A few more of the lights on our two little live spruces (one in our office and one outside the living room) with different filters.
I wish each of you a wonderful season of celebration in honor of your beliefs, whatever they may be, and of our collective beliefs in the goodness of our fellows and our hopes for a bright future.
Whites and silvers for our cream and white dining room. Although I don't think they show well in the photos, I hung dozens of vintage hand-crocheted snowflakes from the ceiling. We don't have any snow at the moment, but this makes it feel wintery. My inspiration was the ice palace scene from Dr. Zhivago? Do you remember that magical scene? 
Another of the handmade candles from Peru. and a little church ornament that reminds me of the charming white country churches I photographed in Vermont.
The table is usually bare wood but I liked the delicacy of this ($5.00!) lace tablecloth. German blown glass owl ornament was a gift from my Mom a few years ago.
I usually do our holiday decor in traditional burgundy, gold and sage but this year, inspired by the wrappings on a huge array of gifts that arrived from a dear friend, I decided on turquoise/Robin's egg blue/Tiffany blue with pinks and accents of red hearts.
It feels refreshing and happy.
The ornament on the left above is quite old and has a wonderful crackled surface.
We always use a live tree as I hate the idea of chopping down any tree. This year we decided to have one in the office, a spruce, as well as our live one outside the living room windows.
Here he is! He sits in the corner windows between our two desks, looking out over the other evergreens on our property. I only used lightweight ornaments as I don't want to strain the branches.
One of my oldest ornaments, the crystal bells. Plus lots of bird ornaments. I hung a big paper star above the tree.
Garland on the kitchen door:
Miniature sled with very old, tartan covered books. They are only a few inches high. The sweet little mouse is an antique ivory netsuke given to me by a friend many years ago.
And finally, some heart lights (you knew that was coming, right?). :)
Tidying up my files after the big project, I came across these wintery barn images that were begging to be shared.
We felt transported by the views to a country wonderland, a real-life vintage postcard, nostalgic scenes of a timeless way of life.
One subject I love to photograph, as much as flowers and gardens, is light. Light of all kinds – capturing its illusiveness has fascinated me for a long time.
In the northern Hemisphere, we approach the darkest days. But spirits are brightened as the festive season uplifts with endless sources of light, from man-made to spirit-made, from souls in harmony reaching out to spread brightness and warmth.
Some photographs taken over the last two or three years, experiments and explorations.
Twinkle, twinkle, great big stars.
Hearts, of course!
A butterfly-shaped filter I made for the Lensbaby and then pointed at the huge star light on top of a department store, turning its single light into a winged beacon. (For you, dear Kathryn.)
Just for fun, just for some sparkle in your day.
A quick hello (and one more image of the plum blossoms in snow with our woodpile).
I don't really love snow but since you were so encouraging about my snow photos from this post, I thought I would share some from a sudden spring snow storm a few years ago. They've never been posted or printed before but your kind words inspired me to do so.
Since we are well into the holiday season, I thought these images would carry on the frosty, festive, although shivery, mood.
Our Blireiana plum trees were just blossoming when a snow storm hit. Very unusual. But awfully pretty, too!
I've just added them to my shop here with a super special price for the set.
