Candy Striped Amaryllis

My Amaryllis were amazing this year.  This plant gave me about 8 blooms and I had a bright red one that rebloomed from last year. I could not believe my eyes when I saw a little touch of green poking out of the bulb. I had assumed it was done but I kept it on my porch all summer, just in case. What a great surprise and an added bonus, my orchid did the same thing and I had several purple blooms. So, for the last few weeks I woke up to see a new bloom shining in my kitchen. I just wish they lasted longer. Still, it really gets me in the mood for this upcoming spring. I can't wait to see my plants in my garden, hear the baby birds chirping and the sound of the "peeper" frogs from the lake across the street. 

So, it is going to be close to 60 degrees tomorrow, it will be a huge tease. 

Especially since in was in the teens last week, but, I will take it!

Masculine Birthday Card Design

I really enjoy creating masculine cards lately. I think it is because I really don't like what I see out there. My problem is that I don't like writing nasty "age" remarks, but I don't think what I write is witty enough.  It's a work in progress.

Vintage Family Wedding Photos

These photos are from my mother-in-law, Annette. These photos are so intriguing to me. Look how beautiful this woman is! And that is her again in the flapper wedding below. She looks so happy, unlike the last wedding photo. Wow, do they scared or what?  Anyway, we are not exactly sure who this beautiful woman is, except that she is a cousin of grandpa or great-grandpa....but looking at her, you can come up with so many wonderful stories of her amazing life. 

I don't know about you (women), but my mother would have died if I wore a short dress to my wedding, but note that her flapper style was not only unique but very classy. 

Victorian Era: Did you know that they wore Red or Black wedding dresses. 

Fact: now which one is this one? Black or red?

Awww, now you gotta love those happy faces. No bets on if this marriage survived. Back then you never divorced.  Of course, there was divorce but if they were like my great aunt, they would tell you that her husband died in some horrible death. Nice huh!

Photo Contest Entries

I am entering a local photo contest and I cannot decide which photos to choose for the following subjects: Landscape, Portrait, Animal, Still Life and Abstract.  Which ones should I choose? Can only pick one for each subject. I'd appreciate your help. Thanks!!!

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 Subject: Animal - Siberian Husky or playful painted pony?

Landscape: Maine sunrise or Maine coastline or Mushroom in the woods? It's the Mushroom.

Portraits: Train Engineer or vintage family outing

Still Life: Balancing Rocks or Vintage Airplane Engine

Abstract: Turquoise Wood, Chicken Pen, NYC Building

Photog Friday - For January Welcome to Photog Friday! Where photographers can share their creations and see what other photogs are creating? Because this is the first Linky Party, I'm making it for the entire month of January. So be sure to come back, add other photos and see what others are posting. Then we'll go to our weekly Photog Fridays! Requests: Only submit your own work and photos Include a link to this sharing party or post my button on your site Add the linky party to your own posting -- this is a Blog Hop after all Take a look at some of the other links and comment on them. Make some new photog friends. Don't just link up and leave :-) And be sure to sign up for reminders of the next Photog Friday!

Time to put Christmas away.

My mind is focused on putting Christmas away. I love the holiday and 

its so hard to put it away after such a short amount of time! 

My husband and I go all out in making a Christmas with many traditions.  The most important tradition in our decorating is our tree. We buy a Blue Spruce every year. It is the only type of tree that holds up our heavy mercury glass and hand blown ornaments. Now, if you've ever touched a blue spruce you would know that it HURTS! Those needles are so sharp that they make you feel like you are getting thousands of pin pricks. We end up with scars and rashes up and down our hands and arms, but to us it is worth it.

TIPS TO MAKING YOUR ORNAMENTS ORGANIZED 

store our most special ornaments in metal tins, like the ones you get with cookies or special liquors. I fill them with tissue or the soft cotton use in our snow village. I never worry about them being crushed or broken. Some of these tins are pretty with nice winter designs. I almost feels like you are opening a present. 

The biggest thing is that we write the year and who bought it for us on masking taped on the boxes. Seems like a silly thing at first, but now some of these ornaments are over 30 years old!
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One more thing that makes our tree unique is the baby's breath. Each year we get a boquet and place little amounts throughout the tree. It softens the look and looks amazing next to the bluish boughs.

Well, today I spent the whole day putting my precious gems away for another year. Now, I am looking to keep some color and cheer in the house, so I've got my plants in bloom. I love Christmas, but I love Spring even more. So lets keep it merry and bright throughout the year!

Enjoy!!!