View allAll Photos Tagged CHRISTMAS
A Horse Christmas
The young couple had made their usual hurried, pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of horses. The farm had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine which topped the hill behind the farm, and through the years had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside.
The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had taken their toll, but they sold a few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end. Crossly, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks. "Why do you not at least dispose of "The Old One". She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals from her. You should cut corners and save where you can. Why do you keep her anyway?"
The old man looked down as his worn boot scuffed at the barn floor and his arm stole defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her to him and rubbed her gently behind the ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Only because of love."
Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley.
So it was, that because of the leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw
the first spark fall.
None but the Old One".
In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and
despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury. By the time the fire
department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife. They thanked those who had come to their aid, and the old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as he clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us, therefore, climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared."
And so, he took her by the hand and helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his hand. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they looked up and gasped in amazement at the incredible beauty before them. Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this.
Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy as he pulled his wife forward. There, beneath the tree, was their Christmas gift. Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the truck of the tree, was the entire herd, safe. At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping daintily through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The mares pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them and gazed at the faces of those she loved. Her body was brittle with years, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift - Because of love.
Only Because of love.
While I was at Guingamp, (last year), we had a wonderful Christmas Eve party, with loads of silly things to play with and our "party hats.".
The tube at the back, with the little polystyrene ball on the top, was the best. You put the little balls into the tube and blew down it - shooting them everywhere. We were still finding them a week after Christmas!
We were also lucky that someone found some Christmas crackers, (they aren't that popular here - as yet). Mine had the little green football rattle in it - just behind the candy cane, and it works!
These have now all become part of our Christmas decorations for the bookshelf at home. But, I'm now having to use 2 shelves, so double trouble for Izzy!!
Better viewed large, and thank you for your favourites. :)
Christmas this year will be so different for many people and will carry with it severe sorrows. I wish you all some sort of solace, peace and even moments of joy. I know that thousands of people feel great concern for those who have suffered most in this pandemic so that even if you do not feel it, know that people care and you are being supported by the thoughts of many. It has struck me that we could do with a 2 minutes silence on Christmas day when we think supportive thoughts for each other all over the world. My energy is nearly used up but if anyone thinks of making the suggestion on social media, radio programmes or something----?
I am not able to follow any more members or post to groups due to low energy.
Christmas is in the air at my Mom's house! Her birthday bouquet from Dec. 1st is also in this shot! I thought I'd share this lttle corner of her home with you all =)
Penguin, seal and polar bear, part of a local Christmas lights display.
Merry Christmas to you all. Time to start cooking!!!
Christmas cake 12 x 9 in, oil on canvas panel
Happy Holidays everyone! Thank you all for likes and comments
Lucky posed for several Christmas Portraits. Stay tuned for Christmas Lucky 3, coming soon on Christmas day! Then I will return to my regularly scheduled postings.
Christmas Story Book
Created with Bing Dall-E AI engine. PP work in Adobe PS Elements 2024 RAW filters..
WARNING !! if you use my prompts, please give me the courtesy of either credit me or at least say: inspired by Irene Steeves. If I find you continue using my prompt without credit I will block you. Thanks for your understanding.
Open book with a three-dimensional Image is a digital artwork featuring a whimsical, snowy village scene atop an open book. The layout is centered, with a focus on a miniature village composed of intricately detailed, snow-covered houses with warm, glowing windows. The houses are arranged in a cluster, creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere. In the foreground, a tall, decorated Christmas tree stands prominently, adorned with twinkling lights and a shining star at the top. The background is softly blurred, enhancing the magical, dreamlike quality of the scene. The entire composition is illuminated by a gentle, golden light, creating a serene and festive ambiance. Snowflakes and sparkles are scattered throughout, adding to the enchanting, fairy-tale aesthetic of the image.
Thank you all for the visit, kind remarks and invites, they are very much appreciated! 💝 I may reply to only a few comments due to my restricted time spent at the computer.
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From me to all my Flickr friends
I cannot take credit for the idea for this photo. I have seen several people post similar greetings and I liked the personalized feeling of it. So, from me to you, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
May peace and plenty be the first to lift the latch on your door, and happiness be guided to your home by the candle of Christmas. (A traditional Irish Christmas Toast)
Large = farm3.static.flickr.com/2236/2123119630_7273213e1b_o.jpg
Visit to the cafe at the garden centre for coffee and bacon rolls.Walk around looking at decorations and getting into the Christmas spirit
For Crazy Tuesday: "December decorations"
Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday for everyone!
Helios 58mm f2
A Christmas Wish....Gracie
© All Rights Reserved - No Usage Allowed in Any Form Without the Written Consent the photographer
Christmas at Goblin's Knob at Frogmore
The Emperor's New Clothes:
Grasshopper St Bicorne Hat
[Deadwool] Emperor jacket Emperor outfit available now at The Fifty Event
[Deadwool] Emperor breeches
[Deadwool] Emperor boots
[Deadwool] Enigma glasses
Christmas props:
HILTED - Chilly Willy Penguin Pack
Pose:
[..::CuCa Designs::..] Sexy Santa Bento Pose Set includes sack
A photo taken 2 years ago but still the prettiest Christmas candles I've seen. (not mine, Roger's Gardens were selling them).
For Smile on Saturday's prompt: "Curious Candles". People are curious to know if I bought one - no. And if they smelled good - yes!
I tried BigHugeLabs Scout today to see if I had anything new on Explore and I got this, all my photos on it! Of course it's a gag, a Christmas present from BigHugeLabs, but entertaining nonetheless... Here are my top 72 photos...
1. Sunny side up, 2. Colorful spider, 3. Red and Green, 4. 작은 바위에 식물 "chakeun bawie shikmul", 5. take me home, 6. speed of light, 7. Grey Heron in Flight, 8. Waters of autumn,
9. hold me, 10. bridge to darkness, 11. refuse/recycle/reuse, 12. A Great Tit, 13. Naejangsan Bridge, 14. Autumn in Naejangsan, 15. stack, 16. Curiosity,
17. This photo makes me hungry!, 18. Korean roof in autumn, 19. Naejangsan rocks, 20. 수 "soo", 21. electric, 22. taking flight, 23. Amber dreams, 24. Just hanging,
25. Pugface, 26. 남대문 "namdaemoon", 27. Korean Grey Heron, 28. DOF, 29. Reflection, 30. Gratitude, 31. Caved-in lava roof, 32. ajumma symmetry,
33. deep blue, 34. velas rubras, 35. alone on the beach, 36. double self portrait with two drunk guys on the Korean mugunghwa train from Seoul to Pyeongtaek, 37. Infrared, 38. reflections, 39. broken 50mm, 40. "The Stare",
41. Deep Purple, 42. Haebyongdae, 43. Self Portrait, 44. bumpy, 45. reflesso, 46. lights and smoke, 47. yukshipsam, 48. drive all night,
49. This lady's got crabs!!, 50. David, 51. Youngdoo, 52. Bangpo shiktang, 53. John Mursch and Ricardo Parris, 54. lick me baby, 55. SUBURBIA, 56. plataforma 2,
57. Jeju roof, 58. Grate, 59. Firefighter, 60. Youngdoo, 61. Boarding the #70 bus, 62. Tudari, 63. Joon, 64. let me see it again,
65. Seoul Tower, 66. S, 67. there's a Nikon on the dinner table..., 68. velas, 69. Ugly Fella, 70. me at thirty three, 71. Blue Water, 72. wait behind the yellow line
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MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU TOO!
Just some of my vintage Christmas friends waiting to escape the Holiday cabinet. (All part of my collection; NFS.)
This year, the Christmas decorations are paired with the current 60th Anniversary dress creating a subdued yet elegant holiday theme.
Disneyland
The main photo from our Christmas card this year.
I'm very proud of how this turned out, as I put a lot of work into the lighting.
Strobist info: Lighting of this shot was just about the most DIY I have ever done. I don't yet have an umbrella or soft box stand, so I really had to improvise. I setup a ladder to the left of this scene. I put a flash gelled with full CTO on the second rung of the ladder. Because I wanted somewhat softer light, I used a dowel to hang a 5-in-1 reflector as a make shift soft box. To prevent light leak, I moved a chair to the side of the ladder. the caused the somewhat dramatic lighting, but I needed some fill light. All I did here was close our bright white window blinds to cause some reflection of the flash light. I then used a long shutter time to ensure the tree and background were nicely exposed.