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Minimalist lighting

While I was in the park trying to decide what images to make, I turned around and saw the building across the street with this single strand of lights across the roof area.  There are no other lights or decorations on the building. I wonder how many people actually look up to see the lights?

As I'm getting older I'm becoming more minimalist, so I really appreciate the simplistic effort of this building decorated for the holiday season.  

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Three Wise Men

One of the downtown churches displays this creche scene every year~~the three wise men greeting baby Jesus.  I think the sculptures are beautiful.  A couple of years ago I got an image of this scene at dusk or later and it was really nice, but I didn't have a tripod so it wasn't as sharp as I wanted it to be.

I made the image today at about 3 pm when it was overcast so I didn't need the tripod.

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Snowflake in Downtown

This snowflake decor is located in one of the downtown parks.  I saw someone else's photo of it taken just after dusk.  The snowflake was lit up against a darker background and it was really pretty.  I don't usually go to town after dark so I decided to grab an image of it today with the historic train station in the background.  Even in the daylight without the lights I think it's pretty.

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Christmas Tree Ornaments

This display of large ornaments is situated outside a childcare center.  Simplicity at its best.

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Large Wreath

This wreath is on the same church where the angels are on display.  Just a simple green wreath and red bow.  At night the wreath is decorated with lights.

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Three Angels

There's a church in town that puts up some classy decorations at Christmas time.  I've never seen these angels before,  but that could be because I never walked around the church in daylight.

Anyway, I think they're pretty and I'm glad I got to see them before they are taken down.

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Light Pole Decorations

Many of the downtown light poles had this decor on them.  I took this photo near dusk so the light and the deer stood out clearly against the blue sky.

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A lighted Gift

This display is in one of the local parks in Abilene, Texas.  I made the image just before dusk.

It was a beautiful weather day~~a high of 72.

I appreciate this winter weather so much even though it will probably get colder before the winter ends.  At least we're not experiencing the snow & cold that's in the northeast right now. 

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Frosty and His Family

I went to town today just before dusk hoping to find some Christmas photo ops and I saw this fun display of Frosty and his family in one of the parks.  Many of the trees were wrapped with colored lights.

Today I retrieved two quilts that were recently finished from the quilter so now I have to put the binding on them.  One is for my granddaughter who will be two this spring and the other is an oversized lap quilt for me.  I'll be happy when they're finished.

 

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Santa Statue

On one of the corners in downtown Abilene there's a small park and right now there's a statue of Santa with his sleigh.  

I'm not sure if Santa will be in the sleigh for photos during the holiday season, or if the sleigh is for people to take their own photos. Whatever, it's a great holiday decoration in downtown.

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Christmas Tree Topper

While I was waiting for my coffee in my favorite coffee shop, I noticed this tree topper.  I only had my cell phone with me, but I think the image came out pretty nice  

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The Christmas Tree

I didn't put up my small artificial tree this year.  It just seemed like too much trouble.  I have a few decorations scattered around which will stay out for another week or two.

When I went to my daughter's house on Christmas morning, her tree was a pleasant surprise.  

We had brunch~~homemade waffles, strawberries, whipped cream and bacon.

My heart is grateful that:

We were able to be together Christmas morning, to enjoy each other and to

remember the "reason for the season"

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A sitting area in my fave coffee shop.

I'm grateful that:

the holiday season is almost over

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Military Nutcracker

This beautiful red, white and black nutcracker is seen at the Abilene, Texas Zoo.  There are several other large nutcrackers located throughout the zoo, celebrating the Christmas season.  

My heart is happy that:

I was motivated enough today to sweep the leaves off my driveway

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Two striped Ornaments

These two red and white striped ornaments are seen on an artificial Christmas Tree at the Abilene, Texas Zoo.  The zoo decorates every holiday season with many trees and ornaments as well as other

decor.  There are on-going holiday activities throughout the months leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

My heart is grateful that:

My youngest son and his wife will become parents for the first time this coming spring

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Abilene, Texas Christmas Tree

This Christmas Tree is located in front of City Hall.  It was just about dusk and the lights were already turned on which made for a nice photo.

My heart is happy that:

Even though we can celebrate Jesus everyday, we'll soon be officially celebrating His birthday

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Lighted Angel

I happened to be in town today right around dusk.  I was attracted to this church because it had colored lights on the steeple.  Once I got to the building, I saw this beautiful lighted angel, on the side of the main doors.  I had my tripod with me so even though it was a slow shutter-speed, it turned out sharp.  

My heart is grateful for:

the peaceful and productive day I had today

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Christmas Parade

Every year Abilene holds their Christmas Parade the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.  This was huge one.  It lasted, from the first entry to the last, about 1 hour and 50 minutes.  It was very mild that night and there were a lot of people still there for the entire parade.

It's brutal taking pics with a real camera in the dark.  After about 7 tries, I put the camera away and just watched the parade. This is the only image I took that was even remotely worth posting.  I always wonder why the event planners think the parade is better in the dark.  

My heart is grateful for:

the moderate weather after the brutal summer we had

16/365   Santa's Workshop

The local Y has decorated a little for the Christmas Season.  I thought it was cute and it's just enough.

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Faux Christmas Present

I went to the zoo this morning to see what they had on display for the Christmas season.  It's really difficult to photograph the decorations without getting unwanted items in the background, but I managed to capture this faux present to my liking.  It's not a world class photo, but I kind of like the simplicity of it and how intensely colorful it is.

There's a string of mini-lights inside the box and I bet it looks really sweet once the sun goes down.