Dicembre, Parte Seconda

This "Photo-A-Day" Challenge is proving to be quite fun to me; although I am still lacking in the super-creative entries. However,I am hoping to find a couple down the road that may be inspiring. But, who knows, maybe this will become a new challenge for me to do monthly or so! Now, where did we leave off for December -- oh yes, Day Six!

Day Six - Shopping -- In a way, this shopping entry proved a little bit difficult to do since most of the shopping I have done this year has all been online, courtesy of Kohls, Lifeway, Miche, eBay, Amazon, Yankee Candle, oh where else -- many others! But each year, I have to take an adventure to Target to buy Mom a "yearly" themed nutcracker. I saw this adorable Army nutcracker who was just begging to have his picture made. While, I did not buy Mom this nutcracker, as we already have a few military ones in our nutcracker arsenal, it did remind me that while we are here in America free to do our shopping, we often forget about those men & women who are overseas serving our country. God bless our troops at home and abroad. If it weren't for our military, past and present members, there is no telling what shape our nation would be in nor whether we would be able to celebrate Christmas at all. I am so very grateful for each of you who have sacrificed so much for our country. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. If I had the money, I would go shopping and buy each of you something, but hopefully my gratitude will suffice for now!

Day Seven - Bright -- It was quite humorous to look on Insta-gram and view the variety of postings for the word "bright". Many chose lights or ornaments or something of that sort; and then there was my post ... Krispy Kreme doughnuts!?!?!?! Don't you recall that line of the Christmas song that says "may your days be merry and bright"? Well how does one make my day both merry and bright? Bringing me Krispy Kreme doughnuts -- one of my ultimate weaknesses. When I was little, we only ate Krispy Kreme doughnuts at Christmas time. We would ride around looking at Christmas lights in various towns, but we always made a stop in downtown Raleigh at the "original" Krispy Kreme on Peace Street. We would buy our doughnuts and ride thru historic Oakwood and other locations in Raleigh all-the-while eating Krispy Kreme doughnuts, yummmmmy!! Now that I am older (and maybe wiser -- or maybe not!) I have realized that it really never was that far from my house to the Krispy Kreme, so off I'll trek to the "KK" quite often. Thankfully on Day Seven of the Photo-A-Day Challenge as I was sitting and pondering what to do for my "bright" entry (aside from taking a picture of a brightly colored post-it note), my co-worker & friend, Patti brought me not only my favorite kinds of doughnuts but also a KK calendar with coupons for 2013. Yes, my day was very merry and bright from then on! Thanks, Patti!

Day Eight - Ornaments -- It is absolutely amazing the variety of Christmas ornaments that exist in today's world. You can literally find an ornament for just about anything -- sports, hunting/fishing, TV/Movies, cities, people, cartoons, etc. It's almost hard to find "traditional" ornaments of just one kind. But I love color and recently I found the "wall of ornaments" full of shapes, sizes and of course lots of color! I just couldn't resist snapping a picture of the "wall of color" too bad I couldn't capture the entire wall!

Day Nine - Something You're Reading -- I am always in the process of reading something; whether it's something online, a book, the newspaper, a magazine -- you name it, I'm usually reading something. And sure enough, Sunday (Day 9) I took my Firebird out on a stroll and decided to take it to get a bath. So while I'm sitting in the car wash, what did I decide to do? Start reading my book! My newest read is "Hidden Threat" by A.J. Tata. It is the third book in the "Threat Series" which centers around the Garrett brothers and their service to America. The first two books were very capitvating and action-packed; this third book is a bit more subdued but still nonetheless it leaves you wondering what will happen next. I really recommend that everyone should read the entire "Threat Series" as it opens your mind to a lot of "what-ifs" and lets your mind explore. I had the opportunity to meet the author, and he is a top-notch person. He served our country in the U.S. Army before working in the public sector. I am grateful for his service to our country and my state, as well! Who ever would've thought he was such an amazing author, as well.

Day Ten - Wrapping Paper -- Similarly, as with the ornaments, it is so amazing to see the variety of wrapping paper that exists today. Gone are the days of using newspaper and brown sacks to wrap boxes (although sometimes we still will do that). But when I was out the other day, I just stopped and stared at the hundreds of wrapping paper options to choose from. It really makes it hard to choose just one when there are fifteen that you like. I ended up settling for black paper with colored lights (go figure, right?!?) But isn't it amazing that we take time to pick out the paper and carefully package the gifts and make the present look so decorative, but then in five seconds the box is tore all to pieces and the paper is thrown across the room. In some ways, it almost is like "what's the point" to even buy the paper, but at least it makes the gifts look nice while sitting under the glittering tree.