Wednesday, December 23, 2009

my gift to you…

In the spirit of this Holiday season, I send to you, my faithful readers a beautiful poem about a small Christmas tree by my favorite poet.


little tree
by: e.e. cummings (1894-1962)

little tree
little silent Christmas tree
you are so little
you are more like a flower
who found you in the green forestand
were you very sorry to come away?
see i will comfort you
because you smell so sweetly
i will kiss your cool bark
and hug you safe and tight
just as your mother would,
only don’t be afraid
look the spangles
that sleep all the year in a dark box
dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine,
the balls the chains red and gold the fluffy threads,
put up your little arms
and i’ll give them all to you to hold
every finger shall have its ring
and there won’t be a single place dark or unhappy
then when you’re quite dressed
you’ll stand in the window for everyone to see
and how they’ll stare!
oh but you’ll be very proud
and my little sister and i will take hands
and looking up at our beautiful tree
we’ll dance and sing
“Noel Noel”

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

wordless Wednesday…Christmas at Tiffany’s...

Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients
of a truly merry Christmas.



I wanted to share the stunning simple beauty of Tiffany’s
Christmas décor at their store in Oak Brook, IL.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

shameless self-promotion…

Christmas is not as much about opening our presents
as opening our hearts. - Janice Maeditere


Being jobless once again after a flurry of temp free-lance work, I decided to do a little shameless self-promotion of my TWO brand new 2010 Calendars.


The “in my sister’s garden” Calendar features images that I took over several months in my beautiful sister’s stunning garden.


Naturally the “feasting on…pixels: a food lovers calendar” is a collection of the best of my food photos that have appeared here in this humble blog over the past year.

I chose 14 special images for each Calendar (that's one for each month and a front and back cover photo.)
I hope that you click on over to my ZAZZLE GALLERY and at least take a look at my photo Calendars, Holiday and everyday note cards.
I am very proud of th eowrk that I have produced this year and here's hoping kind readers that you will like some of it as well.

Merci mille fois in advance...!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Christmas at the Mill…

"Remember, if Christmas isn't found in your heart,
you won't find it under a tree."


I apologize to all my readers for being absent from this blog for a few weeks.
I have been up to my neck in work, but since I am free-lancing, I have to grab every bit of work that I am offered.

One of the events that I photographed took place at Old Graue Mill in Oak Brook, Illinois called “Christmas at the Mill".
They had their annual Artisan Boutique with handmade items from select local Artisans.
Beautiful hand-pieced quilts, scrumptious warm hand-knitted items, stunning pottery, unique jewelry, one-of-a-kind ornaments, cards, Christmas figures and other gift items were on offer.

Carolers sang Holiday melodies and Santa was there hear your list of Christmas dreams. A team of beautiful Haflinger Draft Ponies gave sleigh rides around Salt Creek to children of all ages. (I went twice...it was a blast...!)
I wanted to share some images with you of this wonderful event. It was a perfect day and a great way to start the Christmas Season, sipping some cider, meeting Santa and sharing the day with lovely people.


The handmade items were displayed on all three floors of the Old Graue Mill and in the the historic Frederick Graue House up the hill from the Mill. It was a good time to get to know the local artisans as well as explore all the corners of the beautifully restored Graue Mill.
The Mill is closed for the season, but you can still pick up some of their ground cornmeal for yummy winter recipes if you call ahead to Graue Mill at (630) 920-9720.

Belle and Bess, Haflinger Draft Ponies are all decked out in sleigh-bells pulling the candy cane sleigh from A Zoo to You