Merry Christmas

I have a roof over my head...

Or at least the start of one...on my new home. They are coming right along. Its exciting and also a little nerve wracking - thinking about this new phase of my life. Having a new home built is a HUGE undertaking for this ole gal. But I'm sure Paul is happy for me and will be watching over me always.
The back of the house

Light em up...

Photo collage of my daughters home outside, and I tried to also get closeups of the snowman needlepoint ornaments my sister made for the Tree this year.
see a larger version here: http://teas2dine4.com/4lightslayout01d.jpg
Graphics credit: background paper, ribbon and tree by Just So Scrappy, Holly Jolly add on kit.
Font: 2peas Mister Giggles.

Every year I try to capture the "glowing and glistening" of the Lights at Christmas...some years I am more successful than others. I don't use a Tripod which I guess is a must have and I don't always follow all of the many tips I have found from websites online. I did do some "enhancing" on the photos in my layout using the tools in my Microsoft Digital Image software program. I mainly used the Touch Up menu options of Exposure and Lighting on them.

for what its worth here are some links for you to try:

Taking photos of lighted christmas trees and/or outside lights at night with digital camera

Links to information and how tos

http://www.nyip.com/ezine/holidays/holidaylights.html

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/12/how-to-photograph-christmas-lights.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_4474313_take-night-pictures-digital-camera.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_4531702_take-pictures-christmas-lights.html

http://factoidz.com/how-to-take-great-outdoor-holiday-light-pictures/

http://www.tenerife-holiday-home-insider.com/christmas-lights.html

http://hankinslawrenceimages.wordpress.com/2008/12/03/tips-for-taking-better-photos-of-christmas-lights-2/

http://hankinslawrenceimages.wordpress.com/2007/12/20/tips-for-taking-better-photos-of-christmas-lights/

http://www.digicamhelp.com/how-to/places-events/christmas/

http://www.hp.com/united-states/consumer/digital_photography/take_better_photos/tips/night.html

http://digital-photography-school.com/16-christmas-photography-tips

http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-achieve-great-indoor-photography-results

Scrapbook Paper Wreath

Found directions for a wreath that uses scrapbook paper that I thought my grandaughter would enjoy making. I was right. She does have fun paper crafting.
Here's the web link I found this easy project at:
Scrapbook Paper Wreath
http://www.inspiremecrafts.com/inspireme_crafts/2009/12/gotta-make-it-4.html

related: Paper Tree
http://inspiremecrafts.wordpress.com/2007/11/27/gotta-make-it-paper-christmas-tree/

Layout I made of photos I took along the way to completion of the wreath.
P/S
Here's a link to another Scrap paper wreath that you might want to try...
http://theredthreadblog.blogspot.com/2008/11/paper-christmas-wreath-tutorial.html
or
Make ornaments using left over scrap paper strips
http://moonsplashdesigns.blogspot.com/2009/11/quick-and-cute-ornaments-to-make.html

Trumpeting in the Season

Went to my grandson's Winter concert on Friday night. Josh is in 6th grade and just started with the Trumpet 3 months ago to play in the schools beginner Band. His school has a very large Band program 300+ kids. His beginning band has about 100 kids in it. Their concert featured portions performed by each of the 3 band groups, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced or the "Marching Band".
I was very impressed with Josh's group - they did 6 songs, and if there were any mistakes along the way, I don't think the audience noticed. Of course the "trumpet" section sounded "perfect" ;-)

We have a Winner...

Hey MillieJS - Your comment was number 2 (of 35) - Woooo-Hooooo. You've won the Debbie Mumm Winter Wonders CD
http://chocolateonthekeyboard.blogspot.com/2009/12/drawing-for-debbie-mumm-cd.html

As soon as I have your mailing address, I will send out to you.
Congratulations, Enjoy and Merry Christmas. Happy Crafting!

3 new benefits of eating CHOCOLATE

As if I didn't already know them all ;-) !
Here's a Link to an article to give you reason to dip into your Chocolate candy stash this Holiday season
http://www.realage.com/tips/3-new-health-benefits-of-eating-chocolate

Now mind you - do this consuming of Chocolate at your own risk, since I moved to Florida - I've gained 10 pounds!! - And most of its come from - yes, you're right - Chocolate. For the duration of this season, I think I'll probaby gain more.
I'm salivating over recipes that are strewn across the internet landscape or that come in my email daily.
But come the 1st of the year - I'm going to start that darn diet, this time "for sure"! W

With a new house being built and all the work that will go into - Moving in and setting up, opening and sorting through 235 boxes - I'm sure there are plenty of calories waiting to be burned...in my near future. So for right now, I'm going to take advantage of the "benefits" of the season.

I guess I am staying...

Image copyright Shelly Comiskey available at DaisieCompany.com

I went yesterday and got my Florida Drivers License, and my car registered. No turning back now...

I do miss BUFFALO, but NOT the Snow. My friends know especially my feelings about "Driving" in wintry weather ;-)
Read this recent Dec 2009 story online* at Buffalo News.com  ..
Thruway closed between Dunkirk and Fredonia, motorists stranded in their cars and trucks on the highway for 17 hours!  *link no longer available


I Lived through 62 winters in Western NY, I think that's enough. I remember growing up on Crowley Avenue in the Riverside section of town that we didn't have a garage, and if it snowed, one of us kids had to shovel out a parking space for my dad - to get into after work. I was the only one of 4 kids to stay in Buffalo for the duration. My late husband Paul was born and raised in South Buffalo, where we lived for 5 yrs when we were first married. Then we bought our home in North Buffalo in 1972. Living next to a Parking Lot in the winter was a real bonus. Because they plowed it, we had extra parking, and the kids had wonderful "snow hills" created when they plowed after a big storm.
View out from our porch to parking lot and houses across the street Christmas Eve 2004
We had a warm and cozy White Christmas.
The Blizzard of 77 - produced some amazing snow fun times for the kids...the adults - NOT SO MUCH!!
My dad told me and my husband in 1972 when we were looking to buy our first (and only) home, - that we should buy a home within 3 songs on the radio of where ever we worked at the time - because - that would make us close enough that if we were ever stranded by a snowstorm or the car was disabled etc. - we could "walk" home. And one time my car did break down on a wintry day, and I did have to "walk" to work!!! It took me awhile...but I made it - I think our house was only 2 songs on the radio for my job, Pauls' job was just "one" song or less away. Paul was a Lineman for the Electric Company, and we considered winter our "Overtime Season". He enjoyed being outside in all kinds of conditions, and weather. And he also liked running the "snow blower" - he used to do our driveway, 2 neighbors and the blocks side walks for everyone. I was so used to shoveling - that I stuck with that when he was out on the Job. But I only did our driveway....which was quite the task, especially after the snow plows went by and threw it all back at us.
I am also a Snowman Collector (so when I do put up my first decorations in my new house - they will be "Snow themed".)
**Lamp and Teapot...isn't that the cutest, my best friend gave those to me in 2006
**Photo from my 2007 treeMy nickname for Paul was "Snowman". Our first winter - when we were dating in 1965, he had to often park way down the street. And if it was snowing, by the time he arrived at my front door - he was one snow covered dude....so I would say, "Oh, here's My Snowman". The name "stuck", and he continued to sign all of his cards to me over the years "Love, your snowman".

By the way...don't ya just love that snowman I put in at beginning of post - its part of a new collection over at DAISIE Company by Shelly Comiskey called Frosty Friends
 ( http://www.daisiecompany.com/graphics-combo-frosty-friends-snowmen-p1012.php ). 
Check out too - her Snowmen & Company collection - it is snow cute ;): http://www.daisiecompany.com/snowmen-company-graphics-backgrounds-and-borders-by-shelly-comiskey-p1005.php
and her Frosty Flakey Friends collection will warm your snowy days
http://www.daisiecompany.com/art-clip-art-collection-frosty-flaky-friends-snowmen-p1035.php
Shelly is one of my favorite artists, I have most of her collections  
(UPDATE 2/8/2013: Shelly is a former PC Crafter Artist - but now sells new sets at DAISIE Company - some sets (but not all - shelly does have some past pcc sets now available at Daisie)  that once were available at pcc are sadly no longer available since summer of 2011. PC Crafter is no longer online as of 2013)  Hopefully Shelly will eventually put all of her  past pcc collections at DAISIE Co.
Want to know more about :

Shelly Comiskey

Website http://www.simplyshellydesigns.com

Blog http://shellycomiskeydesigns.blogspot.com/

Facebook http://www.facebook.com/SimplyShellyDesigns

DAISIE COMPANY : http://www.daisiecompany.com/storefront.php
Shelly Comiskey @ DAISIE  Clipart Collections and Printables Kits using her designs
http://www.daisiecompany.com/c483.php
**Note - artwork on Shelly's website, blog, and facebook etc. is copyright and can not be downloaded or used without permission. Buy her art Legally, create with it, and enjoy the smiles it brings.

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Here in Sunny and Warm Florida -

They will pour the foundation for my new house this week, and I think we are looking at a late March 2010 completion date.

Party ON all you SNOW LOVERS, Stay Safe

 

Image copyright Shelly Comiskey available @Daisie Company.com 
Snowmen &Company
http://www.daisiecompany.com/snowmen-company-graphics-backgrounds-and-borders-by-shelly-comiskey-p1005.php

Drawing for Debbie Mumm CD

I have an extra Debbie Mumm CD that I found when unpacking some of my stuff I brought to Florida. This is the wonderful clipart collection called Winter Wonders

I will draw a name from all who comment on this thread. Drawing will be December 13, and as soon as I have a mailing address for the winner - I will mail the CD out to you. Might not arrive in time to make this yrs Christmas Cards or other items - but I'm sure who ever receives it will enjoy it for next year.

Comment and share your favorite Christmas tips and/or ideas, Christmas Memories, Christmas Blogs, or just say hello :-)

2014 Update > Debbie Mumm NO LONGER Sells her CDs with clip art images - at one time she sold 4 CDs - a Summer Collection, A Halloween/Fall Collection, A Celebrations Collection and the Winter Wonders Collection.  I am happy that I bought them when there were available. Remember if you see something online that you think you might want, buy it (if you can afford it) when you see it. Websites, products, etc. come and go everyday.  Don't trust that items will always be available.

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How to Make a Gingerbread House to Outlast Even the Sweetest of Sweet Tooths - CraftStylish

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How to Make a Snowstorm - CraftStylish

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