Nutcrackers have been made famous by the Nutcracker Ballet, which was adapted from a story by E.T.A. Hoffman in the 19th Century. This German author brought dolls to life, including the Nutcracker soldier who came alive on Christmas Eve to the delight of young Clara. Tchaikovsky breathed life into the tale with his great music score.

These Nutcrackers, ranging from a few inches to five feet tall,  reside year-round in a storefront on South Elm Street in Greensboro. According to the Russian Nutcracker (front left), on Christmas Eve, precisely at midnight, he will lead his wooden comrades in The Russian Cossack Dance!

Our skies have been a little dull these days, so we’re using this little slice of sky in the upper left-hand corner as our Skywatch Friday!