One of my favorite vignettes

Took this picture then manipulated it in Photoshop adding paint daubs. Here is the altered picture:

And everything that didn't move got a bow:

My lambs and my statue

and the birdhouse got decorated too,
A simple wreath at the front door,

Some of the many things I enjoyed doing for Christmas

I used tons of fresh greenery from the garden to decorate. This was fun. I had had the "plungers in claypots painted up gold from two Thanksgivings ago", and I had Oasis 4.5" balls in my stash. Sooo, I decided to make boxwood topiaries. Loved them for the buffet we had for our book club on the Friday before Christmas.


Then I took the boxwood balls off the plunger/pots, then stuck them on top of small crystal salt cellars for a lower arrangement for the Dining Room Table for Xmas eve. Gary makes his lasagna dinner and has done so every Christmas Eve for the last 9 years we have lived here. We usually invite friends and people we know who may not have family in the area. This year we had 11 for dinner and we set up six at the Dining Room Table and five at a table I set up in the Library.








Another fun thing was my rosemary on lime halfs dipped in egg white then crystallized sugar

Christmas in the Garden

The weather here today is divine, in the upper 60's. I cut a whole lot of greenery so I could make a garland for my front door. Started it, but did not get it finished since I got sidelined making some Christmas finery for my little "Louisa." (she is the statue) I have been wanting to do this for a few years. I think I may even change it for different seasons, making her a flower garland for each season. I did get a start on the garland for the door, but will have to finish it tomorrow.

I shouldn't be doing this---

I shouldn't be playing around like this, I have way too much still to do for the holidays, but when I find a new toy to use in Photoshop, I can't resist. Took the photo of the wrapped present and created two kaleidoscope images (not quite right, however, since they are supposed to be round, I am not sure what I did wrong, but I like them anyway). When I get more time, I will try to figure out what I did wrong. Yet another addictive hobby!

Shhhh, don't peek

One of my favorite things to do is to make gifts. I painted a small picture of a friend's garden and she wanted me to paint a bunny picture. I have procrastinated until now. We meet tomorrow for lunch and I will give her this present. I don't think she checks blogs as frequently as I do, so I am hoping she will not see this before I give it to her tomorrow. Had fun painting this --I have been saving bunny paintings/pictures for a year now to get a good reference. A gift I make has lots more goodness in it, first, I hope the recipient is pleased "and" of course, I get all the enjoyment from making it. However, not everyone thinks this way, so I especially like to make things for those who do!