Christmas Eve...

Christmas eve is the time when we used to celebrate in Europe the arrival of the Christ Child, an angel like figure who brings all the gifts under the decorated Christmas tree. And this believe is still actual and celebrated today in many countries in Europe.

And eight years ago, coming to the U.S. I had to learn new, it's no the Christ Child who brings all the gifts, it is SANTA, an old fat man climbing into chimneys and working hard with big stress on his neck, to be in time to every household in the States and to make the kids happy! How the "heaven" is this old red faced man able at all, to do this in his old age...? :) These will remain open questions for me.... every year, every Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS
to my kids and family in good old Europe and I want tell you that I'm missing you so much - not only at Christmas time!

And MERRY CHRISTMAS
also to all my friends in oversea and here, where ever you are!

I'll Be Home For Christmas
Kim Gannon, Walter Kent (c) 1943

I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
and presents on the tree

Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams

St. Paul's Episcopal Church on Duval Street

St. Paul's Church is the oldest Episcopal church in the Florida Diocese. The historical marker reads: "St. Paul's Episcopal Church. 1832. Oldest in the Florida Diocese, the present church (1912) is the fourth on this site. John Fleming, one of the four original owners of the island, is buried here. His widow donated the property, stipulating that the church pews be free. Rectory built 1853. The chimes, first installed in a Florida church, were originally in a frame church (1886) destroyed in 1909 hurricane.

The glass windows inside of the church - a master piece in art

A place of silence - away from the hectic pace of life

A statue of the Madonna with her Christ child in the backyard