| Blogs > spiritwoman45 > Life in the Canyon |
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Foto Friday - Holidays The holiday season calls forth all of my creativity. First of all I live in SoCal. No white Christmas or fir trees COVERED IN SNOW in the yard here. We’re all cactus, palm trees and sand. I am a pagan and celebrate Solstice. My BF is Jewish so Hanukkah for him and of course my and grandchildren celebrate Christmas in the commercial sense. All of our spiritual and material beliefs for the season include decoration, celebration, visiting, gift giving, eating drinking etc. Not surprising as all of the “traditions” were adapted from ancient celebrations of the change of season - the harvest past, a time of rest, and the hope of a new season to come. I try to use living or natural materials whenever possible and try to avoid commercial images. This has been a fun and challenging project. These are some of the decorations I am using this year.  Upper left – a wreath I made out of trimmings from our hedges and dried, dyed nut shells Middle left – hanging decorations made from feather covered balls and turkey feathers from the turkeys at the lake. Bottom left Christmas cactus Second column - upper – hand painted ornaments with pagan symbols Middle – tree shaped rosemary plant, pagan decorations and Menorah at its base Bottom – lighted decorations waiting to be put on shrubs in front of house. Star of David, Pentagram and Peace sign. Third column top - Living Christmas tree adorn with pagan symbols and glass beads, topped with Star of David / pentagram – in a hand painted pot with Menorah and pentagram. A menorah in front, rock energy crystals and pine cones around the base of the tree. Small insert -Poinsettia plant Bottom – red and white native plants, candle holder and angel tapestry in back. Right column Desk decoration – small artificial tree decorated with red flash drives and small computers and printer ornaments. Bottom - Dried flower arrangement and basket of dried leaves and flowers. My gifts are not warped yet (this week-end) but I use solid colored papers and paint an appropriate design or symbol with the person’s name on each. [COLOR green]NO MATTER HOW YOU IDENTIFY THE SEASON, CELEBRATE AND ENJOY WHAT IT REPRESENTS - LIFE, PAST, PRESENT AND YET TO COME. Spiritwoman ^i^ |
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12/16/2011 1:04 pm |
Spirit, what a wonderful way to combine all the holiday beliefs and traditions! When I had a tree, all the ornaments were handmade, either by myself or gifted to me by loving and creative friends and kids. Maybe next year, I'll feel up to actually having a tree again. Thank you for sharing your hard work!
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Nice collage, have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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Interesting how all is combined to make beautiful designs for the holidays.
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12/16/2011 2:54 pm |
An excellent collage, and a great narrative too.....very original and imaginative. Thanks so much for the post. Holiday greetings to you and your entire clan. "Life isn't fair, but it beats whatever comes in second." -- Gentleben
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Nice items for decoration, Spirit. Thanks for sharing your collage. Happy holidays to you and yours.   Trust in dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.(Khalil Gibran)
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12/16/2011 9:19 pm |
I like Christmas cactus as well. My mother had one when I was a kid and it never failed to blossom for Christmas. Hopefully this one will survive since like most plants grown for the holidays it is "overstimulated" to bloom like crazy on cue. Spiritwoman ^i^
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