although the weather was pretty good, sunny and not too cold, it was a little gusty this year which caused veritable blizzard conditions!
You could barely see the 'big guy' .. quite hilarious!

 

The traditional deviled-eggs and cheese-platter was munched on, accompanied by leftover sparkling Martinelli's from breakfast ..

                                                  

We'd hoped to go for a walk, like we usually do on this day, but elas, it was raining almost all day. We managed to have a short walk around 'our' grounds a little later but this year we spend most of the day inside .. on the couch .. watching TV.

Where we watched a Belgian Sheepdog named Soleil be crowned the big winner at the 2025 National Dog Show.
She edged out the second-place finisher, an American Foxhound named George (my favorite), to bring home the title at the prestigious competition. 

No turkey this year .. gasp! .. but chicken. If truth be told, I don't really like turkey that much to begin with. 
I find it a little too dark/gamy and often rather stringy, cooking takes forever and even a small turkey is too big for just the two of us.
Chicken is easier to cook well, is cheaper, just the right size and tastes better. 
So ... chicken it was and not only that, but it was actually a supermarket-rotisserie-one. 
I know .. total sacrilege, but you know what .. it was delicious!

Surrounded by the usual 'stuff' it looked just like the 'real' deal! 
(That green bean casserole had bacon in it .. you just can't beat bacon .. so good!)

And if that wasn't enough to kick of the holiday season we decided to attend a Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting in 'real life' in Mcminnville, one town over from us, where I do my weekly groceries.
(Here's a thing: apparently the parade cannot be called Christmas parade anymore, not 'inclusive' enough, and is now called Holiday parade ... sigh ...)

Historic Third Street was packed to watch brightly decorated floats, marching bands, and community groups spread holiday cheer.

                    

After days of rain we were very lucky to have a dry, clear evening. 
It certainly cooled down though and waiting for the parade to start I got a little shivery, but it certainly could have been worse! 
(It actually often rains on these Christmas .. eh .. Holiday parades)

Even Elvis made an appearance (you see, he's not dead!) singing about his 'blue Christmas (Holiday?) without you' ..

                                                       

The parade ended of course with a grand entrance from Santa himself, waving and ho-ho-ho-ing to us from atop an enormous firetruck:

                      

This next picture was made by the local newspaper with a camera-drone. Look at all those people!



A little before 6pm, when everybody was assembled at the library at the end of 3d street, the Christmas Holiday tree, after an enthusiastic countdown from the whole town, was lighted:

I think that's about the ugliest tree I ever saw but o well, it's bright and shiny and sort of festive so I won't let that affect my Christmas Holiday spirit.

Point in case .. I started decorating the RV the following day:

                                              

Let me take a picture of you with the lights, James said ... and than he takes forever to take one .. and your smile is starting to hurt your face ..                                                 

Make one already, I'm freezing!