Scenes from the Sandbox After the Ice Storm

 

Last week we had a two days of freezing rain.  All the trees and shrubs were covered in ice.  The branches were so heavy that many snapped off or were hanging on the ground.  Branches from the trees behind us came crashing down in our yard and the neighbours.

Many people lost power from ice on power lines or just from broken branches.  Some people are still with out power today and some will not have power for some days to come.  We were spared in this area. 

I am joining Mary for Mosaic Monday.  Hope you are keeping snug and warm.

 

Merry Christmas to You All

 

I hope that you are your families will enjoy the opportunity to be together at this special time of year.

 

From our house to yours a Very Merry Christmas.  

Valerie

It Is Almost Christmas

 

This is it.  We are almost at the end of my Twelve Days of Christmas.  This collage is a mix of old and new.  I found some photos from last year and added with recent ones.   We have officially entered winter now but the good thing is that the days will start to get a smidgeon longer each day.  That puts a smile on my face.  

I will be joining Mosaic Monday today.  

Wrapping the Gifts

 

 

It is time for me to get wrapping the gifts.   I have everything I need here.

 

At one time I used to sit and make an extra effort to pleat the paper so pretty so that the recipient would be impressed with my wrapping skills.   Now I just wrap it with a simple tag and sometimes a bow and sometimes not.   Getting lazy I suppose.

Valerie

Christmas Red

 

A little birdie told me that it is only five more days until Christmas.

 

This little birdie doesn’t speak but he wishes you Merry Christmas anyway.

 

Valerie

A Little Bokeh in the Countdown to Christmas

 

This one is a bit on the fuzzy side of bokeh but I love the colours

Never one to leave things alone I added some filters from Nik Photo Efex 4.   I like to push buttons literally I see. 

Hope you are getting the things done that need doing.   My husband is having a couple of the girls from his former office here for lunch.  I know that he will enjoy the conversation. 

Christmas Baby

 

My husband celebrates his birthday today.   I am sure his parents thought he was a perfect Christmas gift.  I asked him today if he remembers anything special about his birthdays as a kid and he said he liked that his mom put money in his cake.

Despite the snowy drive this morning yesterday I drove up to the nursing home where my dad resides to deliver his Christmas gift and and also one for a another resident.  You pick a tag off the tree in the lobby that has a suggestion for a gift.  I picked one for a lady who wanted perfume and body wash.

Have my last Photoshop class tonight if the weather holds.  We had a rather wild ride home last week as it snowed buckets while we were in class and then had to follow four snowplows abreast across 4 lanes of highway for quite a few kilometers before they went in another direction and we carried on home. 

Counting Down to Christmas–Only 9 Left

 

A glass bowl of Christmas balls sits on the coffee table.  I used Photoshop filters to give them a mosaic look.  You can even see the shooter in the gold one.

 

Valerie

 

Twelve Days of Christmas Minus Two

 

Kim Klassen shares the most awesome things.  This stitched frame is a creation of hers and so is the brush. If you haven’t seen her work go visit at www.kimklassen.com

I thought the snow hips covered in snow was an ideal candidate for this frame.

I will be madly shopping this week to finish up the gift buying.  How is yours going?

Valerie

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Count Down to Christmas

The Twelve days of Christmas minus one.  I made a collage or mosaic if you will of some of the items on the fireplace mantle.  I couldn’t resist putting a photo of the Christmas card from our youngest son and his family.  Our precious granddaughter is a huge delight to us.  We cherish her presence in our family.

I am participating in Mosaic Monday, the only constant meme that I began when I started blogging over three years ago.

I am off to do some shoveling.  We have had another snowfall. Cross your fingers I get the snow blower going!!!

 

Valerie

 

The Twelve Days of Christmas

It is the last few days before Christmas.   I am behind but that is not new for me.  I always seem to be running trying to catch up to all the shopping, card writing, decorating.

I thought I would use the last twelve days as an opportunity to share a photo a day until the big day.  I have been taking pictures as I am decorating.  This little snowman is saying “lets celebrate with friends and family” and sits on the fireplace mantle. 

I have not posted for a few weeks.  I must admit it has been a lack of enthusiasm for blogging but I miss all my blogging friends. 

 

Valerie