366 in Watercolor -- Day 366

I've reached the end! There was snow on the ground this morning, so I figured I'd put to use. :) I've seen people use watercolor to paint snow and today was the perfect day to try it out. It was a little melty though. :)

I've been asked what I'll do with this blog. I think I'll leave it here for now. I might need it in 2014. :) I'm not planning to do a 365 project in 2013, but if I stick to my pattern of every other year, I'll need it again. :) 
In the meantime, those of you who actually follow this blog, you can find my official photography blog at www.lamariephotography.com and my personal blog (which also includes photography) at www.angelathetwin.com. I'm hoping to update both of those blogs on a more regular basis this next year. :D

Essential Oil Diffuser -- Day 365

I love this thing! My sister, Abigail Joy, is crazy about essential oils and is building her own business. Until she got this thing I haven't really been all that into it. She got this diffuser a few days ago, and it's like having yummy smelling candles lit in your house without the nasty chemical smell, no risk of fire, and absolutely no risk to your health from breathing petroleum fumes or other such chemicals. All those air fresheners you can buy at the store, specifically Febreze and Glade, give me a headache and almost make me sick to my stomach (I'd rather smell not so nice smells than be sick), but this is so cool! I think every house needs one. There are probably other benefits besides it making your house smell nice, but you'll have to ask Abbie about those. :) Another cool feature is that it is cool water vapor, shuts off automatically when the water gets low and you can choose whatever kind of oil you want to add, depending on your mood. Tonight I felt like peppermint, so our house smelled like a candy cane all evening. :)
If anyone is interested in getting their own home diffuser, contact my sister. :)

Peppermint Andes -- Day 364

Only two days left for the project. :)

Excited Faces -- Day 363

The kids were sooooo excited today, when it was discovered that snow flakes were falling from the sky. They danced around on the deck for a while trying to catch the flakes on their tongues. Matt said, "I want bigger snow." I told him he'd have to ask God about that. A few minutes later the flakes were bigger. I asked Matt if he'd asked God for "Bigger Snow" and he said, yes, with a big smile on his face. :) The flurries didn't last long and there wasn't any accumulations, but the kids enjoyed it while it was there and were ready to come inside before too long.

Candy Cane Heart -- Day 362

Pizza Party -- Day 361

Well, it wasn't an official party, but Stephen treated us to Dominoes the evening before he left. I wasn't thinking I'd be featuring Dominoes again in this project, but I am. I decided I'd get people in this shot. :) I was happy that most of my family obliged.

The Best Gift -- Day 360

Tonight I watched my favorite Christmas movie. Baby Jesus is what Christmas is all about.

Candy Cane Oreos -- Day 359

We had lots of yummy treats at our Christmas Eve Party. :)

Line of Siblings +1 -- Day 358

Drawer Full o' Socks -- Day 357

Little Girl on the Phone -- Day 356

Tonight was our friends annual Christmas Party. It was so fun to see many friends that we don't get to see very often. I especially enjoyed getting a hug from Sarah. Here she was playing telephone with Amber who was sitting a couple feet in front of her. Oh the joy of child play. And look at that ancient corded phone that is now a designated toy. :P It's funny to think that some children in this world today might have never seen one before. :)

Eggnog and Ice Cream -- Day 355

Nothing like a big tall glass of it on a December evening. :)

Pizza Box -- Day 354

Yep, it was pizza again tonight. This time I'm featuring the box. :)

Gingerbread House -- Day 353

My friend, Rebekah, is busy building. :) I can't wait to see the finished product.

Rooster and Lights -- Day 352

Friends -- Day 351

Avonlea just loves Rebekah. Who wouldn't? They've been special friends for as long as Avonlea has been around. :)

Christmas Cookies -- Day 350

Rings -- Day 349

My sister picked up her Fiancé's wedding band today. Of course I had to take a photo of his ring with her's. :)

Nativity Children -- Day 348

Tonight Amber and I babysat these four. They love to dress up and thought it would be fun to create a nativity scene. It turned out so cute!

Birthday Candles -- Day 347

My youngest brother had a birthday. :) Yay for chocolate cake! And blowing out candles with colored flames. :)

Tiger Fudge -- Day 346

I can't help but post photos of yummy food at Christmas time. :)

Hat and Gloves -- Day 345

It's finally getting colder. Today, I pulled out the warm weather gear. Mark was very proud of his blue stocking cap and gloves. :)

Embroidery -- Day 344

Christmas Bow -- Day 343

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....."

Pancakes -- Day 342

Yum!

Knitting -- Day 241

This photos wasn't an easy capture. :) Those are my hands knitting a sock for my nephew. I had my camera set to the 10 second timer and had the strap around my neck and the camera balanced on my knee. I wasn't actually knitting 'cause it was an awkward set up. I had to push the shutter button and then get situated and had to manually focus literally, by moving my knitting nearer of farther from the camera, all in 10 seconds. And I had to be sure to hold still to prevent camera shake. :D

December Sunset -- Day 340

I guess I'm going with a sky theme the last few days. :) The sunset tonight was gorgeous!

Work On the Roof -- Day 339

Another evening shot for today. Amber and I were driving home and saw this neat silhouette against fading sky. I wish all the power lines weren't there. This was taken at 20th and Rangeline. I don't know what they a

re building, but whatever it is, it is replacing something that blew away in the tornado. There used to be a newspaper building and a church on that corner, so I guess we'll wait and see. Its neat to see all the construction in Joplin right now. Before long, you won't be able to tell that a tornado went through. Except for the lack of big trees. That might give it away.

All Seasons Signs -- Day 338

Every evening I park below this sign as I wait to pick up my sister, Abigail Joy, from work. Tonight the sky just looked cool in the background. And taking pictures of lighted signs is just fun. :)

Box of Twinkies -- Day 337

Twinkies where the novelty dessert at church today. :) One of the guys found them at Wal-Mart and stocked up. :D After church while I was the videographer for a short film the boys decided to make, I snapped this photo. Pretty silly how Twinkies can be just another junk food item until Hostess decides to go out of business and then they become the rage. :)

Fiddle Shop Sign -- Day 336

Mom and Ben set up the Christmas Village today. :)