CHRISTMAS LIGHTS OF TEMPLE SQUARE

My hubby and I have finally found a way to give each other a Christmas gift that we both enjoy.  We plan a trip together and share the expenses.

 This year we had a coupon for great prices on a nice hotel in downtown Salt Lake City.  Fluffy king bed, big screen t.v.---

---and a splendid view from the sixth floor.

Meals were yummy and we did some window shopping at the fancy stores and some serious shopping at a huge outlet mall.

In the evening we walked across the street to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights.

The place was busy with people like us,  there to 

wander around and stand open-mouthed staring at the beauty of the displays.

Workers start setting up for the lighting in August.  

They string strands of LED lights on just about everything.

Christmas lights on Temple Square--our hotel in the background

 Young trees, already strung with lights, are “planted” in the landscaping.  The trees have been harvested from State Educational Trust Fund lands. Using these trees has multiple benefits, for Temple Square and for the state.

For the state, the money used to purchase the trees benefits the state educational system, and thinning state-owned stands of timber allows the remaining trees to grow strong and healthy. For Temple Square, using stand-in trees for the lights display protects the living trees.

Families and Church groups spend an evening draping nets of lights over shrubs, 

while service missionaries hang garlands that function as cordons along the sidewalks.

 When the lights are switched on the evening after Thanksgiving 

the sight is just awesome in every way.

Temple Square is a landmark for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a.k.a.  “Mormons.”  The area includes visitor centers, museums, The Conference Center and The Tabernacle, home of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

 The large temple is the centerpiece of the site.

Note: in spite of reports to the contrary: faithful members of the L.D.S. Church—Mormons- (not to be confused with various and random splinter groups) are law-abiding Christians.

WHERE IN THE WORLD WAS--ME?

Well?  What's your guess?  Family are not allowed to enter.

NOT IN A HOLIDAY MOOD

Thomas and I came to a compromise a long time ago.  If he won't sleep on the couch (thus leaving behind hair that decorates our guests' tan pants) I'll let him sit on the back of the couch so he can look out the window and fulfill his job as neighborhood watch.

All goes well most of the time.  He keeps track of the vagrant squirrels, passing dogs and feline intruders in his kingdom and still keeps his sheddage to a minimum.

But in December we put a tree in the living room covered with dangley shiny things which he is supposed to leave alone.  To make matters worse the couch gets moved away from the window to make room for the tree.

Thomas still roosts on the back of the couch even though he can't see out the window.  

(Before I got the camera out he looked more like this --a thinner Thomas look-alike)

Then the paparazzi shows up up with cameras flashing 

and completely ruins any possibility of a nap.

Bah, humbug!