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Christmas Artwork

One of the downtown Abilene businesses has this adorable artwork  on its plate-glass window:  

two colorful gnomes riding in the back of a red pick-up decorated for Christmas.

It will be too bad when the Christmas season is over and all this artwork is gone.

It was an unbelievable 85 degrees today.  How awesome is that when the northern part of the country is being blanketed by snow?

I checked the temps in Fairbanks, AK today.  It was -30.  

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Hiking Boot in Snow

While in Fairbanks, AK, I went to Pioneer Village one day.  I was adjusting my camera to see if it was focusing ok and I took this shot of my hiking boot.  For some crazy reason, I really like this shot. It might not say what venue I'm at, but it sure says I'm in winter weather.

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Snow

Today we had snow in west Texas.  It was in the forecast, but that's always iffy.

I woke up this morning to rain and then snow.

I usually only post one photo a day, but I couldn't help myself today.  I took the top photo of the snow and then about an hour later I looked out at the parking lot and saw this snowman in the yard across the way.  Sadly I didn't see who made it.  

It's just cute.

Today is Thursday and by Saturday it's going to be back into the mid 50s.  I can deal with that.

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Three Amigos

Yesterday I took a ride to Merkel because 1) I needed to go someplace to photograph where I haven't been lately and 2) the weather was so beautiful I needed to get out of my house.

I've been to Merkel before, but I never walked through the main part of the small town.

Yesterday I saw this sculpture of these three Mexicans playing instruments perched on the roof of a Mexican restaurant.  How cute.

So that makes 301 photos...65 photos short of a photo-a-day for the year.

I'm going to try again in 2025.  

There will probably be many more mundane images since I don't even know where to go anymore to find new subjects.  

Anyway...tonight is 

New Year's Eve.

Another year has passed.

I would recap my year, but it's been seriously boring although AMAZINGLY Blessed.  

I'm looking forward to what the Lord has in store for me for the coming year(s).

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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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Christmas Tree Ornaments

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

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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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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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Ornaments on a Tree

There's a museum in downtown Abilene that sells family memberships.  I went in there today to get a membership for my daughter's family and while I was waiting I noticed this extremely decorated tree and I had to take a photo of it, even though all I had with me was my cell phone.

The nutcrackers and the dolls are beautiful. 

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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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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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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

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Three Pumpkins

I went to the local zoo today.  They do a wonderful job decorating for the Fall holidays.  They always create a hay maze, and the entrance has an archway of these adorable artificial pumpkins.  

My heart is grateful for:

joyful decorations

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White Birch and Hammocks

I came upon this scene today at a friend's home.  I only had my cell phone with me. I hope to go back with my big-girl camera.  I'd love to make this into a canvas to hang in my home.

I can probably name it something like:

"Dreaming of Spring"

"Summer Dreams"

"Waiting to Relax"

or something like that.