Santa Claus Came to Town

I had been reading about it over the last two weeks. Santa Claus rides around in a fire truck throughout the neighborhood. I was trying to figure out when we could expect him in ours - because we saw him out of nowhere a few years back. It said he makes the rounds during the first week of December, but I still couldn’t pinpoint when and what time. A couple of nights ago we heard a commotion and ran to the balcony - only to see the tail lights of the fire truck sail past about a block away, only to continue on away from our building. It was a bit disappointing - especially because this time of the year we always close the blinds when it gets dark, and Santa shows up at night. I thought that was the end of it. Then last evening when we were preparing dinner, my husband said he thought he heard commotion again. So we ran to pull up the shade and ran to the balcony. This time the fire truck was coming towards us and Santa was waving to us. The next door dog was barking with excitement. The fire truck made a few little siren blasts - just to get people out of the house to look. There was just something about catching a glimpse of Santa. I’m glad we didn’t miss him after all. 

Condo Christmas Photos

After thirteen years, we left Capitol Hill over a year ago and now live in a condo in northern Virginia. Since March - for obvious reasons - there have been no in person meetings or gatherings in the building. Last year there was a Christmas get together but since we were out of town we didn’t attend. So this year instead of having a celebration of sorts, the manager of the building and board requested that home owners send in photos of your Christmas decorations that will then be shared with everyone in the communication update at the end of this week. We don’t do a lot of decorating, but since we will be home this year we did more than usual. We filled our balcony window boxes for fall/winter with pansies, liriope and English ivy, then stuffed them with boxwood, ferns, pine cones, berries and sticks. Inside, the greenery was placed in the wall vase along with two birds, sticks and icicles. On the plant table the bulk of the greens were placed in a large vase with sticks and icicles, along with Santa, my favorite Christopher Radko ornaments on the mirror, the first partridge in a pear tree ornament I gave my husband all those years ago, and a string of tiny white lights. So we combed through the photos we thought might look nice and will forward them this week. Even though it won’t be in a picture, the Christmas stocking my mom knitted for me when I was a baby was hung in the foyer. Usually we travel to central Virginia for Christmas. This year it’s just the two of us - but at least we will have some reminder of the holiday.  

Waiting for Santa

Old Fashioned Christmas Window Along Pennsylvania Avenue

No, it isn't Macy's, or downtown Chicago or New York, but it looks just as magnificent! Every year, the Coldwell Banker shop on Pennsylvania Avenue decorates four storefront windows full of Christmas scene delights. One has a big Christmas tree with snow falling on it; another has a village and a train circling around it; another has a larger complex of traditional Christmas activity. But the one we like the most is the Capitol Hill neighborhood. There are people skating, and walking near the Jefferson Memorial and the old Frager's Hardware store has a prominent spot. The Nationals Stadium is surrounded by other prominent neighborhood landmarks including Splash car wash. The National Capitol Bank of Washington and Mr. Henry's can't be missed. The Hill Center and the Folger Shakespeare Library are front and center. I love the huge colorful bright ornaments that hang from the top. No one passes by this place without stopping, and probably thinking the same things I am. It's a reminder of our Christmas past as children, and just shouldn't be forgotten.