Memories in Red

Who needs a fisheye lens when you have good lighting 

and a nice red glass Christmas ornament?
{from the archives}

This post is linked with “Weekend Reflections.”

A Maryland Barn

Another fly by barn shot on our Christmas trip to Maryland...but this time it was a white one...goodie,goodie! It did not appear to be in use, but it is far from falling down. Since my DIL  was driving our car, I got to shoot to my heart’s content. Gene, my son, was driving Bud in the other car Bud did not have to listen to my constantly yelling our “barn alert...slow down!” Little Eloise was riding with us and play endlessly with my iPad.

This post is linked with Tricia’s Barn Charm.

The Reflections of Rock Hall, Maryland

A Walk Down the Main Street ~ Rock Hall, MD

OOPS....I just realized I posted the same photo twice. Tried to change it out,  but Picnik was acting up terribly and doing all sorts of weird and irritating things. After multiple tries, I just decided to leave  the “Java Rock” coffee shop in double duty. As I have been telling my students for years and years...”Oh, dear, it’s the first mistake I  ever made.”  Their reply...”Oh, sure...give me a break, Ms. R!"

This post if linked with Weekend Reflections

and Mosaic Monday.

My Runner-Biker-Hiker Husband

Bud in his all weather protective hat he got for Christmas. Searching back through my shots from last week, I chose this one because he just looks so funky and cute in it. Since you cannot see just from looking at the black and white, I will tell you he has big, beautiful blue eyes, and he is the kindest and most laid back guy in the world...never says an unkind word about anyone. He runs 8 miles a day, bikes another 10 or so, and on every free day he hikes. He has hiked both the Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail through Vermont to Canada, and now he is readying himself for the International Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. Me, I teach school, sew-quilt-knit, and take copious number of pictures . I do love hiking with him, but that is as far as it goes. None of that long term endurance stuff for this gal! Happy Hew Year to all.

This post is linked with Show off Your Shot.

Grandchildren Being Grandchildren ~ Christmas 2011

For what more could a grandmother ask at Christmas than to be with four grandchildren? Well, the answer to that question would be all six of them. Unfortunately I had to settle for four this year, but every minute of it was Heaven on Earth. I wore one continuous smile. Here they are just being themselves ranging from 6 years of age 

all the way to 20. 

 The "Tickle Torture” ~ The Six Year Old Can Hold Her Own!

 Brothers Wrestling on the Sofa

Third Brother  Watching the Others Roughhousing

 Santa Requires Clean Teeth before Bed

 Gotta read “The Night Before Christmas” before turning out the lights.

Taking a Short Rest from all the Fun and Games

Finally, TIme for a Family Game of Apples to Apples

Yes, the simple things of life are 
by far the very best.

This post is linked with The Simple Things.

Christmas in Black and White

White Picket Fence ~ Still Pond, MD

The reflection of the lights is in a long puddle of standing water in the driveway after a BIG rain. Since it was nighttime when I took these photos, I felt them only appropriate in black and white.

Fence and Reflection Puddle 1

Fence and Reflection Puddle 2

Just the Reflection in a Puddle

I was amazed at some of the detail I was able to capture in this shot...especially on the upper end.

After shooting the fence, I spotted this fallen branch with its beautiful reflection as I was walking through the neighborhood. When it rains there, it stays there. Guess that is life of the Eastern Shore.

This post is lined with Weekend in Black and White and Weekend Reflections.

Barn with the Blue Roof

Barn with the Blue Roof 
December 26, 2011
Kent County, Maryland

This post is linked with Tricia’s

Barn Charm. Thank you so much for 
sponsoring this wonderful get together
 each week. The pictures always put a smile 
on my wrinkled old face.
:-)                                 

Merry Christmas in Black and White ~ 2011

I love my family

And can’t wait for Christmas Day

Baga is coming.

As I grow older

Christmas with family makes me smile

They are a true gift.

Far away I live

I miss them all terribly

Some I will see soon.

Let the roads be clear

Back pain please leave me alone

Let me drive safely.

Baga is coming

And can’t wait for Christmas Day

I love my family.

This post is my Christmas contribution to

Weekend in Black and White.

It Is Christmas Present Making Time

I am one of those who believes in making her gifts and not buying them. These wreaths were made from scraps of fabrics I had for my quilting. They are so easy to make.  If anyone is interested, I will be happy to upload a tutorial. The first wreath in the second row is made from Mary Engelbreit fabrics, but all of the other are from Christmas colored ones. I have some blogging pals who adore Mary’s things, so I thought they could use the wreaths in their crafting rooms. Here is a list of what I used: circles cut from a roll of multi-purposed 14 gauge wire from Lowe’s, a wire cutter, florist’s tape, pinking shears, and rectangular fabric pieces folded in half and ironed. I tied the fabric around the wire circle in a 1/2 knot, pushed each really close to the one before, and this is what I got. So easy:-) The time consuming part was cutting the fabric and ironing it in half...the rest was a breeze. Not expensive even if you have to buy a 1/4 yard each of some Christmas colored fabrics...and the wire goes a long, long ways - it was $8.00 for the roll. The wreath fabrics are floppy so you can turn and squish them however you like. I have thought about brushing them with  fabric stiffener, but as yet have not had the nerve to give it a try.The countdown is on, so I am well on my way. Need to make another 6, but then I will be through. I have some other little goodies I have made, but I will save them for next week. They are easy, quick, and inexpensive, too.

(The ones in the upper left and lower right are the same wreath...oops...no one is perfect :-)

This post is linked with Mosaic Monday ,Rednesday, Ruby Tuesday, Free Pretty Things.