Holiday Re-Cap

On Christmas Eve the entire family got together and opened presents at my parent's new home just six houses down from where I live. It has been such a blessing to have them so near. My son had 10 days of leave from the Army - so he was able to be there too. We had our first non-traditional (for us) meal - Lasagna, Penne Alfredo, Salad and bread. Dessert was Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, and Pecan Pie. It was a GREAT meal and may become our NEW tradition.

On Christmas Day my brother in law made his special breakfast casserole which was YUM-O! Having a breakfast meant that the rest of the day was available for enjoying the outdoors and some much needed imaging making (aka picture taking). Hubby and I traveled to Bisset Park in Radford, Virginia where we saw lots of birds and almost had them eating out of our hand - literally. That is where we saw this little Carolina Chickadee. After Bisset my Mom and oldest Sister and I went for a walk around the Virginia Tech Duck Pond. There were lots of Mallards and Canada Geese.

This was one of the best Holidays I can remember!

Animals Sing "12 Days of Christmas"

White-crowned Sparrow in the Falling Snow

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love!

~Hamilton Wright Mabie

About the Image: Taken on Christmas Day 2010

Santa's Stuck up in the Chimney

A Very Calvin & Hobbes Christmas

The Many Faces Of Santa

My littlest Angel asked me today why all the Santas looked different.  Not wanting to get into a political conversation with a three year old I explained that different people all over the world had different ideas as to how he looked and the Santas we see are not the "real" Santa.  "Oh" she said, "that's because no one ever really sees him so we have to guess."  Whew, I was relieved.  I always support the culture any child in my care comes from so the whole Santa thing gets tricky!  I did, as I do every year explain that there are also many people around the world who do not believe in Santa and do not celebrate Christmas.  They of course find this hard to imagine.  Anyway, this conversation inspired me to show the Angels some different Santas and then of course the next thing was sharing it!  Scroll down and please have fun!
 *
 Santa Claus has a rich and long history that dates back to medieval times.  He was, up until 1863 mostly depicted as a very thin figure and had other names including Father Christmas, St. Nicholas and Sinterklaas.

This is a medieval fresco depicting St. Nicholas from the Boyana Church near Sofia, Bulgaria.
(source) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Boyana_Angel.jpg


In 1823 an anonymous poem was published in the Troy New York Sentinel titled "A visit from St. Nicholas".  This poem was later credited to Clement Parke Moore and is better known as "The Night Before Christmas".  This poem defined many of our modern views about Santa and this is also when he started to become a much plumper, jollier fellow.  Then in 1863 Thomas Nast's illustration of Santa appeared in Harper's Weekly and the modern Santa was born. 

(source)  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Santa_Claus_1863_Harpers.png

U.S, Army Garrison ,Miami
(source)  http://www.flickr.com/photos/usag-miami/6539107535/

Santa Claus waves goodbye as he and his reindeer leave Finnish Lapland to meet children from all the world. Photograph: Martti Kainulainen/EPA
(source)  http://www.guardian.co.uk/theguardian/2011/dec/13/weekly-notes-queries-16-december

To much Eggnog?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hazboy/6539025525/ 

Morita - chan en Navidad
http://www.flickr.com/photos/periodistapullip/6538906315/ 

 Men in fancy dress take part in the annual Santa Claus parade in Porto.

Read more: http://www.theweek.co.uk/pictures/43690/week-pictures-december-11-17#ixzz1h0uoc3eX

http://www.shipmentoffail.com/

A man dressed in a large Santa Claus suit takes part in the Great Edinburgh Santa Run with other participants on December 11, 2011 in Edinburgh, Scotland. Around a thousand people took part in the annual fundraising event, with all money raised being donated to the charity 'When You Wish Upon a Star'.
(Jeff J Mitchell - AFP/Getty Images)

(source)  http://www.globalpost.com/photo-galleries/planet-pic/5684291/santa-claus-gone-wild-christmas-saint-nick-lets-loose

Crisis para todos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pepe_bello/6538725073/ 

"Poppy Claus, is that you?"
Everett's Poppy played Santa Claus for the local children in Pt. Pleasant, and we think that Everett was on to his shenanigans.
(source)  http://www.flickr.com/photos/wondermonkey2k/6538684167/

At the orphanage, the kids were stunned to see Santa Claus walk into the compound.
http://makingadifference.posterous.com/

?????
(source)  http://www.flickr.com/photos/losangelesdistrict/6538417973/

Santa Claus Race in Liverpool
http://life4pics.blogspot.com/2011/12/race-santa-claus-in-liverpool.html

St. Nicholas in the Ukraine
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cmberea/6538369379/

From Tokyo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kura-s/6537464159/

Black Walnut Santa
http://todwellinprimitivethymes.blogspot.com/

Impressed Poodle!
http://blog.sfgate.com/thebigevent/2011/12/15/six-decades-of-santa-claus-in-san-francisco/

Surf'in Santa
http://www.surfertoday.com/surfing/6575-santa-claus-goes-surfing-on-christmas-eve

http://www.globalpost.com/photo-galleries/planet-pic


I think Santa swimming with a Beluga  might be a good place to finish because I don't think I'll be able to top that this morning!  Cheers!

Christmas goes metal - Santa claus is coming to town!

Christmas Crepes (Crêpes) - Cooking with Dog

Funny Christmas Song and Video about Santa Claus

Silent Night- Lindsey Stirling

12 Dog Days of Christmas: Dogs Singing Funny Christmas Song!

Sinnamon Lights 2011 - Dance of the Woodland Pixies

Tommy Emmanuel - One Christmas Night - Live - HD 2011

Aussie Jingle Bells- In a rusty Holden Ute

Photoshop: Christmas Ornament Holiday Tutorial

Create Magic from a Mandarin - Christmas Oil Lamp

This is a very cool little video on how to create an oil lamp from a mandarin.  It's not in English but I found it easy to understand anyway, and I think the finished product has great potential.  I want to make a few with my granddaughter when she comes for the holidays!

A Unique Gift Idea

Several years ago I was searching for a unique Christmas gift for my brother and two sisters. Using Photoshop Elements (see link in my sidebar) I made a "sketch" from an image of my parents' hands using the Photocopy filter. I printed them on a heavy bond paper and put them in black frames.I am happy to say they were a HIT! Do you make gifts for your friends/family? Please share them with me.

Coasters With The Most - Wine Glass Bling With Purpose

From the creator:  "You are looking at a coordinating set of four (4) fabric wine coasters.
These coasters slip onto the base of your wine glass - it goes where your glass goes!
They are an easy way to add colour to your table and identify your glass at a dinner party.
On the back of the coaster is a coordinating print, so it is reversible and suitable for a mug or tumbler.
The coasters are approximately 10.5 cm square, suitable for most wine glasses.  The coasters are made of high-quality cotton with a middle layer for stability and absorbency.  As such, the coasters are washable - I would suggest cold water and air dry.  Light ironing may be necessary after washing.
The glass in the photo is for display only and not part of the sale.
I have other colour choices in my store."
 Thanks for looking!

 Visit SAREMI CREATIONS: 
http://www.madeit.com.au/storecatalog.asp?userid=48087

Cheers!

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - New York, 1939

Christmas Snowflake Chocolate Cookies by Crumb Boss