Christmas Weekend, Dec 24-25, 2022

[Don]

Good morning all. Hope those of you who are in the frozen zone are keeping warm. Even down here in the "deep south" it is pretty chilly outside. I really need to venture out in a bit to buy a Christmas card and birthday card for DW as I haven't done that yet. Procrastinated too long.

Here is what my little outside weather station is telling me the outside temp is. Wrong, obviously. It has been bouncing back and forth between that and -7, -5, 0, etc. Has a bit of a problem. Weatherbug.com is showing 13F. Brrr. Can't imagine what some of you have right now.

Hope all have a joyous and happy Christmas weekend.

[Dave]

Thanks for the Christmas weekend Daily, Don.

I've been considering getting an outdoor weather station, and I'm impressed with yours.

I wish all of our small FF family Happy Holidays and a happy,healthy, and prosperous 2023.

[Dreamin]

Hi, all!  This Christmas eve has been busy for me....baking pies, sweet potato biscuits, cookies, making deviled eggs and tomorrow morning finishing up with baked turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, vareneky (pierogies) coleslaw, broccoli, all so we can stuff ourselves and spend time with family and friends. If I get help putting food away, we may even play a game or two.....I wish you all the best for however you spend tomorrow. Be well, be happy.  I can't help but think again how bleak it is in Ukraine for those still getting bombed, still without heat or shelter, those who have died. I hope 2023 will be better for everyone.....

   

[Luv2shoot]

Good Morning and Merry Christmas to All.

The snow is lightly falling from the skies as I look out of my back window.  It is still chilly, only 19 degrees, but at least the winds are gone and there is a calm feeling that exists.  I don't have to cook today since my husband and two kids gathered last night to eat and open presents.  Today we go over to DH's side of the family where we will enjoy dinner with them and a fun white elephant gift.  I am looking forward to both, it should be fun.

Natalie, that is a perfect photo for the top of a Christmas card. It looks like someone caught Santa as he was exiting after dropping off some presents.

Don, I have some outdoor temps gauges but they only send me the temps.  I use "Alexa" mostly now to ask for all of the info that is displayed in your photo.  She gives me those stats for the city I live it.  It is very convenient. 

This was the top of my Christmas card this year.  I did not go crazy on the zentangling, I wanted to focus more on smiles and colors this year. 
Have a Wonderful Christmas Day.
LORELL

[Dave]

Wonderful images, ladies.

Natalie, yours is so impressively done! Top notch in all regards and magazine cover worthy.

Lorell, yours is bright and cheery and brings smiles to all who view it. It doesn't get better than that.

I have nothing nearly so good, but I 'll share one from this morning's early walk. I was lucky to get anything that wasn't blurred beyond repair because I was shooting handheld in the dark.

   

If I could I would send some of our SoCal heat (80 F / 27 C later today) to those enduring winter's worst.

Happy Holidays to all, and may your 2023 be joyful. peaceful, and healthy.

[Don]

Merry Christmas day everyone. A bit warmer here today, only got into the 20's last night.

Nice Christmas cards y'all. I'm not sure we (or I should say, DW) sent any this year.

I went out early (still in the low 20's) with a film camera and my Z6. I wasn't sure the Minolta had any film in it so I finally stopped and rewound. There was a roll but now I'm not sure if it ever really advanced.  So, I decided to load it back into a camera and shoot it again. if it has been shot it could be interesting. Meanwhile, here are a couple of non-Christmas themed shots from the Z6. Both are from a local park, converted to B&W in LR.

[Dreamin]

Thanks, Lorell.....I did print out a couple of this for cards this year....Your card looks so professionally done....did you do this on the computer or by hand? I love it!!
Dave, you are too kind! Magazine worthy.....oh, my! I did enjoy playing with trying to make a bokeh effect (those wonderful little balls of light) I know what you mean about hard to shoot at night. My brother has an extravagant display of lighted things in his yard, and my phone could not capture it....I guess I need to go back with tripod and real camera!! I end up using manual focus on the lights in the distance....You did well, considering hand held!!
Don, I like the black and white shots...looks like a nice park to visit....the B&W makes it look cold!
Don't forget to go look at the December challenge, holiday themed.....

[Don]

Natalie, it was cold, at least to me. Around 23F.

Yesterday we went to the 3 PM church service and wanted to eat an early dinner at an Indian place. Closed. Checked the Vietnnamese place - closed. We settled on Carrabas and I had a nice grilled salmon dish. Came home and poured a wee dram of Cream Sherry and had some chocolate. Today we are having a non-traditional dinner of Cornish Game hens with carrots and fresh green beans. More than you wanted to know about our meals, I'm sure.

I'll actually be glad when the "holiday season" is over...

[Luv2shoot]

Natalie, I sketched the snowmen and filled in the hat and scarves with zentangle patterns with fine micro pens. Then I used water color pencils that you first color with pencils then apply water for all the color you see in the card. I scanned the resulting project and used AFFINITY to add the lettering and snowflakes. Since the outside said , “‘Tis the season to be jolly” , the inside said :
“Fa la la la la, La la , la, la.
Hopefully you recognize the song .

[Man From Ironbark]

Hand held gives a softness with the sparkles. Does it not?