Merry Christmas,  Hanukkah,  Kwanzaa,  and/or New Year’s to all — and welcome to everyone who recently subscribed to our blog.

SO,  HEY – WHERE  DID  WE  GO?

After batting out a record number of blog posts and photos during our pre-election window campaign,  we decided to take a holiday break to drag out the old Christmas tree,  whip up a spectacular Christmas feast (okay,  so we actually ordered it pre-cooked from Wegman’s – we know our limits!),  and play in our art studio.

DON’T  MISS THOSE  HOLIDAY  LIGHTS

We’ll be back in late January,  but don’t miss South Philadelphia’s great holiday light shows if you haven’t toured them already — next week’s weather will be perfect for strolling…

Click here to read about the annual “Miracle on 13th Street” and the fabulously decorated blocks around Smedley and Colorado Streets.

And stop by the corner of E. Passyunk Avenue and Tasker Street to see our own holiday display,  featuring over two dozen neighbors and their smiling dogs….

Our neighbors will be sending holiday greetings through January 8 across from South Philadelphia’s singing fountain.  The windows are lit daily from 4 pm ’til 1:30 am.

…AND  A  LOOK  AHEAD

And yes,  in coming months,  we plan to share more nostalgic South Philly photos from Art Tavani’s magical 1960s album and more fun and imaginative  artists’ homes and studio tours, courtesy of our fellow Philadelphia Dumpster Divers.

Coming soon:  A visit with found-object lamp designer and fiber artist Ellen Sall at her Philadelphia studio and art-filled Jersey shore home!

We love and appreciate everyone who’s offered support (and,  better yet,  let us snoop around their homes with cameras in hand!) over the past 1-1/2 years for our Unexpected Philadelphia blog and website.

Happy holidays!

Kate, Dave & the Christmas monkey…..

A face only a mother could love:  Kate’s skill at assembling a sock monkey (at the American Visionary Art Museum’s holiday sock monkey extravaganza) obviously rivals only her cooking ability…