Hoping you all had a lovely holiday with family and friends!
Here’s the 2013 Edition of the Cracker Crown
(yes … I had on two … wine can make a woman crack open another cracker)
Crackers: A Family Tradition
For as long as I can remember, my family has celebrated the holidays with Crackers. They adorn the table, and ultimately our heads, for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. While crackers have become all the rage these past few years, my family has been celebrating with them for decades.
According to Wikipedia, crackers are part of Christmas celebrations primarily in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Commonwealth countries such as Australia, Canada, NewZealand, and South Africa.
So how did my American family come to embrace the Cracker? My Grandfather hailed from the Isle of Wight, and I am quite sure that he and my Aunt Christine brought the tradition to us.
The Cracker was created in 1847 by Tom Smith ( http://www.tomsmithchristmascrackers.com/ ). In its simplest form, a cracker is a small cardboard tube covered in a brightly colored twist of paper. When the cracker is pulled apart, a chemically treated card strip, similar to that used in a cap fun, is also pulled apart and a “pop” is made.
Inside the cracker is a bright paper hat …
… a small gift, and a joke.
As you can see, the joke is often corny and the gift is equally silly.
I hardly remember a holiday meal where those around the table were not wearing hats. Guests for the evening are not given exemption from this tradition, and while some in the family can not wait to remove the colorful crown, all are expected to participate. These photo collages are comprised of photos as old as 1987 (I couldn’t find earlier ones on short notice) and as late as 2012.
Please share one of your family traditions in the comment section …
… and know that I wish you a holiday season filled with the love of family and friends!
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I Just Couldn’t Do It
Another image from that beautiful day in Shiloh (see here and here).
I specifically stopped to shoot this ramshackle structure with the idea of converting it to B&W. I follow a few bloggers who seem to instincitvely know what works in B&W and I wanted them to know they have influenced me.
I just couldn’t do it though … I loved the green framing, the red roof, and the blue sky, all highlighted in the setting sun, and with the addition of those shadows that I love so well.
Shiloh Christian Church
It was a gorgeous day in Shiloh, perfect for late afternoon photography, and the Shiloh Christian Church looked bright and pretty sitting up on the hill in the sunlight.
What a difference the flip of a switch makes (or actually, the tap on the keyboard).
Which one srikes your fancy? And don’t you just love the shadows on the walls?
Good to the Last Drop
You were expecting coffee?
How often do you read the tags? Just curious … 🙂
Bronze
The late afternoon December sun cast this field in bronze
Another Gift of Blogging Connections
One day last week I stopped by my friend Joe’s blog and saw a photo that I loved so much, all I could say was “Dang, Joe! Just DANG”!
Yeah … I have such a way with words 🙂
I fell in love with that photo and I told Joe so. One week later, a beautiful framed copy was hanging on my wall. My whole staff came in to view and admire it and I could not be happier.
Joe is a guy who has transcended blogger status and become a friend, and I hope to travel up north to meet him, and his wife, some day. We share messages via WP, FB, and email, and Joe is helping me to wade through the ocean of information about cameras, computers, and software. If you haven’t visited his blog, please do so!! This link will take you to the original view of the photo.
http://joeinfocus.wordpress.com/2013/12/04/lands-end/
It’s not just Joe and his wife that I’d love to meet though. I’ve been telling Boomdee, and Crystal and Liana and Lynda and Mike and Mae (and so many others of you!), that we need to have a big ol blogging cocktail party somewhere in the middle of North America and invite everyone to come! No worries, my overseas friends, we’ll charter a plane to get you here, too.
Hey … a gal can dream can’t she?
Ice in Ice-olation
December Rain
This photo was actually taken last December while I was at a dead stop on the interstate during an ice storm. There were no complaints from me that day, though. I had heat, water, snacks, my blackberry, my camera, and no pressing business. It wasn’t a bad way to spend a few hours.
We’re expecting similar weather later this weekend.
Stay warm and dry, my friends.
No Whining!
We’ve got a new wine and craft beer shop in our small community!
Barrel Cave Wines is a welcome addition to the locally owned business community in the New River Valley.
Thank you Kathy Jordan and Bill Zuti for opening such a fun gathering place!
It sure is fun supporting locally owned businesses 🙂
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 