Upheld

This photo has become a tradition for this blog on each Christmas Eve since 2010. This ornament is appropriate, as it was spied that year hanging in a vendor’s booth at the Christmas Market in Vienna, Austria.

I do believe I missed last year, but we were busy traveling the world. Goddess and I spent the first half of this year continuing those travels, spending time with friends and family all over the world.  We’ve settled down for a spell to see how that suits us.

Know that our wish for you is to have a peaceful end of the calendar year adhering to whatever practices bring you comfort and joy.

Hopefully you will find a bit of relaxation in there too.

Donkey

Upheld

Snowy Candle

Holding its own against the blowing snow.

Waiting for a cup of glühwein to be set down next to it.

Stark Ravin’

Well, not much raving. 

But a lot of good thumping beats while relaxing with a hot cup of glühwein.

Sitting on faux bearskin rugs laid on on benches in plastic tubes designed to keep the bartenders dry and some of the warmth in.

Lined with string lights, dancing with disco balls.

All thumping, but not so loud to interrupt conversation.

  Step outside.

Look at the lights.  The shadows.

The show projected on the walls.

The DJ in the fishbowl, spinning his mp3’s while grooving for the crowd.

Museum Quarter (MQ), Wien (Vienna), Austria.

Weinachtsmarkts

Time for some Weinachtsmarkts!

Our first was two weeks ago in Vienna.  This past week a few local ones have started and they will all be in full swing this weekend, just in time to start the Advent season.

At each market, there’s plenty of shopping to be done.  And since it’s cold, a hot mug of glühwein always hits the spot.

The best part?  No one lets the weather dictate whether or not they get outside.

Goddess and I spent a great Thanksgiving afternoon in the cold, rain mixing with snow, in a small Weinachtsmarkt just down the street from the snow-covered Kiaserdom zu Speyer, which will celebrate its 950th anniversary next year.

And that’s something to hoist the glühwein to.