Gaylord National - ICE -

 Every year, right around the holiday's, we drive the 4-wheel drive sled down to Washington, D.C.

We stay in the Gaylord National Resort and we visit

ICE

This years theme...The classic holiday story,

The Polar Express

10 scenes from the movie, brought to life with 2 million pounds of ice, created by 40 artisans from China.

Inside the exhibit, it is a cool 9 degrees.

These larger than you can believe ice sculptures, took 6 weeks to sculpt and create.

Polar Express Round Trip

This train, although unbelievable, is made entirely of ice.

Hot, Hot, Hot Chocolate

The End

Today's positive thought...

When I look back on this year, I'm proud of...

- the way I have cared for others -

I'm A "Maker"!!

I am a maker, a creator...a tryer of all crafts.

Knitting is my go-to activity, but I often dabble in anything "crafty"?!

I have been knitting blankets for Christmas gifts 

and I have made a lot of ornaments for the Christmas tree, they are gifts also.

First up, the ornament of 2025 is this...

"Gnome"

I have made so many, I hope I have enough friends to gift them to.

I generally gift money to the mailman, my salon girls...and other people who serve us throughout the year.

I attach an ornament to each cash gift to make it a little more personal.

In years past I have made

this ornament.

I only made one this year, they are easy to make with the art of 

Needle Punching

I would like to make a few more.

I finished the blanket I made for Michael for Christmas.

I am so in love with this blanket and I cannot wait for Christmas to gift it to him.

This is a kit sold by Sierra Yarn

The kit contains a pattern, a 17" circular needle and 8 skeins of yarn, 1600 yards...

enough yarn to make a 45" x 58" blanket.

The yarn is 60% Baby Alpaca 40% Peruvian in the color Light Blue/Ivory.

The kit also includes a "Made By Me" label.

I am making another one for my mom.

 

We got 8" of snow on Sunday, I could not be more excited.

We went for a walk while it was snowing, had a snowball fight and I made a snow angel.

I did not assist with the clean-up, instead I made a big pot of cream of potato soup,

and we enjoyed that while we watched the Chiefs game.

I used my new soup bowls from 

Alewine Pottery

for the soup and this Creamy Tuscan Sausage Pasta Dish I often make.

The KC Chiefs lost, they will not be in the playoffs...so no Super Bowl for 2026.

An MRI confirmed that quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL, he will probably need surgery.

On December 4th I photographed this Waning Crescent Moon, 

it looked brighter than it looks in the picture.

Here's a peek at the 8 inches of snow we got, I'll share more pictures tomorrow!

Today's positive thought...

To stay positive on dark nights...

- I look through old scrapbooks, pictures and my blog books -

Wise Words On Sunday

 

Today's positive thought...

I feel sung and warm...

- when I am home -

Saturday Critters #626

 Tis the Season...right?

We have been checking out all of the Christmas Spots on the 

Winter Bucket List

Most do not include live critters 

so I am going to share a few pictures from a tree I saw in

Longwood Gardens...

I am reaching a little here but they are "critters".

In the Organ Room in Longwood Gardens,

 there were about 10 trees decorated with handmade 

ornaments from local schools, groups and clubs.

The ornaments on this tree were made by the people in

Sarafina Fiber Arts

Needle Felting Fiber Art is very difficult craft, 

I have tried my hand at this several times 

and was not able to get the results these crafters have. 

These ornaments felt really special to me.

Cedar Waxwing

Chipmunk

Male Cardinal

You can see a Penguin in the background.

Rabbit

Here are a few more highlights from the

Organ Room

This gentleman was playing the organ while we were there.

If you would like to read more about the organ, you can find some interesting information here.

Each tree was different,

Each one decorated with a theme, and handcrafted  ornaments.

Today's positive thought...

My heart fills with love when I think about...

- my fiber friends -

Sharing today's images with Eileen at 

Viewing Nature With Eileen 

for Saturdays Critters