Thematic Photographic - Favorite photos of the year

"Scars have the strange power to remind us that our past is real." - Cormac McCarthy
"But also, scars have the mysterious power to retain those moments we wish to never forget." - Karen

THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC

Our last theme for this year is as it's been before, when closing out the year.  

Our very own favorite photos we've taken, and possibly posted already this year.  For more TP posts go here.

Oh my, so many it's not an easy task.


Just a few favorite photos from this year.

Celebrating the ride.

Happiness !

Lake Calhoun Park- one of my favorite parks nestled along a favorite lake of mine.

Falling in love,

and yet she ignores me!

Put a cherry on it!

Taking that random shot behind me.

Never forget.

Pure, cuteness.

Purr-fectly charming.


Intense beauty.

Sailing dreams.

Everybody needs a hug.

The spirit of autumn brings a welcome playfulness with a hint of frightfulness.

Six Word Saturday. 28 December 2013

WOMEN WHO RUN WITH THE MOON

Women who run with the moon is genuine!

It's actually found on Facebook and I've been following and agreeing in pure enjoyment every time  they post!

And

And also

I highly recommend checking it out! Who could resist anything connected to the moon right?!

For other 6WS posts check out Cate's "show my face blog"  go here 

http://www.showmyface.com/2013/12/six-word-saturday_28.html?m=1

Scavenger Hunt Sunday -22 December 2013

It's beginning to look a lot like-

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY

Ashley, from Ramblings and Photos blog has declared lights, tree, big, makes you feel merry, on the door, for this week's hunt.




Let's begin with a little light on the hunt.

Light

Tree

Big

Big, big Lego Santa.

Make you feel merry.

On the door

Or, is it behind the door? Locked up you say, and you threw away the key? Oh my goodness, what shall we do?

On the door

Is that a half-moon on your door?

As legend has it, back in the 18th and 19th century schoolhouses, if there was a sun on the outhouse door, it was meant to be a boy's toilet and the half-moon was the girl's toilet.


If you would like to view other posts and enjoy their take on our list then go here.

Alphabe-Thursday - The Letter E

My assignment today, begins in a castle high on a mountain, with endless banks of snow in the land of "Endless-good-cheer" and sleds full of extra-delicious cookies.

Jenny's letter for today couldn't be more exciting.  It's the letter E!  


ALPHABE-THRUSDAY


Every now and then, the exact letter engulfs our lessons, exactly like our letter E today.

Once upon an Elf's life, (and yes, this is based on a true story)

The older Elves were busy hanging holiday cheer all around, and singing "very delicate and sweet" Elf tunes.

Some of the more adventurous Elves were extra-silly as they fixed themselves in ticklish predicaments.  But even through all and any trouble they encountered, their endless list of chores would surely be completed, one by one.

From the castle's royal parlor, to the endless workshops, chuckles and laughter and screams of joy could quite possibly be heard from distant lands. They were all behaving just pure silly, especially once their chores were complete!

Surprise!  Surprise!

The lady Elves were stuck in the kitchen, baking and kneading and rolling and decorating.  You were sure to see cookies stuffed in pockets and each tiny Elf had at least one cookie in one of their hands at all times!

Just rest assured every single Elf is quite hard at work in the hopes that everyone will be pleased again, all around the world.

Thematic Photographic - 272 - Treetops

Carmi, is shouting from the highest advantage point possible.  Our theme this week is treetops!  

So, when, what to my wondering mind should appear, right around my very own tree fort, more commonly known as my house!  Why treetops of course.

THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC

My dear old Mr. Humpty Dumpty Tree

First treetop, is in honor of this dear old tree that sadly, is slowly being chopped bit by bit since summer and soon will take a great fall. (Tree chopping by Hubby, he says tree must go, too close to the house.)

A Santa, an Elf and a Reindeer are helping secure their Head Elf with ribbon and garland to the top of tree # 2.

It's quite a process!

But they eventually get him where he needs to be.

Wooden Snowmen in the kitchen point the way with this treetop!

Using my Hipstamatic APP I shoot

First photo of tree # 1 once decorating was complete. Oops, left out the star on our treetop, oh my.

Photo after yesterday's fresh fallen snow from our driveway and something odd caught my attention while shooting this.

No, not a bird, not even a toy plane.  That's right, not a creature was stirring but something else was!  There's one itty bitty leaf hanging on with every last drop of strength it has.

For a view of other treetops please check out TP here.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday - 15 December 2013

Ashley's Scavenger Hunt Sunday is on again.

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY

This week's theme begins with the weather today, followed by something that begins with R, and bring out green possibly with envy, but Ashley says, joy is next, and finish it all with drink!

If you want to view other incredibly clever ideas, or play along too, go here.

The Weather Today

R is for

Really Red Elf.  Oh what could be her name?

I just know, you're GREEN with envy that my Christmas cards are nearly ready to mail.

JOY

Joyful moments with those we love. Oh what joy that is.

Drink (and a dash of green)

The Mag - 198

The Ice Cutters 1911 by Natalia Goncharova

"Isn't everyone a part of everyone else?"  

Budd Schulberg

THE MAG

Natalia Goncharova and The Grinch were

nothing alike or, maybe they were

more than you think!

Whatever the reason

during this timely Christmas season

He stood there Himself, hating the Whos.

and Natalia painted the Whos

as they danced and they sang

grasping hands

being buddies not toadies

or humbugs.

clutching picks

and knitting lives.

As Natalia already knew the best things

are something he hadn't thought of before.

They don't come from objects or trappings 

not even a store.

Perhaps the reason for this preseason

means incredibly so much more.

To see other Magpies from Tess Kincaid at The Mag go here.

Indulgence

"Too much of a good thing can be wonderful!" Mae West

Never turn down an evening walk with a chance of critters.

"An over-indulgence of anything, even something as pure as water, can intoxicate."  Criss Jami

Never stop dancing.

"Anything worth doing is worth overdoing." Mick Jagger

Life for many of us right now is simply trying to provide enough of stuff and things, during this festive time of so many traditions. Just keep close to your heart that while gifts of tightly held ribbons are beautiful, they will never replace a person's arms or a friendly smile to warm your soul.

Sepia Saturday - 207 - 14 December 2013

Wow, if you haven't ordered your copy of The Best of Sepia Saturday you should. Mine arrived a couple of days ago, in plenty of time to share with all my friends and family over the holidays.


SEPIA SATURDAY

Hello downtown! What a bustling city center this appears to be, complete with traveling bicyclist.




Alan's theme photo works wonders for a festive visit to the big city post.  One of my family's greatest traditions this time of year is to drive into downtown Minneapolis and spend a few hours at Dayton's Department Store.  

Please, keep this secret, but there's an imaginary secret elevator that delivers you to the North Pole as well.  Seriously.


To be honest only a few of us actually still call this long time running department store Dayton's, in reality it's now become Macy's.  

But you can still find the Dayton's name in places and many of their old time traditions too.

We (and it seems the family members always vary each year) our adventure begins by sharing the grandest of lunches on the 12th floor in the Oak Grill, with an old world experience.  Besides the elegance, they offer a charm with so many rare and mouth watering treats.  For instance, you can sip a glass of "Poinsettia" made of cranberry juice and sparkling wine (which really is divine) unless Eggnog Brandy Alexander is more to your liking.  Or perhaps their Hot Chocolate surprise is more appealing.

The glowing fireplace inside the Oak Grill was over three hundred years old when it arrived to this restaurant from England.


After dining, we find our way along a magical mystery tour, to the North Pole, for a visit through the everyday lives of Elves, Santa's Workshop, Reindeer Flight School and jolly spirited Mrs. Claus has the best ever bakery, fresh cookies and fudge and we never leave without tons of Sugar Plums too!

In keeping with our theme for this week, please enjoy a few photos of yesterday (long ago) from just a few of the lovely photos they have on display outside the Oak Grill.  

Now to begin, follow along as we step back in time.

Welcome

May I have your hand.  Marshall Field's was the name just before it became known as Macy's.

Please do show me more.

So you say you're starving?

The  famous Oak Grill.

For those on the go folks lunch in the Skyroom is fast and offers quite a view over looking the city too.

Shall we meet the chefs and cooking staff?

Thirsty?

Below, Hand crafted in 1885 

And finally

Smile!

Thanks for sharing your time.  If you care to view other Sepia Saturday posts please go here.