A Small Town Christmas Parade

Hello everyone!

Happy Christmas to you!

Last evening, I made a quick supper of salmon patties and creamed peas. Then my Lowell and I headed downtown to enjoy the lighting of the mayor's Christmas tree and the annual Carthage Christmas Parade. Thousands of twinkly lights adorned the square, and lots of happy people turned out for this fun event.

We found a parking spot just off the square. It was perfect. We were able to stand by our car and watch the parade go by just feet away from us. We were even able to exchange Christmas greetings with many people in the parade as they passed by. 

So often, during the Maple Leaf Parade, we find ourselves sitting in a spot where the band marches by in between songs. Last night, they were playing Christmas tunes as they cheerfully marched by us.

I think my husband's favorite part was watching the old cars go by. There were some real beauties. 

My husband drove an old Nomad station wagon when we were first dating. It was nothing like this one! 

What Christmas parade is complete without a Santa? Unfortunately, we missed the one at the end of the parade... I'm not sure how. This one shall suffice. 

I think that this float was the cutest of all. I remember that my kids loved to sing Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer to their Grandma Judy when they were little. She got so tickled, and they loved it. I took pics of the display, but they were blurry. ~sigh~ 

I don't even know what this one was supposed to be, but the sheer number of lights was dazzling. 

The best display was done by Carthage Water and Electric Plant. They had two electric poles mounted at opposite ends of the float. There were electricians hanging on the poles like they were fixing the electricity! If you look closely, you can see the poles at the back of the float.

It's always a bit of a challenge getting off the square after events.

 We took side streets and passed Sparkle in the Park. One of these evenings, we'll go walk through. I've heard it's a whole different experience when you're immersed in the lights. 

It's now Tuesday morning. I'm off work today, and I've dedicated this day to Kringling. That will include:

• This blog post
• Baking cookies
• Christmas cross-stitch
• Sewing
• Hand quilting
• Writing at least one Christmas card
• A Christmas crafternoon with my Amy 

So, I'm off to heat up my drink and start those cookies. I'll make chocolate chip pecan this time. I was given a big bag of milk chocolate chips. I used some last week and was surprised at how delicious they are. 

Enjoy the day ladies!

Laura

Happy to Kringle

Um... Did You Know?

Christmas is just three weeks away!

My friend, Billie Jo, at Morning Coffee and Afternoon Tea announced that surprise on her blog this morning. My brain is in the here and now today. Although I realize Christmas is coming, and I'll be doing a bit of Kringling after I finish writing to you, and maybe after a cookie or two— it is December— I still didn't realize how close Christmas is!

This photo is of my tree a couple of years ago. I need to take some photos of this year's tree to share. I've finished nearly all the decorating. I have some wrapping and some making to do. The last gifts (I think) have been ordered and should arrive by the end of the week. I'm glad to have that part finished.

On to Kringing now!

Have yourself a merry little Christmas time!

Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

 

Cozy, Snowy, Warm and Muffins

Photo by Simon Schoepf on Unsplash

"They were cosy and comfortable in their little house made of logs, with the snow drifted around it and the wind crying because it could not get in by the fire."

Laura Ingalls Wilder

   We've had our share of cold days and nights here at the cottage the last few weeks. We're staying warm with blankets, space heaters, hot drinks and warm robes. 

   

   My husband slept late this morning. We're going to watch church online this morning since we were up rather late with grandbaby last night. Momma and daddy went to dinner then a walk through Bethlehem event. When Lowell came in, I said, "I'm going to finish this blog post and then...." Lowell heard "muffin". We both had a good laugh. Then we laughed and said I should write about "muffin". So, here we go! Just for fun! 5 minutes writing about "muffin".

   Go!

   We've eaten a lot of muffins in over the years. The first muffins that I had were Jiffy blueberry muffins. They came in a box and made 6 small muffins. As kids, my little brother and I thought that they were the cat's meow!

   When I grew up, we went through a stage where we were trying a low fat diet. That was the thing in the nineties. I've lived long enough now to know that there is always a thing. I tried making some bran muffins that had everything in them that was healthy and not so much that was yummy. Um... pass!

   When the kids were little, I found a recipe in my old Betty Crocker cookbook for French Puffs. They were a plain muffin, rolled in melted butter then rolled in cinnamon and sugar. Oh yum! We still enjoy those. 

   The best muffins were those we served at our restaurant years ago. Miss Peggy came in just to make fresh muffins for us. They were big, full of flavor, and oh so good!

Stop

   Well, that was actually fun! I may have to do something like that again soon. Stream of conscience is a great way to get the writing gears moving. 

   Well, I finished the big gift part of my Christmas shopping online this morning. I don't really like to go our shopping anymore, so I asked Amazon for help. They were so glad to oblige!

   I may pick up a few more little things. We'll see. Tomorrow, I turn to sewing gifts. I'll be back to visit with you soon. 

  Won't you say hello? I've missed our time writing to each other. 

   Be blessed, 

   Laura 

P.S. I found the recipe for French Puffs online at the Betty Crocker site.