My first time. Sneads Asparagus Farm

Since this is only our 2nd Christmas in Virginia, we still havent quite found "our places".  Back in Michigan we had a place to go buy pumpkins, a place to go cut down our Christmas tree, a place to pick apples.  We had places we went religiously for all occasions.  Some of these places are places I grew up going, and some   are places we found together as a family.  I admit it is hard leaving all you have ever known, and having to start fresh.  Last Christmas we had no clue where to go, and very little money to work with.  So we went to the local nursery and picked a pre-cut tree.  It was a pretty tree, and did its purpose, but a big part of the fun of Christmas is searching through fields of trees, finding the perfect one and chopping it down yourself.  Getting all covered in tree sap, getting needles in your gloves, and your hair.  I love it!

This year we discovered Snead's Asparagus Farm.  At first I was afraid to go there, because of the name. How could an Asparagus farm have great Christmas trees?  Well let me tell you, they have BEAUTIFUL TREES!  The whole property is beautiful! and they let you roam about it, as you wish!  I even heard Mr Snead say to his friend "there is a special jail for people like us, people who let strangers invade their property and not care"

The first thing that struck me was that its just that A FARM! I love farms.  I have always wanted to live on a farm.  We were greeted by Mr Snead himself, who told us the lay of the land, and invited us to wander about on our own.  And if he wasn't around when we got done, just drop our payment in the box by the porch.  A man who trusts the honor system in this crazy world we live in, is a hard man to find!

Aside from Mr Snead, we were also greeted by 5 beautiful dogs.  English shepard dogs, I believe.  Two of the dogs even followed us into the forest of trees, ball in mouth, trying to play catch with my daughter.  I later found out, while talking to Mr Snead, that only 4 of the dogs are his. Apparently one of the beautiful dogs, is a lost dog.  His dogs are so well known, someone found this beautiful girl, and thought she was his.  He is keeping her safe, until they find her real owners.

Then we happen upon an old train car, or semi car, filled with chickens!  It made me smile, because I grew up around birds.  My Grandfather, who lived down the street from us, raised chickens, pheasents, pigeons, and whatever other birds he could find.  Seeing chickens in a field of Christmas trees, makes me happy!

Along with the chickens and dogs, they also have horses and other animals.  I was looking too hard at the horses, when I tripped and fell over a metal box in the ground.  I hurt my ankle pretty bad, so I didnt get to fully explore all there was to see.  But from what I understand there may also be other animals back there.

Our daughter discovered the play house, decorated to look like a gingerbread house, the teepee and the tire/horse swings.

Then after all this, we still found our perfect tree.  Honestly its the best tree we have ever chopped down.  Its so big and full and perfect!

 It was an amazing experiance.  Im so happy to found "our place" to buy Christmas trees from.  I am pretty sure we will also make this our Pumpkin place, and maybe even our asparagus place!  I told Mr Snead we were going to set up a tent at the back of the property and just live there.  In which he replied " I was just saying yesterday, all you need in this country is a piece of land and a dream"

True Meaning of Christmas

  There are alot of things through life, that change what Christmas means to you.  Growing up and someone telling you Santa isnt real, Having a family of your own to create new traditions, losing a loved one, or even moving far away.  All these things can change Christmas' meaning in your heart.
  When my mom told me Santa isnt real, I remember crying my eyes out.  It broke my heart, and Christmas didnt mean as much to me since it lost its magic.  Until one cold Christmas Eve, a knock came on our door around midnight.  We opened the door to see a porch full of Christmas presents.  I was a teenager, and somehow I found the spirit of Santa still lived in my heart.   We werent very well off growing up, and that Christmas is one that I remember most.  Years following, when we were a little better off financially, we acted as Santa to other families.

  When my husband and I celebrated our first Christmas together Christmas again changed.  We decorated our little apartment with tinsel and lights, and started our own family traditions.  Joining 2 families, and 2 very different set of traditions has changed Christmas for both of us.  He has always believed a star should top the tree, and I always want my Angel atop the tree.  I have never seen a real Christmas tree, and he demanded we buy a fresh cut tree.  So now with our daughter joined in, we put our traditions together and create something that is uniquely us.  We cut down our own tree, and put an angel atop.  We decorate like the Grizwolds, and always try to give back to other families.  I wrap the gifts with colorful paper, and he follows in his Grandma's traditions and puts ribbon and bows on afterward.

                                                

  When my mother passed away 2 years ago, I never thought I could find magic in Christmas again.  She loved Christmas more than anyone.  Her birthday is just days before Christmas.  She always made Christmas a magical time for us.  Moving away last year from the only place I have ever known as home (Michigan) made the holidays even harder.  But When we were driving home this past Wednesday to Celebrate the holidays in Michigan, it all made sense.  We listened to Christmas songs as we drove.  Songs like "I'll be home for Christmas", "White Christmas", and "There's no place like home, for the holidays" all of a sudden meant so much more to me.  Driving across the country to visit family, to share a meal with.  Seeing snow on the ground.  Spending time with your loved ones. Giving someone a little piece of Christmas spirit.   Its all magical.  Its all wonderful.  Its all the meaning of Christmas.

Dog rules for Christmas

Colorful Days

Here it is the middle of November and there is a definite nip in the air.  Half the trees on the block are empty, the other half are filled with glorious fall colors.  I guess some of our trees needed the really cold nights, for them to change color.  The past 2 days the sky has been a beautifully brilliant shade of deep blue.  It makes the leaves stand out even more.  Yesterday I went out into my back yard to observe the beauty God has bestowed us.  Here is what I observed. (all images are sooc {straight out of camera})

I feel so blessed to be able to not only recognize God's beauty, but to have been blessed with the gift to be able to capture it to share with you.  Alot of people get so busy in their every day life, that they fail to stop and notice.  I know my husband would probably be blind to this, if not for me.  He gets so busy with his very important job, and with his classes that he sometimes forgets to stop and see, and smell and hear all that is around him.  I think alot of us are guilty of the same.  So take time today to stop and see.  Even if its only through this blog, see Gods beauty.

Autumn part 2

After Hurricane Sandy hit us, I didnt think there would be any leaves left on the trees.  Its an unusual thing for me.  Coming from Michigan, it seems fall comes and goes so quickly.  Here it is, November, and there are still green leaves.  Granted the green leaves are less and less every day, but they are still there nontheless.

I am going to enjoy it while I can.  Winter comes all too quickly.  Its getting colder here in Virginia, and soon the leaves and color will be gone.  Rest assured though, this photographer likes to play in the snow and cold.  I dont stay inside, just because its cold outside.  I even bought myself a beautiful new wool coat, So I can enjoy my winter.

Christmas Crafts

I saw this idea on Pinterest, and decided to try it on my own, with a few modifications.  I saw people using Modpodge, and wondered what ever happend to using good old fashions Elmers?  I bought the old light bulbs from the thrift store, for .99 a box.  All the other supplies I already had laying around the house.

Glitter bulbs

Supply list 

Elmers Glue
Paint Brush
Old Christmas Light Bulbs
Glitter
Clear coat, or clear nail polish (if deisred)
Ribbon or pretty string







First as set up, I used a plastic table cloth to lay down and then put a pizza box lid on top of it.  This was my work surface.  It made clean up so much easier.  I did this craft with my 7 year old daughter and my husband got in on 2 bulbs himself.

First I put a little bit of glue on my paint brush and covered the glass on the bulb completely with a thin layer of glue.

Then we sprinkled the glitter evenly over the bulb.

I layed the bulbs out to dry on the pizza box.  You can spray them with clear coat to seal in the glitter is you wish.  I like things to look more folky, so I left them as they were.

After the bulbs are completely dry, I used a little bit of glue around the metal of the bulb and then tied ribbon around them. The glue helps secure the ribbon. You can hang them individually as ornaments. or string them all together as garland.  You can also just put the bulbs in a pretty bowl or vase for decoration on your table.

Keep in mind, I had help from a young one, so the bulbs are not all perfect.  It was alot of fun doing this, and pretty easy.  I am sure you can get more perfect results if you do the craft alone, if thats what you wish.  Personally I like my kid crafts, not quite perfect, but perfect to me.

Still Life Photography.

As a photographer, I am always thinking or seeing the next image I want to create.  Sometimes I concentrate of big themed portrait sessions, sometimes I just concentrate on small details of things I find interesting.  Could be a fall leaf, a summer flower, jewelry, even every day around the house items.  Here is my latest collection of still life images.

Autumn Part One

Fall is my favorite time of the year. I love the colors and the smell of fallen leaves.  I love the cooler weather and pumpkin picking.  I love apple cider, apple picking, and  roasting pumpkin seeds.  I love walking through crunching leaves.  How could anyone not like fall?

October is always filled with fun family activities for my family. To start with we took a nice long drive up to the mountains.  I am in love with Skyline Drive. The shenandoah mountain range has a special place in my heart.  Last year after first moving to Virginia, I wanted so desperately to go see the color change in the mountains. I had heard how beautiful it was up there in the fall and had dreamt of going.  But we couldnt make it.  This year, it was worth the wait.

here is a panorama view of the moutain tops.

the colorful mountains

My daughter looking out over the view.

We also went pumpkin picking at our local nursery.  We usually visit a farm and cut our own, but they were closed on Sunday.  It was fun regardless, because the nursery has a haunted bus for decoration!

Then to round off our weekend, my husband has every other monday off at work.  So him and I went to the local reservoir to take a hike through the trails.  Even though the color of the leaves had not yet hit peak color, it was still beautiful.

who knew there would be such a vibrant shade of pink among the fall leaves.

Vibrant reds popping out from the green forrest

this one actually reminds me of Christmas.
which will be here before we know it.  But as for right now, im enjoying the weather, the colors and smells of fall.  I hope you are too.  Get out there and breathe it in. It will be gone before you know it, and soon winters cold drab world will be upon us.