Sharing the Magic, again

Last year we discovered "Magic at the Mill" and enjoyed it so much we wanted to take our visiting family there this year. We headed down Tuesday night and saw as much as we could before closing - which wasn't nearly enough, so we went again on Wednesday night! We got to see and learn so much more than last year, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. There were Christmas lights galore:
and not just Christmas lights. See the full moon over the mill race, above? Here it is, gloriously solo:

Brian told Santa what he wanted for Christmas:

We listened to music:

And toured the historic Mill Building to our heart's content:

Brian even got to try his hand at weaving - and promptly decided he wanted a loom. He might just get his wish for Christmas - although on a MUCH smaller and simpler scale. ;-)

We ended with some browsing in the extensive boutique which is set up as a bunch of separate shops - including a yarn store!
Brian dubbed this the "guys' corner," and indeed, this is where Rick, my dad and Brian hung out while my step-mom and I fondled fiber. I didn't buy anything there, but couldn't resist some old bobbins from the mill available in the museum gift shop for $2.00 apiece:
I don't know if I'll find a way to use them, or just display and admire them!

After that hearty infusion of holiday spirit, we'll probably have a quiet Christmas here. Rick has been in bed all day with something flu-like; I'm hoping Brian and I don't catch it. We'll go to church on Saturday (Sabbath) as we always do, and probably open presents Saturday night.

I read a wonderfully brief reminder of "the Reason for the season" this week. A little girl was asked if she got everything she wanted for Christmas. She replied, "No, but that's okay; it wasn't my birthday!" Whenever Jesus was born, that's a good perspective to keep in mind. May you be blessed with faith, hope and love this Christmas.