Sunlight Series (Before Christmas)

Three Christmas trees (real and man-made), and a Hanukkah bush.

(Pearl River, N.Y., December 2014)

Happy Christmas

"Merry Christmas, Marie! Shake hands?"

A row of tiny Charlie Brown trees. 

Merry Christmas, from the town of friendly people. 

From The Land of Ice and Snow

Red berries, green firs, and white snow.

A natural wreath tied with red string.

Decked out for the holidays.

Christmas scenes from 2013.

Around the Way: Sunset for the Holidays

Seasonal sunset

A very Merry Christmas to you.

Around the Way: Holiday Season

Corner of Third

At Home: Warmth and Cheer

Christmas time at 3rd Street

This year is a low key Christmas for me for many reasons, so it has become one that I can celebrate without all the hype and merchandise. I see it as a great opportunity for reflection and expression. The theme is very simple: trees, lights, and The Nativity. I have a small African sculpture of the scene carved out of salt sitting underneath this tree, a gift I got from my mom from UNICEF, and a 3D paper assemblage sits atop one of the bookcases. 

The second tree is on the mantle, next to the t.v. In my bedroom, I have a wise man riding on a camel, another gift , this one given to me by my stepmother. I couldn't help but notice my decor is remarkably similar to my church's, though on a much humbler and smaller scale. After so many years of kowtowing to others peoples' ideas about the holidays, ones that were always forced upon me, I also couldn't help but notice that this years' decorations feel the most authentic to me and my ideas about Christmas. 

They bring me a sense of peace and calm I had yet to feel around the holidays, and for that first, I am truly grateful. It's important to feel that connection. How will you celebrate this year in a way that feels true to you?

 

Halloween, Chez Doucette

Let the celebrations begin.

 

A glowing pumpkin head is quite necessary...

...as is Burton decor, like Jack Skellington.

 The bathroom came down with a case of the creepy crawlies,

 

and a battle broke out on the opposite wall, pitting good vs. evil. The angel won, vanquishing the horrible Witchy Poo. Only her hat and shoes remain.

 A ghoulish tree made it's home above the toilet, which is rather inconvenient.

  In the meantime, a dark forest grew in the kitchen,

while a haunted skull sprung forth killer tarantulas in the living room! If you try to use the television, only horror films are shown. I've been feeding candy to them, piece by piece. Now they do my bidding. 

Heh heheh.

Enchanted pumpkins slowed the hands of time,

 

for a magical patch to grow by the mantle,

as a Gargoyle stands sentry.

A ghostly Elvis album decided it did not want its' picture taken. How shy!

And spirited clothes flew from my closet into the hallway, busily arranging an outfit to mark the occasion. Sadly, they hung themselves. R.I.P.

Have a great Halloween.