Positively Between

 by Mauverneen

The week between Christmas and New Years Day is sort of a lost week. One holiday down, another looming right around the corner. While some people are too worn out to take on that second one with too much festivity, some people are eagerly looking forward to it. Party time! The kids have the week off from school, so mom or dad might not be getting much rest, but most people I know just want to sit back and put their feet up for a day or two, nurse a hot cup of something or other and be dazzled by the tree lights. 

The quiet time is kind of nice. I don't have any deadlines I'm rushing to meet, and I'm looking forward to maybe spending some relaxing time with friends, or watching some old movies on tv. The weather isn't too bad, so if you've got the ambition to get out and snap up those after Christmas deals, go for it! Me? I don't need a thing. When I get tired of movies, I'll pull out a puzzle, or another book. I've also got plenty of time to watch the birds swarming the feeders. By the end of week I'll be bored and ready to head out and tackle the world again. But this week, I'm treating every day like Sunday - and resting!

My winter set up. I can capture the birds through my kitchen window

Happy Holidays everyone! Regroup, recoup, recover, refresh! Or party like a fool! Whichever you choose - enjoy it and do it well!

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.

However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com

See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html

Available at Amazon.com or request it at your favorite bookstore!

Positively Illuminating

 by Mauverneen

The name of the show in lights, on the trees!

It's called Illumination and it is fabulous! Presented at the Morton Arboretum, in Lisle, Illinois, which is just a bit southwest of Chicago. The show runs through January 7, 2023. 

I saw the very first one, 10 years ago, and oh my - I was impressed that first time and even more so this visit. It's a one mile, paved walk, with concession stands for hot chocolate and s'mores makings, and warming fires along the way.

If you've ever had to put lights on even one tree, you'll appreciate the time it must have taken to light all these trees so perfectly!

Although it was only in the lower 20's, I dressed warmly and wasn't at all cold - don't forget to bring a mask or scarf to cover your nose! 

I was mesmerized by the displays! Lights that changed in time with music, trees that were lit with colors- some of them moving, just display after display to feast your eyes on. It's a bit hard to describe, but it is wonderful. I just wanted to stand in one spot for a long time and enjoy. 

A couple of my photos are here, but there's a link at the bottom that will give you a better idea, and where you can get tickets. I don't know if this show is offered anywhere else, but if it is, don't hesitate. It's a wonderful holiday experience. One the whole family can enjoy. There were toddlers, babies in wagons, and people in wheelchairs - all enjoying themselves.

This entire field was covered with lights that changed with the music!

video

Here's that link:  https://mortonarb.org/explore/activities/exhibitions/illumination/

Enjoy this Holiday Season! 

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.

However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com

See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html

Available at Amazon.com or request it at your favorite bookstore!

Positively Decked Out

 by Mauverneen

Driving through a neighborhood the other day, I was delighted by all of the Christmas displays. Some were grand, some were modest, some were over the top. But one thing was obvious - people like decorating for the holidays. 

Going past these homes, I had to wonder what some of the insides looked like. I know my daughters, and myself, have an assortment of Christmas decor, in addition to the tree; candles, pillows, angels, snowmen, etc. Some people have entire villages, that take hours to arrange, some people change out the pictures on their walls, some people have Santa hats or elf outfits for their pets. But it seems everybody loves the glitter and the glitz of the season. Everybody, it seems, has some Christmas bling. 

People love to decorate, to celebrate. Halloween is beginning to give Christmas a run for the money - at least as far as decorations go. And if you go to New Orleans during Mardi Gras season, well, enough said. 

I gave some thought to the why. Why do some people go all out with decorations for Christmas? Of course it's fun, it's festive, it's the spirit - ahh the spirit of Christmas. And what is that? Sharing, giving, happiness, enjoyment. All those lights, all those blow-up snowmen and Santas and reindeer, all those glistening angels and life size nativity scenes, all those illuminated houses with their twinkling lights surrounding every window and door and roofline - why? I don't really know the motivation, and I'm sure every individual has their own reasons, but it all contributes to the collective spirit of Christmas. It gives joy, it creates happiness, it brings smiles to the faces of the passers by. And for a little while, your cares can be left behind while you smile and ooh and ahh. It brings us all together. 

So to those who light up the night, to the Griswold's of the world, to those that climb those ladders and get frost bitten fingers, to those who care and to those who share, I say Thank you! Thank you for the smiles and the bit of happiness you give, because, whether it even occurred to you or not, you do. May the spirit of this wonderful season stay with all of us. All year.

As always, words and photos are my own, and require permission to reprint.

However, feel free to share the blog in it's entirety. In fact, I encourage it!

Interested in photo prints? Contact me! maureenblevins@yahoo.com

See more photos at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/1-mauverneen-blevins.html

Available at Amazon.com or request it at your favorite bookstore!