My husband, “W”, got back into Austin safe and sound after a week and half trip visiting his parents in Rangoon, Burma (also known as Myanmar). With the news reports of over 5 million people flying today, and the number of connections he had to make (Rangoon, Taiwan, LA, Austin), I was so happy that the planets and stars aligned and he got back home on time.

After a brief rest to shower, unpack, and eat lunch, we went downtown to the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, an old Austin tradition. Music, art, crafts and gifts galore compete in the aisles at the Palmer Events Center. We got there in time to hear the Jitterbug Vipers (with guitarist Slim Ritchie) sing “Minnie the Moocher” and “Christmas Night in Austin.”

After browsing for a while, we came on home. I took some photos with my iPhone of our home. We’ve got multicolor chili pepper lights and an artistic metal nativity on the fireplace mantel. Our Christmas tree is a small stained glass model we plug in and light up every year. No needles to clean up! The tea lights burning in the red glass candle holders on our dining table light up the brass trees and red lacquer tray from Burma. And “Nat”, the figurine on our entry table, bids everybody a warm and safe Merry Christmas!