All dressed up for Christmas at JCC

Bismarck entertains Sammy after most of the work is done.

Sammy poses with me by the tree he helped decorate

The Christmas tree in the Narthex stands elegantly decorated

Marta and I show off our work

About a dozen of us worked for two hours and transformed the building to reflect the season. Saturday evening. Thanks Rod F. for supervising the work. The tree is always my project. Assisting me this year were Marta and Sammy. Bismarck, M and M helped string all those the lights. It's a lot of work, but with so many helping we had fun too.

Photos from the Friday after Thanksgiving

Having dinner at a wonderful gourmet cafe in Elgin.I put on my warmest boots and coat -- it wasn't THAT cold, but I felt cold

And went to Al's Creamery

Where the Christmas decorations had just been put up

We were warmly greeted by the proprietor

Welcomed into a warm ambience

Served scrumptious food (that's Spaetzle Mit Lox made as only Tony can!)

We ate until sated (I look like I've been over eating!!!) I had a migraine a day later -- that's the pre-migraine swollen look!

We admired the beautiful decorations

And headed home.
(More on our decorations later)

Al's is a wonderful place to dine...if you want dinner, come at 5 p.m. or later. Daytime the menu is gourmet sandwiches, soups and salads. Delicious. But the evening meals are to die for! (So to speak!). It is my favorite place to eat, Elgin's finest little spots to dine.

Al's Cafe and Creamery.

Dios mio!! I misspelled "gourmet" first time around. Correction made!!