iHeartfaces ~ Scenic Black & White

I wasn’t going to play this week but I just love this photo so much I thought I’d throw it into the mix. The theme is Scenic Black and White but sepia toned photos will sometimes apply and I hope it does here.

I have this photo on canvas on my wall. It will always remind me of the kids and of summer. Now that it’s almost December it makes no sense but so be it.

See more scenic Black and White at iHeartfaces.com.

.

Consider Lightroom 3

I put Lightroom 3 in my cart at Amazon.com yesterday. It was at $149.99, a huge discount from its original $299. I was still not able to hit “enter.” I thought I would wait a night to see if I really “needed” it. I played with the beta version and I admit I didn’t take the time to learn it and take advantage of the features so it was an impediment to my workflow. I’m such a Photoshop fan, it’s hard to change.

Yesterday I meant to purchase it and take the time to learn it. Today I’m not so sure.

However if you have been meaning to make a purchase of an editing program, today Lightroom 3 is $169.99. It’s still a great bargain. I don’t see it going back down to that incredible price of $149.99 any time soon.

November 30, Afterburner

I had a difficult time with the composition for this pod but in the end I left it uncropped.

Here’s Selah and Light by the Stable. So inspiring and finger snapping!

Hail Hail to the new born king,
Let our voices sing Him our praises,
Hail Hail to the guiding light,
That brought us tonight to a stable!

What I Got For Christmas 2 & Aunt Shirley

Update: This is a re-post of the Gobblet game I received as a gift from a neighbor last year . . . Just in case you are looking for a fun gift.

One of our neighbors gave us this board game as a Christmas gift this year. It actually is one of my favorite gifts of all time. It’s called Gobblet and it is a blue ribbon toy winner.

The girl and I are having a great time playing it, and during Aunt Shirley’s visit, we suckered her in as well.

Aunt Shirley is on her way to Florida (which I don’t believe is any warmer than Maryland right now) for the winter. I love having her visit for a few days, she’s a lot of fun.

She taught me how to play canasta, pinochle and a myriad of other card games.

We would spend the weekends at her lake house and the sister, Nanna, Aunt Shirley and I would play for hours and hours.

And now Aunt Shirley is playing games with my daughter. How sweet is that?

We went to lunch yesterday and I asked her, “Are you dating?”

For you see, my Uncle Jack died four years ago and after 50 years of marriage, Aunt Shirley was alone. Right after he died, I remember selfishly telling Aunt Shirley that I couldn’t imagine her with anyone else. I was immediately chided by a friend of mine who said, “No one should be alone.”

And now I know I was wrong, so I’m praying for a good man, one like Frank, to come into Aunt Shirley’s life and live it with her as long as needed. Why are there so many more widows than widowers? Interesting.

Until then, she has her own family and she has us. And we will play Gobblet with her any time she wants!

You can buy Gobblet for your family, your neighbors, your mailman, your daughter’s riding coach, or son’s wrestling coach, your pastor or for yourself at Amazon.com. It’s a lot of fun! Thank you Neighbor Carrie!

Posted on Gayle’s Monday Memories, on Tuesday. I’m a day behind and a dollar short.

All About Santa

I shopped on Black Friday like millions of other Americans but I didn’t get up at 4 am to go. If I did, the husband and boy would not have gone with me. Instead, I went shopping at the late hour of 8:30 am. By then most people were already done and back in bed. I admit I was not feeling particularly festive. I was in a ho hum mood and it wasn’t until I came upon these Santas on display that I started feeling ho ho ho.

I was able to lose myself in the history of Santa Claus and it was such a fun display that I thought I’d share.

The above is the Russian Santa . . .

“Combining the elements of religion, history and folklore, the Ukrainian people gave us this special version of St. Nicholas. With the acceptance of Christianity in Kievan Rus in 988AD under the rule of Vladimir the Great, along came the customs and pageantry of all the holidays, including Christmas.

Through the centuries, Christianity spread north and eastward, into the surrounding lands which would eventually become Russia. By the 1800’s the Russian St Nicholas was a figure carrying the punishment of birch switches (yikes) as well as gifts, symbolized by a Christmas tree. We can see both punishment and reward are retained in this elegant figure.”

The Civil War Santa . . .

“In late 1863 and throughout 1864 the red, white, and blue motif was used in many unusual places in an effort to boost the moral and patriotic spirit in the war weary North. Both North and South used Santa to visit the troops and pass out propaganda material.”

St. Nicholas . . .

“In many lands, Santa Claus is also known as St. Nicholas. Over 1650 years ago, St. Nicholas was Bishop of Myra, a town in Asia Minor which is now a part of Turkey. He was called the “Boy Bishop” because he was so young for having such an important position. St. Nicholas because so famous for his kindness and goodness in helping others that people made statues of him and painted his picture on church windows all over Europe. Now he is remembered in many countries by lots of names, including Sankt Nikolaus, Father Christmas, Pere Noel, Kriss Kringle, Santa Klass and Santa Claus.”

Kris Kringle . . .

“Kris Kringle means “Christ Child” in German and was originally applied to the Holy Infant who was thought to bring gifts on Christmas Eve. Gradually, it evolved into an angelic helper who brought the presents.

The figure carries a tiny Christmas tree. The household knew he had been there by the ringing of the bell when the presents were all in place under the Christmas tree. He is expected each year the by people of Germany, Switzerland, Austria and by the Pennsylvania Dutch in America.”

“Today’s Santa looks like a happy granddad. He lives in the North Pole and has lots of elf helpers who work in his toy factory. He keeps a check on whether or not children have been naughty or good so he can keep track of what to do when they ask him for presents. On Christmas Eve, Santa fills his sleigh with presents and, pulled by tiny reindeer, he delivers presents around the world. On Christmas morning he enjoys a well-earned rest while Mrs. Claus takes care of him. And then, he starts working on the next year.”

Then . . . I spied the real Santa.

He saw me too and he waved! This must mean I must have been a good girl and will get lots and lots of presents this year!

November 29, Winter Wheat

Simple wheat grass in the snow is so beautiful to me.

Today, I’m in the mood for the Carpenters’ classic Christmas Waltz. It’s better than sugar cookies!

It’s that time year when the world falls in love,
Every song you hear seems to say,
Merry Christmas, may your dreams come true!

/

My Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition

I love Thanksgiving and one of the things we do every year is travel way up north to my parents’ home for Thanksgiving dinner. The girl will help cook the meal and watching my mother and my daughter cook together is my favorite Thanksgiving tradition.

I like watching her grow up in the same environment year after year.

And it doesn’t hurt to have her learn how to cook either.

You may be wondering what the boy is doing while the girl is cooking.

He was eyeing some chicken hearts on a stick. We arrived just in time for a yummy lunch of organs. Of course we had to offer some to the boy who was dubious to say the least.

For the record, organ meat is high is protein but also high in fat and uric acid. Yum . . .I should have brought the deer jerky home, now that’s a meal.

For those of you who are thoroughly grossed out right now, I offer this traditional turkey. There were no chicken hearts for Thanksgiving dinner.

November 28, Winter’s Return

We traveled far enough north that we were excited to get our first look of snow for the season! Excitement reigns!

It is officially the start of the most wonderful season of all. I will post 30 of my most favorite Christmas songs each day – or at least that’s my intention today.

We’re starting with a fun mix and a finger snapping tune. It’s time to rock out with Toby Mac and Oh Come All Ye Faithful. I love these guys!

Oh come all ye faithful,
Joyful and triumphant yeah!

Come let us adore Him,
Christ the Christ the Lord!

Clipped Wings

The six hour trip to my parents’ home can be quite uneventful and boring. Unless there is traffic, then it’s frustrating. But not last Wednesday. We made it in blissfully fast time.

And today – we’re making the trek home. I hope it’s as uneventful and fast as the way here.

The single fun event of the trip was this parrot perched on the back of the passenger seat of this passing car.

It was such an unexpected and whimsical sight. He sat on the seat like he was out for a Sunday ride. He didn’t even move during the big G turns.

I asked the husband to speed up and stay with the car. The kids were getting a kick out of him.

I hope the driver wasn’t too nervous about our high speed chase!

I was hoping to get a reaction out of the cat but he stayed aloof on my lap. Apparently he’s too cool for such highjinks.

We’re on our way home from my parents’ house today. Maybe I’ll see him again!

November 27, Fall’s End

I wish the leaves would stay a little longer.

Oh fall, I’m happy for your short stay.

Next Page »