Roberto and Rosaura are hanging around again waiting for Santa to arrive.  Meanwhile Angela and I scramble to finish some last minute shopping.   I hope  this message finds you well, in the company of family and good friends.    Enjoy a great holiday season, a happy new year  and stay in touch!

Notes:

The "Bubble Tree" is a family heirloom that has been a favorite decoration at Christmas Time since I can remember.  I don't have its exact age but it must be more than 50 years old.  Most of the lights are original.  The replacements bulbs must be close to 50 years old as well.  The tree flakes off more and more of its greenery each year and the bulbs seem to be just a little bit more loose.  The Bubble Tree is perched atop my grandfather Fred's old icebox each Christmas.

The photo in the background is a portion of a family photo of the "Ritger Brothers of Newark, New Jersey".   The photo was taken circa 1910.  More info on the photo can be found here.