25 Days of Christmas - Day 14

Oh how I love putz houses! I could collect a million of them, but so far, I've been restrained. Thinking for next year I need to build a whole village...yes, yes.



These were taken on a sunny, 60 degree day in December. Would have loved to have had some snow on that window as a backdrop. Mental note for next year (or if it ever snows again in the month of December.).

25 Days of Christmas - Day 13

 

We're busy celebrating Mark's birthday today, so here's a quick one from the stock pile. I adore these finial ornaments, but unfortunately, two out of the three are cracked on the opposite side. At least I can forever immortalize their beauty through the magic of photography. :)

25 Days of Christmas - Day 12

Last year, I did a long exposure shot of our real tree, so this year I thought I'd do one of our artificial white tree. I also have photos of this year's real tree in the stockpile, so it will be making an appearance as well.

25 Days of Christmas - Day 11

I'll be home for Christmas...

I wanted to shoot something new today, but it just didn't pan out. So we'll go with one in the stockpile. I'm really glad I shot a lot in advance. It's really helping me keep my sanity! Anyway, this is the last one in the piano series.

25 Days of Christmas - Day 10

Several years ago, I picked up Red at an antique store. A couple of weeks ago, I visited the same antique store and found White. I immediately had visions of White as a potential love interest for Red, even if she was a little tall for him.

25 Days of Christmas - Day 9

 

Lauren found this ornament at Pottery Barn and had to have it because of its uncanny resemblance to Daisy. It's a nice way to always remember her, especially since she loved Christmas.



I was so happy when I located this photo of her today. It was taken in 2001. In fact, I have a whole series of her wandering around the our yard in her Santa hat. Back then, we used to call her "Daisy Lou Who no more than two," because she was barely two years old that year. This photo was also the cover of our Christmas card that year.

25 Days of Christmas - Day 8

 Finally, something a little different. Today, we spent the morning with members of our Girl Scout troop in downtown Pittsburgh. During the first part of our visit, we spent time with artist

Cheryl Capezzuti to help make special puppets that are to be carried in the First Night parade on New Year's Eve. Her workshop was a complete blast, and I would highly recommend them to anyone, kids and adults alike. The girls made flying creatures using foam shapes and paper mache.



Here's Lauren with her bird puppet. The finished products will be mounted on a pole, and lights and streamers will be added. They will be a site to see when they're all together!



Next, we visited the Wintergarden at PPG Place to see the gingerbread house displays. Each year, a contest is held where anyone can enter a gingerbread house. The display helps to raise money for Children's Hospital's Free Care Fund.



We broke up the troop into four teams, and each team made their own creation. Here's Lauren's teams entry.



In the middle of the Wintergarden, a train travels through villages made of gingerbread.

 

Here are some of the more impressive entries. I'd love to be able to spend the whole day taking photos of the displays. Maybe next year!

25 Days of Christmas - Day 7

Very busy day tomorrow, so here's a quick one from the piano series. Hark! how the bells, sweet silver bells...

25 Days of Christmas - Day 6

Going to be very busy over the next couple of days, so expect quick entries. I promise I'll be more wordy after Saturday. :)

25 Days of Christmas - Day 5

Meet the Beaticles - John, Paul, George and Ringsnow.