O Christmas Tree

Tonight we put up the Christmas tree and the kiddo was extremely happy. Watching him gazing at the ornaments on the tree gave me an idea for a photo. Just a simple one with a silhouette of him in front of the tree.

Now, when I want to take a decent photo, the camera on my phone just won't do. So I grab my trusty Nikon D90. I've had this camera for several years and I can trust that it will take the shots that I envision. Most of the time anyway, but it's usually user error whenever I can't get the shot I want.

And because of the darkness, that meant I had to lug out my big ol' heavy-duty Bogen tripod so I can use a slower shutter speed. My ol' Bogen may be cumbersome at times and heavy but gosh, I've had that thing for a good 25 years and I love it. It's so sturdy, I don't worry about it tipping over.

I just love this photo. It's simple and captures the love that my family has of Christmas. I'm always in awe at seeing the wonder of Christmas in my child's eyes.

Settings:
Nikon D90
Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6
80 mm
f/5.3
1/40
ISO 3200
No flash

Gingerbread Cake House

Christmastime is here! Every year my kiddo asks to get a gingerbread house kit and every year I regret getting it. Those things are basically non-edible cardboard (as the hubs says). *I'm* afraid someone will break a tooth biting into the rock-hard gingerbread. Fortunately, I don't have to deal with that anymore!!

Behold the Gingerbread House Bundt Cake Pan!

Yes, this exists! Nordic Ware makes it and it is awesome! For $25 at Amazon, this thing will pay itself if you use it a couple times in one Christmas season. Here's an Amazon link if you're interested in purchasing one: Nordic Ware Gingerbread House

Needless to say, I made one as soon as I could, which was a few days later because you know... life. There is a gingerbread cake recipe inside the package so I just followed that. Easy-peasy. Here it is on the cooling rack:

How cute is that? And the smell was divine. I just loved the smell of ginger wafting throughout the house. It was hard to keep from eating it but I did have to shave the bottom to make it flat so we got to eat those bits. Delicious! 

After cooling I made some Royal Icing, which I messed up and ending up breaking my hand mixer but I'm not going to get into that. At least the icing was edible AND usable for "glue". Now, before I post the picture of the decorated house, let me warn you, I am not a baker so my piping skills are nil. BUT my kiddo was happy with it and that's all that matters. I think he was more concerned with putting the candies on it (and eating them!).

If you don't want to use icing, you could sift some powdered sugar on it to look like a dusting of snow. Or leave it alone, whatever. It'll be gorgeous. I'm telling ya, this will be a hit at Christmas parties. Hope you enjoy!

The Gourd

Some Thanksgiving decoration. Looks like it is floating.

Treble Clef Flash Cards

We wanted to start introducing our kid to reading music.
I made up some Treble Clef flash cards to help.

Black & White Challenge

Recently, I was challenged to do the 7-day black & white challenge on Facebook. Thought I'd share the photos here and to be able to see them all together.  -Ann

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7