Picture The Holidays - Days 25 through 31

Here it is, the wrap up of Picture The Holidays!! It's been a very busy week since Christmas, lots of good times with family.

Day 25 - This Magic Moment

No matter how old I get,

there is still something magical

about Santa and Christmas morning!

 Ours was a quiet one, but a good one!!

Day 26 - The Day After

Sometimes the day after Christmas can be quite messy.

But, even in the aftermath, beauty can be found.

I loved these cherry cordial M&Ms I found this year.

Day 27 - A Breath Of Fresh Air

Today we were to find one of Mother Nature's gifts.

Something that boasts of the season

and showcases the splendor of the great outdoors.

My Camellia bloomed this winter.

It's so amazing that this beautiful flower likes to bloom in cold weather.

The center of the Camellia is even beautiful after the petals have fallen off! 

 Day 28 - Through The Looking Glass

Our photo today was to find something like glass

to shoot through that altered the image.

I liked the Christmas tree lights as they

glowed through this hand blown glass ornament!

I had fun with this prompt

and tried several different types of glass.

I shot this one through a vintage chandelier crystal.

Day 29 - A Toast

The only thing we have in our home to toast with is water, milk or a soft drink in a 2-liter bottle. None of those things seemed to work for this prompt. As I walked by my miniature shelf I spotted this little coke bottle. So, here's my toast to you for the New Year...may your new year be filled with peace, love and lots of photography!!

Day 30 - There's No Looking Back

Counting down the minutes to 2012.

Not looking back at 2011.

Just looking forward to what the new year can bring!

Day 31 - Gather Your Thoughts

We were to take a moment to look back over our photos for Picture The Holidays. It was suggested that we print some of them and find a way to display them. My printer is very low on ink so I knew the pictures would not turn out well. I decided to make a collage of some of my favorite photos instead. 

I enjoyed this class and this group of wonderful photographers more than I can say!!  I started the month a little scattered, not really stressed, just didn't have everything together. Taking a few minutes each day with my camera was so relaxing.  I begin to really enjoy this holiday as every day I found a little beauty in the season. I also enjoyed looking at other photographer's photos on our gallery. They are always so inspiring!  I'm on to another class already...this one Picture Winter!

Picture The Holidays - Days 22, 23, & 24

This Holiday Season has been so enjoyable. Made so by the wonderful prompts from Picture The Holidays!  Each day I took a break, grabbed my camera and found a picture to fulfill the prompt. My camera is my stress reliever and my joy!!

Day 22 - You're Getting Sleepy

As we rush through the holidays we all need to take a break now and then. I love to curl up with a good Christmas book! Have to brag a little! I finished this quilt last year. It was exciting to be able to put it on the bed. Half the blocks are pieced and half are embroidered with things related to snow.

Day 23 - Life Is Sweet

I just started my Christmas baking!

 I can't bake early, I would eat it all and have to bake again!!

 I like to wait and fill the house with the smell of Christmas baking!

These are Snowball Cookies.

Lots of butter and a little nutmeg

give them a wonderful flavor!!

I also made my favorite cookies,

Soft Oatmeal Raisin.

Yep, I'm one of the few who like raisins!!

Day 24 - Enchantment

So many things during the Christmas season are enchanting and magical!  I am enchanted with the story "The Night Before Christmas."  Many years ago, I began to read this book to my children on Christmas Eve. Now, it's being read to my grandchildren. I'm always looking for copies of the story by different illustrators.  Right after Christmas I usually get them half-price!  I now have 16 copies. I'm fascinated with the artwork in each book. If you'd like to see inside some of the books and see a sample of the artwork visit my last year's post The Night Before Christmas.



I hope your Christmas was a joyful one!

Picture The Holidays Days 20, 21 and Mortal Muses

Picture The Holidays - Day 20

All Wrapped Up

My presents are all wrapped and under the tree.

For me this is early, I'm usually still wrapping on Christmas Eve!!

Picture The Holidays - Day 21

Attitude Adjustment

There's a story behind this depiction of attitude adjustment. Yesterday, I was in a very unpleasant, negative situation that I couldn’t avoid. I came home with bad attitude and vented to poor Mr. H.  This morning Mr. H. laughingly says “don’t get in the same situation today.”   OK, I can avoid it today!!  I turned on the computer and read the prompt from Picture The Holidays. Who was spying on me and knew I needed an attitude adjustment???  As I sat thinking about the prompt I looked over at the piano, there sat this little angel bear with her paws together in prayer! I laughed out loud at her pleading look. “Please be kind” she seemed to say! “Please don’t have a bad attitude today!” Now, I will fold my hands in prayer and ask for forgiveness!! It’s not funny, my attitude; but, she makes me smile every time I look at her!!!

Moral Muses

Cozy

I thought of lots of ways to picture "cozy".

 But, then I spotted these three snowmen all cozy in a bucket waiting for snow!!

  Mortal Muses - Peace

Snow falling at night is so peaceful and quiet.

Picture The Holidays - Days 18, 19 and Mortal Muses

Day 18 -  Recharge

busy season

much to do

take a moment

just for you!!

Day 19 - Make A List

The most important list,

 is the list of "Good Little Boys"

for Santa to see on my Christmas tree!!

I'm putting in a good word from my grandsons!!

I've also posted a couple of days on Mortal Muses.

They have a prompt and giveaway each day.

I'm not lucky at all, but who knows,

maybe it will be my turn to win something!

 Wonder

How does this small little tendril hold up so much snow, I wonder.

Hope

Hope - to cherish a desire with anticipation

I hope for each of you a wonderful holiday season

and New Year!

Picture The Holidays - Days 16 and 17

We've reached the halfway point in December. It's so hard to believe; the time is just flying. I am so enjoying Picture The Holidays and their wonderful daily prompts. It has made this holiday season special as I spent time each day...just me and my camera. It's just great!!

Day 16 - The Season Of Lights

I got to practice shooting lights again!!  There are all kinds of Christmas lights, but I keep returning to my Christmas tree. I really enjoy the many colors of the lights and the fact that they make pretty bokeh! This tall, lanky Santa is one of my favorites from Boyd's Bear. I love that he's carrying his own little light with the tree lights behind him.

Day 17 - Warm Glow

There's something so soft and magical about a candle's glow. It brings peace and a moment of quietness.

I hope your holidays are warm and glowing!!

Picture The Holidays - Days 12, 13, 14, and 15

I'm late on my daily photos for Picture The Holidays. I was working on a project that needed to be finished. In keeping with my attempt to keep this season simpler, I chose to wait until today to catch up. It was a productive day, I finished my holiday decorating, got all the decoration boxes back in their closet, and began wrapping presents.

Day 12 - A Whole Lot Of Happy

We were to capture a happy face.

This glass ornament always makes me smile!

Day 13 - Simply Divine

The definition of divine is:  of, relating to, or proceeding directly from God   The ultimate gift of love was when God sent his son to earth as a baby. Angels were sent directly from God to sing the glory of his birth.

This angel sits on top of  small tree in my extra bedroom. The tree is filled with sweet, feminine things; tiny hat boxes and hats, shoes and purses, and beads and miniature glass balls. I looked a long time to find a really pretty angel.

 

Day 14 - Sincerely Yours

We have become so used to our Internet, cell phones, iPads and other electronic gizmos that we rarely send or receive handwritten notes or cards. Christmas time is different though.

I look forward to mailing my Christmas cards to friends and family and receiving greetings from them. I was sorting through my old Christmas cards, about 43 years worth,  when I found several cards that were sent to us by my Grandfather.  Looking back through them, I realized he signed his name different ways; Papa Culps, Papaw Culps, A. F. Culps, Pop Culps, Dad Culps, and Pop C. To me he was always, Papaw Culps. I noticed his handwriting became more shaky as he reached his late 80's and early 90's. I made the ornament  in the picture from one of his cards. I hesitated cutting it up, but now I'm so glad I did. Every year this hangs on my tree in honor of my Grandfather.

I posted two photos on this day. This old card and envelope are about ten years old. A friend of mine had all her cards mailed from Santa Claus Station in Santa Claus, Indiana. I knew you could do this, but this was the first time I had seen one. You mail your cards in a large envelope to the postmaster and they will hand cancel the stamp with their  beautiful postmark.  I want to do this, but Christmas cards are always last on my list. Maybe I should do them in September and have them ready next year!!!

Day 15 - Got Gifts?

The prompt was to make a tag from one of our photos. Since my printer is about out of ink, that wasn't possible, so, I just took a picture of a gift.

 

I had to wrap some presents today in order to photograph one for the prompt. I'm having fun setting up these little photo shoots. It's beginning to come a little easier. Of course, part of the credit goes to the lovely ladies I share classes and galleries with. They are a constant source of inspiration.

I'm feeling pretty good about the holidays now, things seem to be coming together nicely!!

 

Picture The Holidays - Day 10 and 11; Mortal Muses Musing

Day 10 - Twinkle, Twinkle
We were to capture something that twinkled.

I love how the Christmas lights twinkle in this hand-blown glass ornament.

Day 11 - Shaping Up

Pay attention today, in your comings and goings to the shape of things. See if what you find reminds you of anything else.

I spent part of the day outside looking for something in nature that reminded me of something else. I really wanted to find something that reminded me of Christmas. This unusual growth is on the side of a dead stump. It instantly reminded me of a Christmas tree. I did add the snow effect to made it look more like a snow covered tree.

 

 

I also wanted to post my link to the Many Muses Musings prompt together.

Each year I hang these two angels together on my Christmas tree. They remind me of a mother and a child playing their little musical instruments. They are from my childhood and over 50 years old.

Picture The Holidays - Days 8 and 9

Day 8 - Reflecting The Season

Today's was a fun shot, shooting into a reflective surface. You never know what image will appear.

You can find so many things in a reflection. I piled up some vintage balls to see what I could find. There I am in pink and if you look closely, I'm also in the red ball. My Christmas  tree is in yellow. My small snowman Christmas tree is in green.

Day 9 - It's A Sign

Every day we are surrounded by messages, either in literal signs, notes, or words. We were to seek out a sign; an affirmation, answer  or reminder of the season.

And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes,

lying in a manger"

Luke 2:12

I need this reminder as I get caught up in the decorating, gift buying, baking, and busyness of the holidays.

I hope you're enjoying this season!!

Picture The Holidays - Day 7

Our prompt today was to Express Yourself.

To take a few moments

to allow our selves to

relax,

breathe,

and just feel.

Then we were to find a way to portray that in a photo. This is very hard for me! I do better with specifics than feelings!! I have a hard time expressing myself in words. it was very hard to think of a way to express myself in a photo.

As I thought about the prompt today, my eyes kept drifting to this little word "believe." I feel very strongly that I want to enjoy the holidays this year and not get caught up in the stress.

I truly believe that a simple holiday is a joyful holiday!!

 

 

 

On last night's post I mentioned that it was snowing. We were only supposed to get a dusting of snow, at least that's what the weatherman said. When I got up very early to peek outside, I was surprised. It was a white winter wonderland. There wasn't  a lot left on the ground since it was so wet from two precious days of ran, but I measured 1 3/4"  on our car!   That is very rare for us, especially this early in December!  You can guess what I did. I quickly dressed, grabbed my coat, my camera, and went outside. It was cold, so cold, 27 degrees, and I didn't have my gloves. They were in our bedroom and I didn't want to wake Mr. H. he's been working very hard lately!  I'm glad I didn't wait until later in the morning, because as soon as the sun came out, the snow began to quickly melt.  I did manage to get a few shots.

The snow on my camellia bush was so pretty.

I wanted to take the same bloom that I posted last night, but it actually didn't have any snow on it, just on the leaves surrounding it. I liked this better with the snow on the bud.

My birdbath was frozen in the center and rimmed with snow.

I didn't see any birds interested in a bath today!!

A bright combination of seasons, fall and winter.

My Bradford Pear has still not lost all of it's leaves.  The top is completely bare, but the bottom leaves are still hanging on. And now the branches are lined with snow.

The opposite direction of the Bradford Pear is our ceders.

Now this looks more like winter!!

I love little curlicues.  It is so fascinating that this little curl is holding up so much snow!!  This tendril is on my wisteria bush.

 

Guess what, I bought myself (well, really they're from Mr H) a Christmas present today! I even put them under the tree!! 

New winter boots!! Last year, I didn't have any boots that were waterproof for tramping around in the woods in the snow. I had to wear Mr. H's combat boots. Yep, that's what I said, this Gramma wore combat boots. Thanks goodness he doesn't have huge feet. As it was, I had to wear three pairs of heavy socks so they would fit. I've never needed snow boots! We get so little snow and I didn't have a reason to be out much in the wet and cold until I began seriously taking pictures! I just wish I'd had them this morning!

 

Sorry, I just kept rambling tonight!!  It's been a fun day, there was snow and we went Christmas shopping and I'm still a little keyed up!!  But, I think I'd better to head to bed!

 

Thanks for stopping by!!