On Monday, about 215 low brass players participated in the annual Tuba Christmas Austin concert. It was a pleasant, sunny day, so a larger-than-usual crowd gathered in front of the Texas State Capitol to listen to the (low) sounds of the season.
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Your leaves are so unchanging.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your leaves are so unchanging.
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when it's cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree,
Your leaves are so unchanging.
“Friendship” was the theme of this year’s Gingerbread Village at the Four Seasons Austin. It was actually six separate villages: Austin, plus our five sister cities: Saltillo, Mexico; Koblenz, Germany; Angers, France; Adelaide, Australia; and Oita, Japan. Each city/village was covered by a plastic snow globe. In this post, I’ve included the Four Seasons’ description for each city, plus one or two interesting Fun Facts from their Wikipedia entry. The village(s) remain on display through Christmas Day.
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Just before the holidays, Bill and I made our annual pilgrimage to the Gingerbread Village at the Four Seasons Austin. This year’s theme was “White Christmas.” The village featured a replica of Austin City Hall that was surrounded by houses representing the various neighborhoods around Austin. Proceeds from the sale of the buildings benefitted People’s Community Clinic.
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Your lights shine out so brightly!
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Your lights shine out so brightly!
Your gifts beneath you that I see,
Remind me of God's love for me.
O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree,
Your lights shine out so brightly!
The annual Gingerbread Village is on display through December 28th in the lobby of the Four Seasons Austin. This year’s theme is Austinopoly, a local interpretation of the classic game, Monopoly. The gingerbread houses and game tokens can be sponsored, with proceeds benefitting the Seton Infusion Center at the Dell Seton Medical Center.
Visiting Nacimientos: Traditional Nativity Scenes from Mexico at the Mexic-Arte Museum has become a Christmas tradition for me. I had enjoyed this exhibit last year and decided to visit again.
Toy Joy is always a Must-Visit stop for my Christmas shopping. Once again this year, the Second Street store was packed with merchandise. They didn’t have as many decorated trees as in previous years, but just looking at these few photos will bring a smile to your face …
O Christmas tree, O Christmas Tree,
How lovely are thy branches!
Not only green when summer’s here
But in the coldest time of year.
O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree,
How lovely are thy branches!
Bill and I attended the 11th annual Mueller Tower Lighting on a chilly evening earlier this month. Formerly the site of the old Austin airport, the 700-acre Mueller development is now a planned community containing stores, restaurants, a hospital, a children’s museum, and various businesses. Construction continues, but eventually over 13,000 people will live in the condos, apartments, and homes here.