Christmas Photo Shoot

I took everyone outside to get a picture for our annual photo Christmas card. Everyone took a shower and put on their finest plaid. I set up my tripod and practiced taking pictures of the scene with no people, with my timer (so I could see if I could run around without tripping over the tripod), in color, in black and white.

Last year my niece put the Christmas card picture on Facebook before I sent the cards out, but this year, there will only be this preview on my blog. 

This is the preview:

Ok, its a bit of a work in progress. After I pick the perfect picture, have the cards made and send them out, I will put the picture on here. No spoiling the surprise.

Oh, I almost forgot. My brother had the rock cut. No, not that kind of rock. The rock I held onto for 30 years while he has been on the other end of the country. Anyhoo, he sent me my half.

It's really pretty inside. I knew it would be. It was telling me itself while it was in my dining room hutch all these years. I'm so thrilled with the result. I'll take more pics later. It was hard to get the focus to go inside the rock. I just need more time to play around with the camera.

I'm getting my Christmas decorations up, but I didn't take pictures yet. I will do that this week, as I only have to work two days. Last week I worked four and it was exhausting.

Hope you enjoy your Sunday!

Getting a Jump on the Holidays

Last year, Christmas was terrible for me. First of all, for the last few years, we have been going to Philadelphia over Thanksgiving for Irish dance regionals and I was totally behind the eight-ball when we got home.

Then, I was miserable without my mother. I think the first year we were all relieved that she was not in pain or suffering any more. But I've heard that the second year is the worst. And it was. I didn't really decorate my house, I barely baked anything and my husband did almost all the shopping.

This year is already different. My girls have both stopped Irish dancing so we are home for Thanksgiving. Also, I have started preparing for Christmas early. I have been making my lists and checking them twice. Lol. I started decorating outside when the weather's good and I've bought some gifts already.

Here is a project I am working on.

The possibilities are endless with these. Almost as many as there are real snowflakes. JK.

More on my progress later....