gingerbread man

 or maybe it's a lady.  The squiggly icing on the legs could be for pant legs or a dress.  Anyway - 

MERRY CHRISTMAS 

& 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

lit trees

There was another HUGE tree (the city's designated Christmas tree) - it was probably as big as the Rockefeller tree, all lit up in yellow lights - but I wasn't quick enough to capture it with my camera when we drove by it.  

This one here was just randomly chilling out on the side of the road.  I love multi-colored lights.

This super tall, skinny tree at a quiet, dark intersection I spotted while hiking back to my car in a parking lot far, far away from the winter village.  I was carrying a bag of ramen and soup from the public market and the hill was so steep in that area that it spilled out of the paper lid, soaking the bottom of the paper bag.  Despite all that, clutching the bag provided welcoming warmth during the freezing cold, and the food was still surprisingly warm enough after I got home.  I also got to see SANTA and MRS. CLAUS!

 

mall

Somehow ended up in a mall.  It was my first time there and it was so strange!  It was like stepping into a wormhole.

panettone

 

I bought this panettone from Aldi, with the intention of saving it for Christmas.  Then one day I was hungry and thought - why wait another month?  It won't be as fresh as it is today.  HAHAHAHA

So over the course of a few days I ate most of it, since the others either did not want any or only had a little. And it wasn't as good as I thought it would be.  I thought there was a panettone last year that tasted great.  Did I buy it from somewhere else?  Did my taste buds change?  Did the recipe for this one change?  Maybe it was a different one from Costco?

It's not bad, just not as good as I'd imagined.  However, it's super cute, soft and squishy!  To me, it's more like soft bread (vs cake).  Probably because I'm used to super sweet stuff, like fruit punch and sweet tea.

In writing this up, perhaps I'll remember how it was and not get it again next year.

Happy December!

fireplace

 

The multicolored tree drew me closer and then I saw that there was a real fire going.  A bit of warmth from Cracker Barrel amidst all the chaos that is life was nice.

closer to xmas

It's getting closer to the opening of the Kristkindlmarkt.  More things are showing up here and there.  The snowman now has a Christmas tree!

Near the parking lot in a fenced off area, I spied a house seemingly in the middle of nowhere.  It looks lost.  Is it a remnant of Oktoberfest?

xmas

 A preview of the Christmas market!

halloween

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

candy candy candy

Oktoberfest

Highlights from Oktoberfest.  Ja!  Would you believe that I actually did not drink or eat anything.  Maybe next time.  There was food, music, little dogs racing (that I couldn't see because it was so crowded), traditional dancing, and finally a sunset from farther away.

another day on campus

I found all the outdoor sculptures on campus, except the last one.  They must've moved it.

These berries are beautiful!  Lo and behold, they are called Callicarpa (aka beautyberry). 

Outdoor sculptures are so fun.  I enjoy walking around them and finding the most interesting viewpoint.

Indoor museums are pretty cool too.  They are a great escape, especially when it starts to rain outside.

Back outside, there are also natural displays.  Like fairy gardens.

Big rock, little rock.  So funny!

And last but certainly not the least, the fancy library.  Perfect for resting a bit in the wonderful air conditioning.