Creche Festival

About a month ago, I reserved three spots at the Creche Festival. It is a free tour, but you need to reserve a time in advance so they are not overwhelmed, or slow. The festival is held at Mepkin Abbey.  They have been doing this for years.
I thought this would be something wonderful to start the Christmas season.

There are 9 creches outside and 75 in the library. Making a total of 84!

Lon took notes on the ones he liked best

This Creche was made in South Carolina, but they had them from all over the world.

This one was made in Charleston, out of found items. Left over bits and pieces welded together.

This lovely angel is made out of hammered copper. She is from Springfield, Vermont.

This is the whole Creche.
The set was finished just after Brother Edward died, and the person who made the creche, added the camel in his honor.

They added the three brothers this year.

This is from Krakow, Poland

This one is from Arizona

There were groupings of Creches, so it was not just a long line of figures.

These gentlemen are from Lithuania.  I really liked them

Looking at the large Magi and wondering if Mommy could make it.

These little magi are just so adorable.

Mark was enjoying himself too

This is made from a palm stem and oyster shells.

This is made from a steel drum.

Mepkin Abbey is such a pretty place.  I am going to see if we can get another spot to go see this again.
Every year they put out different creches so every year you see different ones.

Happy Thanksgiving, 2014

This is the first year I can remember we are going to a friends house for dinner!  We had a very relaxing day.   I made the pies and bread yesterday, so all I had to do was cook the sweet potatoes!

all dress up, including turkey hat.

Our hosts. In their turkey hats.

Everyone coloring.

The feast!

Lon got a drumstick, and two rolls. He now loves drumsticks!  
Then the cameras and phones got put away, we had a wonderful feast, even better conversations. It was a good way to spend Thanksgiving!
We hope you had a wonderful day too!

Edisto Beach

Saturday was a nice day.  We thought it would be a perfect day to go to the beach!

Lovely day for a drive in the new car!

Hollywood South Carolina.
We are going to have to go back and explore this tiny place. I think the figure head is amazing!

A pretty place

Going over the Intercoastal Waterway.

Edisto Beach State Park

Lon loves the beach!

Lon and Jack having fun in the water. It was 60 degrees

Going to see if he can jump the waves like he did in the summer!

and not going to happen this time!

watching the sea foam

beach rocks

the boys playing

Even though the boys were running around, this little bird just walked down the beach

Changing out of wet pants!

Lon's pants were soaking wet. Good thing we brought a change of clothes this time

We went over to a place called Finns for lunch.  The service was SLOW. very slow. A little more than an hour to get our food. The boys amused themselves with the fish tank, they went next door and each bought a new necklace.

thumb wrestling

and funny faces
once the food came it was good. I had a shrimp po' boy with sweet corn relish. Very tasty.
Lon had flounder, and Mark had the captain's platter.  Jack had chicken fingers.
Hopefully the restaurant will get faster.

This is the mystery tree of Edisto.  It seems that this dead tree gets decorated with all sorts of random things and no one knows who does it or why.

The yard of inflatables.  Just a touch early

We were going to go to Botany Bay, but it was closed for a hunt.  We passed the Edisto museum. We stopped in there. It was a fun little place.
The docent told Lon there was a diorama with a treasure hunt. He was all over that.  Lon found all the items listed. The docent came back and made him show her where they all were.  He really had a good time with that.
It was a fun day. Glad we went!

It's A NEW CAR!

It was time to get a new car. The silver PT Cruiser was 14 years old. We picked it up July 4, 2000.  While the engine itself was still sound, the rest of the car was falling apart.  We were sad to see it go, but we GOT A NEW CAR!

Saying goodbye to the old car.

Waiting, waiting, waiting.  Not his favorite part.  But the waiting  did not last long.  It went by very quickly!

TA DA! The new car !! 

I would have taken a picture of it yesterday, but it was dark when we got home. 

The new car will be sleeping in the garage. 

Cub Scout Marionettes

Monday night was our den meeting. They were going to make marionettes.  Lon did a great job, he was focused and on task for the whole meeting!

Tracing the pieces onto cardstock, then coloring them! They had to look like scouts. Lon put his scout in shorts.

Lon carefully cut out each of the 5 pieces.

putting the popscicle sticks together to make the controller.  He attached the strings to the marionette cub scout, I helped him with the knots to attach it to the controller. This is the only part he did not get finished up, I have two more knots to tie!