Chick and I have never been to The Grotto at Christmastime so we added this to our calendar early in the season. 
The Grotto community was first formed when permission was granted by the Order to commence the Sanctuary of Our Sorrowful Mother back in 1923. Fr. Ambrose Mayer, OSM, had purchased the property from the Union Pacific Railroad, and with the title came the impetus for starting his dream project. 
Father Mayer had promised God that if his mother recovered from serious illness following the birth of a young daughter, he, young Ambrose, would do something great for the Church when he grew up. His mother did recover and over the years the promise was not forgotten. Ambrose grew up, became a Servite priest, and kept looking for the opportunity to fulfill his promise. The purchase of the property in northeast Portland was just the beginning.
Father Mayer had promised God that if his mother recovered from serious illness following the birth of a young daughter, he, young Ambrose, would do something great for the Church when he grew up. His mother did recover and over the years the promise was not forgotten. Ambrose grew up, became a Servite priest, and kept looking for the opportunity to fulfill his promise. The purchase of the property in northeast Portland was just the beginning.
Continuing a wonderful holiday tradition begun as a gift to the community in 1988, The Grotto's Christmas Festival of Lights welcomes all who seek the true spirit and meaning of Christmas. Through the presentation of spectacular lights, hourly music concerts, outdoor caroling, and other family entertainment, The Grotto's festival surrounds visitors with the traditional sights and sounds of this wondrous holiday season. Last week we saw a clear and cool evening (no rain) on the radar and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to check it out.
The Grotto's pristine sanctuary garden setting with magnificent architecture, towering firs, and an angel-covered Cliffside as a backdrop. This community tradition reminds us all that Christmas is a season of joy, sharing, compassion, and peace.
What an amazing place!
Enjoy!
Stacy
The Grotto's pristine sanctuary garden setting with magnificent architecture, towering firs, and an angel-covered Cliffside as a backdrop. This community tradition reminds us all that Christmas is a season of joy, sharing, compassion, and peace.What an amazing place!
Enjoy!
Stacy
He loves his toys, especially his "scratchy post" and "feather duster".
He's very social....a snuggle bunny and he loves his special places.
Introducing.....Sammy Brady Lee
We are especially excited this year as we have a bit more room in the house and a perfect picture window to display our tree. 
My Mom and Kenny stopped by and took us to lunch on California Avenue and Brian, Sammy and I spent the late afternoon making the house all christmasey! 
Despite being associated with a Christian festival, many have made the claim that the tradition's origins are pre-Christian, originating in the ancient paganism of Europe. The tradition can be definitively dated to 16th century Germany, and it was popularized across the western world in the 18th and 19th centuries.
By the early 18th century, the custom had become common in towns of the upper Rhineland, but it had not yet spread to rural areas. Wax candles are attested as decorations beginning in the late 18th century.
Several cities in the United States with German connections lay claim to that country's first Christmas tree. Windsor Locks, CT, claims that a Hessian soldier put up a Christmas tree in 1777 while imprisoned at the Noden-Reed House, while the "First Christmas Tree in America" is also claimed by Easton, Pennsylvania, where German settlers purportedly erected a Christmas tree in 1816.
Both setting up and taking down a Christmas tree are associated with specific dates. In Europe, when the practice of setting up evergreen trees originated in pagan times, the practice was associated with the Winter Solstice, around December 21. Tree decoration was later adopted into Christian practice after the Church set December 25 as the birth of Christ, thereby supplanting the pagan celebration of the solstice. 
Traditionally, Christmas trees were not brought in and decorated until Christmas Eve, and then removed the day after twelfth night (January 6th); to have a tree up before or after these dates was even considered bad luck. Some traditions suggest that Christmas trees may be kept up until no later than the 2nd of February, the feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, when the Christmas season effectively closes.
On Saturday morning, like last year.....we drove out Scholls Ferry Road to a small lot and found two beautiful trees. It was a different set up from last year and the trees were sparse (lots of people out in the beautiful sun) - but we did end up finding our trees.
Sandra prefers the Grand Fir, but I grew up with a Noble Fir.
Brian came along to assist us in our picks (and for the extra muscle power). My tree ended up being about 8feet tall!
Cream Biscuits
Brian drove down early on Friday from Seattle so we headed off about noon to the North end of the Willamette valley. 
First Stop: 
Second stop: 
Fourth Stop: I really wanted us all to try a place that we have never been too - 
"Tables by Brian" - he loved the sign (although he didn't design the table)
