Tiaras are a Girl's Best Friend!

You can be anything you want to be, my love, as long as you believe.

A Girl and Her Dog

"The dog was created specially for children. He is the god of frolic." - Henry Ward Beecher

NBA Material?!

Our dessert!

A Yule log is a large wooden log which is burned in the hearth as a part of traditional Yule or Christmas celebrations in several European cultures. It can be a part of the Winter Solstice festival or the Twelve Days of Christmas, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or Twelfth Night.

The expression "Yule log" has also come to refer to log-shaped Christmas cakes, also known as "chocolate logs" or "Bûche de Noël".

Christmas Day

This photo does not do the tree justice. My sister spends literally hours on her rotating Christmas tree. All of the ornaments are made by her, with beads and "jewels" imported from various European countries. She receives kudos and newspaper publicity for her handiwork, all well-deserved.

My posting has been hit and miss this season because of family illness, memorials, and other time-consuming events; it's not been a terribly terrific year, but 2009 will be better. Posting will be hit and miss 'til we get to Mexico January 31 when I will resume my Mazatlan photos. In the meantime, stick around--don't abandon me! More important: HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS!! PEACE TO THE WORLD AND GOOD CHEER TO ALL!!

Camera Critters

Winter Wonderland? Circle Theme #17

Find the circles!
"Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart." Victor Hugo (1802 - 1885

Circle Theme #16

Encore is a consignment shop where I find many, many great bargains. Right now I've got my eye on an Eileen Fisher 2-piece dress that would look terrific in Mexico during our stay there. Waiting for it to be reduced because it is a spring and summer outfit and hope it won't be sold before I buy it.

"The difference between style and fashion is quality." Giorgio Armani

Circle Theme #15

Jim, a good friend of ours, has had several eye surgeries, but the eye patch makes him look sort of dashing...like a pirate, perhaps??

Mark Twain:
"Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life."

Circle Theme #14-Woven Baskets

The Art Fair I attended a week ago featured these baskets made by Martha Monson Lowe from Decorah, Iowa. It's so interesting to see the skills of artisans, and how wonderful that they're able to display and sell their products in many different states at summer and holiday art fairs.

"It is not in life, but in art that self-fulfillment is to be found."-George E. Woodberry

Camera Critters-Maggi (Circle #13)

My favorite Santa!! To see other fantastic critters, click here.

Circle Theme #12

This delightful piece of art is a product of Clay Squared to Infinity. Want to see more? Go to www.claysquared.com.

Circle or Half Circle?

I'm trying to find a circle in here, but I guess a half-circle will do to follow my December theme. Despite the cold,snowy pictures I posted last Wednesday, there is some beauty, too.

Musical circles - #10

Through the generosity of a former member of the JCC, each year the public is able to attend several free concerts conducted by the St. Paul Jewish Community Center Symphony Orchestra. Last night I was treated to an evening of a splendid musical performance which included "Overture to Ruy Blas" by Mendelssohn, "Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K.466" by Mozart and "Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90" by Johannes Brahms. What a wonderful gift to the community!

Winter Circles #9

Circle themes continue in a winter wonderland. Look carefully and you will quickly see why DH and I flee to snowbird in Mexico during the winter season. "We're leavin' on a jet plane" on January 31st!

Pretty as a pitcher! Circles #8

Mugs- Circles #7

The art and craft fair that I visited last Friday had booths with textiles, baskets, clothing, paintings, photography, jewelry, leather goods, pottery and much, much more. These mugs caught my eye because of the way in which they would fit this circle theme. Is anyone getting tired of it yet?

Pottery Circles

I'm still carrying on the circle theme, and I'm having great fun doing it. Every December, there is a holiday Art and Craft Fair held in Ramsey Junior High School on Grand Avenue in St. Paul. Although I seldom buy anything since my quest is for more photos, I visit each year...only this time I was looking for...what else? Circles!! Potter Kate Daly had wonderful objects for sale at her booth.

Church Circles

The is part of the top of the door on the main entrance to the Cathedral of St. Paul, an imposing structure itself built on a high hill overlooking the downtown area.

History: The Cathedral of St. Paul is over 100 years old. The cathedral is the vision of Archbishop John Ireland, and architect and devoted Catholic Emmanuel Louis Masquery. Construction of the building commenced in 1907 and the exterior was completed in 1914. Work on the interior proceeded at a slower pace, as funding allowed, but the Cathedral was able to hold the first Mass in the partially completed building on Easter Sunday in 1915.

Masquery died in 1917, before completing his design for the interior. Archbishop Ireland passed away only a year later. Archbishop Ireland's successors, Archbishop Dowling and Bishop John Murray, oversaw work on the interior, which was to take until 1941 to complete.

Architecture: The Cathedral of St. Paul is considered to be one of the most beautiful cathedrals in America. The design is in the Beaux-Art style and was inspired by Renaissance cathedrals in France.

The exterior is Minnesotan St. Cloud granite. The interior walls are American Travertine from Mankato, Minnesota, and the interior columns are made of several types of marble.

Topping the Cathedral is a 120-foot wide copper dome. A lantern on top of the dome brings the total height of the Cathedral to 306 feet tall from the base to the top of the lantern.

The interior space is no less impressive. As you walk into the Cathedral, watch out for the people visiting the cathedral for the first time. They tend to stop abruptly in front of you to stare at the stunning interior.

Laid out in a Greek cross, the interior is bright and open. Masquery envisioned a Cathedral with no obstructions for anyone attending Mass.

The interior ceiling soars to 175 feet high at the top of the 96 feet wide dome. At the base of the dome, stained glass windows let in light, and more several windows pierce the walls.

A bronze baldachin, a canopy over the altar, honors the life of St. Paul.

Although the Cathedral's design was inspired by ancient French cathedrals, it has modern conveniences, like electric lighting, and heating. Heating a place like this can't come cheap, but it's sure to be appreciated by the congregation on winter days. (by Clara James, About.com)
If you wish to know more about the Cathedral, check this Wiki site.

More Circles #4-Classic Tiffany

I have no idea how to describe a "Classic Tiffany", but that's the name on the car. It looks pretty cool. I'd like to give it to DH as his birthday gift today, but, alas, it's not to be!

Even more circles!

I wonder how long I can continue the circle theme with photos from my archives? Not totally a whim on my part, but this nasty cold is still hanging on, and I haven't ventured out for days.

More circles

I suppose I could still follow the circle theme, and I have always been fascinated by these hay bales. I found these three at the stable where my granddaughter takes riding lessons. Still have a miserable cold, and can't wait 'til February when we're off again for Mazatlan, Mexico.

Circles/Spheres, December 1, 2008 Theme Day

This stained glass window faces the Mississippi River in the Pool and Yacht Club. The image of the steamboat within the circle is historical. I feel so lucky to be able to see the most beautiful river in the states on each and every day.

I'm a little late posting this because I have been sick with a typical Minnesota winter cold, but I've rallied. There are 187 bloggers posting today. Try to get to as many as you can. I'm sure you'll find many creative, interesting, amusing, and astonishing photographs!
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