My Christmas Eve at a beautiful house (pics)

16 years ago

I spent Christmas Eve at this gorgeous house with my daughter and her family--the home of her boyfriend's brother and his partner. It's a lovely place to be.

I didn't use flash, so it's not a great way to photograph people......unless they don't move a muscle.

My daughter and granddaughter on the sofa:

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (16)

jannie
16 years ago
Merry Christmas to you too!
lydia1959
16 years ago
Lovely!! I guess you are feeling a bit better today?
Related Discussions
Christmas Eve pics
Q
Comments (6)
That Opuntia had LARGE pads ( a foot across with few spines)when I first got it. It was laying on the side of a road in McAllen Teas-- there was a large pile someone tossed so I got a piece of it. No telling if it was a local native or an old cultivated species. A friend said it might be what they call the "Old Mexico" variety. These Yuccas are fast growers this far south. I really can't remember if they are supposed to be Y gloriosa or another southern coastal type with soft floppy leaves. David
...See More
Christmas Eve at our house...
Q
Comments (13)
Thank you for all the lovely comments, I have to say this is the first Christmas in a long time I've had everything done without a lot of running around at the last minute, it sure was a nice feeling. Vikki the tree topper is a small wreath with lights, in the center there are three little candles. It didn't show very well because we took the pictures without the flash. I bought it at a Boxing Day sale a couple of years ago for $2.99 :o). Tried a couple of other tree toppers first but they didn't look right. We are off to our daughters for "The Turkey Dinner" tonight, for quite a few years now we've had our Christmas dinner on boxing day. This way everybody gets a chance to just hang out and relax on Christmas day. I hope everybody had a very enjoyable Christmas with family and friends....Annette
...See More
My little house for Christmas (pics)
Q
Comments (7)
Gayle ~ Love your little house, dressed for Christmas in some wintery, wonderland weather. I hope you get more snow for Christmas. If I lived up north, that's what I would want too. Your tree looks very nice and I spy a wreath hanging in the window also. I got in the Christmas spirit also today and got our little tree from the attic, along with ornaments and the nativity pieces. Once I get it straightened up in here I'll post some pictures. Thanks for sharing. It's always nice to see what others do for the holidays. Have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year. FlowerLady
...See More
Pics of 2 of my budget, home-made Christmas gifts
Q
Comments (22)
Awww thanks guys! I was worried that mine was going to come out too "amateurish", and not look good on it's own, especially considering that I was working from an inspiration photo. Thanks for the vote of confidence! Fly and Jen and all, I got all materials at Michael's. Plain wood blocks, 19 gauge wire, and the wood letters. I was going to either hand-paint or decopage the letters, but when I saw their neat wood pre-cut letters I opted to get those instead. I did hand paint the date on the name plaque, and it was HARD to get it to come out right. If I did it again, I'd probably do some sort of rub-on lettering. It was really, really difficult to get the strokes even. For one small portion, like a date, I think it adds to the charm, but if the whole piece was shaky and wobbly looking, I don't think I'd be happy with it. The kids and I just painted, crackled, repainted, sanded, glazed, and repainted the boards, painted and distressed the letters, and then glued them on. (That makes it sound MUCH harder than it was.) For the name plaque we just stained those letters. I'm exhausted from it, but they were worth it, and hopefully the recipients will like them.
...See More
bigbaby
16 years ago
Beautiful!
schoolhouse_gw
16 years ago
The tree is beautiful too.
schoolhouse_gw
16 years ago
Sorry, OT; but what setting do you use to take such pretty photos in half-light? My camera will most often lighten everything.
kathleen44
16 years ago
You seem to have recovered from the severe pain to go to the house to celebrate.

That is so beautiful!
alisande
Original Author
16 years ago
I'm feeling better thanks to regular doses of aspirin, the wonder drug! :-)

Schoolhouse, I used my Panasonic Lumix camera to take these pictures. (The latest version is the FZ35, but I don't have that one......yet.) :-) It has a setting called Party, which takes pictures in low incandescent light, but adds blue to counteract the yellow in most light bulbs. It doesn't use a fast enough shutter to stop action, but I love the effect for situations like the above.

These are a little dark, but I still prefer them to flash for capturing the mood of a room.
soxxxx
16 years ago
The decorations are pretty, and the girls are beautiful.
lindaohnowga
16 years ago
Very pretty house and glad you are feeling better. Your daughter is beautiful and so is your granddaughter.
glenda_al
16 years ago
Beautiful!
mcmann
16 years ago
Susan, your photos are wonderful, I love the way the lights glow on the tree and the house is beautiful. How tall was that tree? It looks like a wonderful get together.
chisue
16 years ago
Thanks for sharing that pretty, Christmas-y evening. Your hosts were clever to add some beautiful ladies to complete the scene!
schoolhouse_gw
16 years ago
I was trying to see what makes the tree so darn pretty, and I think one thing might be that they used the strands of lights with bigger bulbs? Instead of the wee little ones? Looks super on a big tree like that.

Thanks, alisande. I know so little about cameras,still figuring out my digital I got last year! I think there is a setting on mine for such situations but it's done manually. I'm afraid of messing everything up so I don't fool with it.
hgl_gaylemarie
16 years ago
Now that's what I call Comfort and Joy! Looks like a cozy Christmas.
ronf_gw
16 years ago
Beautiful!
Great job on the photography.

Ron
alisande
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for your comments, everyone. I'm guessing the tree is about 12 feet tall. Wouldn't do too well with my 7 ft. ceilings. :-)

Related Stories

LOFTS Houzz Interview: Eve's Renovated Candy Factory Loft

By Kit Pollard

Full Story

DECORATING PROJECTS 2 Beautifully Natural Tablescapes for Holiday Dining

By Holly Marder

Put nature front and center with these fresh Scandinavian-style table settings and centerpieces for Christmas and New Year's

Full Story

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: 20 Bubbly Accessories for New Year's Eve

By JourneyChic

Take a cue from clinking champagne glasses and incorporate bubbles into every part of your home

Full Story

LIFE The Beautiful Thing About Dad's Chair

By Mitchell Parker

My father had his own spot in the house. His father had his own spot. Now I have mine

Full Story

147

DIY PROJECTS DIY: Freshen Up for the New Year With a Eucalyptus Table Garland

By Nanette Wong

Eucalyptus leaves, white blossoms and air plants combine in a gorgeous, long-lasting arrangement for your table or buffet

Full Story

BUDGET DECORATING 10 Beautiful, Decorative Gifts to Make on the Cheap

By Laura Gaskill

Save money while spreading the love with these personal DIY projects (pssst ... you can even keep them for yourself)

Full Story

Christmas Tables They'll Always Remember

By Between Naps on the Porch

Holiday Decorating: Make Your Gathering Special With a Beautiful Table Setting

Full Story

HOLIDAYS International Traditions: Christmas at Home in Australia

By Elements of Style

Diving into pools and brandy-laced pudding with equal gusto, Australians keep on the sunny side at Christmastime

Full Story

HOUSEKEEPING 7-Day Plan: Get a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Living Room

By Laura Gaskill

A task a day sends messes away. Take a week to get your living room in shape

Full Story

115

DECORATING GUIDES 12 Ways to Work With Rugs for Warmth and Beauty

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Try these ideas for rug placement, style and size for a pulled-together look and a great feel underfoot

Full Story

My Christmas Eve at a beautiful house (pics)

Comments (16)

jannie

lydia1959

Related Discussions

bigbaby

schoolhouse_gw

schoolhouse_gw

kathleen44

alisande
Original Author

soxxxx

lindaohnowga

glenda_al

mcmann

chisue

schoolhouse_gw

hgl_gaylemarie

ronf_gw

alisande
Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

My Christmas Eve at a beautiful house (pics)

Comments (16)

Related Discussions

alisandeOriginal Author

alisandeOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

alisande
Original Author

alisande
Original Author