FOR FAMILY...CHRISTMAS PHOTOS

On Christmas Eve we traditionally have a family talent show, using Christmas themes or music. This year Griffin, 9, played his cello for us. He has taken the instrument only 2 months and I was really impressed with his touch and his bond with his cello. He is a sensitive musician (which I already knew), but it was amazing to watch and hear him be so good already!
You go, Griffin! Of course, this is not the correct seating, but he adjusted well.
Amanda, 3, couldn't make it past 6 PM Christmas day. But she is totally in her comfort zone, surrounded by new softie frog and laptop, and old real pet cat.

More Tree Photos - it worked~!

Yes, this last one is a poppy shell. When Heidi visited us in Hungary, we went to a street fair and we each got one. They grow poppies in Hungary; field upon field of them, so they pop up everywhere as wild flowers. So beautiful!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR TREE TO YOURS !

Okay, this is the 3rd time I have tried to unclog my blog. We shall see if it comes through now. The weather today was too blah to get anything good so I just shot into our tree. Have a wonderful rest of Christmas Eve day, and a peaceful Christmas Day!

ICY MORNING

When Dick and I did our AM walk 1 day last week, I grabbed my camera because of the hoar frost. I "gave" him permission to trot on ahead so I could get up close and personal to the flora. This one is a blackberry thorn.
Just a dried reed leaf.
Cedar tips on an old fence post

A DAY IN THE BAVARIAN TOWN OFLEAVENWORTH, WA

I was the accompanist for the performing school choir one day last week. Not much time for browsing, so I chose the Kris Kringle store!


I posted these same shots on an international photography site, and this particular one won the Feature Photo! It is a plain leaded glass reflecting a Christmas tree decked in red and green shiny ornaments. I had to get into another embarassing position to capture the colors.

More holiday photo fun

To get this reflecting ball without myself in it was really tricky. I finally had to get down, really down, on the floor and I think it worked! These are more pics from the outing to Molbak's.This bowl-full of ornaments makes me laugh. I call it a Pile of Giggles.
This is a photo of a lady's cart of goodies. She seemed gracious when I asked if I could photograph her collection of things, but I had to wonder what she was really thinking!
Another poinsettia - my new favorite color.

Christmas spirit at Molbak's

I have had a clogged blog for about 3 weeks. So, I am trying once again to send some photos from a visit to Molbak's. What a great place to go for good cheer and beauty!

ASSIGNMENT: SYMBOLIC

Wow, I am barely getting this assignment in on time! As for the rainbow, I guess I don't have to explain why I posted that. My camera, however, is not equipped to capture a rainbow really well. Our Christmas tree to me symbolizes: peace, beauty, joy, traditions and memories!

Christmas in the mountains

I promised the newest member of our family that I would post these so she could see a bit of our holiday history. Unfortunately, Lynda, the tree that year was about 10 feet shorter than the ones you wanted to see. (Also, bad photo because of no tripod.) I labeled the photos so you could get an idea. We ALWAYS had a White Christmas - of several feet. Before this year our photos were not digitalized. Anyway: Ho! Ho! HO!

ASSIGNMENT: THREE

Last remaining leaves on our front yard cherry tree.
Three old pulleys

I just realized that it is the Eve before the Deadline. So, I went through some files and came up with previously-shot and new ones for "Three". I double-posted the tree one; sorry. My other mistake was mispelling "deer", below. Oops.

ASSIGNMENT: THREE!

Um, well.... I am embarrassed that I had the wrong number! The assignment is Three, not Two. I have been told that my first post still stands because there were three dear afterall. But, here is my apology through this Valley Forge gentleman in his TRI-corn; three-edges hat.

ASSIGNMENT: TWO

While we were recently driving through the Bitteroot Mountains, we came upon this scene. Mother dear was right on the side of the road and I know we startled her, but she held her position in order not to frighten her TWO nursing babes. I didn't even get out of the car, for that very reason. I thought of this picture immediately, but now I will keep my eyes open for more for this assignment.

A Stop at Bothell Landing

A week ago, Dick and I drove to Bothell Landing to check out our old stomping grounds. Such a surprise it was to see a few trees there at their prime while around us at home, all is past and gone. This one tree fairly glowed enough to send out warmth! I have not enhanced these photos - the color is true from nature.

A Stop at Bothell Landing

The glow from the few trees lightens up the front of the old house.

ASSIGNMENT: SPOOKY

These shots are from Budapest. I passed this old, vine-encased house every time I walked to the office from our apartment. When dark Fall and Winter came, it suddenly seemed to turn into a Haunted House!

ASSIGNMENT: SPOOKY

These photos go back to our last Halloween in Budapest. Actually, I took them on what is called "All Hallows Eve". It is quite a unique all-night observance. My camera was hand-held, so the exposure is way off, but that sort of adds to the spookiness, maybe?