For this Thursday, I’m sharing 3 of my favorite Christmas light spots down here in the Ville.

For as long as I can remember, our family has enjoyed piling in the car on a December evening to go look at Christmas lights – from small neighborhood displays to the spectacular Plaza Lights in Kansas City and everything in between – the view of Christmas lights through the window of a car filled with family is a pretty special Christmas tradition.

The Gaddy Family Christmas Lights Extravaganza – This is a Fayette County tradition of the best sort – a drive through display that expands each year. The traffic on the road now shows red on traffic maps most evenings & the county even has detour signs in place to help facilitate the hundreds & thousands that come nightly. The Gaddys collect donations for the March of Dimes in honor of a grand baby and also collect toys for Toys for Tots. This month, they were even featured on an episode of the Great Christmas Light Fight. Address: 898 Sandy Creek Road (Fayetteville)

The Stanfield Giant Christmas Tree – We first saw this mentioned in the local paper 2 years ago & it has quickly become a family favorite. The choreographed light show on the tree is gorgeous. You can drive through their driveway & property to view the show & also park to walk over to the display for photo opps, including a sweet & jolly Santa who has candy for the kids. The family that puts on this lights show collects donations for the nearby Georgia Baptist Children’s Home. Address: 187 Thompson Road (Tyrone)

The Pixel Tree in Peachtree City – in its second year, this is a fun display on a house in a quiet cul-de-sac. There is about a 20 minute choreographed show and the music is broadcast over an FM channel. Fun Christmas songs, a great Star Wars display, several songs for kids and a clever Hanukah song. Because this is lesser known, the street isn’t crowded & it’s easy to park & enjoy the show. While the whole property is decorated, the pixel tree is the star of the program & the rest of the lights don’t compete with it. Address: 107 Sumner Court Place (Peachtree City)

This week, I arrived home on Saturday and that night Mom, Rebecca & I loaded into the car with iced peppermint mocha coffees for a couple of hours of light looking. Because there is no such thing as too much light looking, this evening we are piling into the van with our pastor’s family for another trip around the county to catch some more Christmas glow.

What are your favorite Christmas light displays?

Linking up with Carole & Kat for Three Things Thursday.

On this Thursday, a bit of joy…three pieces of Joy art that accent my minimal mantel this Christmas.

Collage JOY – A delightful original artwork by a friend (& former colleague) – as soon as she posted a picture of this on social media, I contacted Lindy and snapped it up for me. The rest of the year, this is included in an art wall in my spare bedroom. Lindy makes beautiful collages filled with thoughtful words and brilliant color and creative uses of papers, layers and paints. In addition to this piece I have another Lindy collage on my art wall and have commissioned her for a custom collage for a high school graduation gift.

Amaryllis Joy – I picked this up at Joann’s my first year here in PA. The combination of a favorite word and a favorite flower were perfect for adding to my Christmas decor.

Deer Joy – A fun addition this year from Michael’s, picked up right after Thanksgiving. A bit silly, a bit whimsy – it “pairs” with a Noel Cactus that I picked up for my sister and that is what makes me smile with this one.

JOY is one of my “words” – not only at Christmas but also throughout the year. In fact, over the years I have cultivated quite a collection of joy art – items that aren’t only reserved for Christmas decor but fill my home year round. Sometimes, the joy may be hidden – other times it is right there in front of you. Some moments may not feel like there is joy to be found and some moments the joy is just overflowing. No matter the circumstances, I’m always looking for the joy in the midst of it all.

Linking up with Carole & Kat for Three Things Thursday.

For this Thursday, a quick tour of the Christmas vignette on my mantel.

I knew this Christmas would not be one for “full on” Christmas decorating – I just don’t have it in me as we continue to navigate the “firsts” without Dad. But I did decide that a few items surrounded in lights on the mantel would be just the little bit of joy I need in the apartment for these few weeks I’m here before being home in the Ville for the holidays.

Painted Panda Carolers – Dad painted these for me in 1997 and brought them along when the family came to the Chicago area to celebrate Thanksgiving at my place. I’ve shared before about some of the ornamental treasures that Dad painted for me over the years. These pandas are the largest painted pieces Dad did and they can’t help but spark a smile whenever I see them.

Nativity Holy Family – I picked this group up in August 2010 on my first visit to Door County. Since then, I have amassed a complete nativity from this artist & it normally fills the entire mantel. I always chuckle that this Georgia made nativity found me in Wisconsin.

Salt Glaze Santa – New for 2017 is this charming Santa from a favorite pottery place in Lancaster County. While I have several pieces from there in my pottery collection, I’ve never started into their Annual Santa collection – they were cute but just never grabbed me. This year, however; is different – it is the last Santa because they are retiring and transferring store ownership. The Santa this year has a smile (previous years have been more stoic) and the cutest hand wave – which is a wave that Dad & I have done over the years.

What’s your holiday mantel vignette?

Linking up with Carole and Kat for Three Things Thursday.