Christmas Morn 1957

This was me on Christmas morning in 1957, my third birthday.

I seem to be a bit more nostalgic this year than past years. Maybe because my oldest son will be away for the first time. He's been gone on an adventure to Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam with his girlfriend and her father since Dec. 15th and won't be home until Jan. 4th. I have no family members coming to visit and we're not planning anything big.








So I look back at past photos of my sons when they sat on Santa's lap and recall the story's of what they asked for and look at all the handmade ornaments they made in grade school that I keep and pull out every year. The popsicle stick sleds and reindeer, the tiny wreaths with school pictures inserted in the middle, the macaroni angel, and all the other unique ornaments made by tiny hands and proud, smiling faces. Sappy, I know but still the feeling I have.








Wishing each and everyone one of you a very happy holiday and a season where you create memories for the future.

Mele kalikimaka!

The Birthday Fast Approaches

You may not know that my birthday is on Christmas, but it is. People ask "Isn't it hard to have a birthday on Christmas day?" My usual response is "It's a bitch to compete with Jesus Christ". And as I get older there is more to contemplate. One of these things is the eye sight. For example, in my previous post Joanne asked about seeing "jaws" in my tree picture and I responded "that yes she did see "flaws". My sister alerted me to this blunder and all I can say is, it's time to get the eye test again. And yes, there are shark jaws displayed on the fireplace ledge behind the tree along with a ceramic crow.

Things I want for my birthday (forget Christmas!):

Fat & Wrinkles Begone pills
A lifetime membership at the spa
Good eyesight
The energy I had when I was 20

Geez now I'm sounding really old and that isn't the case so I guess I should ask for

Optimism
Acceptance
and Self Love.

Peace to all and have a Merry Holiday and I'll have a Happy Birthday !

P.S. German Chocolate cake is my favorite.

An Unconventional Xmas Tree

My family and I live on a tree covered mountain property that includes knob cone pines, incense cedars, fir, spruce, and redwood trees that we usually find to cut a tree down for Christmas. they tend to be "Charlie Brown" trees which we favor.




In 2006 we had the brush extensively cleared around the house and outbuildings for fire prevention measures. We were unable to find a tree that we could cut and use this year so we ended up cutting a Madrone. Madrone's are considered an evergreen with broad leaves and a reddish bark that peels away and is something that nature collectors grab up and stick in their collection bags.





Here's the tree we cut down all decorated. This morning the leaves were a little droopy so I'm hoping that it lasts until Christmas!

Ho Ho Hum ...........

I returned from Kauai last night and tackled the advent of Christmas shopping. I stood in a long line at the Post Office, I stood in line at the bank (It is Friday and pay day for most), I even ventured into the MALL! It wasn't my thing and I kept thinking, "geez, just yesterday I was walking along the beach in warm, if somewhat windy, weather. Most of the days I spent in Kauai were rainy. The ocean was churning and not good for swimming or snorkeling but a rainy day in Kauai is better than a rainy day anywhere else!! Here you can see the dark sky creeping up to the bits of blue.



There were a couple of sunny day. I always take long walks when I'm on Island. this day I took my camera and found some lovely shots of nature.




A plumeria blossom. The trees are dormant this time of year, it is winter so only a few blossoms are on the trees.


Here is a plumeria leaf with a blossom that has landed on top of it laying at my feet as I stopped on the path to capture the photo of the tree itself.




More shots as I walk along. An interesting tree trunk of a stately palm , delicate hibiscus blossoms that had drifted into a crevice of sand along the beach, and some rusty things laying along the lava rocks that people like Michael DeMeng would probably be brainstorming on how they could retrieve them and carry them home!






My condo is on the south side of the Island in Poipu and I drove up north to visit my friend Connie and play with precious metal clay in her studio. Something I had never attempted and now have a greater respect for those artists and what they create using this medium. My first pieces are pretty much crap and since this clay isn't cheap it was an expensive learning experience. I did end up with a couple of neat items that were cut from silver paper. I will expound on this more and show photos in a later post. I got to meet up with Connie again before I left and we had lunch at the greatest and funkiest place in Kapaa. They serve the best food, ahi nori wraps, fish tacos, iced Thai tea, and hibiscus lemonade! Yum! Here some pics and one of Connie. I know she took some of us but I don't think they turned out so well, hopefully they won't get posted??!!







Aloha for now and Bah Humbug.