The snow is lovely on the trees. Doesn't it put you into a Christmas mood?

No, I don't mean shopping and baking and hurrying around. There are lot of places to see Santa and buy lovely presents, but this weekend, I'm going to recommend taking the family to enjoy some quieter holiday activities.

The First Baptist Church of North Adams will set up a living nativity on its front steps Friday and Saturday, Dec. 12 and 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 14, from 1 to 4 p.m. The nativity will include live animals and there will be Christmas music as well.

On Saturday, Dec. 13, kids can get some invaluable outdoors time on a hike with Santa from 10 a.m. to noon at

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Did you miss me?

I took a little hiatus with this column for a few weeks to gather my strength for the Christmas season. But I'm back this weekend with some holiday happenings - including one very near and dear to my heart.

First, Friday night, Dec. 5, is loaded with Christmas tree lightings all around the county. From north to south, Sweetwood of Williamstown will host a tree-lighthing party from 4 to 6 p.m. Pittsfield will hold its official ceremony at Park Square at 6 p.m., which is the same time Lenox is hosting its lighting in Lilac Park. And the town of Lee is holding a celebration at 7 p.m. in Church Park that includes a remembrance ceremony for missing loved

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I posted a picture on the iBerkshires Facebook page the other day that said that Christmas was coming despite the mild weather we were having. As is common around these parts, two days later brings another story.

Man, is it cold! And the forecast for the weekend is not looking much better, with temperatures hovering only in the 40s. I know, it's November in the Berkshires, so what do I expect? And this column is not a weather report. So onward with some good (indoor) family choices for this weekend.

And what better way to keep warm than to snuggle in your jammies? Tonight, Friday, Nov. 7, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield will host  WeeMuse

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I don't think anyone gets Halloween off from work or school, but somehow it feels like a three-day weekend, doesn't it?

First off, if you're going trick-or-treating Friday night, stay safe. I'm sure you know the drill but here are some tips just in case you want a reminder.

You might as well keep the Halloween fun going into the evening of Saturday, Nov. 1.  Starting at 5 p.m., the Mason Library in Great Barrington is hosting a free Community Halloween Party. The kids party starts at 5 p.m. with "spirited" storytelling by Tim Van Egmond, a folksinger and storyteller who performs throughout New England. Devilish pizza and creepy cupcakes

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Get your Halloween on this weekend ... and prepare to party for a full week!

I admit, Halloween is not one of my favorite holidays. It always seems to rain (or snow, a la 2012) and my daughter STILL has to go trick or treating. I suck it up and take her because I was not allowed to trick or treat when I was a child. (My mom had her reasons; I've gotten over it.)

Then there's the candy ... oh, all that candy. Who needs it? Well, ironically, my daughter kind of does. As a child with type one diabetes, she chooses to treat low blood sugars with candy. Did you know Smarties have the same chemical makeup as the official diabetic-friendly glucose tabs - but taste much better?

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