If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve already seen this fine looking elf I’m with. He knows how to rock a suit.
The hubbub from our small town is that the lights in the trees downtown are all cattywompus this year. While some trees look great, like this one above, others were only lit on the trunks, then the underside of the tree, giving it a palm tree sort-of look. People were perplexed. “We’ve never done it like this before.” “Are we running out of money?” “Is it a political statement?” “Is it a reflection of our educational system?”
Here’s a photo from AL.com of the offending trees. You can read the accompanying story by John Sharp HERE.
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The Fairhope City Council finally stepped in and made an emergency decision to spend more money to return the tree lights to their full glory. From what I understand, all will soon be back to standard lighting expectations. Our lights remain brightly shining until the Arts and Crafts Festival in mid-March, so we are relieved we don’t have to endure the sadness of half-way lit trees.
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Glad that’s settled.
Back to the kitchen . . . young son got a new lens for his camera, so he busied himself with snapping pictures while I prepared for a party.
Cookies ready to go.
To fluff it out a bit and make sure we had enough, I also did the Oreo Cookie trick (HERE) to go along with the homemade goodies.
Here are some of the white chocolate Oreos. Quick! Simple! Cute!
A three-layer peppermint cake is always a good idea. Have I mentioned I like to bake?
And a party isn’t complete unless you have goodies from my dearest friend Rachel in Marietta, GA who has her own line of cookie mixes, jams, flavored salts, and the most delicious fudge you’ve ever tasted. Go to her web site HERE to take a look at all the deliciousness you can order for yourself. She’ll be glad to send you a box of yum!
To see the story about Rachel’s gorgeous house, click HERE.
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I’m hosting one more festive event and Christmas day lunch for the family, so it’s back to the kitchen for me. Hope you are ready to enjoy the beauty and excitement of the season!
Everything look so delicious and festive! And you and your “elf” are surely the snazziest folks in town! So glad that light-gate was remedied. I think no lights are almost better than sad lights. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Leslie Anne… you look positively gorgeous in that dress. You and your handsome elf make one stunning yuletide couple. Your son’s photos are stunning. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
Thanks Katie. It was a fun night, for sure! Merry Christmas to you as well!
Yes, those trees were totally unacceptable!! Not up to Fairhope’s standard at all! I love that they stay lit all winter, so festive! What a great photo of you and your very handsome elf, who looks like he might just be Santa Claus! Merry Christmas Leslie Anne, I know you will all have a jolly time!
Thanks Jenna. I told the husband he’s a perfect combination of James Bond and Santa. Merry Christmas to you too!
Leslie Anne, the hubs did rock that suit, and you looked gorgeous! I hope your light situation gets fixed…your confections look delicious!! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
And a Merry Christmas to you as well!
Ok, Hubby knows how to rock the jolly suit, but someone else knows how to rock a sparkly dress. You look amazing!!!
The cookies look professional. I remember reading about the frosting. I simply must try this at some point.
I am sure the lights of Fairhope still look great as always. We just don’t like change, but nice try to get Trump there. I am really glad I went to see him last January in Pensacola, now that he is our new President.
Thanks Sandy. My dress looked like tinfoil and was just as scratchy, but thanks! I’m with you on Trump. I’ve had an autographed photo of him for years now, and it’s been shoved on a shelf in the laundry room. Now that he’s going to be the Pres., it came out and sits in my office. It says, “To Leslie Anne, Keep up the good work!” I thought that message fit the laundry room vibe.
For Pete’s sake!!
Enjoy what is there, the trees are as beautiful as ever, lit all the way half of the way, find something important to complain about!
Better yet, if you are an import, adios!!!
Ha! I think everyone was surprised, more than upset. We’re used to everything being so perfect around here, when we see a dead flower or partially lit tree, everyone flips out! I have faith it will all work out. Give lights a chance.
Amazing suit! How did you ever persuade/coerce Bob to wear it? I’m doing well to get Barney in a Christmas tie!
Thanks for the reminder about the Oreos. I adore those white chocolate-covered ones, and this will be a perfect excuse to buy more!
As for the lights, I heard (from Barney, who apparently heard it on WABF) that, even though the money has been budgeted, the lights won’t necessarily be corrected this year because the manufacturers have shut down production for this season–they don’t make “Christmas” lights for March!