Finding the Holiday Joy

Friday, December 31, 2010

Project 365 - Day 31

I was home all day doing absolutely nothing, you heard me I didn't do a thing!! (and it wasn't because I didn't have plenty to do either, I just didn't wanna!) I should have cleaned a little, organized Kyleigh's toy mess before she got here tonight but like I stated above, I just didn't wanna!! I did walk outside for the picture of the day, ended up taking a picture of the street sign........I know that sounds boring but this is the only sign using that font, the others are more traditional looking, it always catches my attention, so here is Day 31. PS: I took this picture from the car window after checking the mail :)

Day 31

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Project 365 - Day 30

I love the red berries on the tree this time of year. Last year we had a freak snow storm, it was awesome, it covered all those berries around the house, it was beautiful. Here's Day 30.


Day 30

Project 365 - Day 29

This year I started a new tradition for Christmas, it started because I love snow so much! I am doing this Willette Finding the Holiday Joy class, one of the assignments is to photograph snow...........No snow in Texas :( I got to thinking about it and came up with an idea that will feed my need for tradition and love of snow :) This year I had everyone make a snowflake, from regular white paper, I gave them paper, scissors and a pen. Make a snowflake then put your name and the year. I now have 7 snowflakes from Christmas. I will hang the snowflakes every year, we will add new ones and we'll have snow for Christmas every year now. I was worried they would laugh at me, but no one did, in fact they worked hard on making their snowflakes unique :) From our Christmas snow here is Day 29.

Day 29

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Project 365 - Day 28

Last night I went to the Dallas Mavericks game with my oldest son Nick, the tickets were a surprise gift to him from my mother in law for Christmas. Nick was so excited!! It was a blast to be with him, watching him have such fun!! I gave the camera to my neice and she took this picture, here is Day 28 (admittedly not a great photo but I don't care:)

Day 28

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Photo Jewelry :)

For Christmas I received two wonderful necklaces with camera charms, love them. Then I saw that Shutterfly has jewelry too. So here are some links of fun camera jewelry that some of you might enjoy:

Pamela Toppings: Camera Love Necklace
http://www.pamelatopping.com/jewelry/camera-love-necklace/

Lisa Leonards: Through My Lens Necklace
http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/inspired-designs/through-my-lens-necklace.html

Shutterfly: Sterling Necklaces and Bracelets:
http://www.shutterfly.com/photo-gifts/apparel-and-accessories

Exposure Online: Photo jewelry
http://www.exposuresonline.com/ExposuresOnline/Browsing/Category.aspx?CID=JEWELRY+AND+NOVELTY&SCID=Jewelry+For+Her

I am definitely getting the Shutterfly necklace!!!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Project 365 - Day 27

I started cross-stitching when I was 18, it has become my therapy in a way. I have given away so many pieces of my work, I can hardly remember them all, plus I have a tub full of finished pieces, just sitting in the there waiting for me to do something with them. It costs way more to have them framed then it does to stitch them. My reading vision isn't as great as it was when I was younger, ohhhh the woes of aging, plus I have Kyleigh alot, it's really hard to stitch while she's around. I have come to love photography so much and in a way it has taken the place of stitching, not to mention all the social interaction that I do on my share site and on the FB! Sometimes I pull it all out, sit back and look each piece over remember that times I spent stitching. I even went on stitching retreats, it was soo much fun. I still have projects that I work on here and there, using all my overdyed threads and linens. LizzieKate patterns are my favs because they're fun and whimsical, but I have done all kinds of patterns including reproductions and stuff by the Drawn Thread. These ornaments I pull out at Christmas, put them on the tree, they're so me!!! I actually infused my own stuff into some of the patterns. So before I start putting away Christmas here is Day 27.

Day 27

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Project 365 - Day 26

I loove candles, lately I am in love with Scentsy candles. Here's one of my Christmas gifts, ohhh it smells so good :)

Day 26

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Project 365 - Day 25

We celebrated Christmas morning with Kyleigh, she's so sweet, dropped her off at her mom's by 8 and got her back by noon. Then we loaded up, all of us and headed to Randy's parents house. Peggy (my mother in law) always has a very lite tree and I was looking forward to taking pictures of it. We got there about 6pm, ate dinner and unwrapped presents. Everyone was thrilled to get to see Kimber and Kyleigh :) I was taking pictures of her tree when I noticed a couple handmade stitched ornaments, she says those are from her favorite Aunt Ruth (Aunt Ruth died years and years ago, at least 15 years, maybe more). I had never noticed them before but found them to be so pretty. In honor of my mother in law's favorite Aunt Ruth here is Day 25.

Day 25

(I did warn every one that because it's Christmas I probably would be taking alot of pictures of the tree :)

Friday, December 24, 2010

Project 365 - Day 24

Christmas Eve!!! Today I had my whole little family all together, it was wonderful. Here is Kimber and her wings in front of the tree :)


Day 24

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Project 365 - Day 23

I bought my Canon 7D in April this year, after I got him I decided he needed a name because anything that expensive should have a name and become part of the family :) In March I had gone to San Diego with friends, it was a wonderful trip, I was still thinking of my San Diego days when I had the thought 'Canon 7D, D as in Diego' and just like that Diego came to be. I have called him Diego ever since, most people stop me to ask 'you named your camera?' and my stock answer is yep I did. My Goober friends call him by his name, he's met many of them and Diego has inpired many to name their own cameras! Today i received a wonderful gift in the mail, so in honor of Diego here is Day 23. Diego says Thanks!! I love it!!


Day 23

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Project 365 - Day 22

Today I decided to go outside for inspiration, it's chilly, all the leaves are on the ground and brown, there was a gentle wind. I love the sound of wind, always have, it's comforting. The sound will put me to sleep too. I wished that there was a way to take a picture of the way the wind sounds to me........someday I'll find a way to translate it to a photograph. Right before I walked back in I noticed my little garden friend, just sitting there in a pot with no plant. He became Day 22 because he caught my eye and because he looks alot like what I think Santa would during the spring or summer in his own garden :)


Day 22


Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Project 365 - Day 21

Peanut Clusters are done! They're soooo good. I made 2 batches, still have the supplies for two more batches. They're very fast to make, I had these made in 30 minutes!!

Day 21


 Ingredients:
1 24oz brick of chocolate almond bark
1 1lb jar of Planters salted peanuts
1 can Original Pringles

Pour Pringles into small bowl and crush them up, I use the bottom of a plastic cup to crush them with.
Pour crushed Pringles and peanuts into large bowl.
Melt bark and pour over the peanuts and crushed Pringles.
Mix well, spoon out onto wax paper, refridgerate for about 15 minutes, then pack into containers.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Project 365 - Day 20

Today I bought all the ingredients for my peanut clusters and cookies, I hope to start making them tomorrow. My clusters are the BOMB! if you don't mind me saying so myself! Yummo! I will hopefully post some pictures pre and post production of the yummo clusters :)

Day 20

PS: Ann, your comment about Kyleigh and the tree made me feel better :) I have good news Kyleigh wasn't all over the tree this morning like she was Saturday, so I am hoping some of the new was wearing off. I love her so much, even when she's being a ornament snapping mess! Rider was the tree and present man when he was younger, I guess I had forgotten what it was like. I hope that this year Tyler makes it year three with no Christmas trees in his wake, LOL!!!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Project 365 - Day 19

Took pictures of Kyleigh in her Christmas dress today, it was no easy thing to do either. Here is Day 19...

Day 19

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Project 365 - Day 18

Today I spent most of my day keeping Kyleigh out of the Christmas tree, she has taken at least 20 ornaments on and off, on and off. The ornaments I gave her to play with, she can put them on and off the tree whenever she wants.....no thanks Gigi, I want the ones that you don't want me to touch. She's broken some and bent some, she's gotten in trouble about 15 times for just looking like she was going after the tree. She turns the tree lights on and off, finds something to stand on and goes for the ornaments she couldn't reach from the floor. She has pushed every button on every ornament she can reach, tries to get them all going at the same time. I have to admit it has been trying, she has pushed all of Gigi's buttons too! More frustrating than anything is having your husband sit two feet away and never offer to help, nothing, just sit there and watch hunting, fishing, more hunting, more fishing.........Do I sound a tad irritated?? I don't mind telling you that I am!! Today's picture is from finally just giving in and letting Kyleigh just dig into the tree. Two more 'I sorry Gigi's' and we called it a night. Here is Day 18....
Day 18

Friday, December 17, 2010

Project 365 - Day 17

I love my Christmas tree and all it's ornaments, I've had this bell for years!! The ribbon came off a package, I stuck it on there just to have something to hang it with and it was perfect! The picture doesn't look like it but it actually a very large bell. If you're following my Project 365 then you should be warned the next several pictures will probably have something to do with my tree :) Here is Day 17.


Day 17

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Project 365 - Day 16

Merry Christmas to me!! I had an iPhone already, I got it 2 years ago after someone stole my Blackberry Pearl (I loved that phone). It took about 2 weeks for me to decide that I loved the iPhone. Two years later I can't imagine using anything else, I love the thing! I can access my FB account, my email, the net, take great pictures (text, send and edit them) and the APPs, oh my goodness I love all my photo apps!! Currently I am in love with Instagram (it's free)! Some of my favorite photo apps are: Camera+, PictureShow, Photogene and PixyMe. I've only had the new one for a day, long enough to know that I love the thing. It's faster, texting is faster and better!! In honor of my Christmas present here's Day 16.

Day 16

Kyleigh with Texture

I am experimenting with textures, and think I have found some that I really like so I used it on my favorite Kyleigh photo, then brushed it off her face. I will definitely be doing more of these!!

Dreams texture from Kim Klaussen Cafe

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Project 365 - Day 15

I bought this wrapping paper a few years back at the Container Store, it's retro and I love it!! I bought at least four rolls, this is the last of it. It's so pretty all wrapped around a present, I'm going to miss it when it's gone. Here is my Santa retro wrapping paper, Day 15.



Day 15

(not sure what the problem was but it would not let me load this image upright, everytime I loaded the image it was lying on it's side, it took 20 minutes to figure it out. Frankly I still don't know what the problem was but here ya go Day 15)

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Project 365 - Day 14

Some days are all work and no play, and on those days you can usually find these on my desk.

Day 14

Autumn in Palestine

Here's some fall color from just this past weekend in Palestine, this is at the Texas Railroad Park. Very pretty there!

Linda and Kyleigh

Jamie


Monday, December 13, 2010

Project 365 - Day 13

Today was busy!! I came home worked on the tree alittle, fluffing, moving things around then it dawned on me I still hadn't done Day 13!! Yikes!! Now it's dark, what do I take a picture of, I looked around, it really shouldn't be this hard! I don't like to use my flash, so I took a few shots here and there, then I remembered I wanted to take a picture of my candle holder (got at Pottery Barn about 5 years ago) so I lite the candles and took a few pictures :) Here is Day 13.

Day 13

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Project 365 - Day 11 and Day 12

I was gone all day yesterday, we went to Palestine to meet up with Jamie and Linda for the train ride to the North Pole. We had a blast!! The train ride was awesome, Kyleigh had the time of her life. They have a wonderful set up for the kids, cocoa, snacks, singing, dancing and visiting with Santa. Every child received the silver bell, like in the Polar Express, from Santa himself.
Before we got to the train ride we met up at the Eilenberger Bakery, it has been there since 1898! I love all the history in Palestine, I would love to go back and tour the town. The fall colors were incredible, Texas has some wonderful color this year, even this late in the season! Just around the corner from the bakery was this wonderful old theater, I loved it.
Day 11 is a picture from the day with Jamie, Linda, Kyleigh and Santa. I thought this one conveyed the fun of the day.


Day 11


Day 12

Day 12 is from today, playing with Kyleigh and all the Christmas advents and fun!!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Project 365 - Day 10

This year was the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's death. I can hardly believe that because I was in high school when it happened, and frankly thinking my high school years was 30 years ago just isn't right I tell ya!!! That aside, I am, and was a big Beatles fan. I loooove them!! I had loads of LP's (remember those??), now I have a bunch of their CD's. I always felt like I was born too late, seems odd to say that because I so love the digital age, but what I mean is that I connected with the Beatles, they really were great. Just like Elvis!! (here's a tid bit some of you that are new to me may not know, when I was little I told people that Elvis was my real dad and I was going to grow up to marry Dean Martin:) So here in honor of John Lennon and the Beatles is Day 10, Lana gave me this poster, it hangs in my office, I think it awesome!

Day 10

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Project 365 - Day 9

Every year at Christmas I start looking for all the great gingerbreadman cookies. This year has been slim pickins, but this morning I found that Pepperidge Farm has some out called Ginger Family. They are deelish!! Thought they deserved to be Day 9.

Day 9

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Finding the Holiday Joy

Here are a few of the pictures I have taken for the class:
 Kyleigh and Santa

 Kimber and Santa

 Mailing Christmas Cards


 Advents



Gingerbread House Making

This is just a sampling of the things we've photographed. I am having so much fun with this class, definitely worth the money (45 dollars). 

Project 365 - Day 8

Today I went outside and took pictures of the great fall (I know it's December but here in Texas that's about the time the real color happens) leaves. This is the first year I have noticed so much color here in Texas. It's been very pretty, thought I should get a picture for the project.

Day 8

Circus Act

I drove my husbands giant Chevy truck to work today, but my arm hurt the entire drive.................because when I got in the truck I put my foot up into the cab, slipped and slammed the door and then the ground in like a micro second! It would have been funny if anyone had seen it, but no one was so I didn't laugh, ok I smirked at myself followed by a groan because I realized I hurt myself. My husband looooves his truck, he cleaned it last week, super shiny, even the inside..............including the freaking mats!!! Ohhh did I mention he put a lift kit on it too, yes a lift kit on a giant truck already!! Getting in the truck is a circus act all by itself!! So alot of you have met me, most of you didn't know that I'm a circus performer in my spare time. You sure wouldn't have guessed that being the height and weight I am right?? But you are so wrong...........be here tonight about 6 or 7 when I go home and you too can witness, live, a circus performer getting into a giant Chevy truck!!

Check out this entry I found on Shutterfly Holiday Photo Contest.

Check out this entry I found on Shutterfly Holiday Photo Contest.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Project - Day 7

Todays picture was harder, you don't realize how small your world is til you want to take pictures of it. This is going to be a challenge. I am going to have to take pictures of the norm, where normally I look for something interesting. I look around and think wow! I'm pretty boring, LOL!! Well have to step outside the box, or my comfort zone at least.

Day 7

This little guy hangs in my office year round becasue I think he's so cute. I love gingerbread folk :) 

Monday, December 6, 2010

Project 365 - Day 6

Today was a great day, we draw names for a Christmas gift exchange here at work, then we make a Wish List so that everyone has an idea of what to get the other person. The whole thing works pretty well, we have three offices so sometimes you don't have the advantage of knowing the other person that well. Beverly, long time employee, got my name. I had put the Lisa Leonard necklave on my wishlist. This morning I found that necklace on my desk! It's wonderful!!! I was so excited I took a picture of it, naturally this picture is my day 6!

Inspired with texture...

Connie took my Inspired Tree of Lights and added textures, what do you think??



Sunday, December 5, 2010

Project 365 - Day 5

Our attempt at making the gingerbread house this year failed but it was fun while we played with it, in those pictures I found Day 5.

Day 5

Hallmark Wedding

This is one of my favorites, they were willing to try alot of the pictures I wanted to do.


Saturday, December 4, 2010

Project 365 - Day 4

I took pictures at a wedding to day, this one was a quickie that I took after she foot kicked her shoes off into the air. I loved it so it became Day 4.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Inspired...

I saw a photo today that was so pretty, using a bokeh effect but nothing in the foreground. So I thought, I'm going to try that, using manual mode I took this picture and I really like it, very dreamy :) Very Christmasy. What do you think?

Project 365 - Day 3

Watching the gals at work put up of the tree while drinking my caramel apple spice!

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Project 365 - Day 2

I think I will really enjoy this porject, even though I feel it will be challenge at times.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

365 Photo A Day Project - Day 1

I have been fascinated by 365 day projects for a while now, originally I thought of looking into a class or something but recently I started thinking I'll just do it myself, see what I can come up with!
I'm already in the Finding the Holiday Joy on the Willette site, taking pictures using her advice and using the dreaded M mode, yikes! I watched her tutorial, not too hard so far. So using my M mode I took Day 1 photo of the day.