Merry Christmas !

It had been a busy year for all of us! Our office moved to a new location overlooking the fantastic view of the  Belvedere Palace..

 It couldn´t be much better, although the size of the new office is just a quarter compared to the old one which was really XXXL in size and its 2nd wing seldom used. 

We have a fantastic view that would take away all our working stress! Just have a look below, the photo was taken from my office window... isn´t the view great and wonderful?! 

We always celebrated our Christmas party outside the office and for the first time because the location is perfect,  we held it  there in the new site.... Perfect!

 There were lots of  food .. red & white wine, beer and loads of Prosecco...the question is who will drink all of these? 

LOL!

 I got a bouquet of flowers from the Management for some sort of  thanking me for my "achievement" for the past  6 1/2 years with the company. :-))))

Booze, booze booze!!!

Food, food food... YUM!!!

Food was catered by "Zum Schwarzen  Kameel" Vienna.

Eat and drink til we drop!

There was dancing, singing, laughing and I guess, we all were satisfied with the celebration.

Enjoy this joyous season!!!

"Vienna Christkindl Markt" (Vienna Christmas Market)

Rathaus Christkindl Markt ( Vienna City Hall Christmas market)

It´s the time of the year that Christmas markets in Vienna open its door to the public. This is an old tradition that goes back to the middle Ages. Centuries ago before Christmas, locals were allowed and privileged to open up a market to enhance more Christmas spirit. Those who have stalls offered various goods... whether food, drinks or self made creations to decorate their homes and even gifts to loved ones are being sold to the public.

In the modern times, the Viennese Christmas markets still maintained its old-age tradition, The most visited Market is the one from the City Hall. There are international choire singing and even the kids have their own area where they can bake their

own cookies over the weekends.

 It is the unique backdrop of the City Hall building that makes the market so famous, and if you´re already there, you would feel as if you´re in a wonderland so to speak....

Vienna City Hall Christmas Market

Its also the aroma of the Christmas baked goodies as well as the famous  hot punch called "Glühwein" that really adds to the pre- Christmas  athmosphere.

Freyung Christmas Market (1st District, Vienna)

When we moved to a new office site this year,  we could not believe our eyes!!! The view is priceless!!

This is the Belvedere Palace/ Castle which was erected by Prince Eugene, a french Field Marshall  who ran the army for the Habsburg Monarchy. He was from the Savoyen Clan from  Alsace ( eastern France).

 This is the view from my office window and I´m enjoying every minute of it! The glorious front of the palace  with it´s baroque backdrop is also very popular among the locals and tourists alike. Here you can find many christmas decor that are so unique as well as those special culinary delights.

 Belvedere Palace -Christkindl Markt

One that every visitor would not miss is the "glühwein", a hot punch which is a mixture of wine, juice and different spices. It´s a hot drink that would keep you warm during the freezing temperatures...

 Glühwein

If you are visiting one of these Christmas markets,  don´t forget to get a few unique christmas decor

to bring home...

These decors are one of the best souvenirs to get for your tree and will remind you how nice it is to experience the Christmas spirit of  the "Christkindl Markt " in my 2nd home.....Vienna.

Happy 1st Advent Sunday to all!!!

Vienna´s Christmas Lights

 

 

SACHER HOTEL 

 

Vienna is a very small city...despite the size, it attracts so much tourists everyday, be it summer or winter...

 It also attracts tourists and locals alike particularly during the Christmas season as the city is fully decorated with gorgeous Christmas lights and

 Christkindl markets as well to enjoy...

 

 

So let me show you what I mean.... this one here is in the city center called

Graben, a plaza that is adjascent to the St. Stephansdome.
 No matter how cold it is tourists, come and go...

They´ve designed the street lights to look like a big chandelier

It would make you feel as if you are in a big ballroom.

The Kaerntnerstrasse, the finest address in town where all exclusive shops

are located... My office is just a few steps away..

 

A shop vis a vis the State Opera... we have the all famous opera singers

performed at the Opera...such as the likes of Netrebko, Placido Domingo, Carerra,

Luciano Pavarotti ,Callas ( in her early days) and many more...

 

 

 

 

Even at night, the Center is full of tourists and shoppers...

I hope you have enjoyed the view of our Christmas lights.

 

I´m wishing you a joyous 2nd Sunday of Advent.

 

xoxo,

 

Mercy

Let´s Make Christmas Wreaths

It´s the time of the year that we should start to  think about the Christmas decor we want to have for the home. The Advent time is nearing ( last Sunday of Nov) and so is  time  essential in preparing the materials needed...I love to start making my decors around November, and at some point I will buy new ones when the time comes when ornaments are being offered for sale at the stores.

Now, the above  door wreath was  made 2 years ago.... actually, the materials I used for the above were old. The bells were one time used as hangings for the Christmas tree as well as the angel in the middle of the wreath... the angel was one of 12 pieces, they were gifts from my brother who sent me various tree decors made of capiz shells and other ornaments that he bought for the family.  The base or the ring of dried twigs came from a hardware store and is used as decor whenever I feel like creating a new wreath..

A simple wreath like the above can be easily done in less than an hour. Also this is an "as you go craft" ...just gather all decors you would like to add to the loose cobifer greens , tie with a ribbon

 add some hangings like a skate shoe or conifer cones,there are so many possibilities.

Here are the materials I used to make the wreath below:

1 wreath base (styrophor)
thin craft wire, pine "green needles"
ribbon of around 1,5 meters, trimmings like christmas bells, christmas deco, etc
 

Simply cover the wreath base with the pine greens using craft wire until all the wreath´s exposed surface is fully covered... 

add ribbon around the base (see pic) and add whatever trimmings you would like to have to give character to your wreath..

Use your fantasy, whatever design you may end-up with, it will reflect your personality and the originality of your wreath.

Wishing you Happy Crafting!!!

Til next,

Mercy

Shared at : Feathered Nest Friday