A couple of offerings from this Christmas evening, friends. That little Santa Claus has been a fixture on this Taylor front porch for years. It’s a lovely little beacon. The other is from a bit of wandering a little west of Granger. The metal surfaces of grain elevators are always intriguing. 
Three photographs taken tonight while meandering through Bell and East Williamson Counties. We had some stormy skies this evening, ones I like as long as they aren’t causing harm to anyone. The opening shot was potentially a lightning photo, but while trying to wait on a streak, a fast-moving vehicle showed up in my rearview mirror. Folks are in a hurry here. The grain elevators are in southern Bell County, a few miles north of the the first one. That barn may have a star shining on its facade all year long, but it seemed appropriate tonight. Merry Christmas, friends. 
It’s been a while since the last barns post. Most of the barns I offer have been in front of my camera a few times. I feel it’s important to document them before they disappear. A number of them have. The barn with the John Deere, however, was in Mason County, Texas, about two hours west of Taylor. In the hill country, it’s apparently more common to find structures made of native stone. And I like that tractor! 
This is subject matter I’m compelled to post, but have held these few back. The last one is from this evening. Just windmills, friends. 
The annual “Breakfast With Santa” was held today at the San Gabriel Community Center in Georgetown. Coordinated by the Georgetown Fire Department and the Rotary Club of Sun City, the event offered (of course) visits with Santa Claus, but also a breakfast that included pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee for attendees. The food was prepared by firefighters, known to be quite handy in the kitchen! 
The Winter Solstice arrived at 3:21 a.m. Central Time. It was a morning when I was up quite early, en route from Taylor to Georgetown for an assignment. About fifteen minutes before sunrise, when the first photograph was made, the temperature was 30 degrees, mist hovering over a pond. Venturing on, I neared the San Gabriel River as it meandered through Georgetown. The other three photos were taken near the river, all about ten-fifteen minutes after sunrise. Early mornings like this are worth embracing. 
Although the Winter Solstice arrives at 3:21a.m. Central Time on Saturday, we still have tidbits of color making themselves known in Taylor, Texas. This batch of photographs are from daily walks this week. Tonight’s low here is predicted to be 31 degrees Fahrenheit. Bit by bit, our Texas wind is blowing leaves off the trees. Suggested before, but look for photographs close to home. Travel when possible, but keep in touch with your neck of the woods. 
Driving through Granger this evening, I was glad to see the return of a Christmas tree made entirely of cotton grown by area farmers. Last year, because the cotton crop was decimated by drought and heat, we didn’t get to see one, but good 2024 crop yields helped bring it back. It’s a unique tree highlighting small-town Texas. 
From a Wednesday night stroll around the Georgetown square. Traffic was heavy, but it was a good evening to be outside. It’s billed as “The Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas.” I would agree. 
Two churches, Christ Lutheran Church in Noack, and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Wuthrich Hill, are joined by a photograph taken at Granger Lake. The lake has nothing to do with the churches, but I like the scene. The view was cut short by oncoming traffic. Growth has its drawbacks.
