John and I are visiting in Virginia with family, our daughter, son-in-law and grand daughter. We have been here since Christmas Eve after a 12 hour drive that went pretty smoothly. We have filled ourselves with lots of good food as Halie and her husband are good cooks and every meal is treated as an event. It’s been a really good time. We have done our fair share of celebrating. I am now a year older and another year into a marriage after the end of today. I have few complaints other than aches and pains I could do without. I will be happy to keep them if I could have another 39 with the man I am married to.

Wishing all of Xanga the best of New Years.  Wishing each of you lives that become increasingly better. Be safe, stay healthy, love family and friends and each other a little more. The song says What the World needs now is LOVE and I believe that is a truism.

  God bless us everyone 

Becca aka PhotoGraphics

Merry Christmas Xanga

Plus my entry for the
Weekly Photo Challenge

The challenge topic “Ghostly Photos” was suggested by Mystical2 and works so well for me as I happen to have a Ghostly Photo of the magic of Christmas in action taken from my bedroom window this past year.  Christmas is such a special time of year and I always watch for any sign of it creeping closer.  A flash of light and the reindeer clued me in to Santa’s passing journey.

My Christmas “Ghostly Photo” …

In addition, my Christmas room.  I wrote in a comment that I would post photos of my room in a Christmas entry.  Some details I would like to share.  My Christmas room is small and cozy and in operation year round.  I wasn’t able to back away from the walls far enough to get proper photos but they came out pretty well and I think you will get the idea.  I am not a blue person but I had this room painted in a dark blue to accent the white Nativity and other white and Terre Cotta pieces.  It is a favorite spot to relax and enjoy the quiet of Christmas at any time of the year.

Many of the pieces are night lights and they are delicate lighting so at night if I turn them on and run the little fire place it feels very nice.  The fireplace is electric and sits below these shelves. 

The Nativity is lit from above.  John wired in small night lights.  I have a lot of angels that wait for their spot.  I don’t put a tree up anymore, I don’t need a tree as I have the small one you see on the shelf and I want a tree shape on the wall that my angel collection will hang from.  I’ll take a photo to share if it gets done.

I am a collector of dolls and stuffed animals as are my sisters.  What you see on the chair are a lot of Moose and a few other things.  My son’s dog which we eventually cared for reminded me of a moose and when she died I had her cremated keeping the ashes along with the ashes of my son.  The tiger is a back pack and it holds the containers of ashes. I add to the moose especially at Christmas remembering Jade and my son. 

This photo gives you an idea of the lighting in the room at night when nothing but the night lights and fireplace are burning.

These are what is left of my children at home along with a lot of other dolls you don’t see in these photos.  

My Terra Cotta lamps came from the Goodwill.  I painted them the color I wanted and dyed the lamp shades with wood stain.  Actually its a lot of dust collectors but I’m not ready to part with it.  I get a good feeling when I spend time in the room.

This was an early Birthday present and the Paper White Narcissus are almost gone.  The weather has been too hot and dry to keep a nice Spring flower looking fresh.  I am a green person and when I saw the combination of the flowers with that wonderful fluted green pot I asked for it for my birthday.  The bulbs will be set out in the Spring and I’ll plant something else in the pot that will then go to my bath.  The bath is done in greens and is another spot filled with more dust catchers. 

Please remember all persons in need and please don’t forget our servicemen and women in your prayers and any other way you are able.

Merry Christmas Xanga.  May your blessings for the season be many no matter what your religious persuasion.