Taunton Green 2014
I made a trip over to the “Green” and used my new camera for the first real time. I’ve been snapping pics around the house but this was my first real photo excursion. Maybe it was me and that the camera is still a bit unfamiliar but I don’t think I really captured the beauty of the display this year. But I promised to share so here they are. The theme is Frozen loosely based on the Disney movie.
The big tree is crooked. I doubled checked and it wasn’t me it was the tree. 
In this era of political correctness where formerly mainstream concepts have to take a “back seat” to the minority out of “sensitivity”, I am proud of my City of Taunton. Since December 1914, the city of Taunton has provided a large annual light display each December on Taunton Green, giving it the additional nickname of “Christmas City”.
Taunton Green 2010
Each year a banner proudly proclaims “The Christmas City” over the display in the center of town. The display includes angels (gasp), and a nativity scene, (What!), a menorah, and even Santa Claus and to the best of my knowledge there has not been any complaint. Everyone I know looks forward to the Lighting of the Green. Every year, no matter the theme, the paths are lined with lighted Christmas trees, and families stroll the lighted paths.
Taunton Green 2011
It’s beautiful. Soft music, Christmas Carols, is piped in playing in the background.
Taunton Green 2012
For the last several years, since I got interested in photography, I’ve made it a point to photograph the Green in all of it’s Festive Glory.
Taunton Green 2013
This is a time when Santa Claus is banned from school Christmas parties…oh sorry Holiday parties, and other towns change the name of the December School vacation from Christmas Vacation to Winter vacation. Everyone is so afraid to offend instead of fostering understanding, tolerance and mutual acceptance.
Christmas trees are a pagan symbol but they have been embraced as a symbol of Christmas, a melding of different faiths. Beautiful decorated fireplaces are a tradition in many homes but the Yule Log was borrowed from the Wiccan celebration of Yule before it became associated with December 25.
I am happy Taunton stands by its tradition and I hope it will continue for many years to come. I hope someday people of other faiths will not feel so threatened by a Christian holiday that they can embrace the festive beauty of the season and enjoy it too. You don’t have to be a Christian to appreciate the colorful lights and artistic displays.
Taunton Green 2014
I have no wish to offend my Jewish, Muslin, Buddhist and Wiccan friends or any other religion I may have missed but I will end this post in the spirit of the season.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
Happy Holidays my blogging friends and followers! It a busy time of year. The Taunton Green is beautiful. They , like so many other places, used the theme of “Frozen”. I just need an evening when I’m not headed to a party or its not raining to get some pictures to share. Maybe this weekend. I don’t care if it snows. That would be pretty and fit right in with the theme but rain would put a damper on things.
I made my deadline and got my 2014 Christmas cards out on time! I used my “Christmas House” photo from last year for this year’s card.
I have some ideas for next year. I just have to get time to try capture the images.
Buddy continues to destroy the little Christmas Tree. He knows it wrong because he jumps down as soon as I start toward him. I look away and he’s right back up there!
I’ve been busier this year with holiday parties. I usually stick pretty close to home. I’ve outgrown being a “party animal” but I was invited to a “girl’s night out” for my team at work and I decided it would be fun. I wasn’t disappointed. We went to an italian restaurant in Belmont, MA called Il Casale.
We had a wonderful dinner. My teammate , Eileen had just come back from Italy and she said her meal was better than anything she had while she was there. My chicken parm was exquisite. They didn’t take any of the short cuts that so many restaurants do. But by far the chocolate cream puffs we had for dessert were the crowning glory of the meal.
That was Thursday, then on Friday we had the Redfin Holiday party. It was held on the Spirit of Boston and what a good time! Everyone was smiling and happy, there was an awesome buffet and lots of dancing. I don’t get into the office very often as its just easier to work from home so it was really nice to see everyone.
Of course when I got home the tree had been ravished again. 
I’ll have to re-string the lights this time as well as the beaded garland. But it’s all about the holidays anyway. Right?
You must be getting bored with my renovation project. I know I am. It just seems to be stalled for now.
So how ’bout those crazy kitties? Rocky hasn’t paid much attention to the tree this year (So far) but Buddy hasn’t quite accepted it yet. He’s kind of sneaky. He’ll sit next to it like a very good kitty but the minute I look away a paw comes out to grab something, a bead, an ornament, a garland and I have to tell him no and make him move away from the tree.
Every morning the bottom string of beads are pulled off and hanging and one little snowflake ornament is in the middle of the floor. He must be very gentle to only remove one and never knock the tree over.
Today after shooing him away he disappeared. I gave Rocky a treat and even that didn’t bring him out of hiding so I went “in search of”. (Remember that old TV show?) I found him in the bedroom.
This bed was neatly made up this morning.
Those lumps aren’t the sheets. It’s the “Bud-man” taking refuge under the covers! i didn’t have the heart to wake him up.
Just a quick update.
Still waiting for the electrician but my neighbor came by. In less than 10 minutes we had the hutch moved! I was able to unpack the boxes and vacuum the floor. We found another ton of cat toys!
Moving the hutch and china cabinet just opened up that room. I’m so glad I did it. Can’t wait to get the paint! What picture do I want to put on that wall?
But I am getting ahead of myself. I need to moved the book cases next to make room for the armoire.
