Train Load of Good Cheer

under the Wisconsin Capitols Christmas Tree

under the Wisconsin Capitol's Christmas Tree

For as many years as I have been visiting the State Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin to see the Christmas Tree filling the rotunda, it has always had a certain simplicity about it which I love. The tree sparkles with lights. There are hundreds of hand crafted paper ornaments made by Wisconsin school children. And there has always been a model train circling the tree. Nothing fancy – this year a Wisconsin & Southern replica engine and a few cars are traveling ’round and ’round along a circular track – but it follows a rather nice tradition.

A Christmas Tradition

Capitol Christmas Tree

Capitol Holiday Tree

Holiday Tree in the rotunda of the State Capitol Building in downtown Madison, Wisconsin.

Capitol Reflection

Wisconsin State Capitol

Wisconsin State Capitol

A walk around the Capitol Square usually provides a few views of the State Capitol in the office building windows. I love a good reflection.

WInter Dark and Winter Light

Crossroads at Old World Wisconsin

Crossroads at Old World Wisconsin

How did it get so late so soon.
It’s night before it’s afternoon.
December’s here before it’s June.
My goodness how the time has flewn.
How did it get so late so soon?

Dr. Seuss

Ah, the shortest day of the year. Cloudy, cold, gray outside.

Lots of lights are on inside though, for today only I’m ignoring the electric meter. The lights on the tree are glowing – all those bright LEDs in their sapphire blues, and ruby reds and emerald greens. They truly look like jewels.

Outside looks rather like the above photograph. But the photograph I’m keeping safely tucked inside my mind looks rather like the following one:

Lights like Tiny Jewels

Lights like Tiny Jewels

Ah, that is so much better!

Marigold Teapot

From the Marigold Kitchen

From the Marigold Kitchen

Not the best of timing, only a few days before family from both coasts comes for a long holiday visit, but I’m feeling a bit under the weather. This photograph of a bright yellow teapot, and the thought of a cup of hot, aromatic tea, makes me feel better. Not spirited enough to wrap the final stack of gifts or bake the last batches of cookie dough chilling in the fridge. But certainly good enough to sink into the easy chair in the living room and gaze at the brightest of tiny lights on the tree. That’s one of my favorite parts of the holiday season, enjoying the twinkling lights in a winter dark house.

Tomorrow is soon enough to finish the wrapping and baking. Now is a perfect time to sit and contemplate writing several lines in my gratitude journal.