Grand Illumination

Richmond has an event called the "Grand Illumination" each year where a two-square block area of the city is bedecked in lights. The highrise my company occupies and the one across the street host 50-60 illuminated deer, which are 2-3 times as a large as the deer you might buy for your own yard. The trees--oak, magnolia and pine--are also illuminated, along with lights that outline the highrises. It's quite enchanting at night. This is what it looks like in the early morning just before the lights are turned off for the day.

And a view of Rudolph after dark. I asked our building guard if they had any problems with people bringing guns into the city and target practicing on the deer. He said that sometimes kids with bb guns were a problem, but that the larger problem was that periodically someone would back a truck up to the displays and try to steel the deer.

Thanks to Nicole, my afternoon was disrupted and I have no photo to show you of my accomplishments this week. She showed the newest issue of Just Cross Stitch Magazine, something I rarely buy. But I fell in love with "Winter at Beacon House," and rushed out to buy my copy before the LNS closed. I love the sailing ship, the little rabits, the red alphabet and the little fish. It was meant to be: in my stash is the exact shade of Lakeside Linen used in the model, called winter sky. While the sampler calls for Gentle Art and Weeks, I did a conversion to silks. I can't wait to start it! Thanks, Nicole!

Here's another project from the same issue, by Donna Giampa, called "Frosty Woodland Pillow."

Something about this photo makes me think of snowballs:


Happy counting down to Christmas week ahead!