Fog + Frost = Magic

"Feathered with hoarfrost,

skeletal trees loom closer;

fog shrouded arches."

~ Paul Brown ~

When ordinary cobwebs become silver garlands,

and weeds are dusted with sugar.

The Company Of Children

"Were I a philosopher, I should write a philosophy of toys, showing that nothing else in life need be taken seriously, and that

Christmas Day in the company of children

is one of the few occasions on which men become entirely alive."

~ Robert Lynd (1892-1970)~

"It comes every year and will go on forever. And along with Christmas belong the keepsakes and the customs. Those humble, everyday things a mother clings to, and ponders, like Mary in the secret spaces of her heart."

~ Marjorie Holmes, American writer~

So let's rejoice in the art of giving and soak in the good feeling that comes from the simple, beautiful act of giving away.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart...filled it, too, with melody that would last forever."

~ Bess Streeter Aldrich (1881-1954), American author, 'Song of Years'.

Keeping Christmas

When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness."

~ Bob Hope~

" I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."

~ Charles Dickens~

From 'A Christmas Carol'.

Pets at i heart faces

This is my entry for this week's Pet Challenge at i heart faces. They are changing things up a bit with an animals only week.
This is Misty on a very, very foggy morning.

There will be many beautiful animal photos at...

Carousel Workshop

To continue with a little more about our visit to the carousel workshop...

Ilex and Drake helped me take Luke and Levi on a short field trip to the Albany museum (which I did not get pictures of, for some reason).
This stop, at the carousel workshop, was just a lucky afterthought.

The photos from yesterday's post, of Levi in his reverie, were my favorites, because they're just so Levi.=)

Fortunately the workshop also had a completed frog (set up as the only moving animal). Luke immensely enjoyed his ride, but in a more staightforward 'Lukie' sort of way.

This is really a remarkable project that the city of Albany is undertaking... To quote from their website~

"Albany's Brass Ring carousel studio is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to building a traditional Victorian carousel in Albany's downtown historical district. This project is funded through donations, grants and fundraising activities."

Volunteers are hand carving and painting a wonderful menagerie of animals to eventually be assembled on the donated and refurbished Dentzel mechanism.

The Horse And His Boy

"We've got to get there first. Do you know the way?"

"I know my way to Tashbaan." Bree answered , "After that comes the desert. Oh, we'll manage the desert somehow, never fear.

Why, we'll be in sight of the Northern mountains then. Think of it! To Narnia and the North! Nothing will stop us then."

On our short visit to the Carousel workshop we had a quick look around, and they fortunately have a few completed, beautifully carved and painted animals the kids can get on. It takes Levi exactly 2 seconds to get into the zone. He is "one with his steed", and reliving a bit of Narnia I think. That's what we all love about Levi. He has no barrier between his reality and his imagination-none whatsoever. He moves in and out, in a heartbeat. He never said a word, but the look on his face..well..it says it all.

Riding The Steam Locomotive

We were privileged to go on this outing with Holly and her family; Casey, Ilex, Drake and Ivy, also including Casey's folks, Stan and Carol. What an experience to feel the raw power that can only be felt by being near a live steam engine.

We enjoyed the 40 min. ride along the historic Portland Traction line viewing the river on one side of the train and a wild-life refuge on the other. The day was exquisite. (and extremely cold, I might add!)

Portland is fortunate to have a couple of the most powerful operating steam locomotives in the world.

"Stretchest Out The Heavens"

Winter~Out The Back Door

Photography~ Just Out The Front Door

Just reminding myself~I needn't go to far flung places in order to get interesting photos.
Today just a short walk out my front door yields an abundance of subjects for the camera!
I'm trying to look at things differently, change my perspective, capture a mood.