Happy New Year!

WOW! What a whirlwind couple of weeks! Between my days at work a week ago & this past week, I was able to steal away a few days to go home for Christmas. I had a wonderful time touring East Texas. :) I got to see some friends (who are more like part of my family) and a lot of family. It was so nice to see everyone again, since I had to miss the Thanksgiving get togethers. I can't believe it's already December 31st!?! Where did this year go? Well, I guess that means I'm officially old now, since time goes by so quickly! :) So, the plan for today is to set my goals for 2007. I think goal #1 should be that I actually stick to my goals this year! :) I know it's not officially the new year yet, but since I work the next couple of days, I thought I'd wish you a happy new year a little early. Watch the big ball drop for me since I'll have to go to bed early to get ready for work tomorrow - not that I've ever been a night owl who could stay up long enough to watch it anyway. :) I hope & pray that this new year brings happiness to you!

Pictures

I know what you're thinking . . . an entry TWO days in a row?!? Shocking! :) I went back to the city today to tour the Capitol. It was nice to see, but there were NO Christmas decorations!! What in the world?!? The paintings & murals were beautiful. I can't imagine being that talented & creative. After I left the Capitol, I walked around downtown for a few hours - until my feet could take no more. A word to the wise, when you come up here to visit/tour, go for COMFORTABLE shoes as opposed to cute shoes!! :) I did get some pictures of the Capitol Christmas Tree, which stands on the side of the building facing the Mall. I then walked down Pennsylvania Ave. to get pictures of the outside of the White House & the National Christmas Trees. I hope you enjoy the pictures. :) The top picture is self explanatory. The second picture is of the "Texas Tree", which is one of 50+ little trees surrounding the National Christmas Tree - one for every state & some provinces. The last picture is the National Christmas Tree. If you look closely, you can see the train tracks circling the bottom of the tree. There are also about 5 little villages on the ground all around the tree with trains that run. As you visit this area, which is located between the White House & the Washington Monument, you get to listen to the continuously playing Christmas music! Also, they constantly have a "Yule Log" burning so you not only get the smell of pine, but also the smell of a fire burning. All you need to finish the scene off is a cup of apple cider! :)

Christmas Dream

Today, I had a Christmas dream come true. I was allowed to tour the White House during the holiday season! From the HUGE nutcrackers at the entrance to the smell of pine & Christmas throughout, I was enthralled! As we walked in, we walked down a corridor with a wall of windows (I think overlooking the rose garden) on one side and a wall of old & new presidential photos on the other. Each of the windows had a beautiful, fresh wreath hanging in the center. We were only allowed to look through doors into the library & yellow room (with Jackie Kennedy's protrait), but they were both elegantly decorated. We then went up some stairs & into the East Room (where the original painting of George Washington hangs), which had a wonderful nativity scene and a couple of gorgeous trees. From there, we entered the Green room. It had some pretty antiques, as well as cute table center pieces with huge candy canes. They made me think of my mom & her pepermint bark! :) The next room was the infamous Blue room - always my favorite since I LOVE blue! It had the official White House Christmas Tree, and it was unbelievable! The decorations, along with the cotton on the limbs to look like snow, just sparkled in the sunlight coming through the floor length windows. In the front, center of the tree hung this year's White House ornament - which I'm very proud to say is also hanging on my Charlie Brown Tree. :) After the Blue room, we went through the Red room. This room was also decorated with huge strands of garland and the large candy canes/peperment sticks. The one common ground in the rooms that I noticed was the incredibly ornate clocks on each of the fire place mantles. All the clocks that I could see were set to the correct time, which must be a huge undertaking every 6 months when the time changes!! After the Red room, we were allowed into the State Dining room, which is were the huge painting of Lincoln hangs. This also houses the gigantic Ginger Bread White House, with Barney & Mrs. Beazley driving Santa's sleigh off the roof. It was truly amazing. As we left that room, on the right was the famous painting of JFK hanging on the wall. With one last look from the hallway, through the door with the presidential seal above it, into the blue room with that magnificent tree, I left the White House. What a treat to be allowed into the Christmas celebration there! I'm forever grateful to Representative Gohmert & his staff for getting me in.

Charlie Brown Christmas

I finally found a little Christmas tree for my apartment today. I know . . . ONLY 20 days until the BIG DAY, and I'm just now putting up a tree. (I feel a little like Scrooge!) :) The ornaments on the tree are souveniers I've collected while here. One of my favorite Christmas movies is the Charlie Brown Christmas. I think Charles Schwartz is a genius (I hope that's how you spell his name!). I love the part where the kid with the blanket (I forgot his name) stands center stage & quotes the Christmas story from Luke 2! This tree reminds me of Charlie's in the movie, which makes me smile! This has been a different year, but it hasn't changed my passion for Christmas at all. It's been a great day!