Hydrangea on window sill

Happy New Year Everyone!

Horse Play

These were taken across the street from the parsonage at Maple View Farm (with just my iPhone).  The white horse is always very friendly and comes right over to the fence.  He's more interested in Milo then Milo is of him.

Running low on material, may have to supplement from the archives.

Poinsettia study

Using the macro lens I did a study of a couple of the poinsettias.  I want to use one of these for a painting later on.  I played with the color on a couple of them.

Just a few of the trees

At the Knights of Columbus Art Museum in New Haven.  Until next year!

Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh

And of course the three kings came too.

Stars shone above

Merry Christmas

Utility creche ornaments

Corks, popcycle sticks, felt, whatever it takes to tell the nativity of Jesus.  Knights of Columbus Museum tree contest for Catholic School kids.

Knights of Columbus Creche

This school used paper mache stuff to make their ornaments.

Starry starry night

One of my favorite things to do at Christmas time is to visit the Knights of Columbus Art Museum in New Haven.  Each year there is a contest for Catholic Schools in the area to decorate a Christmas Tree with a particular theme.  This one really captured my heart.  Starry Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh.  

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Two of the most treasured ornaments...

in my home are the Santa and the Star.  They are humble and a sweet memory of the past.  The Santa is a German glass ornament that belonged to my mother. The glass now is paper thin.  She was so proud of it and the fact that he was an antique.  When she hung it on the tree she always made note of how special this one ornament was.  That was back in the 1950's so now it is REALLY old!

I continued that tradition of hanging Santa on my tree and saying to my children how old and special Santa was.  You'll notice that he is quite disabled however.  That happened under my watch.  One year my oldest son was hanging all of his origami on the tree and the tree fell over.  I lost a few ornaments in that mishap and Santa lost all of one leg and part of the other.  Poor Santa!

I continue to hang him because for me it tells the story of how generations bless and injure one another and how three generations are united by this ornament.  It was a breaking of the past in order for this Santa to survive into the future with a new memory to keep.

The Star that is in the background to the right of Santa was made by me in third grade.  It is nothing but plain white styrofoam (yes they had it back then).  We used cookie cutters to cut the star form and then we carved in the rays of the star and put glue and glitter in the rays.  It still hangs by the original string.

I love my ornaments but I especially love these two.   The star and the Santa always are in sight of one another.

Sunset at Killam's Point in Branford

In November I went with the Confimation Class to Killam's Point for an overnight at the retreat center.  This is the view!  We arrived at sunset which was stunning.

Chag Sameach!

These photos were taken the year that I lived in Jerusalem, Israel.  During Hanukkah families put out  Hanukkiyah or Menorah on their doorsteps or in their windows and would light one candle for each of the eight days of Hanukkah.  It was very beautiful to walk around the neighborhood and see the light.

Friday at the Feeder is fresh out of bird photos!  Back soon......

Christmas Carol Sing and Handbell Concert

Still featuring photos from the Town Tree Lighting back on December 7.  This was our Christmas Carol Sing and Handbell Concert.  All told about 150 people came to sing and hear the bells under the direction of Bryan Campbel, Director of Music at Orange Congregational.

Alternative Gift Fair and Children's Crafts

 Kids made ornaments, one for their family and one to give away.

Heifer Project International

Habitat for Humanity

Cookie Walk

On the night of the tree lighting in Orange the church had a number of activities for the good people of Orange to experience.  Today I'll show you the cookie walk.  For $7 a box you could walk by several tables filled with homemade cookies made by members of our congregation.  They didn't put them all out at once.  The sale ran from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm and brought in $1000 +!!  That's a lot of cookies.

Ice Carving

Last weekend was the Annual Orange Tree Lighting - a big festivity happening right on the green with lots of activities.  Across the street is the Clark Building aka the old library.  They offered ice carving and inside was the gingerbread house contest.  Photos of those tomorrow.  Since we are on the green Orange Congregational offered a Handbell concert and carol sing plus a cookie walk and lots more.  Will show you throughout this coming week.