December, no snow but lots of Christmas decorations!

It seems strange to be looking at the snow all over Britain on the BBC website and we haven't seen any here at all. I thought it would be the other way round. The last couple of days have been just below freezing and I've finally been able to wear by goose down coat. I love it! It really does keep you warm. I'll have to wait for the snow to wear the silly boots with fur trim.

Fulton is in full Christmas mode. Two houses opposite us have their gardens lit up with candy sticks, reindeers, snowmen, santas, christmas trees, presents etc. A feast of gaudy lights.

This weekend they have open house, with some of the older properties opening their door in full, decorated, splendour. I offered to help at a bed and breakfast in court street called 'Romancing the Past'. It is quite spectacular inside. Beautiful woodwork, very wide doorways and arches and a winding staircase. It is done up in a very american 'nostalgic' style. Lots of pictures, objects and furniture in the Victorian style. This is quite a common theme in b and b's here, a bit over the top for british tastes. There is a christmas tree in every room, garlands inside and out and christmas lights and wreaths everywhere.

There are wreath bases not wanted, so I get to take three home to garnish to taste!

I finally get to use some of the leaves and cones that I've been collecting. This is the tasteful one.

The more conventional one.
Last and slightly tacky, the one on the front door.

Not sure about this one. I think it might have to be more tacky to really work. I've got a month to perfect it!
My leaf creation I was rather pleased with. It will probably all curl up and die, but It was fun to do.

Unfortunately we are not going to be here this weekend, so won't get to see the other houses that are open. We are also missing the Christmas parade and the festival of carols in the Wren church, which is a shame. We are off to Kansas City, which is mostly in Missouri, not Kansas. I never knew that before.

We are going by train! I wonder whose idea that was. We can't catch it in Fulton, because the line died some time ago. We have to drive south to Jeff City and pick it up there. The station there is manned by volunteers. Unbelievable. They whizz up in their car 5 minutes before the train comes, then disappear once the train has come and gone. There is no platform. We just wander on to the line and hope the train stops. Roland has been determined to get on a train at some point and there aren't many places you can get on one. This is his chance. The line goes across Missouri from St Louis in the east to Kansas City in the west.

I have been given a christmas tree by a friend. It is artificial, with the lights already on it. They all seem to be like that. I was going to get a little real one, but perhaps this year I'll go american artificial. It's up already! 1st December, but that's when they do it here. The house comes with a box of baubles, so I'll start with what's here and see how it turns out. I don't think I can compete on the outside, but I can have fun inside.


I am not sending Christmas cards this year. It will be festive greetings by blog.

Must away and pack for the trip west. Kansas City is famous for it's ribs. Haute cuisine again!