The holidays have arrived, and with them, all sorts of merriment and gratitude and cheer. I haven’t introduced Baby K to Christmas music just yet, but we did partake in lovely Thanksgiving and Christmas festivities last night and this evening. I find such great joy in celebrating thankfulness and the birth of  sweet baby Jesus. 33 days until Christmas…I sure hope they don’t pass us by too quickly.

Tonight, I’m grateful for accepting friends and loving family. And for God’s provision on so many levels. And most of all this year, for Baby and all that he or she will bring to our lives.

For your viewing pleasure, a little pictage of the past two days in all of their warmth and delightfulness:

cranberries becoming cranberry sauce

cranberry sauce

small group Thanksgiving table

and my first Thanksgiving plate of the year (more on Thursday:)

around the world Christmas trees at Meijer Gardens...Philippines

Japan...and beautiful paper cranes. one of my favorites.

Iceland. so pretty.

India! this was made of all kinds of dyed beans and rice.

the lena mejier conservatory. in miniature, in the railway room.

meijer gadrens tree lighting ceremony and member Christmas party 2010.

Ireland. i loved the ribbons and green-hued theme of this tree. go Irish!

Africa, sweet Africa.

Canada. big fan of the cute little owls on its branches, like this one.

entryway to Meijer Botanical Gardens. everything smelled so sweetly of fresh pine and fir.

We had a wonderful evening, despite the unseasonable rain. Ahh, Christmastime. Merry, Merry!

mm