Photo: Suzanne’s Mom.
One of my granddaughters made this gingerbread house from a kit. The idea for a carrot was her own.
Time for another photo round-up.
Sandra M. Kelly surprised us with a picture of Patrick making a mince pie for Thanksgiving. And, here, we thought Sandra was the only chef!
The hellabore below loves cold weather. You can understand why it’s sometimes called Christmas Rose.
My husband sent me photos of mysterious “ice flowers,” taken by Ned Friedman, director of Harvard’s Arnold Arboretum. The flowers formed the other day on a herbaceous Chinese plant called Isodon henryi, and even Friedman doesn’t know for sure what conditions cause the phenomenon.
Sandra also sent the photograph of the Christmas cactus. She’s a genius at rescuing cacti that people like me can never get to bloom. I have her instructions if you want to try.
In the next picture, you see our niece, who’s a genius with youth orchestras in North Carolina. She gets pretty worn out with concerts at this time of year.
Stuga40’s snowy image was shot in Stockholm. She is now in New England for a visit with Erik, Suzanne, and our half-Swedish grandchildren. Maybe she’ll have other snowy photos after the family goes skiing in Vermont.
The next snow scene was shot in my own yard. Our first snow this year. The last two photos need no explanation.
PS. 12/22/22. I’m sharing the worn bench at Hannah’s church in Philadelphia, because I love worn benches. I wish I had photographed the really beat-up one I admired on a train platform yesterday.
Suzanne's Mom's Blog 
The ice flowers are wondrous indeed! Love them. And your Christmas tree really captures the spirit of the season.
Thanks, Asakiyume. Friedman’s theory: “Normally, water moves through plants under negative pressure (tension)—it is literally being pulled from the top. But, on certain nights, when humidity is relatively high and the soil is moist, water in the soil can essentially force its way into a plant’s roots (osmosis) and push (positive pressure) right to the top of the plant.”
Merry Christmas!!!
And to you, Tiffany. I enjoy seeing your art.
Lovely gingerbread house! The ice flowers were unique for sure, awww ..snow photos ,so pretty! Nice photo of the tree ,love the window reflection .❤️ Merry Christmas to you !🤗
I am glad you like those photos. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Lovely. It’s such a beautiful season. Merry Christmas to you all and blessings for a promising New Year. Sibby
Blessings to you and yours, Sibby!
Loved the photos, especially the ice flowers (wow!) and the Christmas lights. I’m attaching one of an old bench in front of our church. I couldn’t get it larger to accentuate the moss, but I hope you get the picture.
Looks like a brown Christmas in the Boston area. I’m heading up tomorrow to spend time with cousins in Weston. Have a lovely and blessed day, with a new year full of the same!
Love, Hannah

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Do you have time to drop in Dec 26? Would be awesome to see you.
Leaving at 10 am, alas! Would love to see your lovely home again. I may be up that way this summer, but you’re usually gone…
Am around off and on. Let me know.