246/365

Painted Building

One of the alleyways in downtown Abilene is painted in these beautiful colors and designs.  It's a pleasure to see them instead of just the plain bricks of the building.

239/365

Ravens on the Wall

This building, in Fairbanks, Alaska, is decorated with ravens resting n pipes along the outside wall of the structure.  It was winter so there are snow clumps on the pipes.

Many of the structures in Fairbanks are decorated.

337/365

Church Christmas Tree

My church has two of these trees, so beautifully decorated, on the stage at the front of the sanctuary.

I couldn't resist taking a photo of one today, but I only had my phone, so the quality isn't quite as good as I had hoped it would be.  

Beautiful just the same.

261/366

Ornaments on a Tree

There's a museum in downtown Abilene that sells family memberships.  I went in there today to get a membership for my daughter's family and while I was waiting I noticed this extremely decorated tree and I had to take a photo of it, even though all I had with me was my cell phone.

The nutcrackers and the dolls are beautiful. 

259/366

Decorated Coffee Cups

While waiting an inordinately long time to place my coffee order at the coffee shop today, I decided to make another image of these decorated cups on the other side of the counter.  I asked the barista who decorated them and she said that various customers did them over a number of years.  

What a great way to decorate one of the walls in the shop.

137/366

Pink Flower Graffiti

This pink flower mural is painted on the side wall of a business in downtown Fairbanks, AK.

My heart is grateful for:

beautiful weather

65/366

Business Wall

This is the outside wall of one of the businesses in downtown Abilene.  I think it looks so interesting with the outcroppings and the shadows.  

My heart is grateful that:

I was able to spend some time with my daughter and her family last night

342/365

Pink Poinsettia and ornaments

These beautiful pink decorations are seen on a white fir wreath on display as part of the decorations at the Abilene, Texas Zoo.

I'm grateful for:

beautiful colors

336/365

Graham-Cracker-House building underway

This is just a small group of the teens who were at the house-building event last night.  They were so creative.  

My heart is grateful that:

I found a few books at an estate sale today that I'll totally enjoy:

Anne Tyler and John Grisham

332/365

Abilene, Texas Christmas Tree

This Christmas Tree is located in front of City Hall.  It was just about dusk and the lights were already turned on which made for a nice photo.

My heart is happy that:

Even though we can celebrate Jesus everyday, we'll soon be officially celebrating His birthday

281/365

Scarecrow and Pumpkins

I'm not a fan of Halloween. Never have been.  Sometimes, if the decorations aren't too disgusting, I think they're cute.  

This display was outside the local YMCA.  The scarecrow is animated and randomly begins to move and say things and the pumpkins are inflatables.  

I miss the days when the grandkids were young enough to enjoy coming to my house and carving pumpkins.  We would usually make a day of it, culminating with the carving and putting candles in them once it was dark outside.  

Those days, sadly, are gone.

My heart is grateful that:

I had those fun times with the grandkids and we all still have the memories

227/365

Celebration Cake

There's a family in my church who has fostered 3 children who are biologically connected by their mother.  It's taken about 4 years for their adoptions to be completed.  The final adoption took place last week and they had a party at their home to celebrate.  There are only two names on the cake because the oldest child was adopted last year and they had her party then,  

Praise God for His mercies.

My heart is grateful that:

the longest journey begins with the first step forward

178/365

Decor in a Coffee Shop

Yesterday I was in this coffee shop, not my fave, for our monthly bookgroup.  While I was waiting for the others to arrive, I noticed this artificial plant positioned in the corner and I thought it looked so nice.

Today I bought another live plant for my house.  I'd better be careful, now that I've decided I'll be here long enough to decorate with plants.  I love houseplants, but sometimes one too many plants is one too many.

I'm grateful for:

nature

27/366

Checking Out the Tree on the Morning of  Christmas Eve Day

My daughter and I and two grand kiddos went to this fantastic burger place for breakfast in one of the nearby towns this morning.  They usually aren't open for breakfast, but since this is Christmas Eve day they made an exception.  They were also running a competition for the best photo of people wearing their PJs.  The winning photo will win the maker a gift certificate.

Right inside the entrance they have a beautifully decorated Christmas Tree. My grand kids are very difficult to photograph but while I was trying to get them to turn around they decided to both look at the tree and the ornaments so I grabbed this shot which I actually like a lot.

Maybe we'll win the gift card.  Maybe not.  Either way, it's still one of my fave burger places.

Merry Christmas to y'all, 2020.