The small pleasures in life. . .

Here's another image in our series of antique Saint Nicks/ Santas/ Father Christmases. This rather subdued figure in green robes might be German given the German language greeting scrawled across the top of the card, though he looks my Eastern European to me. Perhaps, he's the Stollenian representation of Sankt Niklaus?

Ah, the small pleasures in life. Fresh coffee with the last of the Dresdner Stollen, a quiet couple of hours at the painting desk yesterday evening (photos to follow), marvelling at various old seasonal images, an ancient cat waiting patiently to sit on my shoulders, a bit of snow still on the ground outside, fragrant Christmas trees in the house, a brightly lighted star hanging in the front window, a sleeping baby, late breakfasts at the dining table, and whimsically knitted woolen stockings hanging from the mantle. Yes, it must be Christmas time.