Free Theme #4 Nativity Sets

Did I mention that I REALLY like nativity scenes? Here are a few more from

the Museum of Idaho Christmas Heritage exhibit.

#90 Exercise

Walking is a good exercise if done quickly enough

to get your heart rate up.

(From the archives, taken last spring. - 

Also do-over for the self-portrait theme.)

#156 In My House

This is a) a repurposed picture frame and b) most of my jewelry.

It hangs on the wall in our bedroom. I'm more likely to wear jewelry if I can see it.

This works better for me than searching through a box. The flashy bling is a beaded

watch band. Beads are big in these parts.

#254 Seafood

We enjoy turkey and ham but for the sake of variety

our family enjoyed boiled shrimp for Christmas Eve dinner -

our favorite seafood.

#118 From My Past

I made this mosaic rendition back in high school when Lady Bird  Johnson

ran the white House! I made the frame in a wood class - mitered corners.

It has traveled to ten states and all four time zones, so far.

#105 Fitness

The Polar heart monitor keeps me on track when I exercise. I highly recommend it

especially when you are in those plateau times in a weight loss program.

#228 Precious

These precious children in our church are ready for the Christmas pageant.

#151 I Love . . .

Nativity Sets/Scenes. Fortunately for me, Idaho Falls

has several sources of collections where I can feast my eyes.

These are loaned to the Museum of Idaho for their annual

Christmas Heritage exhibit. So many styles and artistic media.

Free Theme #3 - Experience #2

Making, wrapping, and delivering fruit baskets

to people in our small church is a new experience for me.

Our women's group thought fruit would be a better

choice than candy and cookies, which was the traditional

activity. It was fun and I hope we do it again next year.

#52 Cleanliness

If I had practiced cleanliness more frequently, 

I wouldn't have captured this frosty cob web. 

Sometimes procrastination has its reward.

#210 Ordinary

I admired MacGyver and his ability to solve problems with materials at hand.

You could argue that duct tape is extraordinary,

which is often the case with items deemed ordinary.

Free Theme #2 - Experience #1

Self-disclosure - I desire to be flexible, adaptable, and open to new experiences. It doesn't make sense to be in a rut, which my mother defined as a grave with the ends kicked out. I confess to be just as set in my ways as the next person but it isn't necessary to reinvent myself every moment of the day. However, to avoid the aforementioned rut/grave and to more fully live life, I intend to, on purpose, create new experiences, at least one a week. Sometimes life happens when you make plans but serendipitous happenings don't come along as often as I would like and sometimes I overlook the possibilities. Awareness is everything.
So, this is my first official new experience in this self-imposed challenge which starts before the new year - Beef Wellington. I found this simple and tasty recipe in a magazine. Everyone approved. Might have to repeat it since we have more meat in the freezer!

New experience definition: pretty much anything I haven't done before, i.e. read a different genre, try a new recipe, visit a new place, learn a new skill, etc. The possibilities are endless, of course, and I intend to keep them varied. This won't become just a food blog or just a reading blog. It will be fun.

Free Theme #1

Taking the sleigh ride to see the elk is one of the items

on my bucket list that I can check off.

Although my toes got cold, it was a gorgeous day.

You can see that the snow isn't very deep which means

the elk can still dig down and eat the grass.

#237 Refreshing

Palisades Reservoir on the highway between Idaho Falls and Jackson.

Bright sunshine, not too much breeze - refreshing and beautiful!

#298 Team

These beautiful Belgians drew the sleigh on our visit

to the National Elk Refuge on a 30 degree, sunny day

in Jackson, Wyoming. They weigh 2,000 pounds each

and can pull up to three times their weight. We were

no challenge to their strength.

#226 Portrait

Elk bulls acted very non-chalant as I took their portrait.

At the National Elk Refuge, the guys hang out in their bachelor group

while the gals and "young-uns" meet up in a separate area of the refuge.

Jackson, Wyoming

#352 Warped

This is one of the music teacher's three (4?) upside down trees. 

It is "warped"as in non-traditional. I could see how it might be

a good alternative Christmas tree choice for a small home -

off the floor and out of the temptation of small children and pets.

#145 High Contrast

Chocolate/brown colored ornaments on a white tree

provide a high contrast shot.

#84 Emotions

A local music teacher has gained a bit of notoriety by displaying about 240 Christmas trees in her home and graciously letting the public appreciate her work. She starts assembling them in September. I didn't ask how long it takes to put them away. After the holidays she completely disassembles them - takes off all the lights and ornaments. At least half or more of the trees are four feet or taller. There were lots of small ones on dressers, mantel, tables, shelves, etc. Each bathroom had one. Her house would look very nice, even without all the decorations. I wonder where things like this are stored the rest of the year. Oh yeah, she had three pianos (including a white grand) and two organs in the very large family room but it wasn't as crowded as I anticipated. It was a fun addition to our seasonal celebrations.

#186 Motorized

Shiny!

What is the difference between an engine and motor? The answers make

for interesting reading and can be argued either way. I'm going with:

an engine runs on fuel; a motor runs on mechanical or electrical energy.

Clear as mud? Suffice it so say that there are several motors that allow

this Harley Davidson engine (or any engine) to run.

#38 Casual

Downtown Idaho Falls lit the Christmas tree and welcomed Santa last week.

Free wagon rides are offered to all. We became acquainted with Top and Tart.

#285 Still Life

My sister built a gingerbread replica (still life) of our church

for the annual Heritage Christmas exhibit

at the Museum of Idaho in Idaho Falls.

Getting it delivered in one piece was the major concern.

Fortunately it is only a short trip (mile and half).

But all is well and ready for the public to enjoy

our contribution - one of many in the gingerbread category.

(This is not a contest, just a display.)

#98 Fast

Oscar is grouchy because this plane doesn't go FAST.

"Paper Airplane" by Carol Poppenga.

Art You Can Sit On, Snake River Greenbelt, Idaho Falls, Idaho.

#146 Holidays

Every holiday project needs a supervisor and Garfunkel is

up to the job. I drape this garland along the ceiling

then display Christmas cards on it - out of reach

of curious kitties. They both are pretty good about

leaving the tree alone.

#192 Musical

So much joy, so little time.

Even the beginners do a great job with the bells.

Some are playing chimes (the long, stick-looking instruments)

instead of bells.

Trinity United Methodist Church, Idaho Falls.

#191 Music

Trinity United Methodist Church features an

annual Christmas bell concert. So excellent!

(And another "Three!")

Do-Over #9

#330 Three

This jewelry store window is especially attractive.

The ornaments are too large for my tree but do the job here.

#257 Self-Portrait

I love how it's easy to capture your reflection in the large "orbs."

#154 In The Details

One of the many "Breaking Boundaries" quilts that tour the nation shows a lot of detail.

The quilt creator shows a lot of care in this remembrance to a loved one lost to AIDS.

#221 Plants

The Town and Country Nursery in Idaho Falls warrants a visit just to wonder 

at the variety and beauty of their poinsettia collection.

But go early - they don't stick around very long!

Do-Over #8

#35 Candles

One of our acolytes, or candle lighters, takes his job very seriously

on the first Sunday of Advent.

#322 The Letter U

The Letter U - Union Pacific Railroad.

Featured at the Idaho Model Railroad Museum, Pocatello, Idaho.

Towns in miniature. Like I said, they do a great job.