Christmas tree is finished!! And the Christmas train is back!

showing Mardi Gras beads!

There really are many more ornaments to add to the tree... but lately I've been just putting up the ones that hold memories: ones I made for the kids when they were babies, ones the kids made themselves, ones given to us, ones bought on travels, and a few glass ones from my parent's tree years ago (and I add Mardi Gras beads to our tree because it makes it feel more New Orlean-sy).

And I have to share my Christmas train with you! We've always had a train around the tree or elsewhere for Christmas. But the larger one got lost (or possibly one of our kids took it at some point). Then we had a small one that the grandkids played with so much, it no longer worked. So recently I saw this one on Amazon for $20 and couldn't resist. It is so cute... and makes train whistles, etc.!! 

(Remember to click on square on right to make video larger 

and to click on Esc to get back to post)

And of course I'm doing my Christmas baking. Sent off the first batch this week. Working on the 2nd batch today. Then only one more needed for family and friends close by. I usually bake Christmas tea cakes for my youngest granddaughter here and the twin girls next door - and rum cakes for the adults. 

This is a new version that I'm trying this year. I'm putting lemon curd or chocolate (maybe Nutella?) in between 2 thin teacakes with leaf cutouts in the center. Here's a picture of a few of the test ones with lemon curd (the 4 on the right):

That's all I've got to share at the moment. Hope your Christmas preparedness is under way and bringing you joy...

(This is the first Christmas since we lost our 17 year old grandson last January... so it's a bit bittersweet. My oldest son is still having a hard time dealing with it... as can be expected.)

Until next time...

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

(For those interested, my eye is healing. Still on Rx antibiotic drops for the clogged tear duct, but otherwise doing fine.)