Working into the night at Panera

Working into the night at Panera, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

I am now up to date on my photos. This is from last night where I sat with my back to the warm fire while working, working, working on Brave Writer. (I did manage to squeeze a little Scrabulous in with she who will remain nameless. You know who you are. [g])

Photo comes from photobooth on the MacBookPro, hence the grainy quality.

Little red barn

Little red barn, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Our neighbors have this wonderful birding set-up in their backyard. I love the Christmasy red and green, and the attentive placement of bird bath and feeders.

No longer fall, not yet winter

No longer fall, not yet winter, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Veins

Veins, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

I've gotten a lot of mileage out of my African violet collection this year in pictures.

Horses and light

Horses and light, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

The llama's friends. More photos from the llama and horse farm can be seen here. It was a fun day of photography.

In need of orthodontia

Orthodontia, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Our favorite llama to visit. From our remaining working farm up the street.

Lighting the tree

Lighting the tree, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

I preferred these trees against the night sky to the big Christmas one.

In hats

In hats, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

It was 35 degrees downtown on Friday night after Thanksgiving, the traditional night that Cincinnati lights their big tree and Santa descends from the sky to the cheers of small children. We all waited over an hour for the anticipated lighting while getting frostbite. There were thousands shivering while inane speeches were offered by Banks, Companies and Government. A band played and local ice skaters skated (we could only see them on the big screen as it was too crowded).

The anti-climactic moment finally came once the crowd chanted "Light that tree!" The result: a not very well lit huge tree. Don't even want to post a photo of it. The whole experience: small town Cincinnati. :) We had to laugh (and then head to a restaurant to eat hot food and drink hot coffee).

I thought it amazing that Noah and Caitrin were still smiling about 45 minutes into the experience. :D

Showing us how to be men

Men and boys, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Five in the same room

DSCN4068.JPG, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Who are those gorgeous kids?

Four of five, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Time for football

Time for football, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

A table large enough, with family enough. Thankful.

Placecards by Caitrin

Placecards by Caitrin, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Centerpiece

Centerpiece, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Euchre

Euchre, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Johannah taught the kids how to play euchre, an Ohio card game. She's home!!

Christmas Parade in Hamilton

Rose Parade Bound, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Jacob's marching band got to practice parade marching on Saturday at a local city Christmas parade. That's him, on the saxophone with the glasses just beyond the two trumpets. Loved the green and red against their uniforms.

Buckeye dog and his boy

Buckeye dog and his boy, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

On the day of the big OSU v. U of M game, we got up early to go to a local Christmas parade (check out photo above). Prancing around our yard was this little guy sporting an OSU tee. He belongs to our neighbors. Liam scooped him up for the photo op of the day: Even the dogs root for Ohio State!

(Oh, and they won)

Blueberry Hill

Blueberry Hill, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

I guess I'm in a foodie mood these days.

Irish soda bread

Irish soda bread, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

While we bird watched, we had our weekly teatime. I found a nice mix by Sticky Fingers for Irish Soda Bread (has raisins and caaway seeds). Tasty!