Christmas Day

These figurines are part of an extensive manger scene set up in the
Cathedrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg.
Photo taken in Strasbourg, France in December 2011

May you and your loved ones have a blessed day of joy and peace.  

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Eve

Photo taken in Strasbourg, France in December 2011

Christmas Eve is my favorite day of the year.  No other day holds as much anticipation of wonder, love, hope and joy.  It is a time of magical possibilities.

Stars over Strasbourg

Photo taken in Strasbourg, France in December 2011

Strasbourg decorates all the major, and some of the minor, streets in the city with beautiful lights in December.  These stars festooned the Grand Rue last year.

Maison des Tanneurs Decorated for Christmas

Photo taken in Strasbourg, France in December 2011

The Maison des Tanneurs is one of Strasbourg's most famous landmarks.  Located in the Petite France section of the city, this building was once the headquarters of the tanners' guild.  It is now home to a restaurant.  During the summer, the centuries old structure is decorated with a multitude of geraniums.  The flowers are traded in for twinkle lights in December.

Shopping in Strasbourg

Photo taken in Strasbourg, France in December 2011

These ladies were window shopping on the rue du Chaudron in Strasbourg.  I need to do a lot more than just looking around today!

A Forest of Chocolate

Photo taken in Strasbourg, France in December 2011.

Christmas calls for fabulous tasting and even more fabulous looking treats.  Many of the confectionary stores in Strasbourg would give it their all during the holiday season, creating impressive displays of sugary art.  This photo shows trees made from different types of chocolate and nuts.  There are some marzipan angels caroling in the front of the display.

A Charlie Brown Tree in Kaysersberg

Photo taken in Kaysersberg, France in December 2011

I have a soft spot in my heart for scraggly Christmas trees.  Maybe it comes from watching the Charlie Brown holiday special every year since I was a child?