Where the Christmas Tree Stood

Wandering across the Civic Square last Saturday I looked over the fencing around where the Christmas Tree had been.

In the hole with the electric cables there were also a couple of baubles.

The paving stone is back now and the barriers gone.

Go to Hyde DP Xtra to see the taking down of the lights from the Town Hall.

Festive Pizza

Metropolis Pizzeria in the old town is currently decked out with this fabulous upside down christmas tree as its centre-piece.

ABC Wednesday: Y is for Yew Tree Singers

I showed you the Yew Tree Singers from Dukinfield on Christmas Day singing in Clarendon Mall the previous Saturday.

Here is a look from the opposite side of the Mall.

A happy new year to all involved with ABC Wednesday.

Yellow Christmas

Very shortly after noon on Christmas Day, motorists were busy filling up at the Shell station on Dowson Road. Being one of the few days when the local superstores close, it probably had a little less competition than usual. Regular unleaded was 130.9 pence per litre and diesel 138.9 ppl.

See a selection of 89 photos taken all over Britain and Ireland around midday on December 25th 2011 on Geograph.

A contribution to Mellow Yellow Monday.

I Love a Grainy Night

Christmas isn't over 'til everyone takes down their lights. A stroll in the neighborhood last night told us that's not going to happen soon. I like the nostalgic glow, but I think it's lost on Boz.

Post-Prandial Perambulation

Our Christmas day walk on the upper path, east side of Hahamongna Watershed Park.

I did not saturate the colors in this photo. When we get rain, we get green.

Considering how we've been eating, it's going to take a lot more walking.

Lights All Aglow . . .

Christmas Wishes

Peace, serenity, tolerance, beauty, prosperity for all...just a wish list. Much like yours, I imagine. May Christmas day and every day hold all of these for you and yours.

Ruby Tuesday: Yew Tree Singers

The Yew Tree Singers from Dukinfield were singing carols in Clarendon Mall on Saturday.

For Ruby Tuesday and Our World Tuesday.

A Merry Christmas to all our visitors.

Please visit Best of Hyde 2012. Just three days left to vote for your favourite photos.

Wreath

I like walking in Bungalow Heaven because:
It's quiet (no main drags);
It's got big trees;
It's nicely-groomed, for the most part;
It's historic;
Folks are friendly, if and when you see folks;
It's not far from my neighborhood, but far enough that I feel like I went somewhere.

Twenty years ago I was happy to live in Hollywood near Fairfax and Beverly, close to a TV studio and a popular shopping district. Now I crave quiet, serene calm.

Welcome to middle age.

Revival

I took this photo from my car Thursday, while sitting in traffic on south Fair Oaks Avenue.

Old Town Pasadena was stopped up like my Aunt Tildy used to get after eating too much of Uncle Rory's Christmas cake. ("I can't help myself," she'd say, "it's the sprinkles!")

I got stuck in the middle of Old Town, then found my way out, then drove around instead of through it, to get to south Fair Oaks for more of the same. Most of the time Pasadena's an easygoing place, but this time of year along with Christmas and New Year's, we have the Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl game, and everything is packed. It's fine, really. Really. It's fine.

So I got to sit in traffic and take this picture of the outdoor display area of Revival Antiques. It's a beautiful store, with gorgeous furniture, art and lamps inside. Outside, the unique pieces that can hold up to the weather wait to be visited. It might be chilly for us natives right now, but I'll bet at least our Wisconsin visitors will find the weather refreshing, and probably those from northern California, too. I just hope they don't mind the traffic.

Weekend Reflections: Mossley Band

Members of Mossley Band playing in Hyde Civic Square on the penultimate Saturday before Christmas.

A close-up view of two tubas can be seen on sithenah.

Two more photographs of the band are on Hyde DP Xtra.

More information about the band can be found on the Mossley Band website.

A contribution to Weekend Reflections.

Holiday Time

I've thought of all sorts of things to ask Santa for this Christmas, but I don't really need anything except more time. I'm one of those people who always wants to get more done. It seems there aren't enough hours in the day. 

I'm not going to get more time, though, and more time wouldn't help me anyway. My problem isn't time. It's my attitude toward time and how I use it. 

I could look at it this way: I will get more time if I take time. If I take time to smell the roses, as they say, or the pine needles, or the underbrush, or the cheese, I will have more time. Or at least I'll feel like I do.

Ack. There's a reason I never studied philosophy.

Santa, maybe you could just please bring me a tripod. Thanks.

Christmas Cheerubs

Guess who went with us when we walked Boz yesterday?

It was faster than a walk at times.

Santa should have such elves. And such reindeer!

Wreaths outside the White Lion

My contribution to ABC Wednesday this week is a photograph of these wreaths on sale at just £3.95 a time (same price as last year) on the market ground outside the White Lion.

An advent wreath hung on the door is a tradition that several of my neighbours continue to observe.

Please visit Best of Hyde 2012 and vote for your favourite photos.

Dancing to the carol singers

In front of the carol singers in my post from yesterday were a couple of red-dressed folk singing heartily and even doing a little dance. I believe they were actually promoting the local food banks.

Round the other side the Rotary Club of Hyde had parked Santa's sleigh - see Hyde DP Xtra.

Posted for Ruby Tuesday and Our World Tuesday.

Please also visit Best of Hyde 2012 and vote for your favourite photos.

Zen Monday: #225

It's Zen Monday, your turn to tell us what the photo's about. There's no competition. Just say what comes to mind.

Carol singers in the Civic Square

Carol singing in the Civic Square on Saturday was being led by Tom on accordion and Jim on guitar.

It was wet to start with but brightened up later.

Santa in his red suit was around. I showed you his reindeer in the Mall yesterday.

I'll show you his sleigh tomorrow.

The Mossley band were also in the square and I'll show you them on Saturday.

With the bits of blue in this photograph I'd like to wish a Merry Christmas to all the bloggers who contribute to Blue Monday.

Meanwhile please remember to vote for your favourites at Best of Hyde 2012.

Santa and some of his reindeer

Some of Santa's reindeer visited the Clarendon Mall in Hyde this Saturday.

Santa himself was there too outside Scallywag's which is closing down.

Another photo of the reindeer is on Hyde DP Xtra.

A contribution to Camera Critters.

This little festive piggie....

Charleston Window Box, Charleston, S.C.

Oink, oink. The festive window piggie is decorated for Christmas. We don't lack for holiday color do we?