Christmas is full of traditions and this one is no exception. My Mother used to bake this same Swedish Tea Ring at Christmas time for my God Mother. It had been almost 40 years since I had my last one. My fiancee’s Mother baked this one and it instantly brought me back. It was just as delicious as it looks.
Day 26/365: Swedish Tea Ring
The tradition in our house is to open presents on Christmas Eve, 12:01 am to be exact. Long story, and since I have so many pictures to update on my 365 project it can wait until another time. Another tradition is the Santa Hat. In order to open a present you have to wear the Santa Hat. It gets passed around and one person at a time opens a present while everyone watches.
This is my daughter, modeling the Santa hat, her new snowflake necklace, and a wonderful Christmas smile.
Day 24/365: Santa Hat Tradition
I loved ice skating when I was young. During the 1970′s in Connecticut the best skating was outside, a field would ice over and all the neighborhood kids would gather with skates and hockey sticks. Cities and parks would sponsor outdoor skating rinks by flooding fields and bonfires would be lite to keep skaters warm.
It was wonderful. I learned to skate with my Dad. He skated backwards and held my hands. Didn’t matter if the ice was bumpy, or cracks made one fall down. It was the whole experience. Even when it snowed, then shovels came our clear the skating area. Always thought skating inside was cheating in a way, although I liked the smooth ice, it’s just not the same.
Day 23/365: Ice Skating
This rink at Eugene Mahoney State Park in Ashland, Nebraska combines the best of both worlds. A prepared, maintained surface gives the luxury of skating on “good” ice, while the open air pavilion maintains the natural feeling of skating outside. I taught my daughter to skate here and it’s a annual tradition around Christmas to spend a few hours on the ice. The park is located halfway between Omaha and Lincoln and we are very lucky and fortunate the park is so close, skating in the winter and swimming in the summer.
Today was a day spent behind the computer, so I took the camera to my decorations and started experimenting with camera settings. There is an alternative motive. My living room is so dark and my normal Christmas Eve photos don’t turn out how I would like, so I have to figure this out in the next few days.
Seeing how I was a few days behind in my postings I figured out how to automate PhotoShop actions to save some time. I still tweak a little, but automatically adding adjustment layers, sharpen filters, and resizing saves SO much time.
Day 20: Christmas Wreath
Drove around looking at lights in Lincoln Nebraska over the weekend. I had so many photo opportunities today that I really couldn’t decide. I’ll post my other favorite to Flickr.
But today the Snowman won out and it includes a bonus image. Mainly because I’m getting better at taking photographs in low light and was very happy with the results. So I’m celebrating!
Day 19: Giant Snowman
Day 19: Bonus, Christmas lights
A pysanka is a Ukrainian Easter egg. Yes I know this is Christmas, but they represent Christianity and hang on my Christmas tree. I was fortunate enough to visit Germany and the Czech Republic several years ago and thought they were intricately beautiful. As per tradition I gave several to family members and friends as a token of love and friendship.
A bit of festive cheer to continue the Holiday theme.
While out grocery shopping for Christmas I spotted this grouping of poinsettias in the floral department. They were so pretty. I told the floral lady what I was doing and she started setting up shots. I’m learning having my camera in my purse comes in handy.
Day 17/365: Poinsettia
Today I’m being indulgent, and being a very proud Mom. If my son ever see’s this he’ll be mad, trust me, but I’m going to post it anyway. Tonight was Elmwood-Murdock High School Winter Concert and this was taken during song Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. He’s the tall Bass in the back.
My youngest son is a high school senior and his choir director always said he had a wonderful voice. But he really didn’t take notice until a couple of years ago. Maybe it was singing in Carnegie Hall (yes, the one in New York City) that he realized “Hey, this is pretty cool” .
Then he began to sing out. He has since auditioned for several honor choirs in Nebraska and just got accepted to the UNO Honor Choir and the Hastings Honor choir.
Yeah, this picture is not the best quality, too far away, low res, but remember I said I’m being indulgent. So the image is small. But isn’t the point of the project is to chronicle your life? Oh course it is, so no apologizing. On with self promotion!
My main job during the high school concerts is to run the video camera. That’s my other hobby, video editing. To hear Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus visit my YouTube channel. I promise you it’s pretty amazing. Yes, they lost the Santa hats.
The Advent candles signify anticipation of the Glory of Christmas to come. For the past eleven years I have looked forward to playing the piano during the Advent vespers at church. It gives me a great deal of peace and reminds me of the true meaning of the season.
Day 15: Advent Vespers
Not very happy with the quality, I don’t have an SLR and I don’t like the auto focus. I’m going to have to experiment with the focal settings.
Today I’m venturing outside, there are many Christmas scenes in our small town of Elmwood NE (pop. 787) that I’m going to try and capture as many as I can before the season is over. These Candy Canes grace the fence in front of the town apartments. They were so festive I had to stop. (expect night pictures when the fence is lit.)
Day 14: Candy Canes in Town
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